Good Evening Dear Family of Love!
Happy Monday! I hope everyone is staying warm and dry if you live in areas of rain,wind, and snow. Tonight we return to our meditation on St. Paul's Letter to the Romans and the Gospel from the daily office. We are going to do this meditation in the context of our evening prayer and worship. So let us begin!
Let us engage in the "Be Stills " of both kinds!
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace
Our pondering quotes for today are by Albert Schweitzer whose birthday we celebrate today.
"There can be no Kingdom of God in the world without the Kingdom of God in our hearts." ~ Albert Schweitzer
"Do something for somebody everyday for which you do not get paid." ~ Albert Schweitzer
"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." ~ Albert Schweitzer
"At that point in life where your talent meets the needs of the world, that is where God wants you to be." ~ Albert Schweitzer
"We must never allow the voice of humanity within us to be silenced. It is humanity's sympathy with all creatures that first makes us truly human." ~ Albert Schweitzer
"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." ~ Albert Schweitzer
"Constant Kindness can accomplish much." ~ Albert Schweitzer
Come let us worship
Romans 1:10
In my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. NIV
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. NIV
In my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. NIV
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. NIV
Romans 1:4
And who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. NIV
Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the center of this sacred circle through which all of creation is related. You show us the way to live a generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen. (A Disciple's Prayer Book)
Tú eres mi otro yo.
You are my other me.
Si te hago daño a ti,
If I do harm to you,
Me hago daño a mi mismo.
I do harm to myself.
Si te amo y respeto,
If I love and respect you,
Me amo y respeto yo.
I love and respect myself.
Today we continue our daily readings in Romans with the Good Book Club throughout the Epiphany season. This week we find ourselves in the Gospel of Mark. Yesterday we had the Baptism of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Let us take time to journal and compare the two texts. The Gospel of Luke is here:
Luke 3:15-16,21-22
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,* 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit and fire.
[Omitted verses from yesterday's lectionary Luke 3:17-20
17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But Herod the ruler,* who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added to them all by shutting up John in prison.]
The Baptism of Jesus
For the next three days we will be using the Gospel Based Discipleship format from A Disciple's Prayer Book:
We will read the scripture 3 times using different translations and versions.
Reflect and Respond to the Gospel of the Day and Reading from Romans!
1. What word(s), idea(s), or sentence(s) stand out for you in the Gospel of the Day and Romans?
(Reread the Gospel and Romans)
2. What is Jesus (the Gospel) and the passage from Romans saying to you ?
(Reread the Gospel and Romans.)
3. What is Jesus (the Gospel) and the passage from Romans calling you to do?
So beloved ones let us continue by meditating on God's Holy Word.
1. What word(s), idea(s), or sentence(s) stand out for you in Romans?
(Reread Romans)
We will read the scripture 3 times using different translations and versions.
Reflect and Respond to the Gospel of the Day and Reading from Romans!
1. What word(s), idea(s), or sentence(s) stand out for you in the Gospel of the Day and Romans?
(Reread the Gospel and Romans)
2. What is Jesus (the Gospel) and the passage from Romans saying to you ?
(Reread the Gospel and Romans.)
3. What is Jesus (the Gospel) and the passage from Romans calling you to do?
So beloved ones let us continue by meditating on God's Holy Word.
1. What word(s), idea(s), or sentence(s) stand out for you in Romans?
(Reread Romans)
Romans 3:9-20 (NRSV)
None Is Righteous
What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written:
‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
there is no one who has understanding,
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness,
there is not even one.’
‘Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.’
‘The venom of vipers is under their lips.’
‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’
‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery are in their paths,
and the way of peace they have not known.’
‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’
‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
there is no one who has understanding,
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness,
there is not even one.’
‘Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.’
‘The venom of vipers is under their lips.’
‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’
‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery are in their paths,
and the way of peace they have not known.’
‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
(Reread Romans.)
Romans 3:9-20 The Message (MSG)
We’re All in the Same Sinking Boat
9-20 So where does that put us? Do we Jews get a better break than the others? Not really. Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it:
There’s nobody living right, not even one,
nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God.
They’ve all taken the wrong turn;
they’ve all wandered down blind alleys.
No one’s living right;
I can’t find a single one.
Their throats are gaping graves,
their tongues slick as mudslides.
Every word they speak is tinged with poison.
They open their mouths and pollute the air.
They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year,
litter the land with heartbreak and ruin,
Don’t know the first thing about living with others.
They never give God the time of day.
This makes it clear, doesn’t it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it’s clear enough, isn’t it, that we’re sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin.
3. What is the passage from Romans calling you to do?
Romans 3:9-20 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
9 What then? Are we better than they? No, not at all.[a] For we have already made the case that all—both Jewish and Greek people—are under sin. 10 As it is written,
“There is no one righteous—no, not one.
11 There is no one who understands,
no one who seeks after God.
12 All have turned aside;
together they have become worthless.
There is no one who does good—no, not even one!
13 Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they keep deceiving.
The poison of vipers is under their lips.
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16 Ruin and misery are in their paths,
17 and the way of shalom they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[b]
19 Now we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those within the Torah, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become accountable to God. 20 For no human, on the basis of Torah observance, will be set right in His sight[c]—for through the Torah comes awareness of sin.
1. What word(s), idea(s), or sentence(s) stand out for you in the Gospel of the Day ?
(Reread the Gospel)
(Reread the Gospel)
Mark 1:1-13 (NRSV)
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,*
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,*
who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” ’,
4John the baptizer appeared* in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with*water; but he will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit.’
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,*
who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” ’,
4John the baptizer appeared* in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with*water; but he will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit.’
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.11And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;* with you I am well pleased.’
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
2. What is Jesus (the Gospel) saying to you ?
(Reread the Gospel.)
Mark 1:1-13 The Message (MSG)
John the Baptizer
1 1-3 The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you;
He’ll make the road smooth for you.
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
4-6 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.
7-8 As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.”
9-11 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”
God’s Kingdom Is Here
12-13 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.
3. What is Jesus (the Gospel) calling you to do?
Mark 1:1-13 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
The Kingdom Is Coming Now
1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua ha-Mashiach, Ben-Elohim. 2 As Isaiah the prophet has written,
“Behold, I send My messenger before You,
who will prepare Your way.[a]
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way of Adonai,
and make His paths straight.’”[b]
4 John appeared, immersing in the wilderness, proclaiming an immersion involving repentance for the removal of sins. 5 All the Judean countryside was going out to him, and all the Jerusalemites. As they confessed their sins, they were being immersed by him in the Jordan River.
6 John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 “After me comes One who is mightier than I am,” he proclaimed. “I’m not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals! 8 I immersed you with water, but He will immerse you in the Ruach ha-Kodesh.”[c]
The Spirit Rests on Yeshua
9 In those days, Yeshua came from Natzeret in the Galilee and was immersed by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as He was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens ripping open and the Ruach as a dove coming down upon Him. 11 And there came a voice from the heavens: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased!”[d]
12 That instant, the Ruach drives Him into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by satan. And He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were taking care of Him
Collects for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany from A New Zealand Prayer Book and Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty God,
you anointed Jesus at his baptism
with the Holy Spirit,
and revealed him as your beloved Son;
grant that we who are baptised into his name
may give up our lives to your service,
and be found worthy of our calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. (ANZPB)
Open the heavens, Holy Spirit,
for us to see Jesus interceding for us;
may we be strengthened to share his baptism,
strengthened to share his cup,
and ready to serve him forever. (ANZPB)
Holy Spirit,
as you drove Jesus into the wilderness,
when John baptised him and the heavens opened,
drive us to wrestle and reflect
so that we may fulfil our baptism,
and live your life of victory. (ANZPB)
First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River
Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him
with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his
Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly
confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP)
A PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY
Lord Jesus, at Nazareth you shared in the life of your family. Help us to live together in our family with love and respect for each other. Make our home a place of blessing, peace and joy for everyone, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen. (ANZPB)
A COLLECT
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (ANZPB)
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
A special wish for us all: May we never cease to be loving, joyful, hopeful, peaceful, thankful ,and thoughtful beacons one to another and to the world around us.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
...To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman
A Song of God’s Love
1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, *
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is Love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *
and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us
We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. Help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God's children -- Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow -- will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.
FOR THE DIVERSITY OF RACES AND CULTURES
O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Animals
- Albert Schweitzer
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
Dear God we come before you as your children seeking peace in a fragile and broken world Help us we pray that we may become your peacemakers and that every city and town may become New Jerusalems (Cities of Peace).
God we pray that we may love our enemies by being agents of CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy).
God we pray that we may lovingly help our enemies to find common ground with us without fear and anger.
God we pray for and end to all kinds of hatred and discord that we all may be one holy family with you our Loving and merciful God.
God we pray for all who are ill in body,mind, and spirit. We pray especially for_______________
God we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of violence, terror, and abuse. We pray for all who are victims of human trafficking. We pray for an end to gang violence and urban terrorism in our cities.
God we pray for love and understanding among all faith communities.
God we pray in thanksgiving for___________________________
We remember and pray for all the concerns and all things that are on our hearts and minds_______________.
God we pray for the forgiveness of any thought, word, or deed that has drawn us away from you and your children. Help us to have repentant and loving hearts to start anew.
God help us to meet the Love Challenge this week with courage, strength, and love energy and that our heart homes maybe expanded as we become more loving towards our enemies, haters, and family members who differ from us.
God we pray these prayers in the name of Jesus our brother, friend, master, redeemer, and great physician of us all. Amen.
God we pray that we may love our enemies by being agents of CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy).
God we pray that we may lovingly help our enemies to find common ground with us without fear and anger.
God we pray for and end to all kinds of hatred and discord that we all may be one holy family with you our Loving and merciful God.
God we pray for all who are ill in body,mind, and spirit. We pray especially for_______________
God we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of violence, terror, and abuse. We pray for all who are victims of human trafficking. We pray for an end to gang violence and urban terrorism in our cities.
God we pray for love and understanding among all faith communities.
God we pray in thanksgiving for___________________________
We remember and pray for all the concerns and all things that are on our hearts and minds_______________.
God we pray for the forgiveness of any thought, word, or deed that has drawn us away from you and your children. Help us to have repentant and loving hearts to start anew.
God help us to meet the Love Challenge this week with courage, strength, and love energy and that our heart homes maybe expanded as we become more loving towards our enemies, haters, and family members who differ from us.
God we pray these prayers in the name of Jesus our brother, friend, master, redeemer, and great physician of us all. Amen.
Or these
Gracious God we pray that we may learn to use our prophetic voices to speak truth to power with out fear.
God we pray that we may never be silent during times of conflict and let the world know that it is unacceptable to be filled with hate violence in the forms of action and speech, bigotry, racism, and extreme thinking.
God we pray that we may never be silent and stand firm for the protection of our family members who are vulnerable and do not have advocates in their corners.
God we pray that we may never be silent when our leaders go off track and remind them that they are to serve the people and not the interests of lobbies, special interest groups or their own dangerous and self serving agendas.
God we pray that we may never be silent when we need to tell our stories that will benefit and make change in the world.
God we pray that we may never be silent and tell and show our family members we love them.
God we pray that we may never be silent as we serve others and that when you call us to be silent we may listen. Help us to serve the least of these with loving hands, feet, words, and deeds.
God we pray that we may listen to you as we pray for the concerns that you are laying upon our hearts and in our minds especially________________
God we pray that we may listen to our bodies, minds, and spirits that we may seek to keep them healthy.
God we pray that we may be good in the conservation of your Cathedral of Life.
God help us to meet the Love Challenge this week with courage, strength, and love energy and that our heart homes maybe expanded as we become more loving towards our enemies, haters, and family members who differ from us.
God we lift up these our prayers in the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
Gracious God we pray that we may learn to use our prophetic voices to speak truth to power with out fear.
God we pray that we may never be silent during times of conflict and let the world know that it is unacceptable to be filled with hate violence in the forms of action and speech, bigotry, racism, and extreme thinking.
God we pray that we may never be silent and stand firm for the protection of our family members who are vulnerable and do not have advocates in their corners.
God we pray that we may never be silent when our leaders go off track and remind them that they are to serve the people and not the interests of lobbies, special interest groups or their own dangerous and self serving agendas.
God we pray that we may never be silent when we need to tell our stories that will benefit and make change in the world.
God we pray that we may never be silent and tell and show our family members we love them.
God we pray that we may never be silent as we serve others and that when you call us to be silent we may listen. Help us to serve the least of these with loving hands, feet, words, and deeds.
God we pray that we may listen to you as we pray for the concerns that you are laying upon our hearts and in our minds especially________________
God we pray that we may listen to our bodies, minds, and spirits that we may seek to keep them healthy.
God we pray that we may be good in the conservation of your Cathedral of Life.
God help us to meet the Love Challenge this week with courage, strength, and love energy and that our heart homes maybe expanded as we become more loving towards our enemies, haters, and family members who differ from us.
God we lift up these our prayers in the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to
preserve us in peace: and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *whom you have prepared for all the world to see
A Light to enlighten the nations, *and the glory of your people Israel.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the
night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive
far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your
law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having
done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may,
when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive
far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your
law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having
done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may,
when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
From A New Zealand Prayer Book-
Lord,
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
O God, who opens the eyes of the blind and sets the captives free; Open our eyes that we may ever discern your way and guide our feet that we may walk in it, to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
Song of Simeon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
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.
All repeat the Antiphon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Closing Blessings
God’s Blessing be with you,
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
God’s face shine on us and be gracious to us,
and give us light and peace.
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Today's Celtic tidbits from the Northumbria Community
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Aidan came to Lindisfarne from Iona in the year 635 at the request of King Oswald. He was a man of deep prayer who meditated on the words of Scripture, equipping himself in quiet for an active and highly effective apostolate. He remained at Lindisfarne for 16 years. In 651, Aidan was taken ill at Bamburgh and died. Cuthbert, who was a that moment looking after his flock of sheep on the Lammermuir hills, saw a vision of angels taking Aidan’s soul to heaven.
If this Compline is being used in a group setting the * notation indicates a change of reader; words in bold are said all together; words in bold italic are said by each person in turn; and + indicates where you might make the sign of the cross.
+ (silently)
* O Christ, Son of the living God,
may Your holy angels guard our sleep,
may they watch over us as we rest
and hover around our beds.
may Your holy angels guard our sleep,
may they watch over us as we rest
and hover around our beds.
* Let them reveal to us in our dreams
visions of Your glorious truth,
O High Prince of the universe,
O High Priest of the mysteries.
visions of Your glorious truth,
O High Prince of the universe,
O High Priest of the mysteries.
* May no dreams disturb our rest
and no nightmares darken our dreams.
May no fears or worries delay
our willing, prompt repose.
and no nightmares darken our dreams.
May no fears or worries delay
our willing, prompt repose.
* May the virtue of our daily work
hallow our nightly prayers.
May our sleep be deep and soft
so our work be fresh and hard.
hallow our nightly prayers.
May our sleep be deep and soft
so our work be fresh and hard.
I will lie down and sleep in peace
for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
My dear ones, O God, bless Thou and keep,
in every place where they are.
in every place where they are.
* Into Your hands I commit my spirit;
I give it to You with all the love of my heart.
I give it to You with all the love of my heart.
* How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
I make the cross of Christ upon my breast,
+ over the tablet of my hard heart,
and I beseech the Living God of the universe –
may the Light of Lights come
to my dark heart from Thy place;
may the Spirit’s wisdom come to my heart’s tablet
from my Saviour.
+ over the tablet of my hard heart,
and I beseech the Living God of the universe –
may the Light of Lights come
to my dark heart from Thy place;
may the Spirit’s wisdom come to my heart’s tablet
from my Saviour.
* Christ without sin, Christ of wounds,
I am placing my soul and my body
under Thy guarding this night,
Christ of the poor, Christ of tears.
Thy cross be my shielding this night,
O Thou Son of tears, of the wounds, of the piercing.
I am placing my soul and my body
under Thy guarding this night,
Christ of the poor, Christ of tears.
Thy cross be my shielding this night,
O Thou Son of tears, of the wounds, of the piercing.
I am going now into the sleep:
O be it in Thy dear arm’s keep,
O God of grace, that I shall awake.
O be it in Thy dear arm’s keep,
O God of grace, that I shall awake.
* My Christ! my Christ!
my shield, my encircler,
each day, each night,
each light, each dark.
my shield, my encircler,
each day, each night,
each light, each dark.
* My Christ! my Christ!
my shield, my encircler,
each day, each night,
each light, each dark.
Be near me, uphold me,
my treasure, my triumph.
my shield, my encircler,
each day, each night,
each light, each dark.
Be near me, uphold me,
my treasure, my triumph.
Circle me, Lord,
keep protection near
and danger afar.
keep protection near
and danger afar.
* Circle me, Lord,
keep light near
and darkness afar.
keep light near
and darkness afar.
* Circle me, Lord,
keep peace within;
keep evil out.
keep peace within;
keep evil out.
The peace of all peace
be mine this night
+ in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
be mine this night
+ in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Today’s Meditation
Be open to the night…
Pray with open hand, not with clenched fist…
Shapes loom out of the darkness, uncertain and unclear: but the hooded stranger on horseback emerging from the mist need not be assumed to be the bearer of ill…
The night is large and full of wonders…
Lord Dunsany
Tomorrow's Celtic Saint of the Day:
Ita (?-570) January 15th
Ita was the abbess of a women’s community at Killeedy, County Limerick, in Ireland. She ran a school for boys, where she taught ‘faith in God with purity of heart; simplicity of life with religion; generosity with love.’ Among those she schooled was Brendan (see May 16th), who honoured her as his foster-mother and adviser. Brendan once asked her what were the three works most pleasing to God, and the three works most displeasing to Him. Ita answered, ‘Three things that please God most are true faith in God with a pure heart, a simple life with a grateful spirit, and generosity inspired by charity. The three things that most displease God are a mouth that hates people, a heart harbouring resentments, and a confidence in wealth.’ Hearing that opinion, Brendan and all who were there glorified God in His chosen one.
I am a scholar in Your school, my Lord. Grant me true faith in You and make my heart pure. Teach me how to live in simplicity and give me a thankful spirit. Show me the way of generosity, that I may be a channel of Your love for others. Amen.
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Good Night Dear Ones! Happy meditation and study! I love you! May God grant us all a restful night and a glorious morning.
Peace, Love, Prayers, and God's Blessings!
Sara
Resources:
Watch this space as we join the Good Book Club and read Romans for the season of Epiphany!
A to Z Quotes
Book of Occasional Services
Satucket Lectionary Page (NRSV)
The Bible Gateway (The Message, The Tree of Life, and The Mounce Reverse- Interlinear New Testament)
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship 1 and 2
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Prayers for Today -Harvard Square Library (Howard Thurman, Augustine, Anonymous Prayers)
Today's bonus!
If it is Monday it is Greek to Me!
Romans 3:9-20 Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE)
9 Whattis thenoun? Are we betterproechō off? Notou atpantōs all, forgar we have already chargedproaitiaomai that bothte JewsIoudaios andkai GreeksHellēn areeimi allpas underhypo the power of sinhamartia, 10 askathōs it is writtengraphō, “Noou one iseimi righteousdikaios, not evenoude oneheis; 11 noou one iseimi ·ho understandingsyniēmi; noou one iseimi ·ho seekingekzēteō for ·ho Godtheos. 12 Theyhave allpas turnedekklinō away; togetherhama they have become worthlessachreioō. Noou one iseimi ·ho doingpoieō goodchrēstotēs, there iseimi notou evenheōs oneheis. 13 Theirautos throatlarynx is an openanoigō gravetaphos; ·ho withho theirautos tonguesglōssa they deceivedolioō; the poisonios of aspsaspis is underhypo ·hotheirautos lipscheilos; 14 theirhos ·ho mouthstoma is full ofgemō cursingara andkai bitternesspikria; 15 ·ho theirautos feetpous are swiftoxys to shedekcheō bloodhaima; 16 destructionsyntrimma andkai miserytalaipōria are inen ·hotheirautos pathshodos; 17 andkai the wayhodos of peaceeirēnē they have notou knownginōskō. 18 There iseimi noou fearphobos of Godtheos beforeapenanti ·ho theirautos eyesophthalmos.”
19 Nowde we knowoida thathoti whateverhosos theho lawnomos sayslegō, it speakslaleō to thoseho who are underen theho lawnomos, sohina that everypas mouthstoma may be silencedphrassō andkai theho wholepas worldkosmos may beginomai held accountablehypodikos toho Godtheos. 20 Sodioti byek the worksergon of thelawnomos noou fleshsarx at allpas will be justifieddikaioō beforeenōpion himautos, becausegar throughdia the lawnomos comes the knowledgeepignōsis of sinhamartia.
Mark 1:1-13 Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE)
1 The beginningarchē of theho gospeleuangelion of JesusIēsous ChristChristos, the Sonhyios of Godtheos.
2 Askathōs it is writtengraphō inen ·ho Isaiahēsaias theho prophetprophētēs, “Beholdidou, I am sendingapostellō ·homyegō messengerangelos beforepro yoursy faceprosōpon, whohos will preparekataskeuazō ·ho yoursy wayhodos,3 a voicephōnē callingboaō out inen theho wildernesserēmos: ‘Preparehetoimazō theho wayhodos of the Lordkyrios, makepoieō ·ho hisautos pathstribos straight.’” 4 JohnIōannēs theho baptizerbaptizō appearedginomai inen theho wildernesserēmos andkai began preachingkēryssō a baptismbaptisma of repentancemetanoia foreis the forgivenessaphesis of sinshamartia. 5 Andkai allpas theho JudeanIoudaia countrysidechōra andkai allpas ·ho JerusalemHierosolymitēs were going outekporeuomai topros himautos andkai were being baptizedbaptizō byhypo himautos inen theho JordanIordanēs riverpotamos, confessingexomologeomai ·ho theirautos sinshamartia. 6 Nowkai JohnIōannēs waseimi ·ho clothedendyō with camel’skamēlos hairthrix withkai a leatherdermatinos beltzōnē aroundperi ·ho hisautos waistosphys, andkai he fedesthiō on locustsakris andkai wildagrios honeymeli. 7 Andkai he was proclaimingkēryssō, sayinglegō, “Theho one who is more powerfulischuros than Iegō is comingerchomai afteropisō meegō; of whomhos I ameimi notou worthyhikanos to stoopkyptō down and untielyōtheho thonghimas ofho hisautos sandalshypodēma. 8 Iegō baptizebaptizō youhymeis with waterhydōr, butde heautos will baptizebaptizō youhymeis withen the Holyhagios Spiritpneuma.”
9 Nowkai ginomai inen thoseekeinos ·ho dayshēmera JesusIēsous cameerchomai fromapo NazarethNazaret ofho GalileeGalilaia andkai was baptizedbaptizō ineis theho JordanIordanēs River byhypo JohnIōannēs. 10 Andkai just ashe was cominganabainō up outek of theho waterhydōr, he saw theho heavensouranos opening upschizō andkai theho Spiritpneuma ashōs a doveperistera descendingkatabainō oneis himautos. 11 Thenkai a voicephōnē cameginomai fromek ·ho heavenouranos, “Yousy areeimi ·ho myegō belovedagapētos Sonhyios; ·ho inen yousy I take delighteudokeō.” 12 ·kai At once theho Spiritpneuma droveekballō himautos out intoeis theho wildernesserēmos, 13 andkai he waseimi inen theho wildernesserēmos for fortytesserakonta dayshēmera, being temptedpeirazō byhypo ·ho SatanSatanas. ·kai He waseimi there withmeta theho wild beaststhērion, andkai theho angelsangelos were ministeringdiakoneō to himautos.
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