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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