22 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Thursday 22 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 118: 1 – 18

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! The remainder of the psalm tells of God’s assistance and reminds us to put our trust not in people or rulers, but God alone.

2 Kings 7: 3 – 20

Some lepers at the besieged city gate decide that outside or inside the city they are still going to starve so they will go to the Aramean army camp – "if they spare us we live and if they don’t we were going to die anyway". When they arrive the find the camp deserted - the Army had apparently heard a great noise, thought the King of Israel and been able to amass a great force and fled in fear. The lepers eat, loot and hide the goods then go to other tents. They decide they had better share.

The lepers go back to the city at night knowing that if they wait till morning they will be punished. The king is woken. He thinks it is a trap. Two mounted men and three on foot are sent to investigate. The scouts follow the Arameans’ trail and find discarded garments and equipment. They return to the King.

The people go out to the camp, bring in everything including grain, which they sell cheaply. The man who doubted dies by being trampled at the gate of the city. Elisha’s prophecy is fulfilled.

Matthew 16: 13 – 28

Jesus asks the disciples who do the people think he is and then who do the disciples think he is. Simon confesses that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus blesses him, recognising that Simon discerned it by grace. Jesus calls him Peter and says that on this rock – this firm foundation that Jesus is the Messiah – will the church be built and the gates of death (Hades) will not win.

Jesus says that he will suffer and be put to death and then on the third day be raised. Peter wants to prevent this. Jesus tells him to get behind him (get out of the way and follow) and that he is a stumbling block (he has placed the rock that he is in Jesus’ path). Both are because Peter is still concerned with earthly understandings and his Jewish understanding of what the Messiah will do.

Jesus says to all, if we want to follow Christ we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow. Those who want to save their lives will lose it and those who lose their lives for Christ’s sake will find it. Some with Christ that day will see Christ in the Kingdom before they die.

Collect for Morning Prayer

The church
New Norcia Benedictine Community
WA L Osburn

Great and wonderful God your love for us knows no bounds. Help us take the risk to come to you knowing that if we stay as we are we will perish and that in coming to you, taking up the cross is hope and life so that we understand that our stories do not revolve around us at all but revolve around you: you at the centre of our lives, our world, and our future through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thursday 22 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 118: 19 – 29 and 120

The psalm section brims with sweet praise to God. God takes the weak and rejected and makes them the cornerstone. “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it” (vv. 23-24).

The second psalm is a cry of distress from a person in exile far from Israel surrounded by warrior people, “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (v.7).

Job 40: 1 – 14

God responds to Job giving him a further opportunity to find fault with God. Job chooses silence. God offers also to let Job stand in fully dignity and stature with glory and splendour and be really angry. Job can look at all those who do evil and bring them low, tread down the wicked and bind them in death. Then God will acknowledge Job.

1 Peter 4: 3 – 11

Peter acknowledges that people’s lives have changed and they no longer carouse and get drunk and worship idols. As a result their old friends are surprised and blaspheme. Peter says all of us will need to give an account of ourselves to Christ. This is the purpose of the gospel, that though we might be judged in the flesh we will live in the spirit.

Peter says the end is near so we are to be serious and love one another, be hospitable without complaint, serve one another with whatever gifts we have. Speak as if we are speaking with God’s words, labour with God’s strength so that God many be glorified in all things through Christ. To God belongs the glory eternally. Amen

Collect for Evening Prayer

Dogwood blossom
2 short petals and 2 longer petals and a crown of thorns
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

God of love and God of grace you make the weak and rejected your cornerstone. You make all things possible. Help us show your love, help us speak your words, help us work with your strength and purpose all our days so that our lives build your glorious kingdom and bring peace to our world through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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