Tag: Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 05 Feb: Is 58:7-10; Ps 112:4-9; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16 ~ Shine!

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Rejoicing in this calling, we praise God who sustains us all our days.

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

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you have called your people to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Give us vigorous faith and a love that is genuine, so that all may see our works and give you the glory. 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.
__________

“Here I Am to Worship” – The Acappella Company


__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 58:7-10 (NLT)
[Isaiah suggests some ways of shining light in the world’s darkness.]

samaritans-purse-mosul

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 112:4-9 (NLT)

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil.

Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
__________

“This Little Light of Mine” – The Acappella Company


__________

A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NLT)
[Paul speaks of his reliance on the power of God.]

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
__________
salt-and-light-bulb1

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
[Jesus calls us to be examples of Christian living.]

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
__________

“Lord We Come Before Thee Now” – The Acappella Company


__________

Intercessory Prayer:

Gracious God: You have given us Your Son Jesus – the Light of the world – to shine Light in our dark world. Conform our prayers to His perfect will that our lives might reflect His glory. Lord, hear us when we call –

+ That we might freely share what we have with the hungry, homeless and helpless…

+ That we might work tirelessly to remove the yoke of oppression from the weak and powerless…

+ That we might exhibit wisdom and sound judgement in all that we say and do…

+ That we might grow in godliness, obedience and love and experience Your healing power…

Merciful God, You are the Light that makes clear our way before us. Hear our prayers through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

__________

“To Him Who Sits On the Throne” – The Acappella Company


__________

Benediction:

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. – Revelation 7:12
__________

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

Morning Prayer: 21 Feb – Is 58:9b-14; Lk 5:27-32 ~ restorer of homes

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

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

Opening prayer:

All-powerful and ever-living God, look with compassion on my frailty, and for my protection stretch out to me Your strong right hand. Grant that I may hunger for the food of eternal life; give me the bread of Your word. Lord, help me by your grace – through my 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 Old Testament: Isaiah 58:9b-14 (NLT)

building a wall

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
__________

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live. (Ezekiel 33:11)
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 5:27-32 (NLT)

repentance kneeling

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
__________


__________

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