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 122:1 NLT

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Ezra 5:1-2 NLT

At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them.

Mark 1:35-36 NLT

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him.

Reflections

OLD BEWICK

Beside the little road from Eglingham to Chatton is a stone Celtic cross, and carved beneath it are the joyful words, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

A narrow drive leads to a tiny chapel hushed with prayer, where twice a month communion services are still held, but day by day people make their way to be alone, to be quiet.

At Easter in 1998 with adults and children we sang and processed up that little path to place a wooden cross from Heavenfield in the hut by the church gate. This hut was to be used as a poustinia, a silent place for prayer.
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Come, occupy my silent place and make Thy dwelling there. More grace is wrought in quietness than any is aware.
John Oxenham
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You do not realize it yet, but the preaching of the Gospel emanates from the poustinia, creates a unity with God, then causes a confrontation with the world.
Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Poustinia

Aidan Readings – Aidan of Lindisfarne
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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

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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 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.