Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Chad of Lichfield (?-672)

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God.

You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. My fame or repute will be just as You allow: You mark the way before me.

On Your path, O my God, and not my own, be all my journeying. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours.

Morning readings

John 7:37-39 ESV:

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Reflections:

Living Water

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)

What Jesus offers is the fulfillment of the very things they were celebrating. Here the Son is repeating the offer of the Father, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1). Indeed, he is fulfilling the role of God, who “will guide them and lead them beside springs of water” (Isaiah 49:10). Here we have God himself offering us life.

Holy Spirit

Those who believe in Jesus will receive the Spirit. However, those listening to Jesus could not receive this Spirit until he was glorified, that is, until Jesus’ death.

Until the Son’s death, the heart of God could not be known and thus eternal life, which is knowledge of God, could not yet be experienced. Until the death of the Son, the life of God could not be conveyed by the Spirit.

Come and Drink

Jesus invites believers, those who know their need, to come to him – which means aligning oneself with him, trusting him, receiving his teaching and obeying his commands. Such faith enables us to receive the Spirit and enter an abiding relationship with Christ.

When we believe… we open our hands to receive what God’s grace offers — we come and drink.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

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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

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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 Scripture 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.