Morning Prayer: 2 August – Psalm 96:10-13; Genesis 28:11-12; Ephesians 6:18 – on stone pillows

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.

IONA

Iona (Scottish Gaelic: Ì Chaluim Chille) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats. Its modern Gaelic name means “Iona of (Saint) Columba” (formerly anglicised “Icolmkill”). (Wikipedia)

Psalm 96:10-13

Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
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Genesis 28:11-12

‘Columba’s Pillow’ This simple, water-worn boulder with a ringed cross carved onto it was found by a crofter in 1870 at Clanh an Dìsirt (about a kilometre NE of the abbey). He had become so annoyed by his cartwheel constantly hitting the stone that he dug it up. It soon became known as ‘Columba’s Pillow’ – the stone on which Columba laid his head each night and which after his death marked his grave. — ‘Columba’s Pillow’
This simple, water-worn boulder with a ringed cross carved onto it was found by a crofter in 1870 at Clanh an Dìsirt (about a kilometre NE of the abbey). He had become so annoyed by his cartwheel constantly hitting the stone that he dug it up. It soon became known as ‘Columba’s Pillow’ – the stone on which Columba laid his head each night and which after his death marked his grave.

At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.

Ephesians 6:18

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Reflection

IONA

Columba and his brothers lived in simple huts, praying for each other, and for those far and wide whose lives they were to influence.
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A central hut upon a rising ground served as Columba’s cell. He watched in prayer for the small company assembled round, and for the mighty int’rests everywhere, which claimed his anxious heart. The stone was here which served him as a couch for needful sleep.
(Richard Meux Benson)
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Columba, disdaining the luxury of straw, used to lie on a stone, with another rounded stone for a pillow. A stone with a Celtic cross on it is preserved in Iona Cathedral and legend says that this stone is the very stone used by Columba for his pillow.
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Remember the holy places, the Cathedral, full of gracious light, and the stillness of the stone, with its carven capitals, its timeworn arches, its store of patterned grave stones, and the hard pillow where Columba laid his head.
(Margaret Cropper)
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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 August. 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: 1 August – Psalm 137:4-6; Deuteronomy 3:23-27; Philippians 2:8-11 – on enthronement

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.

IONA

Psalm 137:4-6

But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you, if I don’t make Jerusalem my greatest joy.

Deuteronomy 3:23-27

“At that time I pleaded with the Lord and said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do? Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains.’

“But the Lord was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. ‘That’s enough!’ he declared. ‘Speak of it no more. But go up to Pisgah Peak, and look over the land in every direction. Take a good look, but you may not cross the Jordan River….’

Philippians 2:8-11

[Christ] humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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Reflection

In February 1992 twelve men went together to the island of Iona to pray. This month we ask you to journey there with us in prayer. Iona was home to Aidan; and Oswald lived there for years also, but chiefly it is Columba’s story we will recall.
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Dun I is the homeland mountain, that brooded over the first church, and huts of Columba’s brothers.
(Margaret Cropper)
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We walked up to the top of Dun I to pray and there we sang “Jesus, we enthrone You,” and discovered someone else had laid out small stones there on the ground, declaring JESUS IS LORD.

Next day we stood with Ken from Belfast, near the place where Columba landed and looked to be sure he could no longer see his native Ireland, and there again we prayed and sang, ‘Jesus, Lord of all, Name above all names’.
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Cul ri Erin, tyne back turned towards Ireland;
farewell to the known and dear,
advance to the unknown, with its formidable hazards,
its damp demands.
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Canticle:

Blessing

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

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Morning Prayer: 31 July – Psalm 134:3; Genesis 32:29-31; Philippians 3:10 – on knowing Christ

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 134:3

May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.

Genesis 32:29-31

“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.

“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.

Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, perfect charity, sense and knowledge so that I may do Your holy and true will. Amen. Prayer of St Francis before the cross — Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the
darkness of my heart
and give me, Lord,
a correct faith,
a certain hope,
perfect charity,
sense and knowledge
so that I may do Your
holy and true will.
Amen.
Prayer of St Francis
before the cross

Philippians 3:10

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death….

Reflection

LA VERNA

Never forget: ‘If a man wishes to come after Me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in My footsteps.’
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Hold Thou my feet,
let there be no returning
along the path which Thou
hast bid me tread.
(Arch R. Wiggins)
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Francis wished with all his heart to stand beneath the cross of Christ, assuring Him of his love, that he would be there with Him, ever present on the hill of Calvary throughout the ages till the Risen Christ returned in all His glory and the cross would be no more! It was with such an intention that Francis had made his final journey to the top of La Verna, that holy mountain far to the north of Assisi. There on that mountain he had asked in fear and trembling that Christ would let him experience and share some of His sufferings on the cross. It was as if his whole life had begun and ended there. La Verna was the impossible Dream and eternal journey come true. And yet it remained only as a memory, except for the wounds of Jesus in his feet and hands and side. And they, of course, made all the difference between the poor man who walked up the mountain and the poor man who limped down.
(Murray Bodo)
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Canticle:

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

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: 30 July – Psalm 134:2; Joshua 5:13-15; Matthew 28:17 – on reverent worship

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 134:2

worship_thumb

Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord.

Joshua 5:13-15

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”

“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”

At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

Matthew 28:17

When they saw him, they worshiped him — but some of them doubted!

Reflection

LINDISFARNE

Down the wide open road
the pilgrim travels on,
his face towards the sun,
beyond the open road he
travels on.

And the waves steal the footprints
of the summer from the sand;
beneath the silver moon
the North wind blows the
fading leaves again.
(Chris Simpson, ‘Seasons’)
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And now perhaps our travels will bring us again to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne like so many, pilgrims and tourists alike. Most will venture over only between the tides when the island is an island in name only. The tide comes in and the place becomes quieter. With tourists and holiday-maker less in evidence. Islander and island speak, and smile, then leave us to thoughts of our own. It has always been that way.
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Here was a sequence both of access and
inaccessibility. There were hours when the tide
closed it for prayer.
(Ronald Blythe)
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The tide did now its flood-mark gain
and girdled in the Saint’s domain;
for, with the flow and the ebb, its style
varies from continent to isle;
dry-shod, o’er sands, twice every day,
the pilgrims to the shrine find way;
twice every day the waves efface
of staves and sandaled feet the trace.
(Walter Scott)

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Canticle:

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

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: 29 July – Psalm 134:1; Isaiah 49:8-9; John 2:5 – on serving God

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 134:1

Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.

Isaiah 49:8-9

This is what the Lord says:

“At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare….”

John 2:5

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Reflection

CLONFERT

The oratory at the ‘Emmanuel House of Providence.’

Nearby the ancient Clonfert Cathedral, old farm-buildings have been rebuilt and new buildings have been erected to serve the needs of Emmanuel House of Providence. In the land where Brendan walked and prayed, the work of prayer and evangelizing goes on today. The bell above the main house, and the beautiful circular oratory, are what draw your attention. The laughter of the children and their running feet on the gravel. A car arrives with a middle-aged couple who walk to the silent oratory, writing the name of a troubled friend in the book of prayer-intentions. A whole camp for young people or for families, a school retreat or prayer-meeting. A cross of reconciliation.

I asked Ken Wise to put into words what his visit to Clonfert had been like:

When you walked through the gates you knew you had come to a different place, a very godly place. It’s not just friendliness, there’s a presence there. We went not knowing what to expect. It seemed to be that God’s presence was all round the place. I admit I was apprehensive, but when we got there it was totally different.

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How wonderful it is to walk with God
along the road that holy men have trod.
How wonderful to hear Him say:
Fear not, have faith
’tis I who lead the way.
(Theodore H. Kitching)
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Canticle:

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

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.

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