Morning Prayer: 21 May – Psalm 1:1; Jeremiah 4:22; John 10:1-10 ~ on hearing God

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 1:1 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers….

Jeremiah 4:22 ESV

“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”

John 10:1-10 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly….”

Reflections

BE SUBMISSIVE TO GOOD, UNBENDING TO EVIL

Our society teaches us to be suspicious of what is good, and to listen passively to whatever is evil. It is imperative that we learn to be teachable and submissive if God is to use us. But even the suggestions of the Thief must be given no opportunity to remain. The difficulty may come in deciding which voice is whose. And time spent with the Shepherd is the surest way of recognizing His voice, and of knowing when an impostor is seeking to persuade us. The true Shepherd would not say that, He does not come to steal, kill or destroy.

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: 20 May – Psalm 91:4b-5; Proverbs 15:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ~ on wisdom in conflict

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 91:4b-5 ESV

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day….

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ESV

Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Reflections

BE VIGILANT IN THE CAUSE OF TRUTH, CAUTIOUS IN TIME OF STRIFE

In the event of a dispute it is especially important to establish what is the truth, but great discretion and wisdom is needed. Not all of us are anointed with wisdom, as obviously Solomon was when he threatened to slice a baby in two in order to identify the child’s mother (I Kings 3:16-28).

Brigid was presented with a case of similar difficulty, but God intervened to assist her.

At an assembly of Irishmen held in Teltown a woman brought with her a child who she claimed had been fathered by Bishop Bron. Bron, one of Patrick’s community, denied the child was his. Brigid asked the woman how she had conceived and charged her not to speak falsehoods. The woman accused Bron yet again. Then tumour and swelling filled her tongue so she was unable to speak. Brigid made the sign of the cross over the child’s mouth, and asked: “Who is your father?” The infant answered: “A wretched, miserable man on the outskirts of this assembly, that is my father.” So Bishop Bron’s good name was saved.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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: 19 May – Psalm 119:54; Isaiah 42:4; Acts 17:11 ~ on persistence

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 119:54 ESV

Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.

Isaiah 42:4 ESV

He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

Acts 17:11 ESV

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Reflections

BE PERSISTENT IN STUDY, UNSHAKEN IN TURMOIL, JOYFUL IN SUFFERING

Bede says of Aidan:

He cultivated peace and love, self-discipline and humility. His heart had the mastery over anger and avarice, and was contemptuous of pride and vainglory. He spared no effort in carrying out and teaching the commands of heaven, and was diligent in his reading and keeping of vigils.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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: 17 May – Psalm 116:12; 2 Chronicles 31:20-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ~ on generosity of spirit

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 116:12 ESV

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 ESV

“Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Reflections

NEVER BE GREEDY, BUT ALWAYS GENEROUS – IF NOT IN MONEY, THEN IN SPIRIT

Bede describes the lifestyle of Colman and his community on Lindisfarne:

They owned no wealth apart from their livestock, since any money they received from the rich was at once given to the poor. They had no need to save money or provide accomodation in order to receive the rulers of the world, who only came to church for the purpose of prayer and to hear the Word of God. King Oswy himself, whenever the opportunity allowed it, came with only five or six thanes, and went away after completing his prayers in the church. Even if it chanced that they had a meal there they were content with the simple daily fare of the brothers, and asked for nothing more.

“Bless, O Lord, my kitchen with Thy right hand! My Kitchen of the white God. Mary’s Son, my Friend, cometh to bless my kitchen. My Prince, may we have abundance with Him!” Brigid

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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: 16 May – Psalm 69:9a; Isaiah 59:12-19; Titus 2:11-14 ~ on patience and zeal

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 69:9a ESV

Christ Cleansing the Temple Bernardino Mei, c. 1655 Siena, Italy — Christ Cleansing the Temple
Bernardino Mei, c. 1655
Siena, Italy

“For zeal for your house has consumed me….”

Isaiah 59:12-19 ESV

For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives.

Titus 2:11-14 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Reflections

BE PATIENT AS FAR AS COMPATIBLE WITH ZEAL

Zeal is defined as ardour, energy, fervour. Patience is well and good, but not if it swamps zeal and extinguishes its direction and energy. Where it is not possible to direct that zeal into action it can be channelled into urgency of prayer, grasping the right arm of God by the elbow to reach and open doors of opportunity fastened tight shut because of our prayerlessness.

When zeal abates or evaporates we need to discern whether we were wrongly counselled to “have patience” or whether the original fervour was misplaced and immature and would have energized some misdirected scheme embraced in rash enthusiasm. It still remains true that it is easier to alter the course of an already moving vehicle than to push-start one that has forgotten how to even let its engine turn over. We need hearts consumed with passion to activate the coming of the Kingdom, that will not rest till its brightness appears as the noonday sun.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
__________

__________

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

_____________________________________

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.

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