Tag: Jerusalem

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.

__________

Spiritual Song: “King of Glory” – Third Day


__________

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

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

Morning Prayer, 17 Jan – John 3:1-8; 1 Peter 1:3-5 ~ born again

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence – Aidan of Lindisfarne (?-651)

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day.

In Your mercy, Lord, keep us free from sin, and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Let Your Kingdom come, Lord, in me.

Morning readings

Nicodemus Crijn Hendricksz. Volmarijn (circa 1601–1645)
Nicodemus
Crijn Hendricksz. Volmarijn (circa 1601–1645)

John 3:1-8 ESV:

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
__________

1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Reflections / Prayer:

Born Again

Jesus explains being born from above in terms of being born of water and the Spirit.

What is needed is a new heart and a new life; that is, the Spirit must give birth to spirit. Only those alive in the realm of the spirit by the Spirit will be able to recognize and enter that realm.

This begetting is an act of sovereign gracious love initiated by God.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

__________

Living Hope

The main object of [1 Peter] is to raise us above the world, in order that we may be prepared and encouraged to sustain the spiritual contests of our warfare.

Supernatural life is a gift, because we are born the children of wrath; for had we been born to the hope of life according to the flesh, there would have been no necessity of being begotten again by God. Therefore Peter teaches us, that we who are by nature destined to eternal death, are restored to life by God’s mercy. And this is, as it were, our second creation.

Calvin’s Commentaries

__________


__________

St Anthony of Egypt icon, mid 16th century
St Anthony of Egypt
icon, mid 16th century

St Anthony of Egypt (251-356) – the founder of monasticism (read more)

“Let it be your supreme and common purpose not to grow weary in the work you have begun, and in time of trial and affliction not to lose courage…. Rather, we should daily begin anew…. For man’s whole life is short when measured against the time to come, so short, in fact, that it is as nothing in comparison with eternity…. Therefore, my children, let us persevere….”

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

_____________________________________

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, 16 Jan – John 2:23-25 ~ rule this heart

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence – Oswald of Northumbria (605-42)

This day is Your gift to me; I take it, Lord, from Your hand and thank You for the wonder of it.

God be with me in this Your day, every day and every way, with me and for me in this Your day; and the love and affection of heaven be toward me.

Morning readings

John 2:23-25 ESV:

Heartbeat(14)

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Reflections / Prayer:

 Jesus performed a number of miraculous signs at this time. In response many people believed in his name, but Jesus did not entrust himself to them.

The events in Cana made it clear that Jesus only takes his cues from his Father. In this sense Jesus does not entrust himself to anyone. He is present to all with God’s love, but he is also detached from all in his attachment to God. Jesus’ inner disposition is not shared by these believers. What he sees in them stands in contrast to what he found in Nathanael, for in him he saw nothing false. Nathanael heard something that seemed questionable, but he came and began to see more deeply. These people see something attractive and remain on that level, thereby missing the whole point. That which is in them is not trustworthy because it is not open to God.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. My fame or repute will be just as You allow: You mark the way before me.

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

Great God of wisdom, Great God of mercy, give me of Your fullness and of Your guidance at the turning of each pass.

Great God of shielding, Great God of surrounding, give me Your holiness and of Your peace in the fastening of my death; give me Your surrounding, and Your peace upon my death.

Peace between me and my God. May I tread the path to the gates of glory. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours. God’s path would I travel, my own path refuse. May I tread the path to the gates of glory.

Chad of Lichfield (?-672)

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

_____________________________________

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, 15 Jan – John 2:13-22; Psalm 139:23-24 ~ cleanse me

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence – Oswald of Northumbria (605-42)

This day is Your gift to me; I take it, Lord, from Your hand and thank You for the wonder of it.

God be with me in this Your day, every day and every way, with me and for me in this Your day; and the love and affection of heaven be toward me.

Morning readings

John 2:13-22 ESV:

Jesus cleanses the temple The Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey
Jesus cleanses the temple
The Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Reflections / Prayer:

Confrontation:

Jesus’ authority is based on his identity. Here is the first use outside the prologue of the term Father, the single most important designation for God in John’s writings. Equally significant is the implication that Jesus is God’s Son: he refers to my Father’s house. Jesus’ provocative act is based on his relation to God as his Son.

Foreshadowing:

By associating his own body with the temple, which is his Father’s house, Jesus again points to his own special relationship with God… looking ahead to His death, resurrection and ascension.

Jesus’ identity as the Father’s Son and the centrality of his death are revealed in this story, and we begin to see how upsetting these truths are…. What are we to make of a Jesus who responds to honest, open questions with cryptic words and deeds? Jesus is indeed compassionate, but there is always a wildness, an otherness, about him.

John is writing not so we might understand all mysteries but so we might have life in his name.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

O King of Kings, O King of the universe, King who will be, who is, may You forgive us each and every one. Accept my prayer, O King of grace.

Lower my vengence, my anger and my hatred, and banish my wicked thoughts from me; send down a drop from heaven of Your holy Spirit to vanquish this heart of rock of mine.

Anyone who claims to be in the light, but hates his brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother or sister lives in the light; and there is nothing to make that person stumble.

Lord, let my memory provide no shelter for grievance against another.
Lord, let my heart provide no harbour for hatred of another.
Lord, let my tongue be no accomplice in the judgement of a brother.

Jesus, only Son of the Father and High King, Your name is above every name, in the name of Jesus let no evil be welcome in my heart. Amen.

Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

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

_____________________________________

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.

Epiphany Sunday: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 92:1-2a, 7-8, 10b-13; Ephesians 3:2b-4; Matthew 2:1-12 ~ your light has come

Epiphany Sunday

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

Opening sentence:

May the splendor of Your majesty, O Lord, shed its light upon our hearts, that we may pass through the shadows of this world and reach the brightness of our eternal home. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 (NLT)

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

“Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense and will come worshiping the Lord.”

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 92:1-2a, 7-8, 10b-13 (NLT)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning….
__________

Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever.
__________

You have anointed me with the finest oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents. But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.

sunrise

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Church in Ephesus: Ephesians 3:2b-4 (NLT)

God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Intercessions:

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany. “The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power.” With these words the Church proclaims that today’s feast brings to a perfect fulfillment all the purposes of Advent. Epiphany, therefore, marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season. — Pius Parsch

Arise shine inheritors of God’s light, bearers of God’s light to our darkened world, the light of God has come into our world, and nations will come to its brightness.

Arise shine, privileged ones who live in the light of Christ, bow before God, not in shame but in awe, all is visible in Christ’s eternal light, in us God’s light never goes out.

Arise shine, in Christ, God’s light has been revealed to us, it reaches across time and space, we have come to see, we have come to follow.

Arise shine, in Christ God’s light has been revealed to all people, God’s glory has been unveiled in all the earth, go and tell, go and share God’s light with our needy world.

Light of all lights – accept our worship and prayer:

+ Come and see the light of God has come into our world – may we proclaim God’s justice and love… overcome the darkness and bring new life.

+ Come and follow Christ our king has redeemed our world – draw us into a loving family from every tribe and family and culture

+ Go and tell, the Spirit has equipped us for service – may we love our neighbours as we do ourselves and bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth

+ Come and see, come and follow, go and tell – in God’s Son the nations of the earth will put their hope

God who revealed yourself to wise men following a star – guide all who search and journey towards your Light today.

God who unveiled yourself in the gift of a son – show yourself through the gift of life today.

God who was baptized with those who declared their repentance in the Jordan river – manifest yourself to all who come with repentant hearts today.

God who fed the five thousand with a handful of fish and loaves – satisfy our hunger with your word of truth and love.

God who changed water into wine at a wedding – fill all who thirst with the free gift of the water of life.

God whose light shines like a bright guiding star have mercy on us.

Lord God Almighty, thank you that Jesus’ epiphany as Son of God reaches across time and space. As we go into this day may we embrace your call to come and see, come and follow, go and tell others. May we remember that we are bearers of Christ’s light sent out to touch others so that they may know him as Son of God and experience the wonderful hope his message brings. Amen.

Spiritual Song: Hallelujah (Light Is Come) – Barlow Girl

Hmm, my baby / Heaven sent You to me / All the world’s been praying / Who will save?

But who am I? / That here tonight / I hold the one / Who’ll bring us life

Hallelujah, we’ve been found / A child is born to save us now / Jesus Hallelujah, light has come / A Savior who will set us free / A promise for those who believe

Do You hear the Angels / Sing for You, my baby? / Men and kings have / Come to bow to You

But here in my arms / So close to me / The son of God / Now all can see

Hallelujah, we’ve been found / A child is born to save us now / Jesus Hallelujah, light has come / A Savior set us free

So praise to God on high / He has heard our cry

Hallelujah, we’ve been found / Hallelujah, we’ve been found

A child is born to save us now / Jesus Hallelujah, light has come / A Savior set us free / A promise for those who believe

Hmm, my baby
__________

Go into the world knowing you are led by the light of Christ, may the love of the Creator go before you, may the life of the Redeemer be within you, may the joy of the Spirit shine through you.

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