Tag: psalms

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 56  and 57; Evening,  Psalms 64 and 65;

 Leviticus 16:1 to 19; 1^st Thessalonians 4:13 to 18; Matthew 6:1 to 6 and 16 to 18:

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (Psalm 57:1)

At some point in our lives, we must admit that we are God’s own.  We belong to God. God will do what God will do.  We go to God for protection and wellbeing. We are seeing that we can’t always trust politicians (either side of the isle), or the military, or any human construct when it comes to unimaginable challenges that we face. It is only in God’s mercy that can we trust completely. 

And when we come out on the other side of our troubles (here or in heaven), we must give thanks and praise to God in word and song.  In this same Psalm we read, “My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;  I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn,” (Psalm 57:7 – 8).  We must learn to put as much effort in giving thanks after God has helped us as we put in the asking for help in the beginning. Let us not take God for granted.

Today we remember Monica, Mother of Augustine of Hippo (May 4 387), and her information may be found at Monnica.

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:

Almighty and ever-loving God, You are the sanctuary of both our bodies and our souls, there is no other safe-guard for our lives. Increase in us O Lord the surety of your presence in our daily lives in order that we might lay all our concerns in your hands and then give you forever thanksgiving for your protection and refuge, now and in all eternity. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 4^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23);

Exodus 40:18 to 38; 1^st Thessalonians 4:1 to 12; Matthew 5:38 to 48:

Psalm 139 Verses 1 – 3

1. Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

2. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. 

3. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

These are only the first three verses of Psalm 139.  I look at this Psalm as a meditation.  Verses 1 through 17 remind us of how well God knows us. These verses are also the ones most frequently treasured in this Psalm.  The remaining verses tend to deal with what the Psalmist wants to happen to the wicked. I try not to go there.

I ponder about how it feels to know that when I have a thought or a feeling, that God knows about it as soon as I do (maybe even before I do).  I am truly not alone, not even in my inmost thoughts. I like to think that sometimes God is not so passive in my thinking. That is, God also “prompts” my thinking in one direction or another. It’s like God allows me to see a “burning bush.” I, like Moses, must then decide if I am going to go and check it out. The words of scripture are like the burning bush, the pages burn in us, but we are never consumed.  And through them, the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

Here’s the thing, God is a participant with all of us.  The divine hints are already with us.  But it’s up to us to check them out.  God discerns your thoughts from afar and is acquainted with all your ways.  Indeed, there is not a word on your lips, but God, O Lord, knows it altogether. This does not mean that God approves of all your words or thoughts.  Think about this and allow yourself to follow God’s lead in your life, not your own idea about what you should do. Try not to go there.

Today we remember Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Theologian, Doctor ,,(May 2, 373), and his information may be found at: Athanasius.

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:

Most gracious and loving God, you already know whereof we are made and the path we are likely to take. Be present, be present Dear God with all our steps and then lead us in ways pleasing in your sight, this we beg of you, most loving God. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening, Psalm 119:25 to 48;

Exodus 19:16 to 25;  Colossians 1:15 to 23;  Matthew 3:13 to 17:

 “O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.” Psalm 38

The whole of Psalm 38 is but doom and gloom. But near the end the speaker makes his request to God; to not be forsaken, and to be near him. The Psalmist speaks of enemies and his own body losing its strength. He speaks of his enemies tormenting him. But even in the midst of all this, he hopes in the Lord. He says, “for in you, O Lord, have I fixed my hope; you will answer me, O Lord my God.” 

It is amazing how God will soothe us in times of stress when we call on God.  Often, God acts by changing our attitudes about how we interpret our experiences. The same horror can happen to two different people but one seems to adjust with the help of the Lord while the other may drift into a state of irreversible anguish and distress.  In life, or even in death, we must never, never, never give up on God helping us. We count on God, in this life, and in the next.

Today we remember Hadewijch of Brabant; Poet and Mystic, 13^th c., and her information may be found at: Hadewijch of Brabant;

And today we also remember John Muir, Naturalist and writer, 1914: and Hudson Stuck, priest and environmentalist, 1920; and their information may be found at: John Muir & Hudson Stuck.

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 most Holy God, the Author of love and life, You love us more than we can imagine or understand, be with each of us in Your sustaining Presence, especially in our times of stress and doubt; that, being implanted with Your grace we might work through all adversities and be focused again on a path that leads to You. In Your most holy Name we pray; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15; 

Exodus 18:13-27;  1^st Peter 5:1 to 14;  Matthew (1:1-17),3:1-6:

“Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.” (Psalm 25: 6)

This is an interesting request.  The Psalmist is asking God to not see the sins of the earlier days of the Psalmist, but rather, to be judged by the love and the goodness of God.

I share this sentiment with the Psalmist.  I am a sinner.  I have erred and strayed from God’s ways on occasions.  I am in real need of a loving and merciful God.  I need a God whose mercy outweighs my wrongs. I need a God whose love makes me a better person, in spite of myself. 

And then, living into God’s love, I will do my best to be a new and much better person.  Like many, I am a work in progress.  But also, like many, I depend on God’s help and love to work in me, making me who God wants me to be understanding that God will gift me with what my community needs.  And in the end my friends, how do we want to be remembered?  We want to be remembered according to God’s love and for the sake of God’s goodness.

I love these mornings when I come to this laptop and ponder the spiritual presence of God first thing in the morning.  I know that each day brings a challenge and with it, some enlightenment. I just pray that I let God do the work in me and that I just settle down and watch what happens. Yes, even if for a moment it’s unpleasant.  “Remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.”

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:

Dear Lord God, You have gifted us with free will and we often use it in ways that go against Your plan for us. Forgive us Dear Lord through Your loving-kindness and renew a right spirit within us so that we will think, say, do, and act, in accordance with Your plan for all humanity. In Your most Holy Name we pray, Amen.

Eucharistic Readings for Tuesday of Easter Week: All Years

Acts 2:36-41  Psalm 33:18-22   or Psalm 118:19-24 John 20:11-18 

“Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust. Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you.” (Psalm 33: 21 -22 BCP p.)

By the BCP translation, these are the last verses of Psalm 33.  I think “trust” is the key word here.  Some translators have suggested that the English word trust is a more accurate word for believe or even hope.  Many translations have the word “hope” in verse 22. But for me, hope has an element of uncertainty about it or, in the least, the possibility one’s hope may not be made manifest. Trust on the other hand, is putting all our eggs in one basket.  It is not having a plan “B” or a back-up plan. It’s God or nothing.

I know that on our currency we print “In God We Trust.”  I hope that is true for all of us but I have heard some self-proclaimed atheist swear there is no God, but I trust that same God loves them also.  Just as our currency is a communal way of acquiring our personal and family needs, so too should our trust in God be for the welfare of ourselves, our families and our community – in that order. The God that we trust is a personal, family and Communal God.

Our Lord Jesus, an exact Image of God, began life in his earthly family.  His mother Mary, though poor by the world economy of her day, never had want as her Son and Savior could feed thousands with only a few fish and loaves. Mary trusted in Jesus. Jesus later moved out and into the community. And the communities in which he visited also followed him and trusted in him, although some didn’t.

Jesus is present in our hearts, and families and communities today.  But folks, we must trust in him, though we have not seen him in a visual way, still we must trust in him. 

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:  

Oh Lord Jesus, Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in You. Help us with patience and kindness and tolerance as we meet one another today. Assist us dear Lord as we live into our trust in You. This we ask in Your most holy Name. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 5^th Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening,  Psalm 128, 129, 130;

Exodus 7:8-24; 2^nd Corinthians 2:14 to 3:6; Mark 10:1 to 16:

“I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130: 4 and 5)

These verses capture our state of being. Yes, we wait. But we wait in constant prayer.  Our hope and faith and trust continues to be in the Lord. We are always dealing with something; be it sickness, or threat of war, or domestic violence in our cities and streets. In the face of any hurt, damage or destruction that may come to us, we wait for the Lord in prayer.  And we pray that God Almighty continues to intervene with healing and health for all. “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.”

God’s Word is that God loves us, that we are created in God’s Image. Our very souls wait for the Lord’s action. Our souls already know the Lord our God and our souls speak to us (if we would but listen) informing us to put all our hope in the Lord.

In the old days the watchmen were those who stayed vigilant while everyone slept. They served as alarms if danger came near but also they watched for the first signs of the new day. They watched for the sun. Our souls today still watch for the Son.  But the Psalmist informs us that our souls watch even more intently.  Our souls today watch for the coming again of the Son of God, born of Mary.  

Today we remember the Annunciation, of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25 of the New Testament),  and this information may be found at: The Annunciation. A secondary announcement may be that we now have nine months till Christmas Day!

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:

Almighty God, creator and lover of all souls, give us that patience necessary to continually wait for your guidance in our lives. Help us to ever strive for your Word through Christ Jesus to lead us and guide us in all matters in order that our words and actions may be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 3^rd Week in Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
Genesis 47:1 to 6; 1^st Corinthians 9:16 to 27; Mark 6:47 to 56:

“It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High” (Psalm 92:1)

Psalm 92 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. Reading it is a good way to start one’s day and indeed, one’s weekend. Giving sincere thanks requires some reflection. We must consider how blessed we are. Even in bad times, reflection will reveal how things could have been worse. And, if we are surviving difficult times, perhaps God has in store for us better times ahead.

This Psalm goes on to say that there are many ways to express thanks to God.  We give thanks and praise to God “On the psaltery, and on the lyre, and to the melody of the harp.”( Psalm 92:3). As one learning to play various musical instruments, I particularly like this verse.

Instruments or not, we all can, and should, give praise and thanks to our Creator. We didn’t have to be at all. But here we are. Perhaps life is not good for all. This is when those of us who are doing well should look around and find ways to make life better for those who are not so well off.

Today we remember James Theodore Holly, Bishop of Haiti and Dominican Republic, (March 13, 1911),  and his information may be found at:  James Theodore Holly

“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

Let us Pray:

We give You thanks dear God for all You are blessing us with, the little that we are aware of, and the great abundance hidden from us until revealed later. You always treat us better than we deserve and are merciful towards us when we are sinful and neglect Your ways. You love us and bless us in spite of our shortfalls. For all this, and for all the good You give us that we can’t see, we give you thanks. From before the foundations of creation, You are God. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 5^th Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 87 and 90; Evening,  Psalm 136:
Genesis 29:1 to 20; Romans 14:1 to 23; John 8:47 to 59:

“The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.” (Romans 14:22)

Some of us believe in God based on what our faith leaders have taught us. Some of us believe in God based on our own interpretation of our reading the Bible, or other ancient writings. And, some believe in God based on both, that is, our faith leaders have instructed us in how we should understand or interpret what our ancient writings mean.

But there are some of us who believe in God based on our God-given reflective pondering and God’s revelation to us. This latter group, of which I am proud to be a member, also reads our Holy Words but are guided by God in our interpretation of them. In my walk and sitting with God, I stand almost alone in my convictions that there is no such thing as race, and that God uses both male and female humans in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. These are only two that I feel called to share at this time.

While Paul used dietary habits to explain his theological conviction, his words work for me as I continue to sit with God, day by day. I am always learning and evolving in what I believe and then trying to live it accordingly.  I think we should take into consideration our holy writings and sound teachings from well informed teachers. But we have a personal responsibility to sit with God in prayer and revelation regularly, while forming our own personal (albeit evolving) conviction. Paul says to us, “The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.”  This evening concludes our Sabbath time from God (yet another conviction of mine). Our Lord Jesus never changed that. Sit quietly today and ponder about what God is saying to you.

Today we remember Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs (February 14, 869) and his information may be found at:  Cyril & Methodius

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: Psalm 139 verses 1 through 16, and 22 and 23: (BCP p. 794)

“Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well. My body was not hidden from you, while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! how great is the sum of them!”   “Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting.” Amen.

Daily office Readings for Friday, January 9: Epiphany Year 2

Morning, Psalms 121, 122, 123; Evening, Psalms 131, 132:
Isaiah 45:14-19; Colossians 1:24-2:7; John 8:12-19:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (The opening of Psalm 121).

Our parish Bible Study uses this Psalm to open our Weekly Wednesday Bible study. We probably know it by heart now. Yet it reassures us weekly that we can, and should, count on God always, and especially when we are troubled.

We might have many friends who say that we can count on them, and they mean well. But they are not God. We need the love and care of the Creator of the universe who has decided to take special care of us who believe and accept Him who caused us to be and then walked among us.

God never forgets us or forsakes us as some of our friends might. All of us are precious in His sight. Even if some of our human loved ones want to rescue us, they may not have the ability or the means to do so. God does. It makes no difference if our need is finance, health, victimization, storm, or hopelessness; God will save. Our never-failing help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. We however, must be a people of prayer. We must pray to God always, and more especially in our time of real need. God is real and prayer works.

Today we remember Julia Chester Emery, Lay Leader and Missionary, January 9, 1922, and her information may be found at: Julia Chester Emery

“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

Let us pray: (BCP p. 826)

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.

This is the Ninth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the Second Week of Christmas: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 34; Evening,  Psalm 33:
1 Kings 19:1-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:1-14

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them and delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)

I have a saying that “God’s ears, hears tears.” Perhaps this is not correct grammar but it expresses my belief that whoever cries, they are also praying without knowing it.  God has encoded in every human an alarm that signals God of our distress. And God responds to us as God sees fit.

I know people who cry often. And, often they are not sure of their faith. But it doesn’t matter. If we cry, God hears us and will attend to us. In the Bible, from Hagar with her son Ishmael, to Mary Magdalene at the grave of Jesus, God is with those who cry even as he was with David at the loss of his son Absalom. Emanuel, God is with us.

Therefore, if you are distressed but don’t have words, don’t worry just “let the tears flow, and  God will know.”  God will feel your pain and attend to you. God engineered us this way. Merry Christmas: Day 9

“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

Let us pray: For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience (BCP p. 823)

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.