+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence and prayer:
Blessed be Christ my Saviour. In Him I become a new creation, the old order passes and all things are renewed. Renew me, Lord, in Your Spirit.
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You promised us, Lord, a new heaven and a new earth; renew me in Your Spirit, that I may come to the new Jerusalem and rejoice in You for ever. May I work with You to fill the world with Your Spirit in justice, charity and peace. Grant that I may put aside my apathy; help me to recognize with joy the power You have given me. Set me free from all evil; show me in the confusion of my life the things that really matter. Through my 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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A Reading from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 (NLT)
“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.
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“Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?
“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.
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Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. (see John 6:63,68)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:17-19 (NLT)
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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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
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us.
Lord, open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Canticle:
Teach me, dear Lord, to number my days; that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Oh, satisfy me early with Thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all of my days.
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.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon me; and establish Thou the work of my hands.
Blessing:
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
God of goodness and kindness – You invite all people to the banquet and offer them a feast beyond compare. Give us Your saving grace to keep unstained the white robe of our baptism until that day when You welcome us to heaven’s joyful table. 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: Isaiah 25:6-10 (NLT)
In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!
In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” For the Lord’s hand of blessing will rest on Jerusalem.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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A Reading from the Letters: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 (NLT)
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
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And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:1-14 (NLT)
Chalice on the altar with crucifix in background. Lower chapel of Our Lady of Mercy church, Hicksville, New York. Image taken January 15, 2006 by John Archer.
Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!
“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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Intercessions:
Gracious God, who gently shepherds all the flock, hear our prayers –
+ For Christians everywhere — that our belief in life after death may sustain us in difficult times…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who care for the bereaved — that their own faith in the resurrection may sustain them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who live with violence — that the Lord may grant peace to those parts of the world most battered by war…. Lord, hear us.
+ For each one of us in our everyday lives — that we may encourage one another and reflect Your peace and joy…. Lord, hear us.
+ For couples preparing for marriage — that the gentle shepherd may lead them along right paths…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christian families everywhere – that the peace of Christ and the love of Christ might be a daily reality…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died – that a place at the heavenly banquet may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.
God our shepherd, You invite us to Your table in heaven: give us the grace we need on our journey there, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ 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.
Psalm 45:1
Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
“Kirkridge is a Retreat and Study Center rooted in Christ, close to the earth, where people from diverse backgrounds find community and experience the transforming power of the Spirit for personal wholeness, reconciliation and justice in the world.”
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
Mark 4:30-33
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.
If you have a good map of Scotland you will find it among the Inner Hebrides off the southwest tip of Mull, a comma of land separated by a straight the width of an exclamation point.
But from today’s Iona there are still offshoots, including one formed by John Oliver Nelson, Kirkridge, which is in Bangor, Pennsylvania, for, Nelson once spent a summer laying the slate tiles on the roof of the Iona abbey refectory. ‘This place was the start of my life,’ he says of Iona. ‘This is home.’
It is home for many. Still Iona Community remains small. As big in the eye of the world as is the island itself on a world map. Small as a mustard seed, you might say. Small, but potent and marvellous.
St Columba must be glad with the sight of it, but little surprised. He had a gift for seeing the future and knew one day there would be nothing left of his foundation, but he saw beyond that time to its restoration. Poet as well as prophet, he left his prophecy as poem:
Iona of my heart, Iona of my love, instead of monk’s voices shall be lowing of cattle. But ere the world comes to an end, Iona shall be as it was.
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: 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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of August. 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.
+ 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.
A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-3 (NLT)
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.
A Reading from the Psalms: 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?
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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.
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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.
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One thing I desire / One thing I seek / To gaze upon Your beauty / And Your Majesty / God of my salvation / Lifter of my head / Teach me how to live oh Lord / And Your righteousness / So I pray to You / So I pray to You
Lord, Your name / Is higher than the heavens / Lord, Your name / Is higher than all created things / Higher than hope / Higher than dreams / The name of the Lord
In the days of trouble / You cover me / In the secret place of refuge / Lord, I will sing / So I pray to You, I pray / So I pray to You
Lord, Your name / Is higher than the heavens / Lord, Your name / Is higher than all created things / Higher than hope / Higher than dreams / The name of the Lord
A Reading from the Letters of Paul: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 (NLT)
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!
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For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News — and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 4:12-23 (NLT)
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers — Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew — throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
Intercessions:
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (Isaiah 9:2)
Heavenly Father – Let the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, shine on us.
+ That the people of God may be like greats light shining in the darkness – announcing the Good News of Your Kingdom to every tribe and nation.
+ That the leaders of this world may turn away from the darkness of evil in all its forms – abandoning all self-interest to follow Jesus.
+ That the people of God may bring rays of hope into the lives of those who suffer – giving justice to the oppressed, human dignity to every person, and aid and comfort to those who cannot help themselves.
+ That those who search and grope in life may discover Christ as the answer to their quest for love, goodness and truth – experiencing for themselves Your healing mercies.
+ That the people of God may become one in You – bringing peace and unity into our homes, our communities, our nation.
+ That the world-wide community of faith may live together in harmony in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives… delighting in Your beauty and dwelling in Your presence.
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. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord, I want to feel your heart / And see the world through your eyes / I want to be your hands and feet / I want to live a life that leads / Ready yourselves, ready yourselves / Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night / Ready yourselves, ready yourselves / May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise
Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out / Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound / Like voices in the wilderness, we’re crying out / And as the day draws near / We’ll sing until the whole world hears
Lord, let your sleeping giant rise / Catch the demons by surprise / Holy nation sanctified / Let this be our battle cry
Ready yourselves, ready yourselves / Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night / Ready yourselves, ready yourselves / May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise
Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out / Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound / Like voices in the wilderness, we’re crying out / And as the day draws near / We’ll sing until the whole world hears
We’ll sing until the whole world hears / We’ll sing until the whole world hears
I want to be your hands and feet / I want live a life that leads / To see you set the captive free / Until the whole world hears / And I pray that they will see / More of you and less of me / Lord, I want my life to be / The song You sing
Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out / Lifting your name up for all to hear the sound / Like voices in the wilderness, we’re crying out / And as the day draws near / We’ll sing until the whole world hears…
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 