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.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. – Ephesians 5:15
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5
Generous God: I need your wisdom more than ever to know how to live as a citizen of heaven in these changing and confusing times. Show me how to apply these eternal truths from today’s readings to my present circumstances that I might live a joy-filled life.
Wisdom brings joy
Pro 10:1a – “A wise child brings joy to a father…”
Wisdom will:
Save my life, satisfy my hunger, motivate me to work hard, bring me blessings, build happy memories, make me teachable, guide me safely, promote peace, become life-giving, give me understanding and common sense, enhance my life, correct me, restrain me, be an encouragement to others, and provide a lasting foundation for my life – grounding me in the hope and happiness that comes from reverence of God.
Foolishness brings grief
Pro 10:1b – “a foolish child brings grief to a mother.”
Foolishness will:
Lead me to dissatisfaction and wickedness, laziness, irresponsibility, disgrace, violence, corruption, trouble, failure, hatred, quarrels, disaster, punishment, destruction, dissipation, lies, deceit, fear and hopelessness; foolish people talk endlessly about nothing and irritate others. Foolish people ignore God and live shallow precarious lives.
Generous God; I look to you today for wisdom to honor you in what I say and do, and to be an encouragement to those around me. Through Jesus Christ my Lord – the Way, the Truth, and the Life – who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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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.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences
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.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Psalm 24:7-10
Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.
Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies — he is the King of glory.
Proverbs 8:3-12
By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
“I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment….”
Acts 12:7-11
Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders[a] had planned to do to me!”
One significant interview on Kingdom business was Columba’s meeting with King Brude, and on this journey he was accompanied by his friends, Abbot Comgall of Bangor and Kenneth, later abbot of Agaboe, who were visiting him at the time…
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In the first weariness of the saint’s journey to King Brude, it happened that the king, uplifted with royal pride, acted haughtily, and would not open the gate of his fortress on the first arrival of the blessed man.
(Adamnan)
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Brude the Pictish King awaits him proudly – ‘We cannot heed his message. Let him bring what words he likes! Him and his words we fling in scorn away! Bar well the gates’ – Vain pride!
See angel host this monk encompassing!
Columba’s hand invoked the Crucified!
That great voice shook the walls,
and quick the gates flew wide!
(R.M. Benson)
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And ever after from that day, so long as he lived, the king held this holy and reverend man in very great honor, as was his due.
(Adamnan)
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In an account parallel to Adamnan’s in the Latin Life of Comgall, it was Comgall who made the sign of the cross to break open the locked gates, Columba forced the door of the king’s house in the same manner, and when the king threatened them with a sword, Kenneth caused the king’s hand to wither until he believed in God. Unfortunately, none of the accounts tell us much we would like to know about Columba’s successful mission, the real conversion of King Brude, the securing of the deed to Iona, and the favor of Brude upon the evangelizing of his kingdom. Yet all of these things surely took place.
(Edward W. Stimson)
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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: 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.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of August. On Sundays, we’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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
God of eternal wisdom, You alone impart the gift of right judgement. Grant us an understanding heart, that we may value wisely the treasure of Your Kingdom and gladly forgo all lesser gifts to possess Your Kingdom’s incomparable joy. 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: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-17 (NLT)
That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
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“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies — I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have. And I will also give you what you did not ask for — riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”
Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.
Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled. “Please, my lord,” one of them began, “this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house….”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 (NLT)
Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words!
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Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.
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Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.
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Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.
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Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.
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Thou my sure portion art alone, which I did choose, O Lord:
I have resolved, and said, that I would keep thy holy word.
With my whole heart I did entreat thy face and favor free:
According to thy gracious word be merciful to me.
I thought upon my former ways, and did my life well try;
And to thy testimonies pure my feet then turned I.
I did not stay, nor linger long, as those that slothful are;
But hastily thy laws to keep myself I did prepare.
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 8:28-30 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
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Parable of the Hidden Treasure Rembrandt (c. 1630)
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 13:44-46 (NLT)
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
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Intercessions:
God of wisdom and love – hear our prayers:
+ That all believers may be inspired to continue along Your Kingdom’s narrow path leading to the treasure that awaits them in eternity….
Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who govern nations may may seek God’s wisdom and administer justice as true servants of their people….
Lord, hear us.
+ That all who search for answers to their questions may receive the gift of true wisdom and understanding as revealed in the person of Christ….
Lord, hear us.
+ That those on pilgrimage to far off places may know the Lord’s presence and peace on their journey….
Lord, hear us.
+ That those who are visiting family and friends during this holiday season may experience love, joy, and peace….
Lord, hear us.
+ That those whose life on earth is over may realize the indescribable joy of heaven….
Lord, hear us.
+ That we may receive Your help in our times of trouble and difficulty, particularly for the needs that are on our hearts right now….
Lord, hear us.
God of wisdom and love, your will is wonderful indeed: hear our prayers and help us live by Your precepts, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ 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 search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Morning readings
Psalm 119:96-106 NLT:
Ultra Orthodox Jewish men holding Torah scrolls as they dance and celebrate Simhat Torah at the close of the Succot holiday in Mea Shearim in Jerusalem on 08 October 2012. Simchat Torah celebrates the ending of one cycle and the beginning of the new cycle of reading the Torah, the Jewish holy scrolls used in every synagogue.
Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 NLT:
“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
2 Timothy 3:14-4:3 NLT:
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
Reflection/Prayer:
Simchat Torah, the Rejoicing of the Law, is not a biblically prescribed feast, but occurs immediately after Succot.
The Scrolls of the Law are taken out of the Holy Ark and carried in men’s arms. Father’s dance with their children, and women throw sweets on them. According to tradition, the synagogue must be encircled seven times or more. The festival is celebrated on the day on which the reading of the Torah is completed and begun again from Genesis. The Torah is read in an annual cycle, so the Jewish community created a festival of joy on a day that could have been only a day of tedious re-rolling of the community’s scrolls from the end to the beginning. We might also ask, is it not a great cause for rejoicing to complete a reading of the Scriptures by the community and to have the opportunity to begin reading again!
Daniel Juster in his study Jewish Roots asks whether the early Messianic Jews would have had an ark:
I believe they did. We historically know that they read the Torah (ie Genesis to Deuteronomy). In the first century Torahs were kept in an ark! Did they keep the New Testament Scriptures in the Ark? We do not know. However, we do know that ancient eastern churches that stem back to the Syrian church have ark-like structures in which they keep the Scriptures.
This song ‘Maoz Tzur’ is a traditional one sung after the candles are lit:
Rock of Ages, let our song
praise Thy saving power:
Thou, amidst the raging foes
wast our shelt’ring tower.
Furious they assailed us
but Thine arm availed us,
and Thy word broke their sword
when our own streength failed us.
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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The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.
+ 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 search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Morning readings
Psalm 119:97-104 NLT:
Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Proverbs 2:1-6 NLT:
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Luke 2:40-47, 52 NLT:
There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
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.
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.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Reflection/Prayer:
Oh how I love Thy law! It is my meditation, all the day. ‘I have more understanding than all my teachers…’ Jesus has this, not because He was God, but because He was receptive in His humnan life to the Voice and direction of His Father. As a boy He had apparently not experienced the anointing of the Holy Spirit yet, but even so by saturating Himself in Scripture He was filled with understanding. Nor did He consider Himself unteachable, unable to learn from others.
Aidan of Lindisfarne had a similar love of Scripture, and especially the psalms which he would memorize, and speak by heart as he travelled on foot with his companions. In Eastern Europe and elsewhere, when copies of the Bible are hard-to-come-by, believers naturally treasure the word, and memorize as much as possible. No authority can remove the word hidden in your heart; it can be meditated upon all day long.
If we practiced silence a little bit more, then when we did speak we’d have something to say. (John Skinner)
I weave a silence on to my lips
I weave a silence into my mind
I weave a silence within my heart
I close my ears to distractions
I close my eyes to attractions
I close my heart to temptations.
Calm me, O Lord, as You stilled the storm
Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm
Let all the tumult within me cease
Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace.
(David Adam)
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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The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.
The Peanut Gallery 