Morning Prayer: Tue, 27 Dec – 1 John 1:1-4; Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; John 20:1-8 ~ we saw the Word of life

Feast of Saint John, the Evangelist

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory,
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Reading: 1 John 1:1-4 (NLT)

"Word of Life" (mural) Hesburgh Library University of Notre Dame — “Word of Life” (mural)
(aka “Touchdown Jesus”}
Hesburgh Library
University of Notre Dame

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
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Reading: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 (NLT)

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad. Dark clouds surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
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The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; every nation sees his glory.
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Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name!
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Reading: John 20:1-8 (NLT)

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

“The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection” Eugène Burnand, 1898 Musée d’Orsay — “The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre on the Morning of the Resurrection”
Eugène Burnand, 1898
Musée d’Orsay

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed.
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Prayer:

Lord God, remember your church around the world – built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ, Your Son, the chief cornerstone. Hear our prayers on behalf of your holy people.

+ That the Resurrection of Christ may be made known, near and far

+ That the Good News of Christ may bring light into the darkness of men’s lives

+ That the Word of Christ may reap an imperishable harvest of joy in men’s hearts

+ That the Cross of Christ may reconcile all men to friendship with you and with one another

Lord God, remember your church around the world. Open to all the treasures of your Word that we may live confidently and joyfully as your children. 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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“Ode To Joy – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” – at Royal Albert Hall, London

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Blessing

We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us… and fully share our joy.

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

Morning Prayer: Mon, 26 Dec – Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17; Matthew 10:17-22 ~ a man full of God’s grace and power

The Feast of Saint Stephen, martyr

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

Opening Sentence

Come, let us worship the new-born King; today he has crowned Saint Stephen.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD: the LORD is God and has given us light.
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Reading: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59 (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.
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Martyrdom Of St. Stephen Giorgio Vasari, 1560 — Martyrdom Of St. Stephen
Giorgio Vasari, 1560

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
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Reading: Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17 (NLT)

You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone.
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I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord.
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You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.
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Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.
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Reading: Matthew 10:17-22 (NLT)

But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”
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Prayer:

Thank you, Lord God, for Saint Stephen, whose life on earth was lived in the service of Christ, and who came at his death to witness to Christ with his blood.

+ For all who have found the freedom to lay down their lives for your sake: we give you thanks.
+ For all whose desire for you has brought them through death with a joyful heart: we give you thanks.
+ For all who have followed, through suffering, the way of the cross: we give you thanks.
+ For all who have undergone martyrdom for the gospel: we give you thanks.

Tell me, Lord Jesus, the sacrifice you desire from me, whether of my time, my gifts or my money; whether of reputation or security, or even of life itself. Give me the courage and strength to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You; and to You be all the glory. Amen.
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“Good King Wenceslas” – Traditional Choir

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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Morning Prayer: Sat, 24 Dec – Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Luke 1:67-79 ~ rescued to serve God

Saturday in the Fourth Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait for the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 (NLT)

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him:
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“‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”

All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.
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I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth.
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I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.
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Reading: Luke 1:67-79 (NLT)

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
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Prayer:

Come, Jesus, our Saviour!

+ Give us wisdom and understanding in this confusing and dangerous world
+ Place wise counsel and justice into the hearts of all who govern and rule
+ Humble us with the fear of the Lord and teach us to know the Father as he is
+ Prepare us to see the Father face to face as now we live with you in faith and hope

Come, Lord Jesus, come soon. In this time of your coming, support and console us who trust in your love. You live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Song of Zechariah” – Diocese of St. Benedict

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Fri, 23 Dec – Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; Luke 1:57-66 ~ illumine the road for me to follow

Friday in the Fourth Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 (NLT)

"The Road to Bethlehem" Fritz von Under, 1890 Munich, Neue Pinakothek — “The Road to Bethlehem”
Fritz von Under, 1890
Munich, Neue Pinakothek

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you..
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The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
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The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
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Reading: Luke 1:57-66 (NLT)

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus, as we await your return, give us patience and increase our faith.

+ May your glorious light illumine the darkness of a world weighed down by unbelief.
+ May your glorious light illumine the richness and complexity of human thought.
+ May your glorious light illumine the theories and philosophies of our world.
+ May your glorious light illumine our path as we journey on the road to Bethlehem.

Almighty God, now that the birthday of your Son as man is drawing near, we pray that your eternal Word made flesh, will show all tribes and nations the greatness of his love and mercy. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Light of the world” – Lauren Daigle

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Thu , 22 Dec – 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8; Luke 1:46-56 ~ He has set the world in order

Thursday in the Fourth Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8 (NLT)

Then Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.
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“The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The Lord gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord’s, and he has set the world in order.”
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Reading: Luke 1:46-56 (NLT)

Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
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Prayer:

O King of all nations and head of the Church: come and save us, whom you formed from the dust! In a world divided by fear and greed, Lord Jesus, come to us in love.

+ Help us to set our hearts where they will find fulfillment and not betrayal.
+ Keep us on the path to eternal life as we proclaim your saving power to others.
+ Flood our world with the grace of your coming: let us experience the fullness of your joy.
+ Enable us to live our lives to the full in this world, and transfigure it with the hope of future glory.

God and Father, you looked with pity on fallen man and redeemed us by the coming of your Son. Grant that we who profess our firm and humble faith in the incarnation of our Redeemer may have some share in his divine life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“The Magnificat, Canticle of Mary” – Latin Hymn, Daughters of Mary

Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo, quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes, quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui; deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles; esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae, sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

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

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