Tag: Abraham

Morning Prayer: 21 Jan – Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Mk 3:1-6 ~ Jesus, our priest forever

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentences:

God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.

Almighty, ever-living God, You choose what is weak in the world to shame what is strong. Grant that we, in our weakness, may be steadfast in faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from Letters: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17 (NLT)

melchizadeck

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors — no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.
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This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
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Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 3:1-6 (NLT)

Christ healing the man with a withered hand Byzantine mosaic (ca. 1180) in the Cathedral of Monreale, Italy
Christ healing the man with a withered hand
Byzantine mosaic (ca. 1180) in the Cathedral of Monreale, Italy

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Holy Family Sunday: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:22, 39-40 ~ the family of God

Holy Family Sunday

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

Opening prayer:

Today we honor the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph… and pray for all who are part of our families – those still alive and those who have joined the great family of God in heaven.
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O God, You cradle us at the beginning of life and embrace us at our journey’s end, for You love us as Your own. Bind our families together and deepen our faith, that, like the Holy Family of Nazareth, we may grow in wisdom and obedience to Your word.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 (NLT)

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”

Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

simeonsmoment

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
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The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
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He always stands by his covenant — the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac.
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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)

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Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:22, 39-40 (NLT)

The Holy Family with the Little Bird Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1650 Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
The Holy Family with the Little Bird
Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1650
Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
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When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
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Intercessions:

As members of God’s family, we pray to the Lord, whose love surpasses all others:

+ For all Christian families – that values like patience, understanding and tolerance may be their hallmark…. Lord, hear us
+ For families in difficulty – that they may receive the love and support they need…. Lord, hear us
+ For grandparents and all older people – that, like Simeon and Anna, their hopes for the next generation may be fulfilled…. Lord, hear us
+ For single people of all ages – that their Christian commitment may be seen in gentleness and concern for others…. Lord, hear us
+ For those who suffer in family life – that healing and hope may be God’s gift to them in the New Year…. Lord, hear us
+ For all the members of our families who have died, whom we remember now…. Lord, hear us
+ For those who died recently… and for the people from our communities who died during 2014 – that they may see the face of God…. Lord, hear us

O God, You remember Your covenant forever: hear the prayers of those who seek Your help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Benediction:

Through the incarnation of his Son God has scattered the darkness of the world, and by Christ’s glorious birth, which angels announced to the shepherds, has brightened this most holy day.

May the God of infinite goodness banish the darkness of sin from your hearts and make them radiant with the light of goodness. May God fill you with the joy of the shepherds and make you heralds of the gospel. May the God who joins heaven and earth fill you with peace and goodwill and unite you in fellowship with the Church in heaven.

May almighty God bless you, now and forever.

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

Morning Prayer: 22 May – Psalm 145:3-7; Genesis 22:14-18; Romans 12:16-18 ~ on commendable service

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.

Morning readings May -To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 145:3-7 ESV

Vito, a novice monk, at prayer in his cell in the Carthusian monastery of Serra San Bruno. Photo by Fernando Moleres/Panos
Vito, a novice monk, at prayer in his cell in the Carthusian monastery of Serra San Bruno. Photo by Fernando Moleres/Panos

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

Genesis 22:14-18 ESV

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Romans 12:16-18 ESV

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Reflections

BE GENTLE IN GENEROSITY, UNTIRING IN LOVE, JUST IN ALL THINGS

Bede speaks of Bishop Colman and his predecessors Aidan and Finan:

The sole concern of the teachers of those days was to serve God, not the world, and to feed the soul, not the belly. The religious habit, therefore, was held in great respect at that time, so that whenever a cleric or monk appeared he was welcomed gladly by everyone as a servant of God. Even if one was discovered passing on the roads they would run up to him and bow their heads, and were glad to be signed with the cross by his hand or blessed by his lips; and they paid close heed to such men’s exhortations. On the Lord’s Day they gathered eagerly in the church or monasteries, not to get food for their bodies but to listen to the word of God; and if a priest came by chance to their village the people at once came together, eager to receive from him the word of life. The priests and clerics themselves visited the vilages for no other eason than to preach, baptize, visit the sick and, in sum, to care for their souls; and so free were they from any taint or avarice that none accepted grants of land and estates for building monasteries unless compelled by the secular rulers!

Lord, daily order my steps that I might be transformed into your likeness; imperfect as I am, make me a mirrior that reflects your uncompromising love. Covenant-keeper, make me like You. – Dave Cape

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)

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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.) Having completed reading through the Gospel of John, our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Finan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer). We will continue with the Finan readings until Pentecost Sunday, June 8th. On Sundays, I’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, 20 Feb – John 8:48-59 ~ “I AM” has left the building

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Brendan the Navigator (c. 486-575)

Lord, I will trust You, help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

I will trust You in the darkness and know that my times are still in Your hand. I will believe You for my future, chapter by chapter, until all the story is written.

Morning readings

John 8:48-59 ESV:

I-AM

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”

So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Reflections:

never see death

The idea of abiding or remaining in Jesus’ teaching is now complemented by the motif of keeping it. This refers to remaining watchful, attentive and focused so as not to disregard it but rather to continue to obey it. It takes work to keep in touch with Jesus’ teaching. The disciple must expend energy to remain true to his teaching.

The promise that the faithful disciple will not die does not mean the disciple will not physically die; it means that he or she will not enter that state of “selfish isolation which is the negation of life”. The very fact that the disciple remains in contact with Jesus, the source of life, suggests such communion, with its death to self and life to God.

straight talk

1. Jesus speaks plainly about the Father – he refuses to glorify himself but says his Father will do so.
2. Jesus speaks plainly about his opponents ignorance of God – they are “liars.”
3. Jesus speaks plainly aboout his relationship to God – “I . . . keep his word.”
4. Jesus speaks plainly about his own divine identity – “before Abraham was born, I am!”

re-formation

The main points of chapters 7 & 8 have been Jesus divine identity, his role as the bringer of God’s salvation as water and light and the opponents’ utter alienation from God. This alienation has been stated explicitly, depicted dramatically in their questions and behavior and is now expressed symbolically in Jesus’ leaving in hiddenness.

Jesus has claimed to be I AM, the divine presence. So when he leaves the temple it is nothing less than “the departure of the Divine Presence from the old `Holy Space’.” He will not return again to the temple; he will come only to its outer precincts. His formation of a community apart from the temple will now become more apparent.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

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I want to be close, close to Your side / So Heaven is real and death is a lie / I want to hear voices of angels above / Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy / God Almighty, the great I AM / Who is worthy, none beside Thee / God Almighty, the great I AM

I want to be near, near to Your heart / Loving the world and hating the dark / I want to see dry bones living again / Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy / God Almighty, the great I AM / Who is worthy, none beside Thee / God Almighty, the great I AM

The mountains shake before You the demons run and flee / At the mention of the name King of Majesty / There is no power in hell / Or any who can stand / Before the power and the presence of the great I AM

The great I AM / the great I AM / The great I AM / The great I AM / The great I AM

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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: A brief word of explanation – 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.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’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, 19 Feb – John 8:39-47 ~ who’s your daddy

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Brendan the Navigator (c. 486-575)

Lord, I will trust You, help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.

I choose to live beyond regret and let You recreate my life. I believe You will make a way for me and provide for me, if only I trust You and obey.

Morning readings

John 8:39-47 ESV:

"The Temptation and Fall of Eve" William Blake (1808) Illustrations to John Milton - Paradise Lost
“The Temptation and Fall of Eve”
William Blake (1808)
Illustrations to John Milton – Paradise Lost

[The Jews] answered him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.”

They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father — even God.”

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Reflections:

paternity

Jesus is one with God the Father, expressed here once again in terms of his origin and obedience. It follows that anyone who rejects him is rejecting God the Father who sent him and to whom he is obedient. Their inability to hear his word indicates that something is radically wrong with them – they have the wrong father — they are of their father, the devil.

opposites

John portrays the devil as exactly the opposite of Jesus – Jesus is life and gives life; the devil is a murderer… Jesus is truth and speaks truth; the devil is a liar and the father of lies, to his very core there is no truth in him, but rather lies. This contrast between Jesus’ dependence on the Father and the devil’s independence from the Father is the crucial distinction between them.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

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Praise to the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ / Our God and our King, to Him we will sing / In His great mercy, He has given us life / Now we can be called the children of God

Great is the Love that the Father has given us / He has delivered us / He has delivered us

Children of God, sing your song and rejoice / For the love that He has given us all / Children of God, by the blood of His Son / We have been redeemed and we can be called / Children of God / Children of God

A mystery is revealed to the universe / The Father above has proven His love / Now we are free from the judgment that we deserve / And so we are called the children of God
We are the saints / We are the children / We’ve been redeemed / We’ve been forgiven / We are the sons and daughters of our God

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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: A brief word of explanation – 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.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’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.