Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to secure me: against snares of devils,
against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

Revelation 16:8-11 (ESV) – to be read aloud

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION (4:1-16:21)

The Seven Last Plagues (15:1-16:21)

Plagues poured out (16:1-21)

Plagues 4 and 5 (16:8-11)

The fourth plague scorches people with the fiery heat of the sun…. The sovereign control of God over the entire process of retributive justice is emphasized by the fact that the power to scorch people is said to be given to the sun.

The fifth plague causes darkness to settle over the beast’s kingdom and people gnaw their tongues in pain…. This supernatural darkness not only intensifies the distress of the previous plagues, but also adds a terror of its own. (Mounce, p.296-7)

This plague is poured out directly upon the seat of the beast’s power… upon the demonic civilization of the last time. (Ladd, p.212)

Hardness of heart (16:9-11)

It is important to note… that the afflicted men recognized that [these plagues were] the work of God; but so hard and recalcitrant are their hearts because of the choice they have made to follow the beast that, instead of being brought to their knees in humble confession of their dependence on God, they curse his name and stubbornly refuse to repent and give him glory….

They recognize the hand of God in judgement, but their hearts are adamant; they refuse to show any trace of repentance but instead cursed the God of heaven. (Ladd, p.211-2)

The followers of the beast… have become one in character with their evil master, whose most characteristic activity is to blaspheme God and his followers…. The decision to persevere in evil has permanently precluded any possibility of a return to righteousness. (Mounce, p. 297)
__________

Repent, the voice celestial cries by Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751

Repent, the voice celestial cries, Nor longer dare delay: The wretch that scorns the mandate dies, And meets a fiery day.

No more the sovereign eye of God O’er looks the crimes of men; His heralds are dispatched abroad To warn the world of sin.

Together in his presence bow, And all your guilt confess; Accept the offered savior now, Nor trifle with his grace.

Bow, ere the awful trumpet sound, And call you to his bar; For mercy knows the appointed bound, And turns to vengeance there.

Amazing love, that yet will call, And yet prolong our days! Our hearts subdued by goodness fall, And weep, and love, and praise.
__________

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.