5 April 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalms 82 and 84

The first psalm sets a scene of God judging all the other Gods. They lack knowledge or compassion. They will be destroyed. The psalmist petitions God alone to judge the earth.

A day living in the presence of God is better than anything imaginable. A journey to God’s dwelling place is filled with refreshment: “they go from strength to strength” (v. 7).

Leviticus 9: 22 – 10: 11 and 10: 16 – 20

The first ordination of a priest, Aaron after the sacrifice, begins with blessing the people. The glory of the Lord appeared in the form of a consuming fire on the altar for all to see, so the role brings the presence of God to the people. Aaron’s sons presume to light incense and go forward.  This was not part of the instructions. The fire immediately consumes them. Moses summons others to remove the bodies and for Aaron and his remaining sons not to stop and mourn but continue with the service – the community can mourn but the priest has an obligation first. Instructions are given by God to Aaron about priestly behaviour – priests are not to come to the holy place intoxicated, and they are to discriminate between the holy and the unclean. Aaron immediately exercises his capacity to discern by not to eating the sin offering and explains his decision to Moses. Aaron is accountable.

Matthew 28: 11 – 20

The disciples go to Galilee. While they are going, the group of soldiers who witnessed the resurrection tell the chief priests and elders. They decided to pay the soldiers to put about the story that the disciples stole the body while the soldiers slept. The chief priests and elders and promise them that if the governor hears they will mollify him to protect the soldiers.

When the disciples arrive in Galilee, they go to the mountain Jesus had indicated and worship him. There are some who doubt and Jesus appears to them all and gives them the great commission to spread the good news and baptise people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He reaffirms his enduring presence.

Collect for Morning Prayer

There are steps on the path
Bon Accord track to Washington Creek
Alpine National Park Vic  L Osburn

Holy and almighty God through your priests and through Christ you ensure a direct connection with us all. You want us to know and feel your presence directly. You have made it clear that the role of the priest is disciplined and demanding. As we go into your world today, help us to take with us that sense of discipline and discernment so that by our actions and words we enable people to recognise you in their lives and so they can recognise you in our lives too, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalms 85 and 87

The first psalm reminds us all of God’s forgiveness and historical evidence of restoring people of faith. The psalmist asks for quiet to listen to God who will speak peace to the faithful and give salvation. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (v.10).

The second psalm is of praise for Zion, the mother city of believers everywhere. It is the basis for the hymn “Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion city of our God.”

Exodus 15: 19 – 27

The Pharaoh’s people are caught in the returning waters. The women since and dance in praise. Moses orders the people forward and they go three days to a place where the water was bitter and undrinkable. The people complain. Moses calls on the Lord. A stick thrown into the water made it potable. The people move on to an oasis. The Lord promises that if the people listen and do what is right in God’s sight and heed the commandments and statutes the Lord would heal them.

1 Peter 3: 8 – 16

We are encouraged to care for each other, have a unity of spirit, to be tender and humble and to not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse. We are not to fear. We are to be ready to explain what we have done gently and reverently and with a clear conscience. That way when people malign what we do in Christ, they are the ones who will experience shame.

Collect for Evening Prayer

A couple of galahs*
Harrietville Vic L Osburn

Holy God we thank you for your gifts today especially for forgiveness and love. Help us we pray, to start again tomorrow refreshed and ready to serve you humbly, gently and with love for your people in every nation through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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*Australians will laugh at the colloquial self-deprecating joke. Colloquially a "galah" is a loveable fool.