Tag: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Morning Prayer: 10 March – John 5:31-47 ~ The Scriptures point to me!

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
(Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: John 5:31-47 (NLT)

“If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John — my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me — the one he sent to you.

search the scriptures

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

“Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.

“Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, heavenly Father, for your loving kindness, which is revealed to me in Jesus Christ. Remember, Lord, that I am your child.

+ Lead me more deeply into the life of your people; make me a clearer sign of your saving presence.
+ Lover of mankind, help me to play my part in my civic community; make me a kingdom builder in every way.
+ Bear my burdens and lighten my load; you, Lord, are the spring of living water who refreshes me.
+ Forgive the harm that I have done; create in me a clean heart and guide me in the path of justice and truth.

Compassionate Lord, remember that I am your child. Teach me what is true, and make me realize what is wrong in my life. Correct me when I am are wrong and teach me to do what is right. Grant me purity of heart that I may abide in your Word, and joyfully enter into the celebration of Easter. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Christ In Me Arise” – Trevor Thomson

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 19 Mar – 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Lk 2:41-51a ~ my Father’s house

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Whatever we do or say, let us do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
_____

Father, give me that faith which gives substance to my hope, and make me certain of realities I do not see. You have given man authority over the work of Your hands and invited him to share in Your creation: help me to accept my responsibility by working for Your glory and the good of all mankind. May I accept all that You give me, and care for those entrusted to me. 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: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 (NLT)

But that same night the Lord said to Nathan,

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?
____

Model of Herod's Temple (a renovation of the Second Temple) in the Israel Museum, created in 1966 as part of the Holyland Model of Jerusalem. The model was inspired by the writings of Josephus.
Model of Herod’s Temple (a renovation of the Second Temple) in the Israel Museum, created in 1966 as part of the Holyland Model of Jerusalem. The model was inspired by the writings of Josephus.

For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house — a temple — for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son.
_____

Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’
__________

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you. (Psalm 84:5)
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:41-51a (NLT)

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

Jesus in the Temple at Twelve, by Duccio ca.1300 Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Jesus in the Temple at Twelve, by Duccio ca.1300
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
__________


__________

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