Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

Morning Prayer for Thursday, Feast of St Stephen: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17; Matthew 10:17-22 ~ expect adversity

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

You will find the Lord Your God if you seek Him with all your heart… all your soul… all your mind… and all your strength.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

St. Stephen Giacomo Cavedone
St. Stephen
Giacomo Cavedone

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 NLT:

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
__________

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17 NLT:

You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone.
__________

I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord.
__________

You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.
__________

Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.

Matthew 10:17-22 NLT:

But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking — it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.

Reflection/Prayer:

St Stephen: The first Christian martyr. It is said that Jesus sat at the Father’s side, but rose to greet Stephen.

__________

Good King Wenceslas looked out / On the feast of Stephen / When the snow lay round about / Deep and crisp and even / Brightly shone the moon that night / Though the frost was cruel / When a poor man came in sight / Gath’ring winter fuel

“Hither, page, and stand by me / If thou know’st it, telling / Yonder peasant, who is he? / Where and what his dwelling?” / “Sire, he lives a good league hence / Underneath the mountain / Right against the forest fence / By Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine / Bring me pine logs hither / Thou and I will see him dine / When we bear him thither.” / Page and monarch forth they went / Forth they went together / Through the rude wind’s wild lament / And the bitter weather

“Sire, the night is darker now / And the wind blows stronger / Fails my heart, I know not how, / I can go no longer.” / “Mark my footsteps, my good page / Tread thou in them boldly / Thou shalt find the winter’s rage / Freeze thy blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod / Where the snow lay dinted / Heat was in the very sod / Which the Saint had printed / Therefore, Christian men, be sure / Wealth or rank possessing / Ye who now will bless the poor / Shall yourselves find blessing

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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the USCCB Daily Readings and the format from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com. The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you.

Morning Prayer for Christmas Day: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20 ~ joy to the world

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.

Morning readings

Isaiah 62:11-12 NLT:

The Lord has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’”

They will be called “The Holy People” and “The People Redeemed by the Lord.” And Jerusalem will be known as “The Desirable Place” and “The City No Longer Forsaken.”

joy-to-the-world1Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12 NLT:

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad.
__________

The heavens proclaim his righteousness; every nation sees his glory.
__________

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name!

Titus 3:4-7 NLT

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

Luke 1:67-79 NLT:

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Reflection/Prayer: Celtic Readings

Hail to the King. Blessed is He.
Let there be joy!

The peace of earth to Him; the joy of heaven to Him.

The homage of a King be His, King of all victory; the welcome of a Lamb be His, Lamb of all glory: the Son of glory down from on high.
Let there be joy!

Deep in the night the voice of the waves on the shore announced to us: Christ is born! Son of the Kings of kings from the land of salvation, the mountains glowed to Him, the plains glowed to Him, then shone the sun on the mountains high to Him.
Let there be joy!

God the Lord has opened a Door. Christ of hope. Door of joy! Son of Mary, hasten Thou to help me:

In me, Lord Christ, let there be joy.

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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the USCCB Daily Readings and the format from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com. The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you.

Evening Prayer for Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-6; Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 ~ grace revealed

Evening Prayer

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

Opening sentence

PICT7926My soul waits for the Lord – more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who wait for the morning. I will wait for the Lord, My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

Evening reading

Isaiah 9:2-6 NLT:

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13 NLT:

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
__________

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.

Titus 2:11-14 NLT

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Luke 2:1-14 NLT:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Reflection/Prayer:

This night is born Jesus, Son of the King of Glory,
This night is born to us the root of our joy.
This night gleamed sea and shore together.
This night was born Christ, the King of greatness.

Though laid in a manger, He came from a throne; on earth though a stranger, in heaven He was known.

How lowly, how gracious
His coming to earth!
His love my love kindles
to joy in His birth.

Sweet Jesus, King of glory! Now You sleep in a manger, in a stable poor and cold; but for us You are the highest King, making our hearts into Your palace.

Canticle

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

One thing I ask of the Lord, one thing I seek; to dwell in the presence of my God, to gaze on Your holy place.

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. O wait for the Lord! Have courage and wait, wait for the Lord.

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

Blessing

See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of good men of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.

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

Morning Prayer for Tuesday, 4th Week in Advent: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29; Luke 1:67-79 ~ endless dynasty

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”

Morning readings

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 NLT:

When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”

Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”

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?
__________

“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 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.
__________

“I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.
__________

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

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 NLT:

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”

All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.
__________

I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth.
__________

I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.

Luke 1:67-79 NLT:

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant — the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

Phil Robertson the new face of John the Baptist?
Phil Robertson
Could this be he new face of John the Baptist?

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Reflection/Prayer:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NLT)
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

“I never gave anybody hell! I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.” Harry S. Truman

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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the USCCB Daily Readings and the format from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com. The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you.

Morning Prayer for Monday, 4th Week in Advent: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; Luke 1:57-66 ~ lead me

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

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.

Morning readings

The Naming of St John the Baptist Fra Angelico, 1434-35 Museo di San Marco, Florence.
The Naming of St John the Baptist
Fra Angelico, 1434-35
Museo di San Marco, Florence.

Malachi 3:1-4, NLT:

“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.

Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 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.
__________

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.
__________

The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
__________

The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.

Luke 1:57-66 NLT:

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

Reflection/Prayer:

“Never Gonna Lose My Way” – Words by Jan Groth; Music by Tore W. Aas

I was doing fine so long, thinking I was too strong, and nothing in this world could shake me. Everything was black or white, either wrong or right, condemning was so very easy. But I’ve learned my lesson, I’ve seen my misery, and it’s my confession, I’m pulling through, it’s all because of grace I see.

I am never gonna lose my way, step by step You lead me day by day, and I’m glad to know that You will always see me through, my feet on solid ground, I trust in You!


(January 26, 2009 – Live from the prestigious Stravinsky Concert Hall in the Swiss art town Montreux, the ever passionate Oslo Gospel Choir lets you relive an evening of untamed gospel music and intimate praise & worship.)

Well I used to feel so good, doing what I should, convinced that I knew all the answers. Yes, I simply couldn’t see it was all a mystery, how people could be weak and faulty. But I’m getting wiser, yes, I see my misery, and it’s so much nicer, I’m pulling through, it’s all because of grace I see.

I am never gonna lose my way, step by step You lead me day by day, and I’m glad to know that You will always see me through, my feet on solid ground, I trust in You!

I am never gonna lose my way, step by step You lead me day by day, and I’m glad to know that You will always see me through, my feet on solid ground, I trust in You!

I trust in You!

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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the USCCB Daily Readings and the format from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com. The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you.