6 April 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Monday 6 April 2015

Morning Prayer

Psalm 2

A rhetorical psalm asking why some people think they can break the bond between God and his anointed one (messiah). The psalmist thinks it is laughable. God is all-powerful and the anointed one is his begotten son. God’s power could be used to punish and correct. Let humans be warned to respect God. Those that take refuge in the Lord will be happy.

Exodus 12: 1 – 20

This is the story of the Passover with Moses and Aaron in Egypt receiving God’s instructions to the Hebrews so that the Lord would pass over their homes and they would be saved. There is too the instruction that this feast of the Passover should be a perpetual celebration. There are instructions about not working in this festival and eating unleavened bread.

John 20: 1 – 18

Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb to mourn. The tomb is open so she immediately runs to tell the disciples who check. They arrive back before her. They see the linen wrappings folded neatly and no one inside the tomb. They realise Christ is risen. Mary returns. She weeps then looks in the tomb. There she sees two angels who ask why she is weeping. Then another voice asks her the same thing from behind her and she thinks it is the gardener. She is prepared to get the body (which would make her ritually unclean). The voice calls her by name and she recognises Jesus. She calls him teacher. He tells her not to hold on to him but to tell the others. She goes and tells them, “I have seen the Lord” (v.18).

Collect for Morning Prayer

Grevillea
The Abbey Benedictine Community
Jamberoo NSW 2010
L Osburn

Wonderful and gracious Lord, the powers of death cannot break the bond between you and Jesus the Messiah. The powers of Egypt cannot break the bond between you and your people. Help us, like the psalmist understand that there is nothing nor will their be any power great enough to break your love for us so that we, with courage can go into the world you love to live and work to your praise and glory all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday 6 April 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalm 110

This psalm is concerned with the installation of a king. The king sits at God’s right hand and God is said to protect and support the king. The king is also a priest. God is prepared to support the king. This king is King David’s Lord: “The Lord says to my Lord” (v. 1).

Isaiah 42: 10 – 17

Sing to the Lord a new song! Let the entire planet sing and roar and shout giving glory to God. This is the song of victory and shows God’s love for us. It brings shame to those who worship idols.

1 Peter 1: 1 – 9

This is Peter’s letter to early Christian communities. He blesses God and Christ for the new life into a living hope won through Christ’s death and resurrection. What we have cannot fade away- it is everlasting and eternal. Peter acknowledges the communities have been through tough times. It is worth it for the outcome of faith is salvation of our souls.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Trees in a desert creek bed
Stephen's Creek NSW  E Byford 2015

Dearest loving God, you have enthroned Jesus the and through him freed us all and given us eternal hope. When we go through tough times, hold us steadfast to you so that we are faithful to you: one God, who creates and sustains us all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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