faith – Page 13 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Monday, October 20, 2025

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15;
Jeremiah 44:1 to 14; 1^st Corinthians 15:30 to 41; Matthew 11:16 to 24:

“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” (1^st Corinthians 15:35)

I have talked about this subject not more than two days ago, last Saturday in fact. I don’t know the answer about how the dead are raised but what I do know is that I want it. I want to be raised into eternal life. So, I’m going to re-post my words from last Saturday about our Resurrection:

[Indeed, it is for life after death that I am hoping in Christ. Except for books and movies, I have no experience or evidence of life before I was born. It is like I was dead before I was alive. It was Mark Twain who said, “I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”

While I don’t think I fear death, I am very curious about it. What is it like to not have to breathe, or eat, or any of the human functions we have depended on for all of our mortal lives? Or, will some of these creature customs continue in the afterlife? I don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever level of existence God will let me have, I want it. This is why I am a Christian. As Paul says, being a Christian is not about this life, it is about our resurrection in Christ Jesus. This is our hope. This is why we pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus. This is why we believe the way we do.

Personally, I don’t believe that God has set a date for us to die (as many Christians do), but I do believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is always waiting for us when we do. While death is sometimes untimely, death is not ungodly. God is present in this world and the next.

There are many human beliefs about our relationship with God. Christianity is just one and there are many versions of it. As our past Presiding Bishop says, “We are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement.” And, Paul again, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” To this I will add, that our Lord Jesus did teach us how to live in love of neighbor while we walk this earth. And so, I will leave what happens to me after my death in His most capable and loving hands. Thank You Lord Jesus.]

Perhaps the only note I would add for today is that I will do my best to be as compassionate and as patient as I can be with all people while I am still in this life. I want God to be happy to pick me. And maybe my practice of compassion and patience will be of some value in the next life as I see who else is joining me there, some of whom, I might have thought shouldn’t be there, but God’s Will be done. Amen.

Today, October 20, we remember Cornelius the Centurion, (February 7 NT) and his information may be found at: Cornelius the Centurion.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 505)

Merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life: Raise us, we humbly pray, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; that when we depart this life we may rest in him, and at the resurrection receive that blessing which your well-beloved Son shall then pronounce: “Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.” Grant this, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, October 19, 2025

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 24: Year C

Luke 18:1-8

“And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18: 7 – 8)

This parable is so much like the parable about the man who received guest but with nothing to feed them. He went to his neighbor’s door at midnight and knocked and asked for something to feed his guests. At first the neighbor refused and said that he and his children had gone to bed. But Jesus says that because the man in need is persistent he will get up and give him whatever he needs. (Luke 11: 5 – 8) We humans are hard wired to give in to requests. It is perhaps in this way that we are created in God’s Image.

We humans are also hardwired to transmit to God any distress we might be experiencing, particularly when we are moved to crying. God’s ears hears tears. Crying is praying regardless of what the person who is crying thinks in terms of what he or she believes. Our souls believe.

I think intentional prayer is a state of being. Inwardly we may ask ourselves “what is my life all about?” What does God want of me? We have fancy words for this kind of seeking. We call it discernment, or a calling. We ask what our “call” is in this life. But we also ask for our needs to be filled. All of us stand in the need of prayer. And all of us stand in the need to pray continually.

We may not want to admit it, but we are born to beg. Like the parable about the unjust judge and the woman seeking justice, God wants to hear our requests. If we are begging God for something, it means that we at least believe in God. If we persist in our faith-wrestle with God, God gives in just as God did with Jacob and renamed him Israel. (Genesis 32:22 to 30)

So when the Son of Man comes, will he come as a result of prayer, prayer brought on by faith? Because you see, the genesis (the birth) of intentional prayer is faith. Therefore, where there is prayer there already has to be faith; even if we are unaware of it.

We can have faith and yet not pray. But if we pray it is evident that we believe, and therefore have faith. And it is through that very faith that we pray. Jesus wants to know if we will have faith when he comes- when he comes to answer our prayers. You are people of faith. Therefore, pray, and pray always.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Proper 24 The Sunday closest to October 19 (BCP p. 235)

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, October 18, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21:1-7; Evening, Psalms 110:1-5, 116 and 117;
2^nd Kings 25:8-12 and 22-26; 1^st Corinthians 15:12 to 29; Matthew 11:7 to 15:

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1^st Corinthians 15:19)

Indeed, it is for life after death that I am hoping in Christ. Except for books and movies, I have no experience or evidence of life before I was born. It is like I was dead before I was alive. It was Mark Twain who said, “I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”

Personally, I don’t believe that God has set a date for us to die (as many Christians do), but I do believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is always waiting for us when we do. While death is often untimely, death is not ungodly. God is present in this world and the next.

Today we remember Luke the Evangelist (October 18 NT) and his information may be found at: St. Luke the Evangelist.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 504)

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.

Pondering for Friday, October 17, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 16 and 17; Evening, Psalm 22;
Jeremiah 38:14 to 28; 1^st Corinthians 15:1 to 11; Matthew 11:1 to 6:

“But by the grace of God I am who I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain.” (1^st Corinthians 15:10)

When, and if, we ever come to the realization that we are in a good place, and that we did not bring ourselves to where we are, we must realize that the Grace of God has guarded us along the way. I can look back on many occasions where things could have gone very differently, and in a bad way. But it didn’t. I am thankful for being “carried” past conflict and then allowed to try again.

I just heard on a Western that I like to watch where the star says, “I don’t judge a man by where he’s been, but rather, by where he’s going.” I have found that there are two kinds of people who were mistreated as children or young adults. Some want to mistreat others because they were mistreated. Others, because they were mistreated, not only will not do such to others, but they also will not allow it to be done by anybody else if they can prevent it. Where we have been and what we have experienced will have an impact on us now. We can do evil or we can do good. The decision we make about this determines our character and shows the caliber of our moral compass.

If we read good books, including The Good Book, especially the New Testament, and watch good movies, especially the old Westerns where the good guys always won, and if we surrounded ourselves with people of integrity, we will still need the Grace of God Almighty to make us people of righteousness.

We need to be people of meditative prayer in order to open a way for the Grace of God to enter into our souls and guide our hearts. If we were abused as a child, or bullied as an adolescent, or wrongly convicted of a crime for which we served time in prison; none of these evil experiences have to make us an evil person. With God’s Grace we overcome our tragic histories and make promising futures with God’s help. Nothing is impossible for God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life. And, when graced by God, we cannot let this divine intervention be in vain. Ponder this.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Today we remember Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr ( October 17, 107) and his information may be found at: Ignatius of Antioch.

Let us pray:

O Lord God Almighty, help us to be better people. Help us to truly love You, and help us to love one another. Without You, we cannot please You, and so we are not pleased with whom we’ve become. Help us to be who You have made us to be as we strive to fit lovingly into human life now, and in the age to come. Amen

Pondering for Thursday, October 16, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 18:1 to 20; Evening, Psalm 18:21 to 50;
Jeremiah 38:1 to 13; 1^st Cor. 14:26 to 33 and 37 to 40; Matt hew 10:34 to 42:

“What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1^st Corinthians 14: 26)

As a preacher I have been the one with a lesson and an interpretation of scripture that I have hoped will lead to a revelation. And, I pray that what I share builds up the Church. Now, I feel called to also bring a hymn. I have been studying music for some time now. I want to perform music now, but not at the expense of letting go of lessons with interpretation and the hope of revelation received from those who hear my words, or, at least the words that our Lord gives me.

As a preacher I see myself as an instrument of God who creates a space in the souls of the people sitting in the pews. Often I have had persons come to me and say “you were talking to me,” or, “about me.” From my homily or sermon, they set a new course for themselves. There was nothing for me to add to what they heard. After all, the words were not mine, they were God’s. If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent;” (1^st Corinthians 14:30). That is to say, let me be silent.

For me, being an instrument of God goes further than preaching. I play music. I play hymns. I am learning to preach in different languages, for example, the piano, the guitar and the trombone. Maybe God can also translate my musical message into a revelation for building up the Church.

I also plan to re-start my Spanish practice and to have conversations in Spanish with those near me who too often go unseen. Shame on us, me in particular. However, I also appeal to you. Stretch yourself and see what gifts God has planted in you that you have not tapped. I, nor any one person, can do all that needs to be done. We must help each other. The Holy Spirit of God speaks to all of us. “What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

Today we remember Hugh Latimer, Bishop and Martyr (October 16 1555); Nicholas Ridley, Bishop and Martyr (October 15, 1555) and Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr, 1556) and their information may be found at: Hugh Latimer & Nicholas Ridley.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 827)

Almighty God, you proclaim our truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:1-24; Evening, Psalms 12, 13 and 14;
Jeremiah 37:3 to 21; 1^st Corinthians 14:13 to 25; Matthew 10:24-33

“Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.” (1^st Corinthians 14:22)

This sounds complicated. Let me see if I can simplify it. Tongues, (or languages), are a sign for unbelievers and prophetic messages are for believers. There, much simpler.

For a classic example of unbelievers learning faith through a foreign tongue made discernible, let us recall Acts 2 where it says; “Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:5 to 12)

As this Acts account is recorded about Peter, and our 1^st Corinthians reading is from Paul, the two, although opposed on some issues, do declare the same thing about how language converts the unbeliever. Paul continues, “If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all.” (1^st Corinthians 14: 23 and 24). The prophesying of the faithful will welcome the unbeliever into the hospitality of our love. This is what we, who believe, do. We do not reject those who do not share our faith, but rather, through our faith we show God in our midst.

It is then that the shallowness of the unbeliever’s heart will be revealed. “After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, ‘God is really among you.” (1^st Corinthians 14:25).

Today we remember Teresa of Avila, Reformer and Contemplative (October 15, 1582); and her information may be found at: Teresa of Avila.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 819)

O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen,

Pondering for Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 5 and 6; Evening, Psalms 10 and 11;
Jeremiah 36:27 to 37:2; 1^st Corinthians 14:1 to 12; Matthew 10:16 to 2:

“It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.” (1^st Corinthians 14:7 to 12)

The “it” that Paul speaks of is the speaking of tongues nobody understands. He likens them to musical instruments that no one plays, or plays out of tune. They are lifeless and bring nothing to the ear of the listener or they make indiscernible noise.

I practice music on piano, guitar, a marching valve trombone and a traditional slide trombone. Few things make me happier than playing a hymn or song correctly and enjoying the fact that, “I” did that.” It also is recognizable by others, and especially children.

I am convinced that our children will only have faith passed on to them if we sing to them. We must sing songs like, “Jesus loves me this I know,” and “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” In this way they will have hope in the love of our Lord Jesus. In this way they will have hope and faith and maybe have a desire to learn how to make musical instruments come alive in order to put melody to what we have taught them.

Unfortunately the arts are the first courses of instructions to go when budgets are being cut. I argue that if we shatter their dreams, hopes and faith: math and history are meaningless. Our souls are meant to sing.

I am aware that Paul was only using musical instruments as a metaphor for indiscernible speech. I think however the same can be said of musical sounds itself. If we teach our children to sing simple melodies perhaps they will have a desire to learn how to actually play the melodies. After all, it was ourselves, parents and relatives who taught them to even speak our language in the first place. If we think so much about a baby saying, “Ma ma, or Da da; how much more should we think about our babies, after some development, singing “Jesus loves me.” It brings me to tears of joy.

Today we remember Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Scholar, Translator, and Bishop (October 14, 1906); and his information may be found at: Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewski.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O Lord God, be with us as we struggle to love one another as You love us. Teach us, we pray, to sing and make melody in joyful ways as a means of enhancing our love for You and each other and to understand each other better through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, October 13, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 1, 2 and 3; Evening, Psalms 4 and 7;
Jeremiah 36:11 to 26; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Matthew 10:5 to 15:

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.” (1^st Corinthians 13: 4 to 6)

In Paul’s 1^st Corinthians letter, verses 1 through 13 are perhaps some of the most remembered passages of the New Testament. He begins by explaining how hollow and empty we are without love. And then he describes exactly what love is. I also like recalling the ending of his words. He says of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest of them all; (1^st Corinthians 13:13).

Paul says love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. He says love does not insist on its own way or is irritable or resentful. It does not celebrate wrongdoing but celebrates doing what is right and truthful. Personally, I fail with some of these. I do get irritable; I have found myself boasting from time to time, and perhaps some other short comings. I am still striving to overcome these deficiencies.

I agree with Paul’s definitions of love. So I also agree that I fall short of it. But I am still a work in progress. I think my strong suits are patience, not being rude and not insisting on my own way. I have work to do in order that I may live more fully into what love is. I have heard it said that once it is identified or spoken of, we can then aim for it. Thank you Paul.

I think the real challenge is just wanting to love more. Making love our priority makes us more godly because God is love. In full disclosure, I think sometimes even God gets a little irritated with us. Maybe we are more godly than we think. And, since I believe that God wins, every time; I must also consider that God insists in God’s own Way. I am happy about our God of love being this way.

As we are drawn more and more back to God, we are drawn to Love. I feel the best way to live our lives is to rid ourselves of all strife, jealousy, envy, malice and hatred. Perhaps making 1^st Corinthians 13: 1 to 13, a daily recitation, will help us get there. Maybe these words will plant seeds of love within us and bloom. It’s worth a try.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O Holy and Creating Word, as You brought all creation into being through love, and prayed humanity in to being in the words, “Let us be,” so grow our love within us we pray in order that we may fully appreciate Your presence in our lives as taught by Your Incarnate self, Jesus of Nazareth, Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, October 12, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 23: Year C

Luke 17:11 to 19:

“Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”” (Luke 17: 19)

This is an amazing healing story. But it is also an amazing salvation story.

We have lepers calling out while maintaining their distance so as not to contaminate others. This was the requirement in those days regarding self-regulating leper communities. But these sick people are well aware of who Jesus is. As they see him they call out from a distance, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

It seems leprosy does not discriminate. Like other human ills, Cancer, Ebola, HIV and AIDS, and COVID; leprosy is an equal opportunity inflictor. We don’t know how many of the ten were Samaritans but we do know that at least one was. Jesus makes sure we know that while that, that destroys persons does not discriminate; neither does the salvation of God discriminate. All are welcome into the Salvation of God.

Salvation is different from healing. According to Fred B. Craddock, writing for “Interpretation: A Bible Commentary”: Luke, he says, “We have, then, a story of ten being healed and one being saved.” If I had a choice and could only pick one, healing of an earthly illness, or, the being saved into eternal life, I would not consider it a choice at all. Give me that eternal salvation please.

The Samaritan went back to Jesus out of gratitude for an earthly cure. He got more than he bargained for. He got salvation. He showed gratitude. He showed thanksgiving. His gratitude meant a lot to Jesus.

Prayers should be like the top and bottom pieces of bread of a sandwich. That is, we pray for something like safety during an approaching storm. We come out on the other side intact. We should then go back to prayer in thanksgiving to God for answering our prayer requests. To not do so makes us one of the nine that Jesus asks about; “Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?” The sandwich metaphor works as it has us to remember and be thankful for what God has done for us. This is an attitude of gratitude. Let us not just forget God when all is safe again. Let us not take God for granted. We need to be just as earnest in our giving thanks as we were in our asking for help.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray (Proper 23 The Sunday closest to October 12, BCP p. 234)

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, October 11, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 137:1-6, and Psalm 144; Evening, Psalm 104;
Jeremiah 35:1 to 19; 1^st Corinthians 12:27 to 13:3; Matthew 9:35 to 10:4:

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.” (1^st Corinthians 12:27 and 28)

Paul is not only talking to the Church in Corinth. He is talking to all who profess to be Christian. He says “We” are the body of Christ as the Christian Church. He goes on to say that some, not all, are appointed bishops, or prophets or pastors and teachers. We all bring to the Church certain God-given and needed gifts.

Some of us in the Church are doctors and teachers as well as trash collectors and grocery store clerks and all walks of community life. All are needed in order that a community might be sustained.

Some of us in the Church are pastors and teachers. This is a huge responsibility. It is the call of pastors and teachers to fortify the people in the pews to take the love of the Gospel out into the community. In our Matthew Gospel reading for today, Jesus is doing just that. He is sending out the twelve.

I was told long ago, that Church service begins at the dismissal. It is when the people in the pews are dismissed at the end of the service that they began the faithful work of carrying the Gospel of Christ out into the community, in deed and word, but I pray, mostly in deed. I think it was St Francis of Assisi who said in so many words, “go and preach the Gospel and when necessary, use words.” I like that. We should walk it before we talk it.

In our 1^st Corinthians reading for today we also hear Paul speak of leadership and language. I believe God will from time to time call any one of us to leadership. It does not matter about their physical appearance. They could be heavy of thin, or any shade of skin. They could be male, female, heterosexual, homosexual or non-sexual. God will call who God will call and then gift them with what is needed to help communities in need. I am reminded of another Church saying I heard long ago. God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called. Yes, this even includes giving them the words needed to get God’s point across and for righteous teaching with love.

Today we remember Philip, Deacon and Evangelist (October 11 NT); and his information may be found at: Philip, Deacon and Evangelist.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen