Morning Prayer, 6 Feb – John 6:52-59 ~ flesh and blood

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences –

There is one God and one mediator between heaven and earth, the Son of Man – Christ Jesus – who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.

Morning readings

John 6:52-59 ESV:

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Reflections:

dead

Apart from the life Jesus offers, we are dead. Our utter neediness is seen clearly when set against the greatness of his offer: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. Jesus is promising a new quality of life now and resurrection in the future.

alive

The ultimate source of our life is the Father. Our union with the Son enables us to share his life, just as Jesus in turn lives because of the Father. Our life is entirely dependent on Jesus, as is his on the Father.

Eucharist

Christians naturally find reference here to the Eucharist, the point being that there is some connection between partaking of Christ’s flesh and blood in the Eucharist and having eternal life. Both faith and this eating and drinking would be necessary for eternal life. It is not for nothing that our Lord commands us to hold Eucharist!

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For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

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faith

This parallel between faith and Eucharist does not, however, deny the primacy of faith. If both are necessary for life, faith is still the more primary in that it is necessary for obtaining the benefits of the Eucharist.

God’s life is available in the Eucharist because he promises to be present. We do not attract him there or make him present by our faith. The Eucharist is a point of contact with divine reality; it is a means of grace, a means of God’s power and life in our lives. But the actual life-giving efficacy in feeding is only appropriated by faith.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

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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: A brief word of explanation – 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.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’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, 5 Feb – John 6:41-51 ~ the living bread

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Hild of Whitby (614-80)

I trust in Thee, O Lord. I say, “Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hand, my times are in Thy hand.”

Morning readings

John 6:41-51 ESV:

communion-wafer

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me — not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Reflections:

grumbling

The crowd’s problem is with Jesus’ origins. They know Joseph and Jesus’ mother and they judge Jesus’ claims on the basis of what they think they already know. All this highlights the incarnation – Jesus’ divine origin, and the fact that the divine has come amongst us within humanity.

Jesus calls upon them to stop grumbling but instead to respond in faith. It is, in effect, a call to repent and to become receptive of Jesus’ teaching about himself.

teaching

The one who listens to God and learns will be taught by God and be drawn to Jesus, for Jesus is the one who speaks God’s word and manifests his presence. To listen and to learn require humility – a receptive openness to God.

living

What sort of bread could give eternal life? The bread of sacrifice – Christ’s death is indeed a sacrifice on behalf of his flock, the Jewish people, the nations and his disciples. The divine gift of eternal life will be given through the Messiah’s death.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

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Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’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, 4 Feb – John 6:30-40 ~ the source of life

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Chad of Lichfield (?-672)

On Your path, O my God, and not my own, be all my journeying. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours.

Morning readings

John 6:30-40 ESV:

communion-wafer

So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Reflections:

“I am…”

Jesus claims, I am the bread of life. Seven times in John the phrase I am is used with a predicate, including the passages on bread of life (6:35, 51); the light of the world (8:12; 9:5); the gate (10:7, 9); the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14); the resurrection and the life (11:25); the way, the truth and the life (14:6); and the true vine (15:1, 5). In these sayings Jesus’ own identity and the salvation he offers are brought together.

“… the bread of life”

It is in union with Jesus that believers receive that which is needed in order to have life… to continue to live. What is required of us is that we come to him and believe. But behind the human side is the divine will. It is God’s gracious action in our lives that saves us from beginning to end… and it is God’s desire that all be saved.

It is a mystery how salvation can be open to all yet dependent on the will of God. Salvation is a matter of sharing in God’s life through an intimate relationship with him. Our assurance is not in our decision to follow Jesus, but in the graciousness and faithfulness of the Father and the Son who hold fast to those who are of God. Our job is to receive, trusting him for both the ability to receive and the obedience that is part of the life of faith.

“I will raise him up…”

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. In this one statement the major themes of this section are brought together — the Father’s will, human seeing and believing and the gift of eternal life.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

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Romans 8:35, 37-39 (ESV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

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Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’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, 3 Feb – John 6:25-29 ~ the work of God

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Caedmon of Whitby (?-680)

I cannot speak, unless You loose my tongue; I only stammer, and I speak uncertainly; but if You touch my mouth, my Lord, then I will sing the story of Your wonders!

Hear am I, my Jesus: teach me.

Morning readings

John 6:22-24 ESV:

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Reflections / Prayer:

Motivation

That the crowd is seeking Jesus is good, but Jesus says there is something wrong with their motivation. They had seen a miracle, but it did not focus their attention on Jesus. Rather, he was seen as a means to the filling of their stomachs. They can’t get beyond the natural realm to recognise the spiritual significance of the miraculous signs Jesus has performed – signs revealing Jesus’ identity and God’s saving activity in his ministry.

Work

The folks in the crowd had to work for a living, but this life is transitory – temporal, brief, fading. Jesus tries to redirect their attention to think about their spiritual lives – real, enduring, continuing forever. The food that Jesus offers is both gift and work – imparting eternal life.

+ The Son of Man will give this food that endures to eternal life by giving his own life and also by providing a means by which we may share in that life.

+ The means is the work that God gives – believing in Jesus – being receptive to God… being dependent on God… being in union with God in Christ by the Spirit. Ultimately it is not a matter of our working for God, but a matter of God’s living his life and doing his work through us as we trust him and align ourselves with him by his grace.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

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Prayer

Heavenly Father – Give me eyes to see and ears to hear the movement of Your Spirit in my life… in the glorious and in the mundane. In my desire to please You may I not lose sight of, and lose trust in, Your sovereign graciousness.

Lord Jesus – My trust is in You – the one sent from God… offering grace and revealing the heart of the Father. By the power of Your Spirit, help me to align my life with Your gracious purpose and will.

Holy Spirit – Thank You for Your patience and persistence as You work in all human hearts. Break through in me… and use me to bring the good news of Your saving grace in Jesus Christ… both now and forever. Amen.
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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

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Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

On Sundays, I’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.

Presentation of the Lord: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32 ~ a glorious light

The Presentation of the Lord

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us. Bathe us with the brilliance of Your light like dew from heaven, where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary.

candles-arranged-in-a-heart-shape

A Reading from the Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 (NLT)

“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.”

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 24:7-10 (NLT)

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies — he is the King of glory.

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Spiritual Song: “King of Glory” – Third Day

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A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 2:14-18 (NLT)

Because God’s children are human beings — made of flesh and blood — the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:22-32 (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,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Intercessions:

Believing the promises of the God, I cry out to Jesus my Savior, the Light of the world:

+ That God’s people will shine brightly with the light of Christ, particularly those suffering great hardship and persecution because of their Christian faith… Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That God’s people will recognise the light of Christ in each other, particularly across denominational and cultural divides… Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That God’s people will live a life of service – motivated by love for God and love for people, all of whom have been created in God’s image… Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That God’s people will be filled with the Spirit to see and hear all that God is doing in their midst, even in the most unlikely circumstances… Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For all those who are afflicted: those mourning the loss of loved ones… those carrying heavy burdens and feeling hopeless… those who are weary and broken-hearted… that they may exprerience mercy and healing, grace and forgiveness… Lord, hear my prayer.

Come, Lord Jesus, in this our hour of need… hear the cries of Your people – Jesus Savior, the Light of the world. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Cry Out to Jesus” – Third Day