28 October Morning Prayer Monday St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles Opening Sentence: Saints Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:4 Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. Versicle and Response Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. The Lord is glorious in his saints: Come let us adore him. Alleluia. Venite Come let us sing to the Lord;* let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving* and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God,* and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth,* and the heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it,* and his hands have molded the dry land. Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee,* and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.* Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Antiphon Alleluia. The Lord is glorious in his saints: Come let us adore him. Alleluia. Psalms Psalm 66 or Coverdale 1Be joyful in God, all you lands; * sing the glory of his Name; sing the glory of his praise. 2 Say to God, How awesome are your deeds! * because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you. 3 All the earth bows down before you, * sings to you, sings out your Name. 4 Come now and see the works of God, * how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people. 5 He turned the sea into dry land, so that they went through the water on foot, * and there we rejoiced in him. 6 In his might he rules for ever; his eyes keep watch over the nations; * let no rebel rise up against him. 7 Bless our God, you peoples; * make the voice of his praise to be heard; 8 Who holds our souls in life, * and will not allow our feet to slip. 9 For you, O God, have proved us; * you have tried us just as silver is tried. 10 You brought us into the snare; * you laid heavy burdens upon our backs. 11 You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; * but you brought us out into a place of refreshment. 12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings and will pay you my vows, * which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble. 13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the smoke of rams; * I will give you oxen and goats. 14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, * and I will tell you what he has done for me. 15 I called out to him with my mouth, * and his praise was on my tongue. 16 If I had found evil in my heart, * the Lord would not have heard me; 17 But in truth God has heard me; * he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, * nor withheld his love from me. Gloria Patri Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Reading Isaiah 28:9-16 9 ‘Whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from milk, those taken from the breast? 10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.’ 11 Truly, with stammering lip and with alien tongue he will speak to this people, 12   to whom he has said, ‘This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose’; yet they would not hear. 13 Therefore the word of the Lord will be to them, ‘Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little’; * in order that they may go, and fall backwards, and be broken, and snared, and taken. 14 Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. 15 Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement; when the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter’; 16 therefore thus says the Lord God, See, I am laying in Zion a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: ‘One who trusts will not panic.’ The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Canticle 9 The First Song of Isaiah Isaiah 12:2-6 Ecce, Deus Surely, it is God who saves me; * I will trust in him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, * and he will be my Savior. Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing * from the springs of salvation. And on that day you shall say, * Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; Make his deeds known among the peoples; * see that they remember that his Name is exalted. Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, * and this is known in all the world. Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, * for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Reading Ephesians 4:1-16 4I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ 9(When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended* into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Canticle 19 The Song of the Redeemed Revelation 15:3-4 Magna et mirabilia O ruler of the universe, Lord God, great deeds are they that you have done, * surpassing human understanding. Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, * O King of all the ages Who can fail to do you homage, Lord and sing the praises of your Name for you only are the Holy One. All nations will draw near and fall down before you because your just and holy works have been revealed. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Commemoration On the various New Testament lists of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13), the tenth and eleventh places are occupied by Simon the Zealot (also called Simon the Cananean, the Aramaic word meaning Zealot) and by Judas of James, also called Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. (Judas in New Testament contexts corresponds to Judah in Old Testament ones. Note that masculine names ending in -ah when translated from Hebrew directly to English usually end in -as when the translation passes through Greek, since in Greek a terminal -a is normally feminine, but a terminal -as is normally masculine. Thus we have Elijah => Elias, Jeremiah => Jeremias, etc.) Some ancient Christian writers say that Simon and Jude went together as missionaries to Persia, and were martyred there. If this is true, it explains, to some extent, our lack of historical information on them and also why they are usually put together. Simon is not mentioned by name in the New Testament except on these lists. Some modern writers have used his surname as the basis for conjectures associating him, and through him Jesus and all His original followers, with the Zealot movement described by Josephus, a Jewish independence movement devoted to assassination and violent insurrection. However, there were many movements that were called Zealot, not all alike, and Josephus tells us (Jewish War 4,3,9) that the movement he is describing did not arise until shortly before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Judas (often called Jude in English, but the Greek has Judas) is variously named, but this is not surprising. Before the Crucifixion, there would be a need to distinguish him among the apostles from Judas Iscariot, and after the Crucifixion there would be an additional reason for being emphatic about the distinction. Thaddaeus is possibly a variant of Theudas, which in turn is perhaps used as a Greek equivalent of Judas (with the Hebrew Name of God replaced by the Greek theos). Since the Aramaic thad means chest, we may suppose either that Theudas was re-Semiticized by a folk-etymology or that Judas received the nickname Thaddeus directly. I assume that the nickname suggests a brawny lad. Lebbaeus, according to Youngs Concordance, means man of heart, and so may be a variant of Thaddaeus, but there is a lot of linguistic conjecture flying around here. (Note: It is not suggested that the Judas => Theudas => Thaddaeus => Lebbaeus linguistic derivation took place with the Apostle personally, but that the names were considered in his day to be vaguely equivalent, as today in England the names Mary and Polly, or Margaret and Peggy, or Edward, Ed, Ted, and Ned, are considered to be equivalent, or as today many Jewish names are considered in some Jewish circles to have Gentile equivalents (Moishe = Maurice, Yitzak = Isadore, Yaakov = Jack, Label = Larry, Shmuel = Shawn, etc.). The reader will have noticed mention of Thomas, surnamed Didymus, and will note that these names are Aramaic and Greek respectively, both meaning twin.) After the Last Supper it was Jude who asked Our Lord why he chose to reveal Himself only to the disciples. He received the reply: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:22f) The ninth name on the lists of Apostles is that of James (the son) of Alphaeus. Although most modern translations render Judas of James as Judas the son of James, there has been a tendency to understand it as Judas the brother of James and to assume that these two apostles were brothers. This assumption in turn leads to an identification of the two with the brothers of the Lord of the same name. The difficulty with this is that the brothers (at least some of them) did not believe in Jesus until after the Resurrection, and therefore could not have been part of the Twelve. The New Testament Epistle of Jude was written by Judas the brother of James, which could refer to either Jude. In any case, we commemorate on this day (1) Simon the Zealot, one of the original Twelve; (2) Judas of James (also called Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus), also one of the original Twelve; and (3) Jude (or Judas) the brother of James and author of the Epistle, without settling the question of whether (2) and (3) are the same person. The Epistle of Jude is a brief document addressed to the Church, and warns against corrupt influences that have crept in. It has some obscure and baffling references to old Jewish traditions, but it includes a memorable exhortation to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, and an even more memorable closing: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding great joy, to the only wise God, or Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude is often, in popular usage, referred to as the patron of desperate causes, the saint of last resort, the one you ask for help when all else fails. Some readers will wonder what this is all about. Since his name reminds hearers of Judas Iscariot, there is a tendency for someone asking a Christian brother now with the Lord for intercessory prayers to try one of the other apostles first. Hence, Jude has come to be called the saint of last resort, the one whom you ask only when desperate. Doubtless, you want to hear my personal opinion on this business of invocation of saints. Since you insist.... In the first place, the expression, praying to Saint X is misleading and unfortunate. In older English pray simply meant to request politely. Thus, in the KJV, we read that Jesus boarded Simon Peters ship and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. (L 5:3) Thus, the idea of praying to Saint X is simply the idea of asking a fellow Christian to intercede with God on ones behalf. It is not different in principle from asking your Christian roommate to pray for you. However, in modern English, the word pray is generally understood to refer to worship. I therefore urge everyone who talks about praying to Saint X to modernize his language and instead talk about asking Saint X to join me in praying to God for the recovery of my sick aunt, or whatever. The other way of talking can mislead others, and it can mislead the speaker. That was a preliminary comment on terminology. Now to the question. Undoubtedly asking ones fellow Christians in heaven for their prayers is something that can be abused. It can readily degenerate into the notion that getting what you want from God is a matter of knowing what channels to go through, what strings to pull. One ends up thinking of heaven as a place like the seat of a corrupt government (whether Washington or Versailles), where favors are traded and deals are made by influence peddlers. But the fact that something can be abused does not mean that we ought to give up its proper use. And surely one of the most valuable truths of the Christian faith is that Gods love for us moves us to love in return, not only God but also one another, so that every Christian is a mirror in which the light of Christ is reflected to every other Christian. The Scriptures seem to show that God delights in giving us gifts through others when He could just as easily have given them directly. When Paul on the road to Damascus asks, Lord, what will you have me do? God does not tell him, but sends Ananias to tell him instead (A 9:1-19). When the centurion Cornelius is praying, God sends an angel to speak to him, but the angel does not preach the Gospel to him. It tells him to send for a man called Peter, and Peter comes and preaches the Gospel to him (A 10). God wants us to owe our spiritual well-being, not just to Him, but also to one another. Hence He has told us to pray for one another. Nor is the bond of Christian love broken by death. The martyrs under the altar in Johns vision (Rev 6:9ff) pray for the church on earth. Even the Rich Man in Hell, in Jesus parable, intercedes for his five brothers on earth. Are we to suppose that the saved are less compassionate than the damned? Is this an important part of my faith, you ask. Well, it is certainly an important doctrine that Jesus said: A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you. To feel myself surrounded by the love of God and of my fellow Christians, living and dead, is important. To love in return, by praying for my fellow Christians as well as for my own concerns, is important. It is not for nothing that Jesus taught us to pray: Give us our daily bread, and forgive us our sins. Do I spend a significant fraction of my prayer time asking various Christians now in heaven for their prayers. No, just as I do not spend a lot of time asking my fellow Christians here on earth for their prayers. But I do ask for, and value, the prayers of my fellow Christians, living and dead; and I delight in the knowledge that when I praise God, my voice is part of a great chorus of praise in which angels, glorified and perfected saints, saints still on their pilgrimage, and even (in ways befitting their natures) beasts, plants, and inanimate objects join together. Let all things praise the LORD. Amen. written by James Kiefer The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The Lords Prayer or traditional Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. Suffrages Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; Govern and uphold them, now and always. Day by day we bless you; We praise your name for ever. Lord, keep us from all sin today; Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. Lord, show us your love and mercy; For we put our trust in you. In you, Lord, is our hope; And we shall never hope in vain. Collect of the Day: Simon and Jude O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. For Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. World Cycle of Prayer We pray for the people of Ethiopia. Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer We pray for our sisters and brothers members of the Church of Christ in Congo—Anglican Community of Congo. A Collect for Peace O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayers and Intercessions Let us pray now for our own needs and those of others. Birthdays Anniversaries For Recovery from Sickness For Travelers For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement For Those to be Baptized For the Departed Full list of prayers For All Sorts and Conditions O God, the creator and preserver of all, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of people; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christs sake. Amen. For the Poor and Neglected Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Those Who Live Alone Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you and their neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer of Self-Dedication Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. General Thanksgiving Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. Chrysostom Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. Benediction Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 14:00:01 +0000
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