Tag: Daily Reading

The 6th Day of Christmas: 30 Dec – 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40 ~ filled with wisdom

The 6th Day of Christmas

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

Opening sentences:

Let the one who has put away the deeds of the night watch for God.

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth.

Christ is born for us; come let us adore Him.

A Reading from Letters: 1 John 2:12-17 (NLT)

I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:36-40 (NLT)

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple Painting from the Menologion of Basil II (c. 1000 AD) Vatican Library
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Painting from the Menologion of Basil II (c. 1000 AD)
Vatican Library

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
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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 who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek and 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

The 5th Day of Christmas: 29 Dec – 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 – a light to the nations

The 5th Day of Christmas

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

Opening sentences:

Give thanks with joy to the Father, who has rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the Kingdom of His dear Son.

A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for His people Israel.

Christ is born for us; come let us adore Him.

A Reading from Letters: 1 John 2:3-11

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment — to love one another — is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

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If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.”

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:22-35 (NLT)

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord — “either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
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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 who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek and 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

Holy Family Sunday: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:22, 39-40 ~ the family of God

Holy Family Sunday

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

Opening prayer:

Today we honor the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph… and pray for all who are part of our families – those still alive and those who have joined the great family of God in heaven.
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O God, You cradle us at the beginning of life and embrace us at our journey’s end, for You love us as Your own. Bind our families together and deepen our faith, that, like the Holy Family of Nazareth, we may grow in wisdom and obedience to Your word.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 (NLT)

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”

Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

simeonsmoment

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
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The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
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He always stands by his covenant — the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac.
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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)

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Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:22, 39-40 (NLT)

The Holy Family with the Little Bird Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1650 Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
The Holy Family with the Little Bird
Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1650
Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
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When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
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Intercessions:

As members of God’s family, we pray to the Lord, whose love surpasses all others:

+ For all Christian families – that values like patience, understanding and tolerance may be their hallmark…. Lord, hear us
+ For families in difficulty – that they may receive the love and support they need…. Lord, hear us
+ For grandparents and all older people – that, like Simeon and Anna, their hopes for the next generation may be fulfilled…. Lord, hear us
+ For single people of all ages – that their Christian commitment may be seen in gentleness and concern for others…. Lord, hear us
+ For those who suffer in family life – that healing and hope may be God’s gift to them in the New Year…. Lord, hear us
+ For all the members of our families who have died, whom we remember now…. Lord, hear us
+ For those who died recently… and for the people from our communities who died during 2014 – that they may see the face of God…. Lord, hear us

O God, You remember Your covenant forever: hear the prayers of those who seek Your help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Benediction:

Through the incarnation of his Son God has scattered the darkness of the world, and by Christ’s glorious birth, which angels announced to the shepherds, has brightened this most holy day.

May the God of infinite goodness banish the darkness of sin from your hearts and make them radiant with the light of goodness. May God fill you with the joy of the shepherds and make you heralds of the gospel. May the God who joins heaven and earth fill you with peace and goodwill and unite you in fellowship with the Church in heaven.

May almighty God bless you, now and forever.

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

The Feast of St John: 27 Dec – 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1-8 ~ share our Joy

The Feast of St John

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

Opening sentences:

John bore witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, by telling everything he had seen.

We praise You, O God, we acclaim You as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise You.

They told of Your glory and might and the wonders that You had performed.

A Reading from Letters: 1 John 1:1-4

Peter and John Running to the Tomb Eugène Burnand, 1898 Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Peter and John Running to the Tomb
Eugène Burnand, 1898
Musée d’Orsay, Paris

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:1-8 (NLT)

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed.
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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 who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek and 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

The Feast of St Stephen: 26 Dec – Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 ~ the cost of celebrating Christmas

The Feast of St Stephen

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

Opening sentences:

Yesterday the Lord was born on earth, that Stephen might be born in heaven; He entered into the world, that Stephen might enter into heaven.

Save Your people, Lord, and bless Your inheritance; govern and uphold us, now and always.

Let Your face shine upon Your servant; save me in Your kindness.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

St. Stephen from The Demidoff Altarpiece Carlo Crivelli, 1476 The National Gallery, London
St. Stephen from The Demidoff Altarpiece
Carlo Crivelli, 1476
The National Gallery, London

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
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The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 10:17-22 (NLT)

But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking — it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
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Prayer

Give us grace, Lord, to follow You wherever You lead. Teach us to love our enemies as we keep the feast of Saint Stephen, who prayed even for the men who stoned him to death. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Blessing:

And may the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

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