Sunday: 16 August – Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:2-7; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 ~ all are welcome

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

Whoever eats the flesh of the Lord and drinks His blood will live for ever. We rejoice in Jesus’ promise, believing we will share the eternal destiny of all who have His life in them.
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Wise and gracious God, You spread a table before us and nourish Your people with the word of life and the bread from heaven. In our sharing of these holy gifts, show us our unity in You and give us a taste of the life to come. 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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Hymn: All are welcome

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1-6 (NLT)
[Wisdom is depicted in female form, inviting the foolish to be fed from her table and thus become wise.]

Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.

She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-7 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
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Let Us Exalt His Name Together – CFC Doha Qatar

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)
[Paul tells Christians to give good example and to bless God for everything.]

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:51-58 (NLT)
[Jesus is the Bread of Life: whoever eats this bread will live for ever.]

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
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Intercessions:

Those who revere the Lord lack nothing, so we bring our prayers to God with confidence.

+ For all who gather around the Lord’s Table this weekend – that we may grow in appreciation of the Bread of Life we share…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who feel unworthy to receive Holy Communion – that they may never feel deprived of the support and friendship of God’s people…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people outside the Christian family – that the good lives of believers may bring them to Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who sing the glory of God on earth: congregations, cantors and choirs – that we may one day join in the beautiful music of heaven…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who have died – that having eaten the Bread of Life, they may live forever…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, those who seek You lack no blessing: hear these prayers we offer in faith, and continue to help us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: Go Into the World

Benediction:

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5b-6)

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

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 ~ time is short, follow Me

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Jesus called out to them: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

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

Opening prayer:

Your sovereign rule, O God, draws near to us in the person of Jesus Your Son. Your word summons us to faith, Your power transforms our lives. Free us to follow in Christ’s footsteps, so that neither human loyalty nor earthly attachment may hold us back from answering Your call. 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: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (NLT)

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”

This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
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When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 25:4-9 (NLT)

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NLT)

But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:14-20 (NLT)

FishersOfMen

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
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Intercessions:

Friends in Christ, let us come before God (who knows us and loves us) with our concerns:

+ For all who listen to God’s word – that we may put it into practice…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who read aloud God’s word in worship – that they may do it with love and reverence…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who gather to worship God today – that all Christians may soon be one…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the sick and suffering, especially those who come to mind now – that God may heal them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who find these winter months difficult – that their friends may support and encourage them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who are lonely or sad – that God’s presence may cheer them up…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those concerns that weigh heavily on our hearts today – that Jesus may lighten our load…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died, especially those on our hearts today – that they may enjoy the glorious Communion of the Saints’…. Lord, hear us.

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life — we rely on Your help all our days: let Your grace continue to sustain us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

All-powerful, ever-living God, direct our steps in the way of Your love, so that our whole life may be fragrant with all we do in the name of Jesus, Your beloved Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

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

Morning Prayer: 29 Nov – Revelation 22:6-21 ~ Jesus is coming again!

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to secure me: against snares of devils,
against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

Revelation 22:6-21 (ESV) – to be read aloud

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Reflection

THE FOURTH VISION: THE NEW JERUSALEM (21:9-22:5)

Epilogue (22:6-21)

In this passage, we hear the voice of Christ… who sets forth two major themes: the authenticity of the book as a divine revelation, and the imminence of the end. (Mounce, p. 402)

The reliability of Revelation: The words that relate the visions of things to come… are worthy of belief because they correspond to realty…. The source of the revelation is the Lord, who is further described as “the God of the spirits of the prophets….” John insists that his visions of the end constitute genuine prophecy. Under the impulse of the Holy Spirit he has faithfully recorded what God has revealed concerning the end of all things (cf. 1:3; 19:10). Further, he attests that he has actually heard and seen all the things recorded in the book…. They are prophetic and intended to be heard and understood. (Mounce, 403-5)

The end is near: Since the time is near, the message of judgement and hope is to be proclaimed among the churches. This raises once again the problem of a postponed consummation…. One of the most helpful suggestions is that the Apolcolypse has a two-fold perspective: it is concerned with the struggle between Christ and Antichrist that comes to a climax at the end of the age, but this struggle also existed between church and state in the first century and has surfaced in history whenever the state has made totalitarian demands. Thus the time has always been at hand. The tension of imminence is endemic to that span of redemptive history lying between the cross and the parousia. (Mounce, p. 406)

Rewards in heaven: The distribution of rewards on the basis of works is taught throughout Scripture (see Jer 17:10; Rom 2:6; 1 Pet 1:17). The reward will be spiritual blessedness to the righteous but judgement for those who are evil. It is the quality of a person’s life that provides the ultimate indication of what that person really believes…. Eternal life is the reward of faithfulness in the face of the great tribulation. (Mounce, p. 406-7)

Jesus Christ: The “Alpha and Omega” sets him apart from the entire created order…. The “Root and Offspring of David” identifies him as the promised Messiah. The “bright Morning Star” is a promise that the long night of tribulation is all but over and that the new eschatological day is about to dawn…. It is the testimony of the church empowered by the Holy Spirit that constitutes the great evangelizing force of this age…. The threefold use of the present imperative (“come/let him come”) serves to extend the invitation until that very moment when history will pass irrevocably into eternity and any further opportunity for decision will be past. (Mounce, 407-9)

Maranatha: The longing for the Lord’s coming stands at the heart of the Christian faith; apart from Christ’s return, his redemptive work remains forever incomplete. His return is the only sure hope for the future of the world. (Ladd, p. 296)
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Jesus is coming, He’s coming again / Jesus is coming again
Jesus is coming, He’s coming again / Jesus is coming again

Just as He went, He’ll come back in a cloud
We’ll hear the sound of a trumpet loud
Heavenly warriors and angels of praise
Will sing of His glory that triumphant day

The groom is preparing a place for His bride
There for eternity close to His side
Awaiting the words His Father will say
Go get Your bride for the wedding’s today
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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: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) 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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