Morning Prayer: 27 August – Psalm 148:1-8; Daniel 3:9-18; Acts 28:2 ~ on praising 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.

Psalm 148:1-8

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him….

Daniel 3:9-18

They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Acts 28:2

The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

Reflection

IONA

AN IONA BENEDICITE

O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord,
praise Him and magnify Him for ever.
O ye Saints of the Isles, bless ye the Lord.
O ye Servants of Christ who here sang
God’s praises and hence went forth
to preach, bless ye the Lord.
O ye souls of the faithful, who rest in Jesus,
O ye kindly folk of the Island,
O ye pilgrims who seek joy and health
in this beloved Isle, bless ye the Lord.
O ye sheep and horned cattle,
O ye lambs that gambol on the sward,
O ye seals that glisten in the waters,
bless ye the Lord.
O ye ravens and hoodies,
O ye rooks that caw from the sycamores,
O ye buzzards that float on the wind-currents,
bless ye the Lord.
O ye gulls that fill the beaches with your clamour,
O ye terns and gannets that dive headlong for
your prey,
O ye curlews and landrails,
O ye pied shelduck and Bride’s ghillies,
O ye dunlins that wheel in unison over the waves,
bless ye the Lord.

– E.D.Sedding SSJE (Anglican monk) 1947
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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: 26 August – Psalm 91:1-7; Daniel 2:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-2 ~ on the shadow of the Almighty

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.

Psalm 91:1-7

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

Daniel 2:20-22

He said,

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light….”

1 Timothy 4:1-2

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

Reflection

IONA

Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1
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For in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by virtue of his prayers, he cured men suffering from the attacks of various diseases; and he alone, God helping, drove out from this our Island (Iona) which now has the Primacy, malignant and innumerable hosts of demons warring against him, seen by bodily eyes and beginning to bring deadly diseases upon his Monastic Society.

Adamnan, The Life of Saint Columba
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I feel no conflict here.

From ‘Iona”
a song on the album by Iona
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Do pray for the protection of the work God has raised up on the island of Iona. Many people journey there each year, tourists and pilgrims of all kinds, many of whom have rejected what they have seen of Christianity so far. How crucial is the witness of those they meet there! Others journey there to the pre-Christian power sources of druidism and magic, for Iona is the focus of much attention from those interested in what is loosely termed ‘new age.’

Pray for much wisdom for the Christians they will meet on Iona and who engage or interact with them. For all who seek to minister or have been given responsibility at the Abbey, Camas or MacLeod centres, or at Duncraig or at the Catholic prayer-house or at Bishop’s House, we pray protection from weariness and discouragement, from division and argument, from deception and lies of every kind.

What good are our prayers? A painting I love shows a boy shooting paper aeroplanes at the sky. Coincidence or not, in the exact place his paper aeroplanes were aimed the thick cloud has cleared as if a window were opened to the deep of the heavens.

O Isle from whence the Light streamed far and wide
God guard thee from all evil.

Bessie J. B. MacArthur
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Pray for all who are part of the tapestry of Iona’s life today:
teaching truth too the living,
chanting consolation to the dying,
and battling to the death
with paganism
for the possession of the Isles.

Kenneth Macleod

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Safe within these shores / I feel no conflict here
I feel my spirit soar / Within this sanctuary

Iona, Iona

There are no ghosts to haunt me / There is no blood upon this land
No power to make me fear / No hour of darkness here

Iona, Iona

All bathed in emerald / Out of the mist arise
I see the stones appear / A cross before my eyes

Iona, Iona, Iona
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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: 25 August – Psalm 127:1; Exodus 35:30-36:1; John 15:26 ~ on being Spirit-led

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.

Psalm 127:1

Mason Adam Campbell dressing stone for the rebuilding of Iona Abbey (Raymond Bailey archive)

Unless the lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

Exodus 35:30-36:1

Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.

“The lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the lord has commanded.”

John 15:26

“But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me….”

Reflection

IONA

FROM THE MORNING SERVICE AT IONA ABBEY
Almighty and Everlasting God, who of old didst fill the builders of Thy tabernacle with Thy Spirit, in wisdom, in understanding, and in beauty, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, Thy grace and blessing to us Thy servants: enlighten, purify, direct and sanctify us: accept and establish our work for the honour of Thy house and service: grant us the powerful aid of Thy Holy Spirit in all our undertakings, that we may promote Thy glory and further Thy Kingdom: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

—–

God asks, ‘ Who will go for me?
Who will extend my reach?
And who, when few will listen
will prophesy and preach?
And who, when few bid welcome,
will offer all they know?
And who, when few dare follow,
will walk the road I show?’

John L. Bell & Graham Maule,
‘The Wild Goose of Iona’

—–

Please pray today for the work of the Iona Community in Glasgow, and elsewhere in the world.

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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: 23 August – Psalm 101:4-5; Proverbs 30:12-13; John 8:3-9 – on my need for prayer

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.

Psalm 101:4-5

We prostrate ourselves before the life-giving cross.

I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.

Proverbs 30:12-13

They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed. They look proudly around, casting disdainful glances.

John 8:3-9

As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.

Reflection

IONA

‘Pray for me. I ask you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me.’ If ever you go to a black church that’s a phrase you’ll hear almost every person use when they stand up or come forward to testify – sometimes it’s just like punctuation, not heart-felt at all, but it’s still an important reminder.

If you attend mass you will say, ‘I ask… all the angels and saints and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.’

And George MacLeod, founder of the Iona Community, as he quotes the old spiritual, echoes the same words:

It’s not my brother or my sister
but it’s me, O Lord:
standing in the need of prayer.
We are so warm in our own self-esteem
that we freeze the folks around us.
We get so high in our own estimation
that we stand isolated on a mountain
top of self-righteousness.
That is why you came: Lord Jesus:
not to save the lecherous but to turn
the righteous to repentance
And it is me, O Lord.

From Where Freedom is and Laughter
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Before the world began one Word was there; grounded in God he was, rooted in care; by him all things were made; in him was love displayed; through him God spoke and said, ‘I am for you.’

Life found in him its source; death found its end; light found in him its course, darkness its friend, for neither death nor doubt nor darkness can put out the glow of God, the shout: ‘I am for you.’

The Word was in the world which from him came; unrecognized he was, unknown by name; one with all humankind, with the unloved aligned, convincing sight and mind: ‘I am for you.’

All who received the Word by God were blessed; sisters and brothers they of earth’s fond guest. So did the Word of Grace proclaim in time and space and with a human face, ‘I am for you.’
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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: 22 August – Psalm 51:18; Haggai 1:2-5; Matthew 17:24-27 – on rebuilding

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.

Psalm 51:18

Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Huts were erected on the east side of the Abbey © Iona Community, from Outside the Safe Place: An oral history of the early years of the Iona Community. — Huts were erected on the east side of the Abbey
© Iona Community, from Outside the Safe Place: An oral history of the early years of the Iona Community.

Haggai 1:2-5

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.’”

Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!”

Matthew 17:24-27

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.

But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Reflection

IONA

In 561 Columba arrived on Iona with his twelve; in 1938 MacLeod arrived with another band of twelve, half craftsmen without jobs, half students for the ministry. They built a wooden shed to live in by the fallen monastery and began the work of re-building.

MacLeod recounts that the group needed money with which to get its project started. ‘I wrote to the richest man I knew. He replied that I should go see a psychiatrist at once. Then I asked – me a pacifist, mind you – Sir John Lithgow, a builder of warships at his Govan shipyard. He was interested, but asked if I would give up my pacifisn if he gave me the £5,000. I said “Not on your life.” “Then,” he said, “I will give you your £5,000.” Materials were hard to obtain: ‘The war was on and the government commandeered all timber. But a ship coming from Canada struck a storm and jettisoned its cargo of lumber in the Atlantic. The timber floated 80 miles, finally landed on Mull, opposite Iona – and all the right length! It roofs the Iona library today.’

James H. Forest
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