13 October 2014
Collects
Prayers
developed from the daily readings
Monday 13
October 2014
Morning
Prayer
Psalms 101 and 102: 1 – 11
The first psalm is a statement of commitment to justice
and like a king to be in charge of one’s life: to be loyal and just for God, to
study being blameless, to have integrity and to keep away from those who
slander, tell lies or are proud.
The portion of the second psalm is a lament. The psalmist
is unwell and in great pain unable to eat or sleep and tormented by others who
suggest God has deserted him.
Zechariah 4: 8
– 5: 11
This section covers 3 visions of Zechariah. First he
prophesies that Zerubabbel will complete the temple and it will be grand.
The people of God are to be the light of the world
fuelled by the Holy Spirit (oil from the olive trees that flank the lamp). The
oil flows from the trees without might or power – without the pressing and the
processing. Similarly, the people of their own resources and power cannot bring
God’s light to the world. The Spirit of God enables and this comes through the
two trees – the high priest and the King. For us Christ is our high priest and
King.
The next vision is one of judgement on everyone who
steals (who has dealt falsely with their neighbour) and everyone who swears
falsely (who dishonours God). This disobedience will eat away at them, their
homes and communities.
The third vision is the personification of evil
trapped in a barrel and being transported to a place where people will worship
only evil. God removes evil from the faithful people for all time – it must be
rejected and banished for – but not by the efforts of people, by the grace of
God.
Matthew 13: 1 – 17
Jesus by the lake has to get into a boat since the
crowd is so great. He tells the parable of the sower: seeds fall on a path and
are eaten by birds, those on rocky ground spring up quickly but without root
depth wither in the heat, those growing in thorns are choked, those in good
soil produce an unbelievably huge crop – 100 fold, or 60 fold or 30 fold.
The disciples ask why Jesus teaches in parables. The
people don’t understand, they cannot, they cannot properly hear but the
disciples will be able to hear, understand and teach because of these parables.
They will remember the stories and hence the lessons.
Collect for
Morning Prayer
Flourishing Canola Rutherglen Vic 2014 L Osburn |
O God, you
are the great teacher. You teach through visions, and parables so that we
listening and with our eyes open can be loyal, just, blameless and people of
integrity. Help is to remember that it is only through the power of your spirit
that we can be effective in bringing your truth to this world. Help us today
and in the days ahead to take time to reflect on the visions you sent and the
parables you gave so that we deal properly with our neighbours and honour you
in all we do through Jesus Christ our high priest and King. Amen.
Monday 13 October 2014
Evening
Prayer
Psalm 102: 12-28
This second portion of the lament turns into a hymn of
prayer and praise to God. God will look after us; hears our prayers even in
prison or doomed to die. God is eternal. The psalmist asks to be granted some
more years of life.
Daniel 1
Daniel and his three young friends are in the king’s
palace in Babylon to learn and be prepared to serve in the court. They are
allocated food. Daniel refuses the food and requests vegetables to be faithful
to dietary laws. The palace master is reluctant but allows a trial period and
compares the health status of the 4 to the other young men who eat the palace
food as rationed. Daniel and his friends are healthier and more able on all the
measures relevant to the palace including wisdom and understanding.
1 Peter 1:
1 – 9
A letter
from Peter to the Christians in Asia Minor begins with a blessing for them and
for God who has provided not only new birth to all through Jesus Christ’s death
and resurrection but also an imperishable inheritance with God.
Peter
praises the people for their faith in Christ even though they have never seen Him
and reminds them of the protection they have from God through their faith. The
genuineness of their faith is precious, more precious than gold. And the
outcome of faith is salvation of their souls.
Collect for
Evening Prayer
Sunset near Rutherglen Vic 2014 L Osburn |
Holy almighty
and wonderful God, you have given us your Son and offered us salvation and life
eternal with you. Help us to keep loyal to you and to do those things we know
help us focus and connect our lives to you and bear witness of your love for us
to others through Jesus Christ our Lord and your Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Amen.
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