Month: September 2014

23rd Ordinary Sunday: Ezekial 33:7-9; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20 ~ on heeding the watchmen

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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

Opening prayer:

We gather as God’s family, concerned for each other, supporting one another in sadness and joy.

Confirm, O God, in unity and truth the church You gather in Christ. Encourage the fervent, enlighten the doubtful, and bring back the wayward. Bind us together in mutual love, that our worship in Christ’s name may be pleasing to You. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

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A Reading from the Old testament: Ezekial 33:7-9 (NLT)

watchman

“Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (NLT)

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
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Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.

If only you would listen to his voice today!
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The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did.
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)

Owe nothing to anyone — except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These — and other such commandments — are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 18:15-20 (NLT)

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
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Intercessions:

Good Shepherd, we number ourselves among Your flock – hear our prayers:

+ For the prophets called to challenge God’s people — that they may never be afraid to speak the truth….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all the members of every church — that we may courageously help each other to become more like Christ….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all church members who have gone astray – that we might receive correction graciously and be reconciled to one another….
Lord, hear us.

+ For Christians suffering persecution in Syria, Iraq and throughout the Middle East — that their courage may not fail….
Lord, hear us

+ For people who are mentally or physically disabled — that may receive the love and help they need for a dignified life….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those beginning a new school year, students and teachers alike — that they may have gifts of wisdom and understanding….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who have died recently — that their families may be comforted and that the Good Shepherd may include them in the heavenly flock…. Lord, hear us.

O God our creator, you are the rock who saves us: listen to our voices and help us in our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Morning Prayer: 06 Sept – Revelation 2:18-28 ~ Thyatira: expediency over principle

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Revelation 2:18-28 (ESV) – to be read aloud

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Countess Jezebel" Painted by Joan Baez
“Countess Jezebel”
Painted by Joan Baez

“‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

“‘But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Reflection

THE FIRST VISION – THE SEVEN LETTERS

To the Church in Thyatira

Thyatira was noted as a trading center… the trade controlled by her many trade guilds… which enjoyed common meals probably dedicated to some pagan deity that typically ended in unbridled licentiousness. It would be nearly impossible for a citizen to participate in trade and industry without membership in the appropriate guild. That’s where the problem arose for the Christians in Thyatira. (Ladd, p.50)

Son of God…

This is the only occurrence of this title in Revelation…. Christ is described as the one whose eyes flash with anger and who is prepared to tread under his feet the enemies of the Christian faith. (Ladd, p.50)

I know your works…

The church in Thyatira has much to commend it… love and faith have produced service and patient endurance in the face of the problems of living in a pagan culture and environment… the church is growing in her display of Christian virtues. (Ladd, p.51)

Jezebel… a prophetess…

However, the church has tolerated evil, pernicious teaching from a woman who claimed to be speaking for God – a type of Jezebel. While the church recognized the evil character of her teaching, they apparently refused to deal with it. The result was full accommodation to pagan mores surrounding guild membership and participation in their pagan meals and immorality…. This false prophetess had been rebuked, but without success. (Ladd, p.52)

great tribulation…

The same affliction will befall the woman and those who have unreservedly accepted her teaching, adjusting their Christian profession to the immoral practices associated with the trade guilds….

Every generation of Christians must face the question, ‘How far should I accept and adopt contemporary standards and practices?’ On the one hand, Christians must not deny the faith. On the other, they must not deny their membership in society…. Christians live in the same world as their neighbors and face the same problems. They must find Christian solutions.

The woman and her followers had been so ready to conform to the lifestyle of their heathen neighbors that they had lost sight of the essential Christian position. They had exalted expediency over principle. (Morris, p.71)

to the rest of you… hold fast…

For those who have repudiated the false teaching Christ imposes no additional burden beyond that which they are currently bearing – service and patient endurance…. This does not mean that life is easy – a different quality of life is demanded from the Christian. It requires that they hold fast to what they have… until the glorious day when their Lord will appear. Perseverance is important… for the Christian life is not a battle but a campaign.

The reward for the overcomer is authority over the nations, a dazzling prospect but one that demanded great faith from a tiny church. (Morris, p.73)

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us… sinners that we are:

+ That the church will be characterized by good deeds and that those deeds will increase in number and effectiveness….
+ That Christian people will be characterized by godly love in our homes, at work, and in our communities….
+ That the church will be characterized by faith in Jesus Christ….
+ That Christian people will be characterized by service to others….
+ That the church will be characterized by perseverance in the face of societal opposition….
+ That the church will not tolerate false teachers and their attending practices….
+ That Christian people will hold fast to the faith and so become conquerors who hear and keep Your word….

We ask this for Your Name’s sake. Amen.
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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: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) 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.

Morning Prayer: 05 Sept – Revelation 2:12-17 ~ Pergamum: faith and laxity

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Revelation 2:12-17 (ESV) – to be read aloud

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

“‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

“‘But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

“‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’”

Reflection

THE FIRST VISION – THE SEVEN LETTERS

To the Church in Pergamum

The Great Altar from Pergamum (Bergama, in modern Turkey), in the Pergamum Museum, Berlin
The Great Altar from Pergamum (Bergama, in modern Turkey), in the Pergamum Museum, Berlin

Pergamum was a center of worship for four of the most important pagan cults of the day – Zeus, Athene, Dionysos, and Asklepios, the god of healing, which attracted people from all over the world. Pergamum has been described as ‘the Lourdes of the ancient world.’ And, even more important for the Christians who lived there, it was the principle center of Caesar-worship in this part of the world. (Morris, p.65)

“the sharp two-edged sword…”

In the context of life in a provincial capital where the pro-consul was granted “the right of the sword”, the power to execute at will, the sovereign Christ with the two-edged sword would remind the threatened congregation that the ultimate power over life and death belongs to God. (Mounce, p.79)

“where Satan’s throne is…”

Part of the freize from the Great Altar of Pergamum
Part of the freize from the Great Altar of Pergamum

Pergamum was a stronghold of both pagan religion and emporer worship and provided an unusually difficult environment for a Christian church…. We should remember that most of the converts in Pergamum had come from paganism, and undoubtedly the social and religious pressure to abandon Christ and to turn back to their pagan worship was severe. (Ladd, p.46)

“Yet you hold fast…”

The Greek word here for ‘witness’ is martys, which later came to bear the connotation of martyr…. By standing faithful to the point of death and suffering martyrdom, the Christian bore his most effective witness to his Lord. (Ladd, p.47)

The phrase ‘where Satan lives’ stresses the significance of the activity of the evil one. Persecution does not take place simply at the behest of wicked people. (Morris, p.66)

“a few things against you…”

Balaam is a prototype of those who promote compromise with paganism in idolatry and immorality…. The Pergamum Christians had allowed pagan morals to influence them…. They were guilty of allowing within their number some who held to the teaching of Balaam…. However, the entire church is summoned to repent for a sin of which only a few were actually guilty…. The sin of the Pergamum church was tolerance and laxity. (Ladd, p. 49)

“Repent… I will come…”

Evil must not be countenanced…. The alternative to repentance is to have Christ fight against them…. The word Christ speaks will either be a comfort and a strength, or else it destroys us. (Morris, p.67)

“To the one who conquers…”

John uses the idea of manna metaphorically to indicate admission to the messianic feast… hidden now in the presence of God but destined to be revealed in the messianic age…. The white stone is a symbol of admission… and a new name (the name of Christ? / new name given to the holder?) means certainty of entrance to the messianic banquet. (Ladd, p.49)

Prayer

Almighty God, Ruler and Righteous Judge, You know the truth about the church and all mankind. You know the truth about us. Lord, hear our prayer –

+ That Your people may faithfully bear witness to Christ, regardless of the hardships or circumstances we may face….
Lord, hear us.

+ That Your people may remain faithful to the Truth of the Gospel and strive to live godly lives in the midst of pagan, even demonic, cultures….
Lord, hear us.

+ That Your church may uphold the high standards of biblical morality – especially concerning marriage, family, and human sexuality….
Lord, hear us.

+ That Your people may be delivered from laxity and tolerance toward the mores of pagan cultures that erode holiness and righteousness….
Lord, hear us.

+ That Your church may exercise godly discipline among its members in a manner that leads to repentance, reconciliation and restoration….
Lord, hear us.

Holy God, show us the areas where we have allowed sin to take root in our lives. Forgive us and make us clean. We want to be holy. Show us how to walk in the truth. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen
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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: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) 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.

Morning Prayer: 04 Sept – Revelation 2:8-11 ~ Smyrna: “faithful unto death”

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Revelation 2:8-11 (ESV) – to be read aloud

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’”

Reflection

THE FIRST VISION – THE SEVEN LETTERS

The Martyrdom of Polycarp, c. 155 AD Bishop of Smyrna (click here to read this amazing story)
The Martyrdom of Polycarp, c. 155 AD
Bishop of Smyrna
(click here to read this amazing story)

To the Church in Smyrna

“Smyrna was a wealthy, prosperous seaport located approximately 35 miles north of Ephesus. It was a seat of emporer worship and also contained a substantial Jewish colony who were aggressively hostile to Christianity. Some years later they actively assisted in the martyrdom of Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna (c. 155 A.D.).”

“Apparently, the church was healthy and spiritually prosperous since the letter contains no word of criticism or condemnation.”

tribulation, poverty and slander

“The poverty of the Smyrneans was not due alone to their normal economic condition but to confiscation of property, looting by hostile mobs, and to the difficulty of earning a living in a hostile environment…. Spiritually, they are rich, even though they suffer economic poverty.”

“The Martyrdom of Polycarp gives us a hint of the slander and tribulation the Smyrneans faced although at a slightly later time.”
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IRAQ UPDATE: Weakened and Impoverished (click here for more)

Refugees line up at a makeshift dispensary set up in Erbil. (photo: CNEWA)
Refugees line up at a makeshift dispensary set up in Erbil. (photo: CNEWA)

“People lost almost everything,” she continues. “They cannot even afford to buy milk or formula for their children. What saddens us most is that, only one month ago, these people were the most educated in the country and among those most likely to build a life for themselves and their family, and now they do not have enough money in their pockets to survive the day. Christians became accustomed to investing their money in businesses, shops, fields, buildings, etc., [in order] to build their communities. Leaving their towns meant leaving everything they had been working for all their lives.”
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Be faithful unto death

“Imprisonment and possible death were perceived as the work of the devil and involved a test of the validity of Christian profession. Everyone who professed discipleship to Jesus must be ready to go to prison and if need be to lay down his life for his Lord. Martyrdom would prove beyond doubt the reality of his faith.”

crown of life

“The crown of life is not a promise of special reward for the martyrs…. Rather, it is introduced in this context to remind the Smyrneans that although they suffered physical death, they were assured of the prize of eternal life. The crown itself is eternal life.”

(Ladd, p.42-45)

Prayer

Lord, almighty God, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have come to the knowledge of yourself, God of angels, of powers, of all creation, of all the race of saints who live in your sight, I bless you for judging me worthy of this day, this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ, your anointed one, and so rise again to eternal life in soul and body, immortal through the power of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among the martyrs in your presence today as a rich and pleasing sacrifice. God of truth, stranger to falsehood, you have prepared this and revealed it to me and now you have fulfilled your promise.

I praise you for all things, I bless you, I glorify you through the eternal priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him be glory to you, together with him and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Polycarp

God of all creation, You gave your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the gospel.

May his prayer give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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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: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) 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.

Morning Prayer: 03 September – Revelation 2:1-7 ~ Ephesus: loyalty & love

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Ruins of the ancient Church of St. Mary in Ephesus – site of the proceedings of the Council of Ephesus in 431.
Ruins of the ancient Church of St. Mary in Ephesus –
site of the proceedings of
the Council of Ephesus in 431.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Reflection

THE FIRST VISION – THE SEVEN LETTERS

To the Church in Ephesus

“Ephesus was the foremost city in Asia and home of the most important church in the province…. Ephesus was also the home of all kinds of superstitions and practices and was famous throughout the world for the magical arts (see Acts 19:19). It was founded by Aquila and Priscilla… firmly established by Paul’s preaching and teaching… and carried on later by Timothy and John. In the first years of the second century, Ignatius wrote the Ephesians a letter which praises them for their unity and blameless Christian conduct and for living in harmonious love.” (Ladd, p.37)

“I know your works…”

“The good works of the Ephesians consisted in their firm opposition to false teachers who had arisen in Ephesus and their steadfast refusal to be led away by their teachings…. Many itinerant preachers and teachers arose in the early church who claimed to be the mouthpiece of the Holy Spirit and to speak for God…. The church in Ephesus demonstrated the ability to distinguish between true and false teachers… and refused to tolerate the latter.” (Ladd, p.38-39)

“But I have this against you…”

“However, their struggle with false teachers… had had serious effects… and had led them to abandon the love they had at first. Here was a failure which undermined the very foundation of the Christian life…. Doctrinal purity and loyalty can never be a substitute for love.” (Ladd, p.39)

Remember, repent, return

“Christ calls them to come back in three steps: remember – look back to a time of greater intimacy with God; repent – make a break with evil; return – to what you did at first…. A church can continue only for so long on a loveless course… before it will cease to exist as a church.” (Morris, p.61)

“To the one who conquers…”

“The Christian life is an unrelenting warfare against the powers of evil…. The victory is analogous to the victory won by Christ himself, even though it involved his death on the cross…. The very martyrdom of the saints was their victory, for they had conquered every satanic effort to turn their loyalty and devotion away from Christ and had remained true…. Love and loyalty to Christ will conquer fear of suffering and death.” (Ladd, p.41)

Prayer

Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ: He hears the prayers of His children and holds the church in His hand – Lord, hear us.

+ Thank You for speaking to us through the prophets and apostles – that we might know You and love You with all our hearts…

+ Thank You for sending us Your Spirit, the Spirit of Truth – that we might discern truth from falsehood and remain true to Your Word…

+ Forgive us our battle-scarred, hardened hearts – that we might not become like the enemies of Truth…

+ Forgive us for being so focused on judgement for our enemies – that we no longer pray for their conversion…

+ Teach us how to love our enemies – that we might overcome evil with good…

+ Give us Your strength in our weakness – that we might have the courage to face our troubles and tribulations…

+ Direct our thoughts, our words, our actions today – that we may know, and do, your will…

+ Make wisdom our guide – that we might ever walk in newness of life…

I ask this for Your Name’s sake. Amen.
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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: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) 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.