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.

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

Morning Prayer for Saturday, 3rd Week in Advent: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45 ~ sing over me

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Morning readings

Zephaniah 3:14-18 NLT:

“Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! “Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.

“On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

“I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.”

Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 NLT:

Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
__________

But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
__________

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Luke 1:39-45 NLT:

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Reflection/Prayer:

“Sing Over Me” – Bethany Dillon and Nichole Nordeman

I live in the wonder of Your love / You rise like the sun in my heart / Even when the night draws near to me / There You are

I will wade in the water of mercy / I will walk in the light of Your will / Whatever should come against me / Teach me to be still

As you / Sing over me / Draw me close to rest in Your peace / Sing over me / Oh, sing

Sing of Your unending faithfulness / That knows no doubt or fear / In the face of all that I don’t know yet / Remind me of who You are

You are mighty / You will save / Rejoice over me with singing / You will quiet / By Your love / Glory over me with singing

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 Morning Prayer readings are from the USCCB Daily Readings and the format from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com. The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you.

Morning Prayer for Friday, 1st Week in Advent: Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Matthew 9:27-31 ~ coming soon

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Morning readings

Isaiah 29:17-24 NLT:

Soon — and it will not be very long — the forests of Lebanon will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.

In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book, and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness. The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. The scoffer will be gone, the arrogant will disappear, and those who plot evil will be killed. Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear. A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent. That is why the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the people of Israel,

“My people will no longer be ashamed or turn pale with fear. For when they see their many children and all the blessings I have given them, they will recognize the holiness of the Holy One of Israel. They will stand in awe of the God of Jacob. Then the wayward will gain understanding, and complainers will accept instruction….”

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 NLT:

The Lord is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most — is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Matthew 9:27-31 NLT:

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.

Reflection/Prayer:

Are we there yet? “Soon!”

Holy One of Israel – Give me the boldness and courage that properly belong to Your children. Wipe away my lingering fears and anxieties… and open my eyes to the many blessings You have already poured out on me. Fill me with a spirit of gratitude, worship and awe.

Son of David – You are my Light and my Strength… my fortress and my protection. Have mercy on me… as I wait for patiently for Your return. Pour out Your love and healing power… as I prepare for Your coming.

Spirit of the Living God – Fill me with expectation and wonder… and keep my focus on You as I await the celebration of Christmas. I ask it in Jesus’ name. 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

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

_____________________________________

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:73-78; Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:25-26 ~ just clay

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

Psalm 119:73-78 NLT:

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 NLT:

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand….”

Romans 8:25-26 NLT:

But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Reflection/Prayer:

O God, forgive the poverty and pettiness of our prayers. Listen not to our words, but to the yearning of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need. (Peter Marshall)

God, You hear within us the groanings so deep they cannot even be uttered. Let Your tender mercies come unto us that we may live again.

‘Can I not do with you as the Potter?’ says the Lord God. Lord, help me to realize that I am Your project.

Have Your own way, Lord, have Your own way
You are the Potter – I am the clay
Mould me and make me after Your will
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
(Adelaide A. Pollard)

‘Can I not do with you as the Potter?’
‘Yes.’

Spiritual Song: “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” – Adelaide A. Pollard

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

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

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com.

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

Morning Reading: Luke 24.50-53 NLT – great joy and praise

The Ascension by Benjamin West, 1801 — The Ascension
by Benjamin West, 1801

Reading: Luke 24.50-53 NLT

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Prayer: “Te Deum” – English Translation (Wikipedia)

We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting.

To thee all the angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein. To thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry – Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee. The noble army of martyrs praise thee.

The Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; the father of an infinite majesty; thine honourable true and only Son; also the Holy Ghost the comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the hand of God in glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting. O Lord save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever. Day by day we magnify thee; and worship thy name, ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee. O Lord in thee have I trusted let me not be confounded.

_________________________

Note: Sung by the Monks of the Grande Chartreuse. This hymn that is said to have been chanted by St Ambrose and St Augustine, is part of the midnight prayers, the Matins, and is chanted in nights before Sundays and feast days.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: