Month: January 2014

Morning Prayer, 9 Jan – John 1:19-34 ~ the voice

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism, through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial, through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension…. (St Patrick’s Breastplate)

Morning readings

John 1:19-34 ESV:

Icon of St John the Baptist Byzantine, around AD 1300 From Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)
Icon of St John the Baptist
Byzantine, around AD 1300
From Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Reflections / Prayer:

This brief encounter between the officials and the Baptist raises searching questions for us. First, do we have the inner openness and deep desire necessary to receive God’s revelation? Second, since our identity, like that of the Baptist, is most truly seen in relation to Christ, how does our life — our relationships and responsibilities — flow from our relation to God? What would we say if asked “Who are you?” and “Why are you doing what you are doing?”?
__________

The Baptist concludes his testimony to Jesus with the central title for Jesus in this Gospel: I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God. His testimony is a model of Christian witness to Jesus! He is also a model of Christian discipleship in his humility… in his recognition of his ignorance, and in his waiting and watching for God’s promised one… Such humility is part of being receptive and obedient to God. One with such a heart is able, like the Baptist, to hear God.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

__________

Heavenly Father: Give me the heart, mind and spirit of John the Baptist –

+ I freely acknowledge my limitations in comprehension – show me Your glory
+ I freely acknowledge that I can do nothing apart from You – come Holy Spirit
+ Give me an openness and desire to receive all that Your Spirit reveals
+ Open my eyes to the movement of Your Spirit working in and around me
+ Give me a willing and obedient spirit to join in the work of Your Spirit
+ And in all things, may I be a faithful witness… pointing people to Jesus –
the Christ,
the Lamb of God,
the Chosen One,
the Son of God.

Lord God – Father, Son, and Spirit – be glorified in me… today. Amen

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Sripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Morning Prayer, 8 Jan – John 1:14-18 ~ glory revealed

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence

I arise today, through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness, of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me from snares of devils, from temptation of vices, from everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near. (St Patrick’s Breastplate)

Morning readings

"Kissing the Face of God" Morgan Weistling
“Kissing the Face of God”
Morgan Weistling

John 1:14-18 ESV:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Reflections / Prayer:

Now comes the break with all non-Christian thought. This Word, the agent of creation, has become a creature. He who brought the universe into existence now is born within the universe as a human being. This thought is so familiar in Christianity we may no longer be staggered by it.

A prayer of the Eastern churches conveys well the breathtaking wonder: “We see most eloquent orators voiceless as fish when they must speak of Thee, O Jesus our Savior. For it is beyond their power to tell how Thou art both perfect man and immutable God at the same time.”

Glory refers here to God’s sovereign goodness and mercy, or graciousness as manifested in Jesus who is full of grace (God’s covenant-keeping, gracious love) and truth (God’s covenant-keeping, faithful reliability).

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

__________

Jesus is the perfect revelation of God – abounding in love and faithfulness – and now overflowing in us.
__________

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT)

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Sripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Morning Prayer, 7 Jan: John 1:6-13; Isaiah 49:6b; Galatians 4:4-5 ~ light for all

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me from snares of devils, from temptation of vices, from everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near. (St Patrick’s Breastplate)

Morning readings

John 1:6-13 ESV:

TrueLight_

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Isaiah 49:6b ESV:

“I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Galatians 4:4-5 ESV:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

Reflections / Prayer:

Light for all –

The light of Jesus is as universal as the light of creation. He did not come merely to some Gnostic elite, nor did he come to a single nation or culture. This light is the Word that became flesh in a given time and place. At the heart of Christianity is the so-called scandal of particularity. People of all cultures and times are to receive the light that shines in this first-century Jew—he who has been given authority over all people.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

Received by some –

Why do some belive and others do not? …There is no doubt that God’s gracious sovereign initiative comes first, for he is the source of all life and it is only by his grace that any life occurs and abides at all. The right (or power) to become children of God must be given by God…. But unlike natural birth the one being born of God does play a part; this life is not forced on the believer but must be received. Those who are receptive to the Son are offered the gift of becoming children of God themselves.

John does not say “he made them children of God” but “he gave them power to become children of God” (cf. Chrysostom In John 10.2).

The tragedy is the mixed response he gets, for some “wilfully close the eyes of their mind” (Chrysostom In John 8.1).

Believing in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, enables us to have “life in his name”… to become children of God – which means we begin to share his divine life, without ceasing to be creatures… and, we begin to reflect his character.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

Heavenly Father: You have placed all the tribes and nations in their positions here on earth… and You have sent Your Light to them in the person of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Your desire is that all should receive this gift of light and life… and so be counted as Your children… adopted into Your family.

I pray for leaders of tribes and nations –
+ that they might acknowledge You as their source of rulershipship and authority
+ that they might love their people more than they love themselves
+ that they might serve as shepherds rather than taskmasters
+ that they might provide for order, peace and shared prosperity in their lands
+ that they might realize that You know the thoughts and workings in all men’s hearts
+ that humility might fill their hearts and that they might learn to fear You
+ that they might rule with Your final judgement in mind

I pray for the families of these leaders –
+ that You might work Your wonders in their hearts at this practical dimension of their daily lives
+ that You might rightly order their family relationships and priorities
+ that You might work miracles in their households.

Heavenly Father: May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And may all nations be open to receive Your gift of life and light in Jesus Christ… in whose name we pray. Amen

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Sripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Morning Prayer, 6 Jan: Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 33:6; Colossians 1:16; John 1:1-5 ~ in the beginning

Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence

I arise today through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock….

I arise today through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.

St Patrick’s Breastplate

Morning readings

IncarnationGenesis 1:1-2 ESV:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Psalm 33:6 ESV:

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Colossians 1:15-17 ESV:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

John 1:1-5 ESV:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Reflections / Prayer:

We are at the outset of a story that will reveal to us the most profound mysteries of life. This story is simply about God, the glory of his character, the nature of his life and his desire to share that life with his creatures. It is about God come amongst us and the mixed response he received to his offer of divine life.
(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

Eternity – Who is like You, O God?

My mind can’t begin to grasp Your Being… outside of time and space… outside of all human categories… perfect, whole, self-contained – Three in One – Father, Son and Spirit. Eternal reality, yet mystery.

AWESOME!

Creation – Who is like You, O God?

You spoke everything into existence… the universe with its ever-expanding galaxies… life in all its forms – everything done through the agency of Your Word… all through You and for You. Wonderful to behold.

SILENCE!

Incarnation – Who is like You, O God?

The Word became the visible image of the invisible God… from creation at the Father’s side… into the created world as a child born in a manger – You became the very manifestation of life itself. Glory revealed.

JOY!

Conflict – Who is like You, O God?

Life and light in a world of darkness and rebellion. In a world coming unglued – You hold it all together. You are our guide… You are our wisdom… You are the One who saves us… You are the only One to make sense of it all. Lord, have mercy.

GRACE!

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

St Patrick’s Breastplate

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: A brief word of explanation – the general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Sripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.

Morning Prayer in the New Year ~ “I arise today….”

Peanut Gallery: As we move into the new year, I’d like to try a slightly different approach to Morning Prayer.

CelticCross

The general format will be adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) The Sripture readings, however, will be taken primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John may be included along the way.

My purpose is to read slowly, pondering what John is saying, and praying it into my life.

“Follow the example of good men of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.”
(Celtic Daily Prayer – Evening Prayer)

I’ll also include reflections from various saints, as they are remembered during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgy resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world.

Photo illustrations and music videos will be included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings.

Every year is a new adventure with God. I have no idea what new challenges and opportunities I will encounter on the journey. But I do know that God loves me and is with me every step of the way. That’s why I can arise every day with a sense of expectation and joy. If God is for me, who can possibly be against me?

I hope you will walk along with me into the new year… and that you will share what you are learning as well. God bless you in the new year.

The Prayer of St. Patrick