+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, give me a humble, teachable, and obedient heart, that I may receive what you have revealed, and do what you have commanded. Amen.
Reading: Acts 4:32-37 (NLT)
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
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Reflection and Prayer:
Holy Spirit: fill us with your presence, that we may be united in heart and mind with our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father: all that we have comes from you; make us wise and gracious managers accountable, in the end, only to you.
Lord Jesus: give us the courage to let go of our worldly security, that we may freely follow you.
Gracious God: give us hearts full of mercy and compassion, that we may give freely and generously to those in need. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
“Provider” – Urban Rescue
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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 68:19 (NLT)
Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.
__________
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ 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.
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!
God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!
Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to God.
Job 11:14-15 NLT
Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear.
Romanian villager sharing a few apples from her garden.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NLT
Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving — the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
Reflections
Once some brethren went out to meet the hermits who lived in the desert. They came to one who received them with joy, and seeing they were tired, invited them to eat before the accustomed time, and placed before them all he had available.
But that night when they were all supposed to be sleeping the hermit heard the visitors saying: “These hermits eat more than we do.”
Now at dawn the visitors set out to see another hermit – and as they were starting out their host said: “Greet him from me, and give him this message: Be careful not to water the vegetables.”
When they reached the other hermitage they delivered this message. The second hermit understood what was meant by the words. So he made the visitors sit down and weave baskets, and sitting with them he worked without interruption. And in the evening when the time came for lighting the lamp, he added a few extra psalms to the usual number, after which he said to them: “We do not usually eat every day out here. But because you have come along it is fitting to have a little supper today for a change.”
Then he gave them some dry bread and salt, then added: “here’s a special treat for you.”
Upon which he mixed them a little sauce of vinegar, salt and oil and gave it to them. After supper they got up again and said more psalms, and kept praying till almost dawn, at which the hermit said: “Well, we can’t finish all our usual prayers – for you are tired from your journey. You had better take a little rest.”
And so when the first hour came they all wanted to leave the hermit – but he would not let them go. He kept saying: “Stay with me a while. I cannot let you go so soon, charity demands that I keep you for two or three days.”
But they, hearing this, waited until dark, and then under cover of night they made off.
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
_____________________________________
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 Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer). We will continue with the Aidan readings through June. 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.
+ 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.
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?
2 Chronicles 31:20-21 ESV
“Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Reflections
NEVER BE GREEDY, BUT ALWAYS GENEROUS – IF NOT IN MONEY, THEN IN SPIRIT
They owned no wealth apart from their livestock, since any money they received from the rich was at once given to the poor. They had no need to save money or provide accomodation in order to receive the rulers of the world, who only came to church for the purpose of prayer and to hear the Word of God. King Oswy himself, whenever the opportunity allowed it, came with only five or six thanes, and went away after completing his prayers in the church. Even if it chanced that they had a meal there they were content with the simple daily fare of the brothers, and asked for nothing more.
“Bless, O Lord, my kitchen with Thy right hand! My Kitchen of the white God. Mary’s Son, my Friend, cometh to bless my kitchen. My Prince, may we have abundance with Him!” Brigid
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
_____________________________________
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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence and prayer:
Praise the Lord! Let everything that has breath praise His name!
__________
A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 58:7-10 (NLT)
“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 112:4-9 (NLT)
Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
__________
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NLT)
When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness — timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
“You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Intercessions:
Placing our trust in our faithful God, let us pray with confidence:
+ For Christians, that our examples of right living may shine as bright lights of hope in our world…
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For Christian missions around the world, that all who labor may work together in a spirit of unity, respect, and co-operation…
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For a spirit of generosity in sharing what we have with those in need – in particular, food, clothing and shelter…
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For the courage to do what is right, that God may be glorified – in particular, freedom for captives, and justice for the exploited and oppressed…
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For older people, that the Church may recognise their experience and wisdom….
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For younger people, that the Church may welcome their energy and enthusiasm…
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those who share the cross, that their sufferings may not wear them out – in particular, the sick, the lonely, the abandoned…
Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those who have died and for those who mourn their loss, that together they may one day praise God for ever in heaven…
Lord, hear my prayer.
O God, You are the light that makes clear our way before us: Hear my prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Song:“Light of the World” – Hillsong
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
The Peanut Gallery 