Morning Prayer: 17 Apr – Acts 5:34-42; John 6:1-15 ~ if God is behind it, you cannot stop it

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

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

Opening prayer:

Through His Spirit God raised Jesus from the dead and He will give life to our own mortal bodies. Lord, give us life through Your Holy Spirit.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 5:34-42 (NLT)

The Old Rabbi Rembrandt, 1643 Woburn Abbey, Bedforshire — The Old Rabbi
Rembrandt, 1643 Woburn Abbey, Bedforshire

But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”
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One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:1-15 (NLT)

After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

icon_christ_loaves

Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
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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 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

Morning Prayer: 10 Apr – Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14 ~ no other name

Friday after Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
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Almighty, ever-living God, You offer the covenant of reconciliation to mankind in the mystery of Easter. Grant that what we celebrate in worship we may carry out in our lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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A Reading from Acts: Acts 4:1-12 (NLT)

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.

no other name 2014 — Hillsong Takes Over New York City’s Times Square With ‘Jesus,’ ‘No Other Name’ Campaign.

The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
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This is the day which was made by the Lord: let us rejoice and be glad, alleluia.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:1-14 (NLT)

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there — Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

Appearence on Lake Tiberias Duccio Di Buoninsegna, 1308-11 Museo Dell'Opera Del Duomo, Siena, Italy — Appearence on Lake Tiberias
Duccio Di Buoninsegna, 1308-11
Museo Dell’Opera Del Duomo, Siena, Italy

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them — fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
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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.

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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 ~ time is short, follow Me

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Jesus called out to them: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

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

Opening prayer:

Your sovereign rule, O God, draws near to us in the person of Jesus Your Son. Your word summons us to faith, Your power transforms our lives. Free us to follow in Christ’s footsteps, so that neither human loyalty nor earthly attachment may hold us back from answering Your call. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (NLT)

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”

This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
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When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 25:4-9 (NLT)

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NLT)

But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:14-20 (NLT)

FishersOfMen

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
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Intercessions:

Friends in Christ, let us come before God (who knows us and loves us) with our concerns:

+ For all who listen to God’s word – that we may put it into practice…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who read aloud God’s word in worship – that they may do it with love and reverence…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who gather to worship God today – that all Christians may soon be one…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the sick and suffering, especially those who come to mind now – that God may heal them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who find these winter months difficult – that their friends may support and encourage them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who are lonely or sad – that God’s presence may cheer them up…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those concerns that weigh heavily on our hearts today – that Jesus may lighten our load…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died, especially those on our hearts today – that they may enjoy the glorious Communion of the Saints’…. Lord, hear us.

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life — we rely on Your help all our days: let Your grace continue to sustain us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

All-powerful, ever-living God, direct our steps in the way of Your love, so that our whole life may be fragrant with all we do in the name of Jesus, Your beloved Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

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

Morning Prayer: 12 Jan – Heb 1:1-6; Mk 1:14-20 ~ God has spoken

Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentences:

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

A Reading from Letters: Hebrews 1:1-6 (NLT)

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”

God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”

And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”

A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:14-20 (NLT)

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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.

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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer, 3 Feb – John 6:25-29 ~ the work of God

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences – Caedmon of Whitby (?-680)

I cannot speak, unless You loose my tongue; I only stammer, and I speak uncertainly; but if You touch my mouth, my Lord, then I will sing the story of Your wonders!

Hear am I, my Jesus: teach me.

Morning readings

John 6:22-24 ESV:

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Reflections / Prayer:

Motivation

That the crowd is seeking Jesus is good, but Jesus says there is something wrong with their motivation. They had seen a miracle, but it did not focus their attention on Jesus. Rather, he was seen as a means to the filling of their stomachs. They can’t get beyond the natural realm to recognise the spiritual significance of the miraculous signs Jesus has performed – signs revealing Jesus’ identity and God’s saving activity in his ministry.

Work

The folks in the crowd had to work for a living, but this life is transitory – temporal, brief, fading. Jesus tries to redirect their attention to think about their spiritual lives – real, enduring, continuing forever. The food that Jesus offers is both gift and work – imparting eternal life.

+ The Son of Man will give this food that endures to eternal life by giving his own life and also by providing a means by which we may share in that life.

+ The means is the work that God gives – believing in Jesus – being receptive to God… being dependent on God… being in union with God in Christ by the Spirit. Ultimately it is not a matter of our working for God, but a matter of God’s living his life and doing his work through us as we trust him and align ourselves with him by his grace.

(The IVP New Testament Commentary Series)

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Prayer

Heavenly Father – Give me eyes to see and ears to hear the movement of Your Spirit in my life… in the glorious and in the mundane. In my desire to please You may I not lose sight of, and lose trust in, Your sovereign graciousness.

Lord Jesus – My trust is in You – the one sent from God… offering grace and revealing the heart of the Father. By the power of Your Spirit, help me to align my life with Your gracious purpose and will.

Holy Spirit – Thank You for Your patience and persistence as You work in all human hearts. Break through in me… and use me to bring the good news of Your saving grace in Jesus Christ… both now and forever. Amen.
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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.

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: 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.

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