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

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:141-143; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Matthew 11:25-26 ~ joy under pressure

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

1/14/2012 Foxborough, MA New England Patriots Gerald Warren reacting after sacking Denver Broncos Tim Tebow during 2nd quarter action in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday January 14, 2011.

Psalm 119:141-143 NLT:

I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments. Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true. As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT:

This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Matthew 11:25-26 NLT:

Reflection/Prayer:

‘I am small and despised.’
‘Yes, but have I not said. “Do not despise the day of small things!”?
(Amy Carmichael)

I’d rather be a little thing climbing up
than a big thing tumbling down.
(Old Sunday-school song)

The man to whom little is not enough
will not benefit from more.
(Columbanus)

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 Morning Prayer readings are from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com.

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

Morning Reading: Luke 10:21-24 NLT – childlike amazement

Reading: Luke 10:21-24 NLT

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “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 when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Your disciples were amazed at what they saw and heard… what you revealed to them. Renew that same amazement in me… the amazement that I felt when you first revealed yourself to me. Thank you for opening my eyes and ears to the wonders of your Kingdom. May I always approach you with childlike faith. And may I never lose the joy of your salvation. Amen.

Hymn: “I Stand Amazed” – Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1905)