Morning Prayer: 1 May – Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 28:11; Matthew 20:25-27 ~ bottom up

Morning Prayer

+ 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.

Morning readings

May – To a Young Disciple

This month’s readings are a development of Colambanus‘ Letter to a Young Disciple.

Psalm 138:6 ESV

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

Isaiah 28:11 ESV

For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people….

Matthew 20:25-27 ESV

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave….”

Reflections

Be Helpful When You Are At The Bottom Of The Ladder And Be The Lowest When You Are In Authority

Too many of our models for authority are ones of hierarchy or domination. We think of rulers and leaders as those who are over other people and supported by them. Instead of a pyramid model where the few dominate the many, in God’s Kingdom it is more helpful to picture a huge saucer into which is thrown all the people of God in all their giftedness, from the least to the greatest. Those more strongly gifted for ministry will not rise to the top, but sink to the bottom where they may undegird and provoke the rest of the people.

One true example of Christian humility was King Oswald of Northumbria who himself willingly worked as interpreter for Aidan so that his people might receive the Gospel.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
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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.) Having completed reading through the Gospel of John, our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Finan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer). We will continue with the Finan readings until Pentecost Sunday, June 8th.

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.

Morning Prayer: 30 Apr – Psalm 34:13; Isaiah 49:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 – not forgotten

Morning Prayer

+ 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.

Morning readings

Charles de Foucauld circa 1907 Tamanrasset, French Algeria — Charles de Foucauld
circa 1907
Tamanrasset, French Algeria

Psalm 34:13 ESV

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Isaiah 49:15

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Reflections

On the day of his murder Charles de Foucauld was writing a letter to his cousin:

It seems we do not love enough. How true it is we shall never love enough. But the good Lord who knows from what mud He has fashioned us and who loves us more than any mother can ever love her child, He who never lies, has told us that none who come to Him shall be rejected.

The Finan Series of Daily Readings – Finan of Lindisfarne (C. 660)
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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

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.

Morning Prayer: 29 Apr – John 21:24-25 ~ it’s true

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences — The Way of the Cross

Let all creation give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Filled with His praises, give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Stepping out boldly, we claim resurrection.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Morning reading

John 21:24-25 ESV

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Reflections

truthful eyewitness

As the author of this Gospel, the Beloved Disciple fulfills Jesus’ commission to those who were with him to be witnesses to him. The Beloved Disciple is directly responsible for what was written. This Gospel claims to be a true eyewitness account.

However, it is not clear on what grounds John’s disciples bear witness. Were some of them also eyewitnesses who can certify the accuracy of the information, or are they testifying that the Spirit has confirmed to them the truth of what John has said? If it is the latter sense, then we today can join our testimony to theirs and to that of Christian brothers and sisters throughout the ages who have found the truth of this Gospel confirmed by the living Jesus through the Spirit.

the greatness of Jesus

The final voice adds one last witness to the greatness of Jesus. Such hyperbole may be a literary convention (Talbert; Moloney), but in this case it is quite literally true, for there is no limit to the riches that are in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the very presence of God come into our midst. All authority has been given to him, and judgment is in his hands. He is quite strict regarding obedience, but he is full of mercy. He has revealed the Father, overcome the prince of this world and taken away the sin of the world. He also washed his disciples’ feet and served them breakfast. No human being has ever dreamed up such a God — we have a hard enough time remaining true to the witness he has left us through his servants, in particular, through John, the Beloved Disciple.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
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May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord smile on you, shine His light upon you. May the Lord lift you, turn His face towards you. Give you His peace, give you His peace.

Blessed we came to this place today and blessed now we will go. In the name of the Father, the Spirit and the Son. Blessed we came to this place today and blessed now we will go. In the name of the Father, the Spirit and the Son.

May the Lord bless us and keep us. May the Lord smile on us, shine His light upon us. May the Lord lift us, turn His face towards us. Give us His peace, give us His peace. Go now in peace, go now in peace.

Go now in peace. And the blessing of our God, and the blessing of our God. Go now in peace and the blessing of our God.

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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

+ 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.

Morning Prayer: 28 Apr – John 21:20-23 ~ trust me

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences — The Way of the Cross

Let all creation give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Filled with His praises, give thanks to the Risen Lord.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Stepping out boldly, we claim resurrection.
Give thanks to the Risen Lord!

Morning reading

Saint John the Evangelist on the Island of Patmos Diego Velázquez, c. 1618 National Gallery, London — Saint John the Evangelist on the Island of Patmos
Diego Velázquez, c. 1618
National Gallery, London

John 21:20-23 ESV

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved — the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Beloved Disciple

The Beloved Disciple is identified as the one who leaned against Jesus and asked who would betray him. This note recalls that first explicit reference to the Beloved Disciple in the Gospel and the setting in which Jesus demonstrated his love and servanthood, key characteristics about which he has just been speaking to Peter. It also recalls the insight Jesus granted to the Beloved Disciple. Peter now tries to assume this same role and asks for insight regarding his friend.

Peter’s relapse

Peter’s old habit of lapsing into error right after experiencing truth is still present. He is sure of the Lord’s knowledge, but he has not learned what submission to his will entails. Jesus repeats his call: If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. Jesus is indeed Lord, and his will shall be accomplished in the Beloved Disciple’s life, but that is none of Peter’s business. Peter can trust Jesus with the life of his friend.

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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

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.

2nd Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 ~ inexpressible joy

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

God of everlasting mercy, rekindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

House to House Christians on Campus University of Houston

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (NLT)

Let all Israel repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
Let all who fear the Lord repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.”
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My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
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The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance — an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-31 (NLT)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

"The Doubting Thomas" Carl Heinrich Bloch, (1834 - 1890) — “The Doubting Thomas”
Carl Heinrich Bloch, (1834 – 1890)

Purpose of the Book

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

Intercessions:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love has no end! He answered the prayers of his Beloved Son: I trust he will help us in our time of need as well –

+ That those who have been baptised around the world during this Easter Season may always walk in the light of Christ….
Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That all Christians who celebrate Christ’s resurrection at Easter may live lives full of faith, hope and love all year round….
Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That Christian leaders around the world may continue to inspire their faith communities and lift the hearts of Your people….
Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That those for whom faith is irrelvant may believe the Good News of the life, death and resurrection of our Saviour….
Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That people in need of support and love may experience God’s care through the Christians around them….
Lord, hear my prayer.

+ That those who have died may share the glory of the resurrection – especially those who died recently, those whose anniversaries occur and all those who passed away since last Easter….
Lord, hear my prayer.

O God our saviour and redeemer, You lead Your people from defeat to triumph: Hear and grant my prayers, through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Song: Let It Be Known

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

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