The Ascension of the Lord: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 28:16-20 ~

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

In celebrating the Ascension of Jesus – we remember His sending out of the disciples, His promise to remain with us until the end of time, and His promise to send the Holy Spirit to be with us and in us.
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Almighty God, make our hearts dance with joy and thanksgiving; for in the ascension of Christ, Your Son, our human nature is raised above the heavens, and where Christ, the head, has gone before in glory we, his body, are called in hope. We make our prayer 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 Book of Acts: Acts 1:1-11 (NLT)

Ascension Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), Cappella Scrovegni a Padova — Ascension
Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337) Cappella Scrovegni a Padova

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 (NLT)

For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet.
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Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm.
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God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere.

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT)

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you.

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called — his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else — not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him — but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Intercessions:

Christ ascended into heaven, not to abandon us but to be our hope and to prepare a place for us in eternity. Filled with this certain hope and confident of His love and mercy, we offer these prayers on behalf of His people:

+ For church leaders who have been entrusted with the Word of God – that they may proclaim it without hesitation or fear…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For Christian missionaries, particularly those living in regions of war and devastation — that God’s Spirit may give them fresh enthusiasm…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For Christ’s disciples living in a Culture of Death – that we may be effective witnesses to the Gospel of Life which has been entrusted to us…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For the sick and those who suffer in any way – that they may be consoled by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by the love and presence of others…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For all who are unemployed and seeking work — that they may receive support, and find the work they need to live in dignity…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For all of us on our journey of faith — that Christ may sustain us and keep our minds and hearts fixed on heaven…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For family members who have strayed away from Christ – that our example of godliness may bring them back quickly…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For all who have died – that they may have eternal rest, and that we may always thank the Lord for their lives…. Lord, hear our prayer.

God most high, King of all the earth, You care for all You have made: hear these prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Spiritual Song “Hear Us From Heaven”

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

Morning Prayer: 31 May – Psalm 119:31-32; Isaiah 40:28-31; Hebrews 10:38 ~ on finishing well

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.

Despite the competition, sailor and soldier refused to leave a fellow female soldier behind, crossing the finish line together at the 2010 Warrior Games. (Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/theUSO)

Psalm 119:31-32 ESV

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 10:38 ESV

“[M]y righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Reflections

ADVANCE WITH DETERMINATION, BUT ALWAYS FEAR FOR THE END

When Brigid was out with her sheep she saw Nindad the scholar running past. “What are you running like that for? and what are you seeking?” she said. “I am going to heaven,” he replied. Brigid begged him to pause and pray with her that her passage there might be easy. “I can’t stop now,” he said. “You see, the gates of heaven are open now and who knows how long it may be before they shut.” But he stayed and together they prayed an “Our Father” for him and Brigid – and for the many thousands she would drag through the gates behind her.

(From the Life of Brigid)

As Christians we need to be reliable in both word and deed and not to compromise on that which we promise the Father and others we will do. Being out on the road far from familiar surroundings, we find ourselves continually tempted by the enemy’s weapons of mediocrity and compromise. Some days would be extremely hot, making walking a test of endurance, other days would be cool or windy, and people who accompanied me or met with me would often express surprise at my being out in those extreme conditions. My reply would simply be: The weather might have changed, but God hasn’t changed His mind. He didn’t tell me to walk if the sun was shining or if it wasn’t raining, or if it was a beautiful calm day without any wind; He simply said, “Go.”

(Dave Cape, On the Road with Jesus)

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: 30 May – Psalm 56:8; Ezra 3:11-13; Philippians 4:4-6 ~ on mixed emotions

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.

Israeli soldier with rifle praying at the Wailing Wall © Paul Chesley / National Geographic — Israeli soldier with rifle praying at the Wailing Wall
© Paul Chesley / National Geographic

Psalm 56:8 ESV

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?

Ezra 3:11-13 ESV

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,

“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”

And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.

Philippians 4:4-6 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Reflections

WEEP AND REJOICE AT THE SAME TIME – OUT OF ZEAL AND HOPE

At Hackness a nun called Begu was resting when she heard the chapel bell tolling, summoning the sisters to pray for a departing soul. She saw the roof gone and all flooded with light and the soul of abbess Hild being escorted to Heaven by many angels. She opened her eyes to realize she was sat amongst the other sisters, and it was a dream. Running to her own abbess, Frigyth, she announced that Hild had been taken from them. The sisters hurried to chapel where they sang psalms until a messenger arrived to bring news of the death of Abbess Hild which to the messenger’s surprise was no surprise to them at all. The reality of the joy of her passing mingled with all their sadness at her loss. – Bede

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
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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: 29 May – Psalm 53:1-4; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; I Thessalonians 3:12-13 ~ on endurance

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 53:1-4 ESV

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.

God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?

Team-mate Bebeto consoles Ronaldo after a disappointing end to the 1998 World Cup final

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

I Thessalonians 3:12-13 ESV

[M]ay the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Reflections

THOUGH WEARY, DO NOT GIVE UP

I continue to press on, limping, my feet aching, slipping, sliding, desperately wanting to sit down, chilled to the marrow. Even in this sopping wet state I could feel the hot tears welling in my eyes. Eventually I cried out to God and said, “God, what is this all about? Why am I out here? What am I doing here? Am I crazy?” Then came the still, small voice of the Spirit as I sensed the Lord saying, “No, David, I am just teaching you to endure; I am just checking you out.”

Finally after some six hours Carol arrived to collect me and I could hardly bend down to get in the car. I looked at her and said, “If I were a quitter, today would be the day I quit,” but as Carol turned the car, I knew once again the Lord was saying, “No one, after putting his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.’

– Dave Cape, On the Road with Jesus
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All good soldiers keep on fighting. Don’t grow weary in well-doing. Just keep looking unto Jesus, ’cause when this age comes to and end, I’ve read the book, and we win!

– Reba Rambo and Donny McGuire

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
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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: 28 May – Psalm 19:13; Proverbs 25:6; Hebrews 12:12 ~ on companionship

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 19:13 ESV

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

"Companionship" by Kathleen A. Johnson Five trees at sunset, sun showing December 13, 2011 — “Companionship”
by Kathleen A. Johnson
Five trees at sunset, sun showing
December 13, 2011

Proverbs 25:6 ESV

Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great….

Hebrews 12:12 ESV

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees….

Reflections

DO NOT ENVY YOUR BETTERS, OR GRIEVE AT THOSE WHO SURPASS YOU, OR CENSURE THOSE WHO FALL BEHIND, BUT AGREE WITH THOSE WHO URGE YOU ON

Herebert the anchorite of Derwentwater was long a spiritual friend of Cuthbert and would visit him once a year ‘with a desire to be ever more enflamed, by the help of his teaching, with longing for the things of heaven’.

On one such occasion Cuthbert said to Herebert, ‘Whatever need you have, ask me now, for I am certain that the time is at hand for me to leave aside this earthly tabernacle.’ Herebert begged him that they pray God that in His mercy as they had served Him together on earth, they might pass together to heaven and behold His grace.

They never saw each other again on earth, but both died the following March 20, companions again.

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