Morning Prayer: 20 Apr – Acts 6:8-15; John 6:22-29 ~ the only work: believe in Jesus

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Lord, open my lips; and I shall praise Your name.
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God and Father, to all who go astray You reveal the light of Your truth and enable us to return to the right path. Grant that we who have received the grace of baptism may endeavor to be worthy of our Christian calling and reject everything opposed to it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 6:8-15 (NLT)

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Saint Stephen by Luis de Morales, 1574 Museo del Prado, Madrid — Saint Stephen
by Luis de Morales, 1574
Museo del Prado, Madrid

So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.
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One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. (Mathew 4:4)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:22-29 (NLT)

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28 ~ undivided attention

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Come and listen to God’s word and share life together. Praise the One who has rescued us from sin and darkness, and brought us the hope of heaven.

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

Opening prayer:

Faithful God, Your Holy One, Jesus of Nazareth, spoke the truth with authority, and You confirmed His teaching by wondrous deeds. Through His healing presence, drive far from us all that is unholy, so that by word and deed we may proclaim Him Messiah and Lord and bear witness to Your power to heal and save. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (NLT)

Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you yourselves requested of the Lord your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai. You said, ‘Don’t let us hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘What they have said is right. I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf. But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 (NLT)

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
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Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!
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…for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NLT)

I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:21-28 (NLT)

Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority — quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!”

Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.
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Intercessions:

As the people belonging to God’s pasture, let us bring our prayers before the Lord who saves us.

+ For all who teach in God’s name – that they may help many find the Kingdom…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are church leaders – that God may guide their words and actions…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have answered God’s call to full time Christian service – that their lives may show Christ to the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians suffering persecution for their faith – that Christ may be close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the prophets of today who challenge all of humanity – that the Spirit of God may guide them in spreading the message of justice and truth…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all adults, married or single – that God may have our undivided attention and first loyalty…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died – that they may dwell in the Lord’s house forever…. Lord, hear us.

God our shepherd, You gently lead Your people: hear our prayers and graciously answer them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:16-17)

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

The Baptism of the Lord: Isa 42:1-4, 6-7; Psa 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11 ~ annointed with the Holy Spirit and power

The Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord marked the end of Jesus’ quiet years in Nazereth and the start of His public ministry.

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

Opening prayer:

God of salvation, in the river Jordan You bathed Your Son Jesus in glory and revealed Him as Your obedient servant. In spirit and in power rend the heavens and come down to us. Strengthen us to acknowledge Your Christ, that we who are reborn in His likeness may walk with Him the path of obedience. Grant this through Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 (NLT)

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

Baby held in fathers hand _____

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 (NLT)

Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
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The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 10:34-38 (NLT)

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel — that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:7-11 (NLT)

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
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Intercessions:

Almighty, ever-living God, when Christ was baptized in the river Jordan the Holy Spirit came upon Him and Your voice proclaimed from heaven, ‘This is My beloved Son.’ Rend the heavens and come to us now in answer to our prayers:

+ For all the baptised – that we may grow in appreciation of the joys and challenges of Christian living….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the children christened, or dedicated, in the past year – that they may grow to maturity under the guidance of their parents and godparents….
Lord, hear us.
+ For adults preparing to be baptised this year – that their devotion may breathe new life into their comunities….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the Christians who will be confirmed in 2015 – that the Spirit who descended at the baptism of Jesus may fill them….
Lord, hear us.
+ For believers who have grown distant from their faith – that in this New Year they may make a new start….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the community of which we are part – that we may grow in faith and in support of one another….
Lord, hear us.
+ For our friends and relatives who have gone before us in faith, and for children who have died around the time of birth – that all we have lost may pass from death to life…. Lord, hear us.

God our helper in times past, grant that we, who by water and the Holy Spirit are Your adopted children, may continue steadfast in Your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

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

Morning Prayer, 13 Jan – John 1:43-51 ~ heaven opened

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 1:43-51 ESV:

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Reflections / Prayer:

Find and share: Andrew found Simon, and now Jesus finds Philip. Philip also goes to find another person to tell about Jesus…. The reason Nathanael has trouble with Jesus’ coming from Nazareth is probably because the Messiah was not expected to be associated with Nazareth…. He has reason to question whether Jesus is the one promised, but he is open to the possibility that Jesus is, as his subsequent action and confession show.

No deceit: Nathanael seeks God before all else. No one is without falseness within, but there are those who nevertheless desire truth before anything. Most of us must be pruned for years before we approach such single-hearted desire for God. Mercifully God accepts us before we even begin to desire him, and by his grace he undertakes the purging of all our duplicity and deceitfulness.

Heaven opened: “Jesus as Son of Man has become… the point of contact between heaven and earth…. [T]he promise here is that they will recognize who Jesus really is and thereby see God…. “Jesus Christ even in his humanity is united to heaven and enjoys perfect communion with God his Father” (Michaels 1989:43).

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

St. Hilary of Poitiers (315-68) – Memorial Day January 13

“Lord, I pray Thee let not my weakness distract me, but let my speech be of that alone in which the salvation of my soul consists; and let me never break forth to that degree both of folly and wickedness, as to wish to be a judge of Thy omnipotence, and of Thy sacraments; and suffer me not to exalt my weak opinion above either the divine determination of Thy infinity, or that belief of Thy eternity which has been revealed to me. Amen.”

Heavenly Father: Thank You for this day You have given me. May I see heaven opened wide as the day unfolds. Give me eyes to see… ears to hear… a mind to apprehend… and a heart open to receive all You have in store for me today.

Lord Jesus: Your invitation to follow You is compelling – Your wonders never cease to amaze me. Help me to turn away from distractions and falsehoods that I might single-heartedly desire You alone… and abide in Your presence.

Holy Spirit: Fill me afresh today. Guide me into all truth that I might glorify You in all things… and give me the boldness to invite those whom You have prepared… to “come and see” Jesus for themselves. Amen.

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

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 Reading: Acts 6.8-15 NLT – false witnesses

Reading: Acts 6:8-15 NLT

None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law.

So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Stephen was the first of a long line of Christian martyrs. In the face of imminent danger, he did not back down. Fill your people with wisdom and the Holy Spirit in the face of danger. Give us the courage to speak the truth in the face of false witness… to declare the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not to defend ourselves. And give us confidence and courage in facing the consequences. For your name’s sake. Amen.

Hymn: “The Voice of Truth” – Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman

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