Tag: Pilgrimage

Morning Prayer: 31 July – Psalm 134:3; Genesis 32:29-31; Philippians 3:10 – on knowing Christ

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.

Pilgrimage

Western Wall, Jerusalem, Shavuot
Western Wall, Jerusalem, Shavuot

Psalm 134:3

May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.

Genesis 32:29-31

“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.

“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.

Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, perfect charity, sense and knowledge so that I may do Your holy and true will. Amen. Prayer of St Francis before the cross
Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the
darkness of my heart
and give me, Lord,
a correct faith,
a certain hope,
perfect charity,
sense and knowledge
so that I may do Your
holy and true will.
Amen.
Prayer of St Francis
before the cross

Philippians 3:10

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death….

Reflection

LA VERNA

Never forget: ‘If a man wishes to come after Me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in My footsteps.’
_____

Hold Thou my feet,
let there be no returning
along the path which Thou
hast bid me tread.
(Arch R. Wiggins)
_____

Francis wished with all his heart to stand beneath the cross of Christ, assuring Him of his love, that he would be there with Him, ever present on the hill of Calvary throughout the ages till the Risen Christ returned in all His glory and the cross would be no more! It was with such an intention that Francis had made his final journey to the top of La Verna, that holy mountain far to the north of Assisi. There on that mountain he had asked in fear and trembling that Christ would let him experience and share some of His sufferings on the cross. It was as if his whole life had begun and ended there. La Verna was the impossible Dream and eternal journey come true. And yet it remained only as a memory, except for the wounds of Jesus in his feet and hands and side. And they, of course, made all the difference between the poor man who walked up the mountain and the poor man who limped down.
(Murray Bodo)
__________


__________

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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of July. 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: 30 July – Psalm 134:2; Joshua 5:13-15; Matthew 28:17 – on reverent worship

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 134:2

worship_thumb

Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord.

Joshua 5:13-15

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”

“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”

At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

Matthew 28:17

When they saw him, they worshiped him — but some of them doubted!

Reflection

Lindisfarne castle at sunset, boats at low tide
Lindisfarne castle at sunset, boats at low tide

LINDISFARNE

Down the wide open road
the pilgrim travels on,
his face towards the sun,
beyond the open road he
travels on.

And the waves steal the footprints
of the summer from the sand;
beneath the silver moon
the North wind blows the
fading leaves again.
(Chris Simpson, ‘Seasons’)
_____

And now perhaps our travels will bring us again to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne like so many, pilgrims and tourists alike. Most will venture over only between the tides when the island is an island in name only. The tide comes in and the place becomes quieter. With tourists and holiday-maker less in evidence. Islander and island speak, and smile, then leave us to thoughts of our own. It has always been that way.
_____

Here was a sequence both of access and
inaccessibility. There were hours when the tide
closed it for prayer.
(Ronald Blythe)
_____

The tide did now its flood-mark gain
and girdled in the Saint’s domain;
for, with the flow and the ebb, its style
varies from continent to isle;
dry-shod, o’er sands, twice every day,
the pilgrims to the shrine find way;
twice every day the waves efface
of staves and sandaled feet the trace.
(Walter Scott)

__________


__________

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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of July. 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: 29 July – Psalm 134:1; Isaiah 49:8-9; John 2:5 – on serving 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.

Pilgrimage

Nave of Clonfert Cathedral
Nave of Clonfert Cathedral

Psalm 134:1

Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.

Isaiah 49:8-9

This is what the Lord says:

“At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare….”

John 2:5

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Reflection

CLONFERT

The oratory at the ‘Emmanuel House of Providence.’
The oratory at the ‘Emmanuel House of Providence.’

Nearby the ancient Clonfert Cathedral, old farm-buildings have been rebuilt and new buildings have been erected to serve the needs of Emmanuel House of Providence. In the land where Brendan walked and prayed, the work of prayer and evangelizing goes on today. The bell above the main house, and the beautiful circular oratory, are what draw your attention. The laughter of the children and their running feet on the gravel. A car arrives with a middle-aged couple who walk to the silent oratory, writing the name of a troubled friend in the book of prayer-intentions. A whole camp for young people or for families, a school retreat or prayer-meeting. A cross of reconciliation.

I asked Ken Wise to put into words what his visit to Clonfert had been like:

When you walked through the gates you knew you had come to a different place, a very godly place. It’s not just friendliness, there’s a presence there. We went not knowing what to expect. It seemed to be that God’s presence was all round the place. I admit I was apprehensive, but when we got there it was totally different.

_____

How wonderful it is to walk with God
along the road that holy men have trod.
How wonderful to hear Him say:
Fear not, have faith
’tis I who lead the way.
(Theodore H. Kitching)
__________


__________

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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of July. 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: 28 July – Psalm 133; Isaiah 30:15; Mark 9:1-8, 14-19 – on resting in Jesus

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 133

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

Isaiah 30:15

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it….”

Mark 9:1-8, 14-19

Transfiguration of Christ by Paolo Veronese, 1555-1556
Transfiguration of Christ
by Paolo Veronese, 1555-1556

Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.
_____

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.

“What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.

One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

Reflection

ROSLIN

In the village of Roslin in Midlothian you will eventually find the Community of Transfiguration. A condemned property with minimal facilities and an enclosure with several wooden huts, and one larger hut which serves as a chapel. It is ironically appropriate, for was it not on the mount of transfiguration that Peter wanted to build huts to remain there in the reflected glory of the face of Jesus? It is possible to visit Roslin on retreat, for a day or longer on your own in one of the huts, shut in with God and with yourself.
_____

The things that come out of a man are they that defile him, and to get out of them a man must go into himself, be a convict, and scrub the floor of his cell.
(George MacDonald)
_____

I undervalue my silence too much. Too often I move from action into silence instead of the other way about.
(R. Morrison)
_____

When you come down from the mountain air, be on your guard against catching cold.
(Hugh Redwood)
_____

At Roslin, the other usual visitors are wayfarers who are fed and given shelter in the house.
_____

… thanking him for his kindly hospitality, I went on my way; where to, I did not know myself.
(The Way of a Pilgrim)
__________


__________

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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of July. 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: 26 July – Psalm 132:2-9; Zecheriah 8:1-3; John 12:20-25 – on passionate living

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.

Pilgrimage

Psalm 132:2-9

He made a solemn promise to the lord . He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel, “I will not go home; I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the lord , a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.” We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah; then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar.

Let us go to the sanctuary of the lord ; let us worship at the footstool of his throne. Arise, O lord , and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power. May your priests be clothed in godliness; may your loyal servants sing for joy.

Zechariah 8:1-3

Then another message came to me from the lord of Heaven’s Armies:

“This is what the lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!

“And now the lord says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the lord of Heaven’s Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.”

John 12:20-25

Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.”

Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.

Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.”

Reflection

TAIZÉ

image

Thou art the Way, none other dare I follow.
(Arch R. Wiggins)
_____

My failure to understand msde me sad, and by the way of comforting myself I read my Bible. In this way I followed the main road for five days.
(The Way of a Pilgrim)
_____

Each year thousands of pilgrims makr their way to Taizé in France, most of them young people, and a large proportion not Christians in any recognized sense. Their time there is carefully prescribed, but non-directive. Their conversations, the communal prayer, and the ecumenical life of the brothers all have a profound impact.
_____

Some people come to Taizé in a last attempt to find something in the Church. Are my words giing to drive yhem away for good, and without hope?…

And to find some kind of reply, I search deep within myself for some word, some image. And maybe it is I who is most surprised by the words I utter…

It is the thirst that I sense in the young people on the hill. For them, as for every generation, it is strong to the point of anguish…
(Brother Roger of Taizé)
_____

I went with the crowd. The bells started. The footsteps hastened. Outside the church various young people stood about with large signs, saying ‘Silence’ in a variety of languages, swinging from their necks. People gathered up worn sheets of music from a small table. In many languages on panels outside the church there was this notice:

Be reconciled all who enter here; parents and children, husbands and wives, believers and those who cannot believe, Christians and their fellow Christians.

(Jennifer Lash, On Pilgrimage)
__________


__________

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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of July. 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.