Saturday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, 13 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Merciful and gracious Father, you showed the fullness of your love when you gave your only Son for our salvation and sent down upon us the power of your Spirit. Complete within us the work of your love, that we who have communion in Christ may come to share fully the undying life he lives with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 2 Timothy 4:1-22 (NLT)

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Paul’s Final Words

Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Paul’s Final Greetings

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.

Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.
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Morning Prayer:

Praise the Lord, all nations everywhere. Praise him, all the peoples of the earth.
For he loves us very dearly, and his truth endures. Praise the Lord.

You, Lord God, will someday judge the living and the dead when your Son, Jesus Christ, comes to set up his Kingdom. Prepare us for that Day –

+ that we may be conformed to the truth of your Word – corrected, rebuked, and encouraged by sound and wholesome teaching….

+ that we may reject false teaching that only reinforces what we want to hear – our prejudices, our false narratives, and our selfish desires….

+ that we may willingly suffer the consequences of telling others the Good News of Christ Jesus that has been entrusted to us….

+ that we may finish the work you have given us – fighting the good fight and remaining faithful to the end, eagerly awaiting Christ’s return….

+ that we may stay focused on the prize that awaits us – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give us on the day of his return….

You, Lord God, have stood with us and strengthened us through thick and thin – and you, Lord God, will deliver us from every evil attack and will bring us safely into your heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Praise the Lord, all nations everywhere. Praise him, all the peoples of the earth.
For he loves us very dearly, and his truth endures. Praise the Lord.

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Psalm 116 (TLB)

I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!

Death stared me in the face—I was frightened and sad. Then I cried, “Lord, save me!” How kind he is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects the simple and the childlike; I was facing death, and then he saved me. Now I can relax. For the Lord has done this wonderful miracle for me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall live! Yes, in his presence—here on earth!

In my discouragement I thought, “They are lying when they say I will recover.” But now what can I offer Jehovah for all he has done for me? I will bring him an offering of wine and praise his name for saving me. I will publicly bring him the sacrifice I vowed I would. His loved ones are very precious to him, and he does not lightly let them die.

O Lord, you have freed me from my bonds, and I will serve you forever. I will worship you and offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Here in the courts of the Temple in Jerusalem, before all the people, I will pay everything I vowed to the Lord. Praise the Lord.
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Psalm 116 (You Turned My Soul to Rest) -Robbie Seay Band

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Closing 2 Timothy 4:17-18 (TLB)

“The Lord stood with me and gave me strength… Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom.
All glory to God forever and ever!” Amen.

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