 Opening PrayerSpirit of the living God, be the Gardner of my soul. For so long I have been waiting silent and still—experiencing the winter of the soul. But now, in the strong name of Jesus Christ, I dare to ask: Clear away the dead growth of the past, break up the hard clods of custom and routine, stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge, bury deep in my soul the implanted Word, cultivate and water and tend my heart, until new life buds and opens and flowers. Amen -Richard Foster (1942- ) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleBecause you have satisfied me, GOD, I promise to do everything you say. I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised. When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders… Your love, GOD, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel. -Psalm 119:57-60,64 The Message (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinHoly God, Holy and mighty, Holy and immortal: Have mercy on us. -The Eastern Orthodox ‘Trisagion’ (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. -Matthew 6:19-24 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersI urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -I Timothy 2:1 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerMighty and tender God who holds us by the hand, cast out our fears by your love. Help us to love our enemies, to accept our hardships and to cling firmly to you, for you have power over all, in the triumph of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 taken in: Bamberg, Germany
photo 2 taken in: Barcelona, Spain
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by John DelHousaye  Luke has given us three prayers for Advent—the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimittis. This meditation focuses on the third; I intend to offer context for the focus (kavanah) we bring to the prayer. This section in Luke’s birth narrative of Jesus has four chiastic subunits: A Piety of Parents (2:21–24) B Simeon’s Piety (2:25–28a) B′ Simeon’s Prayer (2:28b–32) A′ Piety of Parents (2:33–35) Luke frames the unit by emphasizing Mary and Joseph’s obedience to the Law of the Lord. In the first subunit, Jesus is circumcised and presented to the Lord in the temple. This was the first shedding of his blood. When God covenanted with Abraham, he commanded, “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised” (Gen 17:12 ESV). God goes on to promise the birth of Isaac (vv. 15–27), and then paradoxically commands his sacrifice, although the son is ultimately spared (ch. 22). The presentation evokes the exodus when God killed all the first-born males in Egypt. Now God the Father will sacrifice his only Son. At the center of the unit, Simeon “takes up” (dechomai, δέχομαι) the body of Christ (2:28a). The verb describes receiving something like a gift (see Phil 4:18). At the Lord’s Supper, “After taking up (dechomai) the cup and giving thanks,” Jesus said: “Take this and divide it among yourselves” (Luke 22:17). Simeon had been yearning “for the comforting of Israel,” a motif in Isaiah. The prophet looks forward to the end of exile and a Davidic Messiah. After the first call for comfort (40:1), the ministry of the Baptist is foretold (vv. 3–5), a passage that is cited in the next chapter (Luke 3:4–6), and then we find this meditation on God’s promises and life’s brevity: All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field . . . [selah] The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word (rēma, ῥῆμα) of our God will stand forever. (Isa 40:6–8 ESV) Simeon “blessed God and said: ‘Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word (rēma, ῥῆμα) in peace. [Isa 40:8] For my eyes saw your salvation that you prepared before (the face of) all the peoples, a light for the revelation of the peoples and glory of your people Israel.’” The Nunc Dimittis (“Now as you dismiss”) has been sung or recited in the evening before sleep, a kind of death, since the fifth century and following the Lord’s Supper. Like the characters in the story, we bring our weariness of life to the Nunc Dimittis. T. S. Eliot expresses this suffering in A Song for Simeon (1928): Lord, the Roman hyacinths are blooming in bowls and The winter sun creeps by the snow hills; The stubborn season has made stand. My life is light, waiting for the death wind, Like a feather on the back of my hand. Dust in sunlight and memory in corners Wait for the wind that chills towards the dead land. Yet God offers personally redemptive moments in a fallen world. We see the pattern with Jacob and Simeon, and we have all been given the Holy Spirit in the new covenant. Until then, as part of the body of Christ, we take up the bread and wine and pray expectantly. Instead of competing with other disciples or trying to control circumstances, we serve joyfully until our release. We have seen God’s intervention, and may go in peace.
 Opening PrayerBreathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. -Prayer of St. Augustine (354-430) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleLord what is the kind of fast do You desire from us? To break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, and cancel debts. Lord what are You interested in seeing us do? To share our food with the hungry, invite the homeless poor into our homes, and put clothes on the shivering poorly dressed and naked, and to be available to our own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and He will say, 'Here I am. -Adapted from Isaiah 58:6-9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinSearch me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. -Matthew 6:16-18 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersBe cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. -I Thessalonians 5:17-18 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerKeep me, O Lord, while I tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after Thee, and in an affectionate walking with Thee, every day of my life; that when Thou comest, I may be found not hiding my talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with my lamp unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our Lord, our glorious King, forever and ever. Amen -Richard Baxter (1615-1691) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 taken in: Rome, Italy
photo 2 taken in: Bamberg, Germany  Leader: The LORD is in his holy temple; All: Let all the earth be silent before him. Leader: May our prayer be set before you like incense; All: May the lifting up of our hands be like the evening sacrifice. Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope. May we know you as you truly are, we ask for the glory of your name. Amen.* Reading: The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the angels. Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are.** Song - Psalm 62 For God alone Oh my soul (3x) Wait, Wait in silence For He alone is my rock and my salvation My fortress, and I shall not be shaken Trust in Him at all times (2x) Trust in Him, oh people and wait Wait in silence, oh wait Pour out your heart before him (2x) Pour out your heart before him, Oh people (3x) Pour out your heart before him Wait, wait in silence God is a refuge Scripture: I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah (Psalm 32:5) (Take a moment to confess your heart to God, receiving his mercy and forgiveness) Reading – Psalm 56 Song – Psalm 3 I will not be afraid I will not fear (2x) For you, O Lord, are a shield about me You are my glory You lift my head (2x) So I will not be afraid, I will not fear No, I will not fear I cried aloud, to you, O God And you answered me From your holy hill Thank God, you answered me Reading – Psalm 113 Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord The Words of Jesus – Luke 24:36-49a As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them,“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations,beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.” Reflection • On how God is present in our need • On where you need God to show up in your life, your heart, your work, your relationships… • Put that heart cry into words, and with your brothers and sisters, bare your soul before your maker Song – Psalm 27 The lord is my light and my salvation and whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear The Lord is my strength, the stronghold of my life and whom shall I fear, whom shall Ifear And you said, "Seek my face." Your face, O God, I seek One thing I ask and I will seek To dwell in house of the Lord all my days To gaze upon your beauty, worship at your feet Oh, one thing I seek Holy fire, Abba Father My redeemer, my delight Holy holy, God almighty You're the one thing I desire Evening Readings – Psalms 91, 134, 116
Closing Prayer and Benediction Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) *Adapted from Book of Common Prayer. **Readings from St. Gregory the Great Photo: Castle Church in Wittengberg, Germany  Opening PrayerFor God alone my soul in silence waits; from Him comes my Salvation –Psalm 62:1 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BiblePraise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, test us; and you refine us like silver. But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! -Psalm 66 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinLord wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness…Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. -Psalm 51 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. -Matthew 6:5-15 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersBlessed be God who hears me when I pray. -Psalm 28:6 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerO Lord my God, teach my heart this day where and how to see You, where and how to find You. Teach me to seek You, for I cannot seek You unless You teach me, or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. -St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 taken in: Gozo, Malta
photo 2 taken in: Gozo, Malta  Opening PrayerOh God, help us to find you in silence, help us learn from the stars, moon and sun who run their course in silence. Help us to truly understand that the more we receive you in quiet prayer, the more we have to offer in the activities of our daily lives. Lord, help us to see that it is not what we have to say to You, but what You say to us and through us. -Mother Teresa (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleYou got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you? -Psalm 71:17-19 The Message (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinOh God search me; shine your light into my soul that I may see its condition. May I be confident in your mercy, knowing well that you are restoring me even now. Reveal where I have left your path and speak gentle but firm words of correction. And guide me back to your life-giving ways and to your loving and strong embrace. (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. -Matthew 6:1-4 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and Others God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. -Ephesians 3:21 The Message (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerOh God, the life, death, and resurrection of your son are our hope of salvation. Pour the refreshing waters of your love over us. Cleanse our hearts, forgive our failings, purify our desires and renew our passion for you. We ask this through Christ our Savior. For from him and through him and to him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen! -Romans 11:33-36 Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 taken in: Gozo, Malta
photo 2 taken in: Gozo, Malta |
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