Good Evening Dear Beloved Community!
Happy 9th day of Advent! We are most definitely journeying through this special season of joyful but uneasy expectation. This makes us right at mid -Advent! Yes it's true! Two Advent Candles have now been lighted and we have two more to go. I hate to be the #messenger of this news! Tonight we meditate upon the #AdventWord #Messenger! Have you ever looked at the plethora of synonyms that this word has? There are quite a few! Just for fun, let us look up the synonyms from a thesaurus ! Be prepared to be amazed! Click on these links!
Thesaurus 1: Messenger- long list
Thesaurus 2: Messenger Short List - Look at the word Apostle
Today's #AdventWord definition of #Messenger
mes·sen·ger
[ˈmes(ə)njər]
NOUN
messengers (plural noun)
a person who carries a message or is employed to carry messages.
synonyms
courier · runner · envoy · emissary · agent · go-between · message-bearer · postman · letter carrier · mailman · herald · legate
biochemistry
a substance that conveys information or a stimulus within the body.
an endless rope, cable, or chain used with a capstan to haul an anchor cable or to drive a powered winch.
a light line used to haul or support a larger cable.
VERB
US
messengers (third person present) · messengered (past tense) · messengered (past participle) · messengering (present participle)
send (a document or package) by messenger:
"could you have it messengered over to me?"
ORIGIN
Middle English: from Old Northern French messanger, variant of Old French messager, from Latin missus (see message).
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As you can tell this is a word that is packed with meaning and message. We are all called to be God's messengers in our daily lives. In the past year I have learned while being part of the resistance movement, I too am a messenger in a special way when I gather with other messengers to protest. Messengers aren't just angels, apostles, advocates, prophets, and evangelists! However some of us do a deluxe combination of these when we are out in our Beloved Communities. Today's poser for you to ponder is this, How have you been a messenger for God, to your community, family member etc today?
Last Friday I attended a special vigil in memory of Adrian Velazquez a young man who was killed in our neighborhood. The vigil was attended by mostly members of the Hispanic community. Each of us carried a message of love, prayers, blessings, and helping us to find starch (support) in these troubling times. When God calls us we go! When God calls us to speak, we speak! When God call us to embrace and hold those who mourn, we embrace and hold those who mourn. When God calls us to spiritually cleanse by smudging, we spiritually cleanse by smudging. When God calls us to bless and pray in a different language, We bless and pray in a different language. When God calls us to carry messages of hope, We carry messages of hope. When God calls us out of our comfort zone, to comfort our Beloved family Members who are in need. We get out of our comfort zone to comfort our beloved family members who are in need. When God calls us to minister to a diverse and hurting world. We minster to a diverse and hurting world. When God calls us to become God's messengers, We become God's messengers whether or not we have a clerical collar. We are God's God News Messengers by virtue of our Baptismal Vows. Are you God's messenger? Think on these things!
Watch , for you know not when the master of the house
will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or
in the morning; lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
Mark 13:35, 36
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight
in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see
it together. Isaiah 40:5
will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or
in the morning; lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
Mark 13:35, 36
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight
in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see
it together. Isaiah 40:5
Let us open our time of prayer and vigil with this:
Tonight let us hear the message of The Beatitudes from the #messenger St. Matthew the Evangelist as we light our candles and pray and make vigil.
The Beatitudes
5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Lighting a candle before prayer and worship
Set our hearts on fire with love for you, O Christ our God
So that in its flame we may love you with all our heart,
With all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength,
And our neighbors as ourselves,
So that by keeping your commandments we may glorify you,
The giver of all good gifts.
Amen.
(www.oca.org)
O Gracious Light Phos hilaron
O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.’
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,*
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,*
but it shall be for God’s people;*
no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Resources:
Various Occasions -Lectionary Texts
Quote Sites for Prayers
Satucket -Lectionary
Book of Common Prayer
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
YouTube
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Bible Gateway
Enriching Our Worship
8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
Isaiah 35:1-10
35The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.’
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,*
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,*
but it shall be for God’s people;*
no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
8 The Song of Moses Cantemus Domino
Exodus 15:1-6, 11-13, 17-18
the horse and its rider has he hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my refuge; *
the Lord has become my Savior.
This is my God and I will praise him, *
the God of my people and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a mighty warrior; *
Yahweh is his Name.
The chariots of Pharaoh and his army has he hurled into the sea; *
the finest of those who bear armor have been
drowned in the Red Sea.
The fathomless deep has overwhelmed them; *
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in might; *
your right hand, O Lord, has overthrown the enemy.
Who can be compared with you, O Lord, among the gods? *
who is like you, glorious in holiness,
awesome in renown, and worker of wonders?
You stretched forth your right hand; *
the earth swallowed them up.
With your constant love you led the people you redeemed; *
with your might you brought them in safety to
your holy dwelling.
You will bring them in and plant them *
on the mount of your possession,
The resting-place you have made for yourself, O Lord, *
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hand has established.
The Lord shall reign *
for ever and for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen
Exodus 15:1-6, 11-13, 17-18
Especially suitable for use in Easter Season
I will sing to the Lord, for he is lofty and uplifted; *the horse and its rider has he hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my refuge; *
the Lord has become my Savior.
This is my God and I will praise him, *
the God of my people and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a mighty warrior; *
Yahweh is his Name.
The chariots of Pharaoh and his army has he hurled into the sea; *
the finest of those who bear armor have been
drowned in the Red Sea.
The fathomless deep has overwhelmed them; *
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in might; *
your right hand, O Lord, has overthrown the enemy.
Who can be compared with you, O Lord, among the gods? *
who is like you, glorious in holiness,
awesome in renown, and worker of wonders?
You stretched forth your right hand; *
the earth swallowed them up.
With your constant love you led the people you redeemed; *
with your might you brought them in safety to
your holy dwelling.
You will bring them in and plant them *
on the mount of your possession,
The resting-place you have made for yourself, O Lord, *
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hand has established.
The Lord shall reign *
for ever and for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Luke 5:17-26
17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting nearby (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.* 18 Just then some men came, carrying a paralysed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus;* 19 but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd* in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend,*your sins are forgiven you.’ 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, ‘Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralysed—‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’ 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’
The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen
#AdventWord Prayers for today's word #Messenger and its Synoyms
God we thank you for sending forth messengers to preach and spread your God News.
God we pray for all modern day prophets who speak your words to a fragile and broken world We pray that they may continue to have unwavering courage to speak truth to power.
God we pray that when you call us to be your messenger we may accept the call with humbleness of heart and listen to what you would have us to say.
God we pray that we may be empowered and enlivened by the Holy Spirit who is the Holy Comforter, Advocate, and Guide.
God help us to be loving ambassadors throughout the world.
God grant us courage to carry your message and light to our family members who live on the margins and are in dark places.
God take away fears and anxieties that prevent us from being a daily #messenger to our communities and beyond.
God help us to be bearers of comfort to those who are in crisis, ill, and in mourning.
God help us to bring the message of peace, love, hope, and joy to all this Advent Season.
God let us be your heralds of the God News to your kindom to our family members who haven't yet heard it.
Open our hearts O God that we may be your #messenger and proclaim the God News of Peace, Love, Justice and Mercy to all and yes even to our enemies and those who wish us harm.
God help us to be a calming presence as we practice being CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful)
God we give thanks to serve you and be your ministers to all of our family members in times of joy and times of sorrow.
God we pray for ________________
God we give thanks for_______________
God we lift up these our prayers in the name of your Son Jesus who brought your message of Love and Salvation to all. Amen
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a
wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals:
Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and
worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may
help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations
into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten
the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Resources:
Various Occasions -Lectionary Texts
Quote Sites for Prayers
Satucket -Lectionary
Book of Common Prayer
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
YouTube
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Bible Gateway
Enriching Our Worship
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