Morning Prayer: 8 May – Psalm 119:165-168; Genesis 13:5-9; 1 Corinthians 12:3 ~ on common truth

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

May -To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 119:165-168 ESV

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments. My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

The Parting of Lot and Abraham mosaic (c.430) from Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome — The Parting of Lot and Abraham
mosaic (c.430) from Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

Genesis 13:5-9 ESV

And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

Reflections

Disagree Where Necessary, But Be In Agreement About Truth

Jesus said, “He who is not against us is for us” There is no excuse for division and antagonism between believers or groups of believers. It is possible to disagree strongly or deeply and still affirm that we hold fundamental truths in common, and that we are still family. Barnabas and Paul could not agree as to the wisdom of taking John Mark on mission again. In consequence they worked separately, still extending the Kingdom but through different geographic areas. Who knows if this diminished or increased their overall effectiveness? Similarly, after the Council of Whitby in 664 Bishop Colman returned to Iona with all the Irish monks and about 30 native to Northumbria who chose to go to Scotland rather than remain and implement the council’s decision. Even Bede refers to Colman as “a man of innate prudence and good sense.” After a short stay on Iona, Colman and his brothers went to Ireland and he founded two monasteries there.

The first of these monasteries was at Inis-bo-finde off the west coast of Ireland. The Northumbrians settled well, but complained that each summer the Irish monks travelled the countryside, and were not around to bring in the harvest but were content not to travel during the winter! Colman then built a second monastery on the Irish mainland for these Northumbrians, which in time grew but later conformed more to Roman practice than Celtic. Bede does not tell us the nature of the journeyings of these Irish monks who had come from Lindisfarne.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
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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: 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.) Having completed reading through the Gospel of John, our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Finan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer). We will continue with the Finan readings until Pentecost Sunday, June 8th.

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: 7 May – Psalm 119:71; Isaiah 50:4-5; Romans 5:3-5 ~ on ease and difficulty

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

May -To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 119:71 ESV

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Isaiah 50:4-5 ESV

The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.

Romans 5:3-5 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Reflections

Be Pleasant When Things Are Unpleasant, And Sorrowful When They Are Pleasant

A container that is full of sweet waters cannot spill bitterness no matter how sharply it is jostled. Unpleasant situations can drive us closer to God, and to each other, if we let Him into them. We learn so much in these times that some mature souls are sad to see a pressure-cooker situation come to an end. They have learnt that it is a mistake to be at ease with ease. It is important to be kind to someone when we know they are under pressure, and when things are difficult for us it is equally important that we do not become difficult for other people!

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
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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

_____________________________________

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: 6 May – Psalm 139:12; Isaiah 30:20-21; Titus 1:15-16 ~ on citadels and marketplaces

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

May -To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 139:12 ESV

[E]ven the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Isaiah 30:20-21 ESV

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Titus 1:15-16 ESV

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Reflections

Keep Your Options Open When There Is No Problem, But Dig In When You Must Choose

Too often the Christians are hiding out in their mission citadels peering out, cautiously preparing to run out quickly and lasso some poor passer-by, claim them for God and haul them back into the safety of the citadel. This is called making a difference in the world…? What happened to the promise that “greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world?”

We are not asked to live a blinkered or protected existence in a safe, ivory-towered environment. We are sent to walk confidently with a pure heart into the world of people and culture and pain and pressure. It need not contaminate us, if only we live the life that has taken root deep inside of us. God wants to plant us in places where we can make a difference and be in His presence – not in any self-conscious way.

There may be times when we need to speak out, opt out, explain our beliefs are different than those around us – but we should not provoke confrontations or become defensive. These times, when they happen, may lead to miracles or to persecution – or both.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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 May – Psalm 132:1-5; Proverbs 17:17; 1 Peter 5:8 ~ on toughness and tenderness

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

May -To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 132:1-5 ESV

Remember, O Lord, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured, how he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, “I will not enter my house or get into my bed, I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Proverbs 17:17 ESV

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Reflections

Be Tough in Times of Ease, Tender in Hard Times

When things are hard, often we are more reliant on God, leaning on Him in our hardship. When things become easier we tend to be more self-assured, blasé and independent. It is important then to keep our promises, and not forget the lessons we have learnt – or soon we may find ourselves having to learn them a second time. When outward circumstances are not checking us it is important to find appropriate disciplines to stop us from becoming lazy or unfit. We never know how suddenly we may be called upon, or how we may regret wasted days of opportunity.

But when we are weary, heavy-laden, and circumstances press upon us, Jesus counsels us to allow Him to be yoked beside us, shouldering much of the weight. When times are hard it is the wrong time for recriminations – gently we should ease one another’s burdens.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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 May – Psalm 16:5-6, 8; Proverbs 26:17, 20-22; John 21:15-22 ~ on meddling

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

May – To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 16:5-6, 8 ESV

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
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I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Proverbs 26:17, 20-22 ESV

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
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For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

John 21:15-22 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

Reflections

Be Demanding In Your Own Affairs But Unconcerned In Those Of Others

Isaiah 58 speaks of the possibility of being guided continually by the Lord, of being a watered garden – a spring with waters that never fail – but insists that the condition for this happening is the taking away from our midst the pointing finger that accuses our brother, saying “It’s all your fault!” or “Look what you have done” or “You are a disgrace to us all.”

If we attend to ourselves, are demanding of obedience from ourselves, if we remove the plank from our eye, then, should we notice the splinter in our brother’s eye at all, we will willingly help him remove it – at his request – and without needing to see it through a magnifying glass.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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.

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