Wednesday 14 October 2015

15 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 


Thursday 15 October 2015 
Morning Prayer

Psalm 104: 1 – 25

Great hymn to the creator: clouds, sea, mountains, water, grass, creatures, wine… the list goes on.  In wisdom God has made it all.

2 Kings 4: 1 – 17

A widow whose husband had been in the company of the prophets with Elisha comes to him in distress. A creditor is about to take her children into slavery over her husband’s debt. Elisha asks what she has in the house. Her answer is a jar of oil. He instructs her to get many empty vessels, go into her house, close the door and fill the empty vessels. When there are no more vessels available, the oil flow stops. Elisha tells her to sell the oil, pay the debts and live on the rest with her children.

A wealthy woman in Shunem invites Elisha for a meal. This becomes a regular occurrence. The woman consults her husband saying she believes Elisha is a holy man and they could construct a chamber on their roof for him as a secure place to rest. They do so. Elisha asks his servant to find out what they can do for the woman. The servant says she has not son and her husband is old. Elisha prophesies that she will have a son. She doubts. However, as Elisha says a son is born to her.

Matthew 13: 44 – 58

Jesus tells three parables beginning “The kingdom of heaven is like…” In the first the kingdom is like a treasure buried in a field. A man sells all he has to buy the field. Or like a fine pearl that someone who knows quality pearls, sells everything to buy this one. So the first is about the yield or product; the second is about comparative value. The third is a dragnet that brings all the fish in. Those that are fit to eat are kept. This is about judgement.

Jesus says well trained Mosaic scribes bring forth old scripture and preserve new learning like a master of a great treasury can bring out and display the old and the new. So scribes are not about curating a museum but being part of the modern collection too.

Jesus returns to his hometown and preaches. The people are astounded and consider this family background rather than hear him. He can do no deeds of power there. He is not honoured even as a prophet.

Collect for Morning Prayer


Stream through the Karri forest
Greater Beedelup National Park
WA L Osburn
Holy almighty creator God you continue creating, supplying sustaining and building our futures. We thank you for Jesus who makes the connections between the ancient scriptures with now and with the kingdom. Help us remember that threats and fears and doubts, our past and our status get in the way of a relationship with you so that we may be able to be the change and inspire the massive change in others, even the most vulnerable to be able to embrace and be enfolded in your great abundance and overflowing love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.


Thursday 15 October 2015
Evening Prayer

Psalm 104: 26 – 37

This part of the psalm reinforces that all things natural and man made rely on the mercy of God for their existence and sustenance.

Job 36: 22 – 37: 4

Elihu urges Job to praise God for all the beauty and wonder of creation and God’s continuing works seen and heard all around.

1 Peter 2: 4 – 10

Peter tries to put in words that Christ is the central stone for a living temple and we are all part of that edifice. This isn’t a temple of stone – it is alive in Christ. We have no need to sacrifice animals because we give and we are the sacrifice. We through faith understand how precious Christ is. We understand what the ancient scriptures mean about who Christ is. Even though we come from many nations, through God’s grace we have been shown God’s mercy and chosen to be Christians – a royal priesthood.


Collect for Evening Prayer

King Parrots: male and female
Harrietville Vic. L Osburn
Holy and wonderful Lord not only are you the creator and sustainer of all there is seen and unseen but also through Christ you have made us your global temple, your royal priesthood. Help us through our short lives to communicate in deeds and in speech how precious and awesome Christ is and to be part of building your temple and your kingdom through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.





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