Morning Prayer, 28 Jan – John 5:25-30 ~ Life-giver and Judge

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

Lord, I have heard Your voice calling at a distance.
Guide my steps to You, Lord, guide my steps to You.
Lord, I have heard Your voice calling at a distance.
Guard my way to You, Lord, guard my way.
Lord, I have heard Your voice calling at a distance.
Keep my heart for You, Lord, keep my heart for You.

Morning readings

John 5:25-30 ESV:

"Christ the Judge" Fra Angelico Chapel of San Brizio, Duomo, Orvieto, 1447 — “Christ the Judge”
Fra Angelico
Chapel of San Brizio, Duomo, Orvieto, 1447

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

Reflections / Prayer:

Life-giver and judge

To give life and to judge are interrelated, for to have life is to escape condemnation. The great events of the last day are already taking place. The judge they were expecting has come surprisingly, before the final end of this age; the life of the age to come is already available.

All of this is accomplished, says Jesus, in the one who hears my word and believes him who sent me. Those who recognize Jesus as the unique Son receive his words as having come from God and, accordingly, believe the Father who sent him. To know God is to have eternal life. Until we receive life from the Son we are dead, under God’s wrath.
(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

__________

Hear and obey

We are to walk as Jesus walked, obeying his commands. The first step of spiritual life is recognizing our need, which some immoral people may do and some moral people may not. The lifestyle we are called to in the Son is one of moral purity, in constant consciousness of absolute and utter dependence on God. “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

__________

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: A brief word of explanation – 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.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

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, 15 Jan – John 2:13-22; Psalm 139:23-24 ~ cleanse me

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence – Oswald of Northumbria (605-42)

This day is Your gift to me; I take it, Lord, from Your hand and thank You for the wonder of it.

God be with me in this Your day, every day and every way, with me and for me in this Your day; and the love and affection of heaven be toward me.

Morning readings

John 2:13-22 ESV:

Jesus cleanses the temple The Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey — Jesus cleanses the temple
The Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Reflections / Prayer:

Confrontation:

Jesus’ authority is based on his identity. Here is the first use outside the prologue of the term Father, the single most important designation for God in John’s writings. Equally significant is the implication that Jesus is God’s Son: he refers to my Father’s house. Jesus’ provocative act is based on his relation to God as his Son.

Foreshadowing:

By associating his own body with the temple, which is his Father’s house, Jesus again points to his own special relationship with God… looking ahead to His death, resurrection and ascension.

Jesus’ identity as the Father’s Son and the centrality of his death are revealed in this story, and we begin to see how upsetting these truths are…. What are we to make of a Jesus who responds to honest, open questions with cryptic words and deeds? Jesus is indeed compassionate, but there is always a wildness, an otherness, about him.

John is writing not so we might understand all mysteries but so we might have life in his name.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

O King of Kings, O King of the universe, King who will be, who is, may You forgive us each and every one. Accept my prayer, O King of grace.

Lower my vengence, my anger and my hatred, and banish my wicked thoughts from me; send down a drop from heaven of Your holy Spirit to vanquish this heart of rock of mine.

Anyone who claims to be in the light, but hates his brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother or sister lives in the light; and there is nothing to make that person stumble.

Lord, let my memory provide no shelter for grievance against another.
Lord, let my heart provide no harbour for hatred of another.
Lord, let my tongue be no accomplice in the judgement of a brother.

Jesus, only Son of the Father and High King, Your name is above every name, in the name of Jesus let no evil be welcome in my heart. Amen.

Cuthbert of Northumbria (635-87)

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

_____________________________________

Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.

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.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 98:5-9; Malachi 4:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12; Luke 21:5–19 ~ settle down and work

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:5-9 (ESV)

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord.

For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Malachi 4:1-2 (NLT)

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12 (NLT)

For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 21:5–19 (NLT)

Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.

Intercessions:

Lord God: Your time is near. I come before You with perseverance and hope for the needs of Your people and the needs of the world. Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For Church leaders, bishops, priests, and ministers everywhere: that they may lead the church in offering hope and vision to the world in times of confusion and chaos. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For Christians in every tribe and nation, especially those who are persecuted because of the faith: that they may experience Your comfort, provision, and protection, and that Your angel armies might overcome the evil one in their defense. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For leaders of all nations: that they exercise wisdom and sound judgement, seeking an end to war and violence. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For all who are devastated by natural disaster, especially in the Philippines: that they might receive food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and comfort, and that the Church might rise to the challenge. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For peace in the Middle-East, especially in Syria: that violence may end and all people may work toward just societies that offer safety, education and opportunity for all citizens. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For all who are responsible for public safety, especially firefighters, police and medical personnel: that they maintain vigilance and receive renewed energy. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For members of the military and aid agencies dispersed throughout the world: that they may soon return home to their loved ones. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For those who are seriously ill, hospitalized, or homebound, and their caregivers. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For the recently deceased, born and unborn, and for all who mourn their loss. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

+ For my loved ones – family, friends and neighbors. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

God of all time, in these days of uncertainty You are my constant hope. Give me wisdom and an obedient heart as I strive to live out Your Gospel and wait with patience for Your coming in glory. I ask this through Christ my Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “When You Walk Into The Room” – Jesus Culture

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

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 ; Job 19:23–27a; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 ; Luke 20:27-38 ~ live with the end in mind

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 (ESV)

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Job 19:23-27a (NLT)

“Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock.

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 (NLT)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 20:27-38 (NLT)

Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”

Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

Intercessions:

O God, my Rock and my Redeemer, hear my prayers – along with those of all Your people – for the Church, those in need, and all of Your creation:

For Your Church, in all its forms and expressions, that it may be a living witness to Your love for all people and Your redeeming grace to a world in need of good news…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For the glorious splendor of Your creation and for its continual care, that future generations may praise Your works…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For protection, provision, and strength to those who suffer the ravages of war – especially Your people in the Middle East…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For provision for all who are suffering from natural disasters and their aftermath – especially for those from the typhoon in the Phillipines…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For Your steadfast love and faithfulness to those in prison, the innocent wrongly accused, and the victims of violence and abuse – especially children born and unborn…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For comfort, strength, and hope to those who suffer with illness, grieve loved ones, or lie close to death…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For the Spirit of Christ who unites all believers – one to one another – in relationships of mutual care and support…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For all the children of God and of the resurrection and that day when we too shall see You face to face…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

Into Your hands, gracious God, I commend all for whom I pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

Hymn: “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”

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

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:153-160; Jonah 2:5-7; Romans 8:11 ~ revival

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

Psalm 119:153-160 NLT:

Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.

Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws. Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.

See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

Jonah 2:5-7 NLT:

I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever.

But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.

Romans 8:11 NLT:

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Reflection/Prayer:

Your word was true from the beginning. Every one of Your righteous judgements endures for ever. Quicken me. Restore me to life. Lord, I believe.

Hal Lindsey is the author of The Late Great Planet Earth which (for a short time!) enjoyed immense popularity amongst Christian readers some years ago. The following incident is from a subsequent book, The Terminal Generation.

A nurse came up to me after I’d just spoken and said, ‘Hal, will you please come and meet a soldier I brought over from the veterans’ hospital? He accepted Christ as his Saviour and Lord as a result of my reading your book to him. It really took courage for him to come here tonight – he’s in great pain because both arms and legs have been amputated. He lost them in Vietnam. ‘ When I walked up to the wheeled stretcher on which he was lying, the young man looked up with a radiant face and said, ‘Tell me, Hal,will my new body have arms and legs?’ While choking back tears I turned to Philippians 3:20 and read:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like His glorious body.

‘Jim,’ I said, ‘your body will be like Jesus Christ’s glorious body. We know that His resurrection body is perfect, so we know that yours will be too.’

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
_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com.8

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

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