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.
Guido Reni, 1636
Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome
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St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
Psalm 103:20-21
Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!
Genesis 28:16-17
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!”
Luke 2:20
The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Reflection
Columba seems to have been no stranger to visits from angels, and was often aware of their comings and goings, especially to protect someone in danger or escort a departing soul heavenward, even when these occurences were at a distance, such that Adamnan says later ‘news’ from far away would confirm to have happened at the exact time he had been aware of the event. He spoke of them seldom, but was often in the company of angels as he prayed.
Hard vict’ries inly won
make strong the soul
to breathe the sov’reign peace
which angels share:
Unnumbered hosts
strengthen the loving soul that perseveres!
(R. M. Benson)
One day, on Iona, he commanded his brothers to allow him to go alone, un-followed, to The Machair, the western plain. There on a little hill he was met by many angels who were clothed in white and flew at great speed. We know this because one disobedient monk spied on the meeting, and thereby cut it short!
The site of this story is still recognizable today on Iona:
One little round hill-top is not rocky,
but rounded, green, distinctive:
the hill where Columba spoke with
holy Angels.
(Margaret Cropper)
__________
__________
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: 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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of August. On Sundays, we’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.
The Peanut Gallery 