Tag: take heart

Monday of 7th Week of Easter, 29 May – John 16:29-33 ~ take heart

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God, when your Son Jesus had to pass through trials, he knew that you were with him and he committed himself into your hands. In this way he brought us your peace. As those baptized into his name, let your Spirit help us be brave when suffering and difficulties come our way, that, like your Son and with him, we may overcome evil in ourselves and in the world. May our pains give birth to love and peace and hope for others. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 16:29-33 (NLT)

Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Merciful God: on this Memorial Day in America, we remember the many trials and sorrows of those who have died in service to our country. We pray for them and their families – that they may forever rest in your perfect peace.

We have no illusions that we can bring about peace on earth; at best, we can stand in the gap when the forces of evil threaten to overwhelm us. And today, we thank you especially for the men and women who gave their lives to do just that.

We look to you alone, O Lord, for peace on earth; you have overcome the world – in you we put our trust. Reach out to us, reveal yourself to us, surprise us – that we may find light and strength to face the challenges of today.

We have no idea what lies ahead of us, but we do know that, come what may, you are with us – you will never leave us or forsake us. Give us the surety of your Spirit – that we may experience your liberating presence and peace.

Sovereign God: you have defeated the ruler of this world, once and for all, through Jesus’ sacrifice of love. Give us courage to continue to engage this defeated enemy, and suffer further hardship if need be, even as we declare your victory – through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Take Heart” – Hillsong United


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 16:1-2,5 (NLT)

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”
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Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: 18 May – Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33 ~ believe and receive

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Christ the Lord has promised us the Holy Spirit: come, let us adore Him, alleluia.

+ We thank you, Christ our Lord, and through You we give thanks to the Father in the Holy Spirit – let everything I do this day speak Your name.
+ May Your Holy Spirit dwell within us – may He make me a living member of Your body.
+ Do not allow us to judge or despise our brothers and sisters in Christ – make me remember that one day I shall stand before Your judgement seat.
+ Fill us with all joy and peace in believing – by the power of the Holy Spirit enlarge the horizons of my hope.

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon me, so that I may hold fast to Your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 19:1-8 (NLT)

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.

come-holy-spirit

“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

“Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.

And they replied, “The baptism of John.”

Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”

As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.
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If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of the God. (Colossians 3:1)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:29-33 (NLT)

take heart

Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming — indeed it’s here now — when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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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, 3 Apr – John 16:25-33 ~ take heart

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences (Augustine)

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy;
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Morning reading

John 16:25-33 ESV :

love wins

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Reflections:

changed relationship

The disciples joy is primarily rooted in their restored relationship with Jesus, but there will be changes in that relationship.

1. The first change of relationship will be a source of joy that is reflected in their no longer needing to ask Jesus questions. The disciples will have an understanding of Jesus that gives them the heart of the truth… they will have all they need to live the divine life now made available.

2. The second change of relationship will be their sharing in Jesus’ work as his friends… they will share in the eternal life that Jesus has with the Father, which includes being taken into the work of God in the world. This work is the same as seen in Jesus and as described in regard to the Paraclete, namely, the revelation of the love of God in word and deed. This revelation will be manifest in each disciple’s life and especially in the quality of life of the community as a whole.

peace in Christ

While Jesus must warn the disciples that the suffering is far from over, he does not end on that note. He has told them not to let their hearts be troubled but to receive his peace. This peace is found in him, not in the world. But they can take heart because he has overcome the world; he has met it in battle and conquered it.

Until death itself becomes a revelation of God the disciples can be troubled in the world, the place of death. Their joy cannot be stable and secure until they see him again and he sees them. Then will they reap the benefits of his conquest by becoming one with him as he pours out the Spirit.

Their joy will be full — the joy of union with God in Christ by the Spirit. They will know God’s glory and will manifest his glory as they, in union with the living Christ by the Spirit, bear fruit as Jesus did, asking for what Jesus did. Their focus and source will be God, and thus they will have peace no matter what the world may throw at them.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

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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: 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.