Tag: John

Morning Prayer: 03 September – Revelation 2:1-7 ~ Ephesus: loyalty & love

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Ruins of the ancient Church of St. Mary in Ephesus – site of the proceedings of the Council of Ephesus in 431.
Ruins of the ancient Church of St. Mary in Ephesus –
site of the proceedings of
the Council of Ephesus in 431.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Reflection

THE FIRST VISION – THE SEVEN LETTERS

To the Church in Ephesus

“Ephesus was the foremost city in Asia and home of the most important church in the province…. Ephesus was also the home of all kinds of superstitions and practices and was famous throughout the world for the magical arts (see Acts 19:19). It was founded by Aquila and Priscilla… firmly established by Paul’s preaching and teaching… and carried on later by Timothy and John. In the first years of the second century, Ignatius wrote the Ephesians a letter which praises them for their unity and blameless Christian conduct and for living in harmonious love.” (Ladd, p.37)

“I know your works…”

“The good works of the Ephesians consisted in their firm opposition to false teachers who had arisen in Ephesus and their steadfast refusal to be led away by their teachings…. Many itinerant preachers and teachers arose in the early church who claimed to be the mouthpiece of the Holy Spirit and to speak for God…. The church in Ephesus demonstrated the ability to distinguish between true and false teachers… and refused to tolerate the latter.” (Ladd, p.38-39)

“But I have this against you…”

“However, their struggle with false teachers… had had serious effects… and had led them to abandon the love they had at first. Here was a failure which undermined the very foundation of the Christian life…. Doctrinal purity and loyalty can never be a substitute for love.” (Ladd, p.39)

Remember, repent, return

“Christ calls them to come back in three steps: remember – look back to a time of greater intimacy with God; repent – make a break with evil; return – to what you did at first…. A church can continue only for so long on a loveless course… before it will cease to exist as a church.” (Morris, p.61)

“To the one who conquers…”

“The Christian life is an unrelenting warfare against the powers of evil…. The victory is analogous to the victory won by Christ himself, even though it involved his death on the cross…. The very martyrdom of the saints was their victory, for they had conquered every satanic effort to turn their loyalty and devotion away from Christ and had remained true…. Love and loyalty to Christ will conquer fear of suffering and death.” (Ladd, p.41)

Prayer

Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ: He hears the prayers of His children and holds the church in His hand – Lord, hear us.

+ Thank You for speaking to us through the prophets and apostles – that we might know You and love You with all our hearts…

+ Thank You for sending us Your Spirit, the Spirit of Truth – that we might discern truth from falsehood and remain true to Your Word…

+ Forgive us our battle-scarred, hardened hearts – that we might not become like the enemies of Truth…

+ Forgive us for being so focused on judgement for our enemies – that we no longer pray for their conversion…

+ Teach us how to love our enemies – that we might overcome evil with good…

+ Give us Your strength in our weakness – that we might have the courage to face our troubles and tribulations…

+ Direct our thoughts, our words, our actions today – that we may know, and do, your will…

+ Make wisdom our guide – that we might ever walk in newness of life…

I ask this for Your Name’s sake. Amen.
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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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) On Sundays, we’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: 02 September – Revelation 1:9-20 ~ “Write what you see…”

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.

Revelation 1:9-20 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Interior view of the Sacré-Cœur, Paris
Interior view of the Sacré-Cœur, Paris

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

Reflection

THE FIRST VISION – OF JESUS

“I, John, your brother and partner…” (1:9)

John begins by identifying with the people to whom the letter is addressed: he shares in their suffering and in their patient endurance, or perseverance. Indeed, “tribulation” is the lot of God’s people in this present age. John’s banishment to Patmos serves as one example.

“Back of human history are mighty spiritual powers in conflict with each other – the Kingdom of God and the power of Satan. The church stands between the two…. Tribulation here includes all the evil which will befall the church, but especially the great tribulation at the end, which will be only the intensification of what the church has suffered throughout all history.” (Ladd, p. 30)

“Write what you see…” (1:11)

John is commanded to record what he sees (“I was in the Spirit”)… and to send the entire scroll to each of the churches listed. The scroll was intended to be read in its entirety at each church. “Although the letters are written to real churches of the first century, they are relevant to the church universal, for the strengths and weaknesses of the seven are characteristic of individual churches throughout history.” (Mounce, p. 57)

“Fear not…” (1:12)

John’s first vision was that of the exalted Christ – “one like the son of man.” “The Christians were a pitiably small group, persecuted by mighty foes. To all outward appearance their situation was hopeless. But it is only as Christ is seen for what he really is that anything else can be seen for what it really is. So for these persecuted ones it was important that first of all the glory and majesty of the Lord be made clear.” (Morris, p. 53)

What was being depicted? The deity of Christ – His existence with the Father, His authority, strength and power, His holy wrath, His invincibility, and His glory. So overwhelming was the vision that John “fell at his feet as though dead.” (Ladd, p. 33-34)

Sacre Coeur seen from the Arc de Triomphe.
Sacre Coeur seen from the Arc de Triomphe.

“As for the mystery…” (1:20)

“The essential truth is that… Christ stands ever in unbroken fellowship with the churches on earth, persecuted though they may be. At the same time he holds them in his hand; this pictures his keeping and protecting power of a church in persecution.” (Ladd, p. 34-35)

Prayer

Glorious and exalted Christ – give me a vision of Your majesty, strength and power.

+ Forgive me for relying on TV news and outward appearances to assess what’s happening around me…

+ Forgive me for expecting peace and tranquility when the lot of Your people has always been tribulation…

+ Forgive me for being concerned mostly about myself and my family when You are concerned about the church and Your Kingdom family…

+ Thank You for revealing Yourself to me through John in all Your glory and power…

+ Thank You for holding Your church around the world in the palm of Your hand…

+ Help me to keep my eyes on You – exalted, high and lifted up…

+ Help me to prepare for Your immanent return in power and strength and glory…

I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen
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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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.) On Sundays, we’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

brothers

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)
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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

_____________________________________

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: 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.

angry-dog

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)
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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

_____________________________________

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: 25 Apr – John 21:1-14 ~ the last breakfast

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences — The Way of the Cross

Let all creation give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Filled with His praises, give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Stepping out boldly, we claim resurrection.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Morning reading

John 21:1-14 ESV

"The Miraculous Draft of Fishes" Konrad Witz, 1444 Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva
“The Miraculous Draft of Fishes”
Konrad Witz, 1444
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Reflections:

necessity and lordship

The stories in this chapter reveal Jesus’ bringing his disciples, especially Peter, more completely under his lordship. The disciples do not know what to do, so they do that which is necessary, and in taking this initiative they put themselves in a place where Christ meets them. Here is the simple truth, attested to by the saints, that when we are uncertain what to do we should simply do our duty and God will guide.

obedience and abundance

That night they catch nothing, a graphic portrayal of barrenness. They have done what they thought was the right thing but experience utter failure. This prepares them to learn one of the central lessons of discipleship — apart from Jesus they can do nothing (15:5). Jesus has taught this lesson before, for “never in the Gospels do the disciples catch a fish without Jesus’ help” (Brown)! But they need the lesson repeated, as we often do as well.

The primary point seems to be Jesus’ lordship and the need to be obedient to him for any labor to be fruitful. Earlier, Mary recognized Jesus when he called her name, and the disciples recognized him through his wounds. Now he is recognized through the abundance that comes through obedience to his word.

appearance and recognition

The Lord has breakfast ready for the disciples, another sign of his grace and provision, like the catch they have just taken. There is no indication of where Jesus got the bread and fish; the appearance of the food is as mysterious as his own.

The first one to speak is Jesus, and he tells them to bring some of the fish they have caught. Throughout this encounter with Jesus the disciples have not said anything. The scene is one of great awe, with none of them daring to ask him, Who are you? There was something different about him, yet they were able to recognize him. The Lord Jesus is the focus of this story.

the last breakfast

After inviting them to come and eat, he himself comes to the fire. He took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This description echoes his action at the feeding of the five thousand and provides the climax of this story. It answers their unasked questions — he is recognized in this breaking of the bread (cf. Lk 24:30-31). The master who commands them also serves them, continuing a theme found during the ministry.

This association, as well as the tie in with the feeding of the five thousand, brings echoes of the Eucharist (cf. Brown). This meal itself is not a Eucharist, but it embodies a central aspect of what Eucharist itself is about — communion with the risen Lord in the midst of his people.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
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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

_____________________________________

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.