Month: March 2014

Morning Prayer, 17 Mar – John 14:1-4 ~ trust me

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

Lower my vengeance, my anger and my hatred, and banish my wicked thoughts from me; send down a drop from heaven of Your holy Spirit to vanquish this heart of rock of mine. Amen.

Morning reading

John 14:1-4 ESV:

going home

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Reflections:

trust me

While Jesus has made it clear that the disciples cannot trust in their own loyalty to him, this is not a cause of despair but an invitation to true security. They can only find real hope and confidence by focusing on God rather than on themselves. So Jesus tells them to trust in God; trust also in me. They have had such faith, and now they are to continue in that faith. The context suggests that Jesus is commanding them to trust. They are to stop letting their hearts be disturbed and hold firm their trust in God and in Jesus.

trust as command

The command to stop being disturbed requires that the disciples change their feelings. They are to do so not by focusing on their feelings, which would simply trap them in self-preoccupation, but by focusing on objective reality, namely, the Father and the Son. The disciples are to continue to hold on to their confidence in the Father and the Son despite all the feelings that will come as they see Jesus killed and as they are confronted with their own weakness. Despite all the evidence to the contrary in what is about to happen, God remains the loving, just, sovereign Father that Jesus has revealed, and Jesus remains his Son, beloved by God, and the disciples themselves remain loved by the Father.

trust as warfare

Their confidence is in God as revealed by Jesus, not in their circumstances nor in themselves. Only by being thus grounded in God do they have a stable center to focus on and to calm their hearts. By living from God’s reality rather than their own feelings and the appearances of this world, they are engaging in the battle that Jesus himself is waging. Jesus’ death is central to his victory over the world and its ruler. By their faith the disciples also conquer the world. Thus, “Jesus’ demand that they have faith in him is more than a request for a vote of confidence” (Brown)!

trust as peace

Jesus has already provided them with an example of what he here commands. When his heart was “troubled” he focused on the Father and the accomplishment of his will. Such remains the only source of peace and security. Given the presence of fear and worry in epidemic proportions among people, including Christians, the lesson Jesus is teaching his disciples at this point is greatly needed today as well. Only a trust in the revelation of the beauty, goodness and power of the Father and the Son will bring healing. It is perfect love that drives out fear (1 Jn 4:18).

trust as hope

Jesus’ main point is that he is going to God and will return for them; Jesus is talking about heaven and his second coming (Brown; Ridderbos). This is one of the few places in this Gospel where Jesus speaks of the future hope.

The word room refers to an objective “place” but not in the material sense many have in mind. Perhaps the most helpful language we have at present to speak of such a reality is to refer to it as another “dimension.” The phrase my Father’s house refers to “not mansions in the sky, but spiritual positions in Christ” (Gundry; Brown). While the ultimate goal is the Father, this passage is centered on Christ — it is his Father’s house, and Jesus says he will come again to take them to be with me more literally, “I will take you to myself,” pros emauton).

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.

2nd Sunday of Lent: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9 ~ a glimpse of glory

2nd Sunday of Lent

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

The Gospel of the Transfiguration reminds us that we are destined for glory. Like the disciples, we keep this glimpse of glory in our hearts in the dark days ahead. Resurection will follow, as surely as day follows night.

Holy God, from the dazzling cloud you revealed Jesus in glory as your beloved Son. During these forty days enlighten me with the bright glory of your presence. Inspire me by your word and so transform me into the image of the risen Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-4 (NLT)

Abram's Journey from Ur to Canaan (1850 painting by József Molnár)
Abram’s Journey from Ur to Canaan
(1850 painting by József Molnár)

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 (NLT)

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
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But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.
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We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
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Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Timothy 1:8-10 (NLT)

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time — to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9 (NLT)

Transfiguration Titian, c. 1560 San Salvador, Venice
Transfiguration
Titian, c. 1560
San Salvador, Venice

Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Intercessions:

God of justice and right, hear my prayer:

+ For Christians around the world, as we continue on our lenten journey — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For Church leaders, that they might abide in you and speak only what they hear from you — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For children and adults wanting a fresh start in life and seeking a closer walk with you — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For the Jewish people, the sons and daughters of Abraham, the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For peace in our world among warring factions and nations, particularly in the Middle East and in Ukraine — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For those who are hungry and thirsty, in need of clothing and shelter, that your people may give freely and generously — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For those who are sick and alone, heart-broken and hurt, rejected and dejected, that they might find their comfort in you – (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.
+ For those who have died and those who mourn their loss, that reunion in the light of heaven may be theirs — (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear me.

Lord God, you look with kindness on those who revere you: give us your help, for all our hope is in you, through Christ my Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Show Me Your Glory”

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

Morning Prayer, 15 Mar – John 13:36-38 ~ not ready… yet

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

Anyone who claims to be in the light, but hates his brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother and sister lives in the light; and there is nothing to make that person stumble.

Morning reading

John 13:36-38 ESV:

Saint Peter perhaps early 17th century, After El Greco
Saint Peter
perhaps early 17th century, After El Greco

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”

Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Reflections:

Peter claims he would lay down his life for Jesus, but he does not know his own heart. Despite his own estimate of his devotion, his love is still too self-centered and he does not yet have the guidance of the Spirit. The Lord will bring him to a new stage of maturation after the resurrection.

The poor showing of Peter, Judas and the other disciples at this point can be an encouragement to us in our immaturity. The Lord is incredibly patient. Indeed, he is love, a will to all goodness in our own lives. But God alone is good, and we are not the ones to define goodness. So we should find in Judas’s and Peter’s experience a warning to be loyal to Jesus as he is rather than as we would like him to be. Only he can guide and correct our mistaken notions, as we see him doing in this Gospel repeatedly. We should be asking him to do so in our lives, receiving the guidance he has given to the church through the Spirit.

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.

Morning Prayer, 14 Mar – John 13:31-35 ~ love each other

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

O King of Kings, O King of the universe, King who will be, who is, may you forgive us each and every one. Accept my prayer, O King of grace.

Morning reading

John 13:31-35 ESV:

love one another 1

When [Judas] was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Reflections:

the glory of God

In general the glory of God refers to his “own essential worth, greatness, power, majesty, everything in him which calls forth man’s adoring reverence” (Caird). This glory has been manifested throughout Jesus’ ministry, but now it comes to a climax on the cross. For the chief characteristic of God revealed in Jesus is his love, a self-sacrificial love. Thus, God is glorified in him through his death, “for in the cross of Christ, as in a splendid theatre, the incomparable goodness of God is set before the whole world” (Calvin).

the love of God

The love of God has now been mediated in a radically new way, through the incarnation. And the possibility of sharing in that divine love now becomes possible in a manner and to a degree unlike anything up to this point. The disciples are called to enter into the relation of love that exists between the Father and the Son. This love also is not new; it has existed from all eternity. But it has not been manifested or made available until the incarnation. Such love is the fruit of the disciples’ union with Jesus and, in Jesus, with the Father. The disciple, therefore, is one who is characterized by love, which is the laying down of life. The disciple, like the Master, reveals the Father.

the people of God

The love command focuses on relations within the new community – the divine love to be shared by the disciples, and extended to the whole world. Indeed, their love for one another is part of God’s missionary strategy, for such love is an essential part of the unity they are to share with one another and with God; it is by this oneness of the disciples in the Father and the Son that the world will believe that the Father sent the Son. The community is to continue to manifest God as Jesus has done, thereby shining as a light that continues to bring salvation and condemnation. Without this love their message of what God has done in Christ would be hollow.

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.

Morning Prayer, 13 Mar – John 13:21-30 ~ love rejected

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

All whom I love, into Your safe keeping; all that I am, into Your tender care; all that I will be, into Your perfect will. Amen.

Morning reading

John 13:21-30 ESV:

Closeup of Judas The Last Supper (Mosaic) Giacomo Raffaelli, Vienna, c. 1800
Closeup of Judas
The Last Supper (Mosaic)
Giacomo Raffaelli, Vienna, c. 1800

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.”

So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

Reflections:

anguish

Jesus’ anguish is caused by great love — the love he has for his disciples, including his betrayer. In Jesus’ anguish we see revealed the effects of our sin on the heart of God, from the first rebellion in the Garden right up to the most recent sin you and I have committed today. All sin is a rejection of God’s great love.

We are all quite capable of the worst sin. If we think otherwise, we are deluded and have no real idea how much we owe to the grace of God.

decision

When Judas receives the bread he seals his fate – now we have the point of decision. Just as faith is a progressive sequence, so acceptance of the devil’s will also follows a sequence. “His acceptance of the morsel without changing his wicked plan to betray Jesus means that he has chosen for Satan rather than for Jesus” (Brown).

The ultimate contest between light and darkness now begins in earnest – What you are about to do, do quickly. Jesus is not commanding Judas to sin but rather commanding him to get on with what he is going to do, one way or the other. “No man in all history was more truly `put on the spot’ than Judas in that moment” (Beasley-Murray).

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

_____________________________________

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.