Morning Prayer: 23 July – Psalm 131:2; Isaiah 35 : 1; Mark 6:30-31 ~ on a quiet place

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 131:2 NLT

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Isaiah 35:1

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Mark 6:30-31

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Reflection

ST CUTHBERT’S ISLAND

St Cuthbert’s Island adjoining the shore of Lindisfarne is a wonderful parable of quiet, for it is always in sight of the main island, and yet for hours and hours at a time it is completely cut off. It seems designed especially to experience a day of solitude, long enough to limit your freedom, but not as inaccessible as the life of a true hermit.

Here Cuthbert, and almost certainly Aidan before him, escaped from the pressures of community and of missions and turned their faces towards God.
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Thank you Lord, that You have set aside places,
special trysting places where we can meet with you.
(Alistair Eberst)
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How wonderful it is to talk with God
when cares sweep o’er my spirit like a flood;
how wonderful it is to hear His voice,
for when He speaks the desert lands rejoice.
(Theodore H. Kitching)
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We’ve all got little cells in our hearts, little hermitages that God wants to fill. For some there’s a physical place of silence. It’s hard to be silent. It’s hard to stop. To know God in the quiet is worth a lot – it’s there we’ll get our vision and our peace to come through whatever hits us.
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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

Morning Prayer: 22 July – Psalm 131:1; 1 Samuel 16:14-23; Acts 16:23 ~ on solitude

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 131:1 NLT

asking-for-help-sitting-alone-on-the-beach-300x200

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.

1 Samuel 16:14-23 NLT

Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.

Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”

“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”

One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.”

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.

So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.

Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”

And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

Acts 16:23 NLT

They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.

Reflections

A PLACE OF QUIET

He walks with God
who speaks to God in prayer,
and daily brings to Him his daily care.
(Anon)
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In every man lies a zone of solitude
that no human intimacy can fill:
and there God encounters us.
(Brother Roger of Taizé)
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Speak to me, Lord, give me Your peace.
Show me the way to go.
I need Your love, I need Your strength,
all of my needs You know.

Be by my side, be in my heart.
Be in my every prayer.
Filling my life, filling my soul,
all of the time be there…

Give me Your love
– give me Your peace…
(Ros Robertson)

Aidan Readings – Aidan of Lindisfarne
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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: 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 July. 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: 21 July – Psalm 130; Jonah 3:5-10; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 ~ on repentance

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 130 NLT

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.

Jonah 3:5-10 NLT

The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city:

“No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”

When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 NLT

I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

Reflections

DARMSTADT

In my dream, behold I saw a man clothed in rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the book, and read therein, and as he read he wept and trembled…
(John Bunyan)
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Repentance is seen by many as unfashionable and outmoded. Like sin, it is not to be talked about. But John the Baptist and Jesus Himself made it central to their teaching of the Kingdom of God.
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In Darmstadt, on State Highway 3 between Frankfurt and Heidelburg, stands a small chapel. Its building was the first of many victories for the sisters in establishing their Land of Canaan. Basilea Schlink and her community of Mary Sisters believed for the land, the finance, the permission, and with each obstacle, they sought deeper repentance lest any inward attitude blocked the release of God’s blessing. Repentance is at the heart of their community, repentance, the joy-filled life.
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As Christian walked on he came to a hill which grew steeper and steeper. The load on his back was very heavy as he climbed. Near the top there was a cross, and just as Christian came to the cross his burden fell from his back. It rolled and tumbled down the hill until it fell into a dark hole, and he saw it no more.
(John Bunyan)

Aidan Readings – Aidan of Lindisfarne
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Canticle:

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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16th Ordinary Sunday: Exodus 34:5-7; Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-30 ~ help in our weakness

16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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

Opening prayer:

Holy Spirit: Call us to worship and teach us to pray – that we might glorify the name of the Lord.

O God, patient and forbearing, You alone know fully the goodness of what You have made. Strengthen our spirit when we are slow and temper our zeal when we are rash, that in Your own good time You may produce in us a rich harvest from the seed You have sown and tended. We ask 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: Exodus 34:5-7 (NLT)

Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,

“Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 (NLT)

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry.
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All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.
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But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant.
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 13:24-30 (NLT)

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

“‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
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Intercessions:

Holy Spirit guide us as we bring our needs to the Father:

+ For all who try to live as Christians – that they may receive the grace and power required to rise above the evil around them….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those who have never known faith – that the Good News of Your saving mercy may transform their lives….
Lord, hear us.

+ For people who are finding life difficult at the moment – that the kindness of believing friends may reassure them of God’s care….
Lord, hear us.

+ For the young, as they search for truth – that the seeds of faith sown in them may bear abundant fruit….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those whose earthly journey is over – that our forgiving God may welcome them to their eternal home….
Lord, hear us.

God of love and compassion, You do marvellous deeds: hear the cries of our hearts today, especially for those we love, and hasten to fulfill Your perfect will in all our lives – we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Morning Prayer: 19 July – Psalm 128; Proverbs 20:24-25; Matthew 18:18-20 ~ on renewing vows

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 128 NLT

How joyful are those who fear the Lord — all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.

May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!

Proverbs 20:24-25 NLT

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.

Matthew 18:18-20 NLT

“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.”

Reflections

RENEWING OF VOWS

Go back to the old wells, to the sweet waters. Isaac dug the wells again which they had used in his father’s day. Returning to ‘the old wells’ may mean the renewing of a promise. Many couples in particular renew their vows, or return to the places that for them hold important associations.
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The union of your spirits here
has caused Him to remain,
for wherever two or more of you
are gathered in His name
there is love.
(Noel Paul Stookey)
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We seek a clear light to shine
upon our troubled way.
We ask You to give us clearer directions.
Where we have missed the way
and wandered far, bring us back
at whatever cost to our pride.
Take away our stubborn self-will,
for we know that in Your will alone
is our peace. We seek that peace.
(Peter Marshall)

Aidan Readings – Aidan of Lindisfarne
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Canticle:

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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