Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings May -To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 119:31-32 ESV

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 10:38 ESV

“[M]y righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Reflections

ADVANCE WITH DETERMINATION, BUT ALWAYS FEAR FOR THE END

When Brigid was out with her sheep she saw Nindad the scholar running past. “What are you running like that for? and what are you seeking?” she said. “I am going to heaven,” he replied. Brigid begged him to pause and pray with her that her passage there might be easy. “I can’t stop now,” he said. “You see, the gates of heaven are open now and who knows how long it may be before they shut.” But he stayed and together they prayed an “Our Father” for him and Brigid – and for the many thousands she would drag through the gates behind her.

(From the Life of Brigid)

As Christians we need to be reliable in both word and deed and not to compromise on that which we promise the Father and others we will do. Being out on the road far from familiar surroundings, we find ourselves continually tempted by the enemy’s weapons of mediocrity and compromise. Some days would be extremely hot, making walking a test of endurance, other days would be cool or windy, and people who accompanied me or met with me would often express surprise at my being out in those extreme conditions. My reply would simply be: The weather might have changed, but God hasn’t changed His mind. He didn’t tell me to walk if the sun was shining or if it wasn’t raining, or if it was a beautiful calm day without any wind; He simply said, “Go.”

(Dave Cape, On the Road with Jesus)

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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: 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.) Having completed reading through the Gospel of John, our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Finan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer). We will continue with the Finan readings until Pentecost Sunday, June 8th. 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.