Morning Prayer: 25 July – Psalm 132:1; Ruth 1:16; John 15:11-12 – on joy-filled living

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 132:1

Lord , remember David and all that he suffered.

Ruth 1:16

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

John 15:11-12

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

Reflection

WESTON PRIORY

Whenever we go to New England we make a point of visiting Weston Priory in the Vermont hills. The peacefulness of the place itself, the wooden chapel, the beautiful songs of the brothers at prayer…

Peace I leave you with, My friends. ..
I have called you now…

and their involvement in the sanctuary movement and God’s heart for justice. ..

Because of our belief in God as Spirit
we choose to affirm and encourage
the prophetic voices
that recognize both the sin
and the need of our time.

Because of our belief in
the Church as community
we choose to have no superiors or
inferiors among us.

We choose to be a community
that dances and sings,
in spite of the tendencies of our times
to despair and cynicism.
(‘Renewal of baptismal vows’, Weston Priory)
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Be glad with dance and song,
let joy ring free:
God’s love renews our hope.
(Philip Franckiewicz, Weston )
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This renewal of hope is spoken of also in this description of life in another community.

This morning during the common prayer I suddenly became aware of the quality of my brothers and I am moved to the depths of my heart. They give their life – all their life. They pay dearly the price of their commitment. I know that better than any. Then I can no longer say if my admiration is for my brothers or for Christ who has to set his mark on thrm.
(Brother Roger of Taizé)
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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: 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

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

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

15th Ordinary Sunday: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10,11,12-13; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-9 ~ on fruitfulness

15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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

Opening prayer:
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We gather as pilgrims on a journey, asking God to keep us steadfast until we reach our eternal home.

God of the heavens, God of the earth, all creation awaits Your gift of new life. Prepare our hearts to receive the word of Your Son, that His gospel may grow within us and yield a harvest that is a hundredfold. 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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Harvest Scene Paul Gauguin — Harvest Scene
Paul Gauguin

A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT)

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 65:10,11,12-13 (NLT)

You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.
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You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
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The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 8:18-23 (NLT)

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

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Ultra-Orthodox Jews follow an ancient Biblical command and harvest wheat with a hand sickle in a field near the central Israeli town of Modi'in. — Ultra-Orthodox Jews follow an ancient Biblical command and harvest wheat with a hand sickle in a field near the central Israeli town of Modi’in.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 13:1-9 (NLT)

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

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Intercessions:

Gracious God – Crown our lives with Your goodness and produce in us the good fruit of Your word:

+ For Your people – that our hearts may hear Your word and understand it….
Lord, hear us.

+ For new believers in Christ – that Your Word may be firmly rooted in their lives….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all whose faith is weak – that Your love may transform them into all that they are called to be….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who bring the Good News to the ends of the earth – that the Holy Spirit may support the work of those who proclaim the Gospel in the poorest countries….
Lord, hear us.

+ For farmers and all who depend on the soil for their livelihood – that this year’s crop may satisfy their needs….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those who are far from home, for work or on holidays – that they may experience kindness, and travel in safety….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all those who have died in service to their country – that they may share the glory awaiting all believers…
Lord, hear us.

God our creator, You provide for the earth and for all who live in it, hear our prayers 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

14th Ordinary Sunday: Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 ~ rest for our souls

14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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

Opening prayer:

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, by whose gracious will the mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed to the childlike, make us learn from Your Son humility of heart, that in shouldering His yoke we may find refreshment and rest. 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: Zechariah 9:9-10 (NLT)

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey — riding on a donkey’s colt.

I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 (NLT)

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
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The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
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All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
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For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 8:9, 11-13 (NLT)

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
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The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT)

The Flower Carrier Diego Rivera, 1935. — The Flower Carrier
Diego Rivera, 1935.

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Intercessions:

The Lord is kind and full of compassion. Gracious God – hear our prayers:

+ For Christian people everywhere – that they may learn to trust in God’s gentle support….
Lord, hear us.

+ For the leaders of all the nations – that their words and actions may lead to peace….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those who live in parts of the world where there is war and division, especially the Middle East – that reconciliation may follow conflict….
Lord, hear us.

+ For reconciliation and healing in the north of Ireland – that this year’s marching season may pass off peacefully….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who labour and are overburdened – that they may experience the rest promised by Jesus….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those enjoying holidays and family gatherings at this time of year – that relationships may grow and strengthen….
Lord, hear us

+ For our brothers and sisters whose life on earth is over – that they may be raised to eternal life with Christ….
Lord, hear us.

God of compassion and faithfulness, You raise up all who are bowed down – hear these prayers we offer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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