Mornng Prayer
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences – Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)
My heart, my heart desires Him. He’s touched something inside of me that’s now reaching out for Him. And I know that I must go.
Morning reading
John 17:6-11 ESV :
John 17:6-11 ESV
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one….
Reflections:
God’s grace
The disciples were given to Jesus by the Father from the world, another reference to the amazing grace of God. The Father is the ultimate agent in the disciples’ lives just as he is in Jesus’ life. Jesus is probably speaking not of an eternal relation but of the relation the disciples had with God through the covenant with Israel (Westcott; Ridderbos). Those true Israelites, who had an affinity with God, were already God’s and were awaiting his Messiah, who would bring them to the fulfillment of that relationship. The Father gave them to the Son for this purpose; and through their faith and obedience, as they were drawn by God to the Son and his teaching, they demonstrated that they were God’s.
This relationship is about to be changed radically, for the disciples are now on the brink of the birth from above. The point is, however, that true Israelites whom God has shepherded have been handed over by him to Jesus, and the sheep have recognized his voice and have received Jesus as come from God.
the disciples’ faith
These disciples, who are of God and are given by God to the Son, have been able to recognize and receive as from the Father all that the Son has received from the Father and passed on to them – specifically, Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ words are God’s words, and these bring life and judgment. The focus is on Jesus and their acceptance of him – they knew and believed the truth about both the Son and the Father in their mutual relation.
The disciples’ knowledge and faith are not as complete as they think it is, but Jesus affirms they have reached a decisive point. They have believed in him and hung in with him, even when most of his followers abandoned him – the foundation has been laid, and it is secure. They have been receptive, the fundamental attitude of a true disciple, and now they have grasped the crux of the revelation — the identity of the Son in relation to the Father. The grace of revelation has been met by human response of humble openness, faith and obedience. Here we see God’s acceptance of believers despite their great ignorance and weakness.
Jesus prays for believers
Jesus’ petitions for the disciples are about protection, sanctification and union with God. None of these petitions are applicable to the world, to the system and those beings in rebellion against God. Nevertheless, since it is through the disciples’ witness that the world will continue to be challenged with God’s love and call, Jesus’ prayer for his disciples is actually an indirect prayer for the world (Beasley-Murray).
The disciples’ very relations with the Father and Son bear witness to this foundational truth – they have been given to the Son and yet remain the Father’s because of the divine oneness. Here, as throughout this Gospel, Jesus’ deeds and words make no sense unless one realizes he is God. Indeed, this very statement bears witness to this claim. For anyone can, and should, truthfully say to the Father, all I have is yours. But the reverse, all you have is mine — “this can no creature say before God” (Alford). The glory that Jesus says has come to him through them comes from both the Father and the disciples. In the Father’s giving the disciples to Jesus, the Father bore witness to this relation of oneness; and the disciples, who were of the Father, recognized him and believed in 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 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.
The Peanut Gallery 