27 October 2015

27 October 2015

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 27 October 2015 

Morning Prayer

Psalm 140

This psalm is an appeal to be delivered from personal enemies – from violent people and those who stir things up, those who speak ill, are arrogant and make evil plots. The psalmist is confident in God’s care.

2 Kings 9: 17 – 37

Jehu son of Nimshi drives his chariot to Jezreel. A sentinel sees him and his company coming. The King sends a horseman to meet him to see whether he comes in peace. Jehu answers the horseman, “What have you got to do with peace? Fall in behind me.” The horseman does and so does the next horseman who is sent. People in Jezreel realise it is Jehu since “he drives like a maniac” (v. 20). King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah go in their chariots to meet Jehu.

King Joram asks whether Jehu comes in peace and he answers that there can be no peace while Jezebel continues whoredom and sorcery in the kingdom. King Joram turns to flee and warns Ahaziah that this is treason.

Jehu draws his bow and kills Joram. He leaves his body on Naboth’s land as decreed. He also shoots Ahaziah who later dies of his wounds. The body is returned to Jerusalem for burial.

Jehu goes to Jezebel who calls to him does he come in peace since he murdered Joram? He calls to her window, “Who is on my side? Who?” A few eunuchs put their heads out then throw Jezebel out. Horses trample her.

Jehu goes to eat and directs that Jezebel’s body should be given a burial suitable for a king’s daughter. The people only find remnants of her and so Elijah’s prophecy is fulfilled about how she would die.

Matthew 18: 15 – 35

Jesus gives instructions about discipline in the church. If someone sins against you, talk with him or her alone. If the matter is not resolved have two witnesses and talk again. If the person refuses to listen they are to be treated respectfully as outsiders where there is an opening to return. When we make decisions together those decisions are binding. When we gather in Christ’s name, Christ is there among us.

Peter asks about forgiving others and how many times do we forgive. Jesus tells the parable of the servant who owes a great debt to a king and pleads for more time. The king forgives the debt. But that same servant demands payment of a relatively trivial debt from someone else and is harsh. When the king hears, he calls the servant wicked for not forgiving as he has been forgiven and so withdraws his forgiveness and tortures the servant until the debt is paid. If we fail to forgive others in our hearts as we have been forgiven we will be called to account too.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Grevillea
The Abbey Benedictine Community
Jamberoo MSW L Osburn

 Holy Lord we praise you and thank you that we have a new covenant with you through the death and resurrection of Christ our Lord and saviour. Keep us loving and respectful when someone sins against us. Help us to forgive in our hearts even when those who sin against us do not ask, so that we recognise, acknowledge and live out your gift to us that while we were still sinning and even before we sinned, you already forgave us so that we may come in humility and awe into your presence through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Evening Prayer

Psalms 141 and 142

Both psalms are pleas to be delivered from personal enemies. The first includes a willingness to be justly corrected by the righteous. The psalmist asks to be assisted to not engage in retaliation of evil so that enemies realise the psalmist is not only correct but also gentle.

In the second psalm things are not going well for the psalmist and the pleas for deliverance demonstrate faithfulness.

Esther 1: 1 – 12

In the days of Ahasuerus whose kingdom spans India to Ethiopia, in Susa, the King holds a banquet. It is so lavish it is a testament to his enormous wealth and generosity. Queen Vashti holds a banquet too for the women of the palace.

On the seventh day of the banquet the King orders eunuchs to bring the Queen wearing her crown so that Ahasuerus could show off how beautiful she is. The Queen refuses to go. The King becomes enraged.

2 Peter 1: 12 – 21

Peter clarifies that the gospel does not derive from clever myths but from eyewitness accounts. God honoured Jesus and God’s voice was heard calling Jesus “Son” and “My Beloved” when the disciples were with Him on the mountain.

Peter says that the prophetic message has been confirmed and we are wise to watch it – like we would attend to a lamp light – until dawn and the morning star rises in our hearts. He also says that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of interpretation but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The fishing fleet
Fremantle Harbour WA L Osburn

Gracious God through your great generosity you invite us to your banquet no matter our circumstances poor, in strife, wealthy and powerful or new believers. Protect us. Steer us away from people who would derail our belief, from our own stubborn refusal to come to you or thinking that all this about Jesus is just a myth. Remind us of the eyewitness accounts and the normal men and women who were moved by your Holy Spirit to prophesy so that we are ready and willing to come before you, be corrected, be gentle with others and watch and wait for your morning star to shine in our hearts with love for you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Please leave a comment or feedback.