Tag: Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

Saturday of 3rd Week of Easter, 06 May – John 6:60-69 ~ In Christ Alone

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Faithful God of the covenant, in the daily choices we have to make give us the courage to opt always for your Son and his ways and to remain close to him. Bless the difficult road we have sometimes to take without seeing where it will lead us. Keep us from making half-hearted decisions when our faith is rather weak and make us accept all the consequences of our choice. Keep us always faithful through Jesus Christ our Lord.
__________

Reading: John 6:60-69 (NLT)

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
__________

Reflection & Prayer:

+Lord Jesus Christ, Bread of Life: raise up on the last day all those who believe in you.

+ Son of God, Lord of Life; bless your people with your Spirit and make us holy.

+ Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God: take away our sins and turn our sorrow into joy.

+ Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the World: help us to live as children of light, rejoicing in your victory.

Gracious God: increase the faith of your pilgrim people; and make us faithful, credible, witnesses to your life-changing power that we may share your peace and joy with others. Through our lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
__________

“In Christ Alone” – Keith & Kristyn Getty

In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace; when fears are stilled, when strivings cease: my Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save. Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied; For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain; then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me; for I am His and He is mine—bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—this is the pow’r of Christ in me; from life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand; till He returns or calls me home—here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.
__________

Concluding Prayer

Truly I am your servant, Lord; …you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. – Psalm 116:16-17 (NLT)
__________

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

Morning Prayer: 16 April – John 6:60-69 ~ you alone…

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

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

Opening Sentence

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Alleluia.

Morning Reading: John 6:60-69 (NLT)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

Christ and the Apostles by Georges Rouault, 1937-38 Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Christ and the Apostles
by Georges Rouault, 1937-38
Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus: you alone have spoken the words that are spirit and life. We believe that you are the Holy One of God – give us your peace and joy.

+ You are the risen Lord of life; lead us in the path of righteousness and make us more like you.
+ You are the peace and joy of all who believe in you; help us to live as children of light, rejoicing in your victory.
+ You underwent great sufferings to enter the Father’s glory; wipe away all our tears and turn our sorrows into joy.

God our Father, by your grace through faith you have given new life to those who believe in you. May your pilgrim Church grow in faith; strengthen us to bear witness before the world to your resurrection. Protect us and help us resist all false beliefs, and so keep intact the grace of your blessing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In Christ Alone – Adrienne Liesching and Geoff Moore

Closing Sentence

Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ Alleluia.

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

Morning Prayer: 25 Apr – 1 Peter 5:5-14; Mark 16:15-20 ~ humble yourself; stay alert; stand firm

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Strengthen your people in faith and love.
_____

Almighty God, You chose apostles and ennobled them with grace to preach the gospel. Let their teaching so improve our lives that we may walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from the Letters: 1 Peter 5:5-14 (NLT)

All of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

humble yourself 1

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
__________

We proclaim Christ crucified; he is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 16:15-20 (NLT)

tell everyone jesus-1

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
__________


__________

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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen