Tag: Daily Reading

Morning Prayer: 25 May – Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7; Mark 10:17-27 ~ his poverty made me rich

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

In the morning, Lord, You fill us with Your love.
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Almighty Father, the heavens cannot hold Your greatness: yet through Your Son I have learned to say – may Your Kingdom come!

+ I praise You as Your child – may Your name be kept holy in my heart.
+ Help me to live in the hope of heaven today – make me ready to do your will on earth.
+ Give me this day the courage to forgive others – as You forgive me.
+ Father, be with me in all my trials – do not allow me to fall away from You.

Lord God, who entrusted the earth to mankind to till it and care for it, and made the sun to serve our needs: give me grace this day to work faithfully for Your glory and for my neighbors’ good. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Psalms: Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7 (NLT)

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
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forgiveness2

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the flood-waters of judgment.

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
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Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 10:17-27 (NLT)

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

jesus

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 ~ receive the Holy Spirit

Pentecost Sunday

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Today is Pentecost Sunday, ‘the great beginning of the Church’, the day the Holy Spirit first came to confused and frightened disciples.
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Send down, O God, upon Your people the flame of Your Holy Spirit, and fill us with Your presence and power. May Your life-giving Spirit lend fire to our words and strength to our witness. Send us forth to the nations of the world to proclaim with boldness Your wondrous work of raising Christ to Your right hand. We pray 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. Amen.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 2:1-11 (NLT)

Pentecost 3

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34 (NLT)

Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
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How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
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When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
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May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works —
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May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 (NLT)

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

one body

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
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Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-23 (NLT)

Receive the Holy Spirit
Receive the Holy Spirit

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
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Intercessions:

Aware of the Spirit at work in us, we come to You, Heavenly Father, with our prayers.

+ For all those who have been touched by the Spirit — that they may always allow God’s Power to work in them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For a world plagued by hunger, war and destruction — that the Spirit may renew the face of the earth…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have never known God’s love — that the Spirit may be with all who witness to the love of Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who can’t get on with each other — that the Spirit of love may bring harmony and peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who receive Communion today — that the Spirit may help them love Jesus more each day…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who gather together, celebrating the Spirit’s coming — that our faith may be firm, our hope sure and our love without end…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died in Christ – that the Spirit may awaken them to life without end…. Lord, hear us.

Lord God, how great You are, how many are Your works: let Your Spirit guide your people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)

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

Morning Prayer: 23 May – Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; John 21:20-25 ~ as for you, follow me

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Alleluia.
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Heavenly Father: Send Your Holy Spirit into our minds and hearts – let us proclaim before all that You are King and Lord. Grant us a love that is genuine – give us respect and a real affection for one another. Renew the hearts of the faithful by Your life-giving grace – move them to respond gladly to the gifts of the Spirit. Grant us the power of Your Spirit to repair our damaged lives – may our decay be turned into growth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 (NLT)

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

St Paul Writing His Epistles Valentin de Boulogne, ca. 1619 Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
St Paul Writing His Epistles
Valentin de Boulogne, ca. 1619
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel — the Messiah — has already come.”
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For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
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I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth. (John 16:7,13)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:20-25 (NLT)

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved — the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

St. John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist
St. John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 22 May – Acts 25:13-21; John 21:15-19 ~ led where you do not want to go

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Lord, You are our help and our salvation.

+ Almighty Father, send Your Holy Spirit to turn my words into prayers and my seeking into finding.
+ Send Your Holy Spirit to turn my darkness into light and my falseness into truth.
+ Send Your Holy Spirit to bring order out of chaos and love out of hatred.
+ Send Your Holy Spirit to change contempt for the weak into reverence for all Your children.

Heavenly Father, grant that, as I welcome Your Spirit, my faith may grow ever stronger, my service ever more loyal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 25:13-21 (NLT)

A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.

Apostle Paul On Trial Nikolai Bodarevsky, 1875 Transcarpathian Regional Art Museum, Uzhhorod, Ukraine
Apostle Paul On Trial
Nikolai Bodarevsky, 1875
Transcarpathian Regional Art Museum, Uzhhorod, Ukraine

“I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
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The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you. (John 14:26)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:15-19 (NLT)

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Crucifixion of St Peter Luca Giordano, 1660? Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
Crucifixion of St Peter
Luca Giordano, 1660?
Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 21 May – Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; John 17:20-26 ~ one in Christ

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Christ the Lord has promised us the Holy Spirit: come, let us adore him, alleluia.
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Blessed be Christ the Lord. It is through Him that I have access to the Father in the Holy Spirit.

+ Send Your Holy Spirit, the welcome guest of my heart – do not allow me to grieve Him by the harshness of my words.
+ Lord Jesus, ascended to the Father, I turn to You in the night of my anxiety and the day of my over-confidence – plead for me with the Father.
+ May Your Spirit make me one with You – let me never be separated from Your love by distress, persecution or danger.
+ As my brother, You accepted me – teach me to glorify God and to accept others.

Lord God, let Your Spirit come upon me in power and fill me with His gifts, to render my mind pleasing to You and make me submissive to Your will. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 (NLT)

In Jerusalem: The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. So the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.
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St Paul Icon with Christ
St Paul Icon with Christ

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

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May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord. (John 17:21)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:20-26 (NLT)

That-We-May-Be-One

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen