This Day in the Word

Pentecost, Proper 27

2009-11-02T07:23:00.003-05:00

Collect of the Week
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 146

Daily Scripture Readings
Ruth 3:1-5 (Monday)
Ruth 4:13-17 (Tuesday)
1 Kings 17:8-16 (Wednesday)
Hebrews 9:24-28 (Thursday)
Mark 12:38-44 (Friday)
Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 (Saturday)
1 Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Commemoration of All Faithful Departed, 2 November
O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Richard Hooker, 3 November
O God of truth and peace, who raised up your servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

William Temple, 6 November
O God of light and love, you illumined your Church through the witness of your servant William Temple: Inspire us, we pray, by his teaching and example, that we may rejoice with courage, confidence, and faith in the Word made flesh, and may be led to establish that city which has justice for its foundation and love for its law; through Jeus Christ, the light of the world, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Willibrord, 7 November
O Lord our God, who call whom you will and send them where you Choose: We thank you for sending your servant Willibrord to be an apostle to the Low Countries, to turn them from the worship of idols to serve you, the living God; and we entreat you to preserve us from the temptation to exchange the perfect freedom of your service for servitude to false gods and to idols of our own devising; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

All Saints

2009-10-25T13:46:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Psalm 149

Daily Scripture Readings
Isaiah 25:6-9 (Monday)
Ephesians 1:11-23 (Tuesday)
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 (Wednesday)
Matthew 5:1-12 (Thursday)
Luke 6:20-36 (Friday)
John 11:32-44 (Saturday)
Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17; Matthew 5:1-12 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Alfred the Great, 26 October
O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Simon and St. Jude, 28 October
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.

Martyrs of Uganda, 29 October
Precious in your sight, O Lord, is the death of your saints, whose faithful witness, by your providence, has its great reward: We give you thanks for your martyrs James Hannington and his companions, who purchased with their blood a road into Uganda for the proclamation of the Gospel; and we pray that with them we also may obtain the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all who love the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

The Obnoxious Barrier

2009-10-19T10:30:00.003-04:00

Text: Isaiah 59:1-4

Are there times when God is not able to hear our prayers? Is he not willing to listen when we are suffering and in distress? We all ask questions like this more often than we want to admit, even though we ought to know the answer. St. John Chrysostom called sin "this obnoxious" barrier" which has been built up between us and God. When we question God's ability to hear our prayers or doubt the wide reach of his mercy, we are merely acting upon the obnoxious effects of sin in our lives.

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save," declares Isaiah, "or his ear dull, that it cannot hear." God remains mighty to save all who will call upon his name. So, why do we often feel abandoned, lost, and beyond the reach of his salvation? The problem is not with God. It is "your iniquities," says Isaiah, which "have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." Sin is the problem. It is a problem of our own making, an "obnoxious barrier" which builds a wall of mud and filth between us and God.

"Obnoxious" is an apt term to describe the effects of sin because the questions we ask, and the conclusions we often reach, under sin's influence are just that--obnoxious. What better word can describe an attitude of the heart that believes separation from God is permanent and irreversible? What better word can describe a view of God which shortens his hand and dulls his ears to the cries of his people for deliverance?

The most obnoxious thing about sin is not that it offends God (although every sin is a gross offense in his sight), but that it so ravages us with guilt that we believe God is so offended that he will never even consider forgiving us. This is indeed an "obnoxious barrier" of our own construction, a most petty view of God, which God longs to see torn down.

"Behind the wall stands Christ the Lord," wrote the Church Father Aponius, "and he waits to be called on by the ungodly, and he summons the sinful soul to penitence." To break down the "obnoxious barrier," God himself has acted in what would seem the most obnoxious way of all, by sending his own Son to pay the penalty for the "iniquities" which "have made a separation between" us miserable sinners and his holy and divine majesty.

Collect of the Day: St. Luke the Evangelist, 19 October (moved from 18 October)

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pentecost, Proper 25

2009-10-18T13:25:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 13

Daily Scripture Readings
Isaiah 59:1-4 (Monday)
Isaiah 59:9-19 (Tuesday)
Jeremiah 31:7-9 (Wednesday)
Hebrews 5:12-6:1 (Thursday)
Hebrews 6:9-12 (Friday)
Mark 10:46-52 (Saturday)
Isaiah 59:1-4, 9-19; Hebrews 5:12-6:1, 9-12; Mark 10:46-52 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

St. Luke the Evangelist, 19 October (moved from 18 October)
Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

St. James of Jerusalem, 23 October
Grant, O God, that, following the example of your servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

German Hymnwriters of the 1600’s, 24 October
Almighty God, who through your holy Apostle have taught us to praise you in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs: We give you thanks this day for the gift of writing great hymns which you gave to your servants Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, Paul Gerhardt, and Joachim Neander; and we pray that your Church may never lack those with the gifts of writing words and music to your praise, and may be ever filled with the desire to praise and thank you for your great goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

Pentecost, Proper 24

2009-10-11T13:26:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
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.

Psalm 91

Daily Scripture Readings
Job 38:1-7 (Monday)
Job 38:34-41 (Tuesday)
Isaiah 53:4-12 (Wednesday)
Hebrews 4:12-16 (Thursday)
Hebrews 5:1-10 (Friday)
Mark 10:35-45 (Saturday)
Isaiah 53:4-12, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:35-45 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Edward the Confessor, 13 October
O God, who called your servant Edward to an an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave him zeal for your Church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate him this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky
O God, who in your providence called Joseph Schereschewsky from his home in Eastern Europe to the ministry of this Church, and sent him as a missionary to China, upholding him in his infirmity, that he might translate the Holy Scriptures into languages of that land: Lead us, we pray, to commit our lives and talents to you, in the confidence that when you give your servants any work to do, you also supply the strength to do it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Teresa of Avila, 15 October
O God, who by your Holy Spirit moved Teresa of Avila to manifest to your Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we pray, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a keen and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Latimer, Ridley, and Cranmer, 16 October
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, after the examples of your servants Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer; that we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Ignatius of Antioch, 17 October
Almighty God, we praise you for your bishop and martyr Ignatius of Antioch, who offered himself as grain to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts that he might present to you the pure bread of sacrifice. Accept the willing tribute of our lives, and give us a share in the pure and spotless offering of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

Pentecost, Proper 23

2009-10-04T13:16:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
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.

Psalm 90

Daily Scripture Readings
Job 23:1-9, 16-17 (Monday)
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 (Tuesday)
Hebrews 3:1-6 (Wednesday)
Hebrews 4:12-16 (Thursday)
Mark 10:17-27 (Friday)
Mark 10:28-31 (Saturday)
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:1-6; Mark 10:17-31 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Theodor Fliedner and William Passavant, 5 October
We praise your name, O God, for all the dedicated women from the time of the apostles down to the present, who have undertaken to minister in the name of Christ to the needs of the church and of the world; and we thank you for moving your servants Theodor Fliedner and William Passavant to recognize their calling, and to work for its formal recognition; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

William Tyndale, 6 October
Almighty God, you planted in the heart of your servant William Tyndale a consuming passion to bring the Scriptures to people in their native tongue, and endowed him with the gift of powerful and graceful expression and with strength to persevere against all obstacles: Reveal to us your saving Word, as we read and study the Scriptures, and hear them calling us to repentance and life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Robert Grosseteste, 9 October
O God, our heavenly Father, who raised up your faithful servant Robert Grosseteste to be a bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Paulinus, 10 October
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Paulinus, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of northern England. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Vida Dutton Scudder, 10 October
Most gracious God, you sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in your Church witnesses who, after the example of your servant Vida Dutton Scudder, stand firm in proclaiming the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

Pentecost, Proper 22

2009-09-27T15:03:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 8

Daily Scripture Readings
Genesis 2:18-24 (Monday)
Job 1:1, 2:1-10 (Tuesday)
Hebrews 1:1-4 (Wednesday)
Hebrews 2:1-8 (Thursday)
Hebrews 2:9-18 (Friday)
Mark 10:2-16 (Saturday)
Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:1-18; Mark 10:2-9 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

St. Michael and All Angels, 29 September
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jerome, 30 September
O Lord, O God of truth, your Word is a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path: We give you thanks for your servant Jerome, and those who, following in his steps, have labored to render the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people; and we pray that your Holy Spirit will overshadow us as we read the written Word, and that Christ, the living Word, will transform us according to your righteous will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Remigius, 1 October
O God, by the teaching of your faithful servant and bishop Remigius you turned the nation of the Franks from vain idolatry to the worship of you, the true and living God, in the fullness of the catholic faith: Grant that we who glory in the name of Christian may show forth our faith in worthy deeds; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

Haman's Hilarious Hatred

2009-09-22T07:20:00.001-04:00

Text: Esther 7:1-10

Strangely absent throughout the book of Esther is any mention of God. His name is never invoked, never spoken, even by the devout Jew Mordecai, Esther's uncle. Yet, in this reading, the hand of God is evident in every detail.

The Jews, dispersed throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus (the king's title, not his name), are to be exterminated. The evil Haman has prevailed upon the king to issue a decree because he is angry with Mordecai for refusing to bow to him. Mordecai, however, appeals to Esther, whom Ahasuerus had chosen as queen in place of Vashti, to plead the cause of her people before the king. Esther is initially reluctant, citing the law that one must be called by the king in order to enter his inner court. Having not been "called to come to the king these thirty days" (4:11), Esther does not wish to imperil her own life.

But imperiling her own life is exactly what Esther will be doing if she remains silent. "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews," Mordecai warns her. "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish" (4:13-14a). Mordecai has faith that God, though his name is not mentioned, will deliver his people in some way. He knows the decree against the Jews will not have its intended result. But he also knows that Esther, being providentially placed in a position of authority at a time when she can be used as God's instrument of deliverance, would not be saving herself but condemning herself if she fails to act. "And who knows," asks Mordecai, "whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (4:14b).

Mordecai's response emboldens Esther. She calls on all the Jews in Susa to fast on her behalf as he prepares to approach the king. Being a Jew in the palace will not protect her from the king's decree. But her presence there is no mere coincidence. God, though his name is not mentioned, has placed her there for the purpose of saving his people and making his name known throughout the kingdom.

Haman is one of the most detestable characters in the entire biblical narrative. His jealous hatred for Mordecai and, consequently, for all the Jews is utterly irrational, driven by an inflated sense of his own importance. While the crowds bow in his presence, Mordecai reminds Haman he is only, after all, a man. It is a reminder Haman would rather live without.

In having the king honor Haman with a banquet (5:4), Esther is setting the trap which will ultimately lead to Haman's downfall. Haman has no idea that the queen whose favor he thinks he has won is the niece of the hated Mordecai, whose refusal to reverence him still angers Haman even after the banquet.

It is difficult to imagine a man so consumed by hatred as Haman. But it is his pride which will be his undoing. His boasting to his family (5:12) is a cover for the prick on his conscience that Mordecai is (5:13). Haman dreams of becoming a god. Mordecai reminds him he is only a man; and as a man, Haman will come to a most ignoble end.

For anyone else, the irony would be tragic. But for a man as evil and filled with hatred as Haman, it is nothing short of side-splittingly comic. The king, upon learning that nothing has been done to honor Mordecai (6:3) for saving his life, calls in Haman and orders him to parade through the city the very man whom Haman is conspiring to have killed.

Once again, Haman's enormous ego entraps him in a most hilarious situation. "Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?" Haman asks himself. In his self-centered universe, there is no one more honorable in the king's sight than himself. So, he recommends only the highest of honors be given "to the man whom the king delights to honor," thinking, of course, that he will be the one who will be dressed in the king's own "royal robes" and paraded about the city square on the king's own horse. What a shock it must have been to Haman to learn that he is not "the man whom the king delights to honor" but, rather, "the king's most noble official" who is commanded to parade through the city square the man he so despises (6:5-11).

At this point, Haman and his family seem already to know the outcome of the story. Haman will fall at the hand of Mordecai. Mordecai's people will be delivered, and all of Haman's plans will come to nothing. Sympathy might be in order for anyone else. But for Haman, justice literally laughs in his face.

Collect of the Day: Philander Chase, Bishop, 22 September

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith: We give you heartfelt thanks for the pioneering spirit of your servant Philander Chase, and for his zeal in opening new frontiers for the ministry of your Church. Grant us grace to minister in Christ's name in every place, led by bold witnesses to the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Grace is From Heaven

2009-09-21T11:16:00.003-04:00

Text: Numbers 11:4-29

Eldad and Medad were among the seventy elders chosen by Moses at God's direction to gather outside the place where the people of Israel were camped in the wilderness. They did not leave the camp, however, and were not present in the tent when God "took some of the Spirit that was on [Moses] and put it on the seventy elders." Nevertheless, the Spirit fell upon the two absentees and they began prophesying inside the camp. It caused such a commotion that Joshua, Moses' assistant pleaded with Moses to make them stop. But Moses had no intention of shortening the LORD's hand. He replied to Joshua, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"

Amid all the complaints of the people of Israel, it is easy to overlook the significance of this pivotal event. Here, Moses makes it clear that the Spirit of God is not a gift to be enjoyed by only a select few people. It is a blessing to be enjoyed by all of God's people. What is horrifying to Joshua at the time is edifying to Moses. Why, after all, should this blessing be limited to him alone, as it had been up until now? And why should God stop with the seventy elders? Why not pour out his Spirit on all flesh and make prophets of all his people?

It is the vision finally realized at Pentecost, but foreseen early on by Moses in the midst of the grumbling masses in the wilderness. Cyril of Jerusalem offers insight in his Catechetical Lectures, 16.25-26.

This Spirit descended upon the seventy elders in Moses' day. My object is to prove that he knew all things and worked according to his will. The seventy elders were chosen: "The Lord then came down in the cloud, and taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, he bestowed it on the seventy elders." It was not that the Spirit was divided, but his gifts were distributed according to the vessels and the capacity of the recipients. Now there were sixty-eight present, and they prophesied. Eldad and Medad were not present. To make it clear that it was not Moses who bestowed the gift but the Spirit who wrought, Eldad and Medad, who had been called but had not yet presented themselves, also prophesied.

Joshua, the son of Nun and successor of Moses, was amazed, and coming to Moses said to him, Have you heart that Eldad and Medad are prophesying? They were called and did not come forward; "Moses, my lord, stop them." I cannot forbid them, he said, for the grace is from heaven. So far am I from forbidding them that I consider it a favor. But I think you have not spoken thus in envy. Do not be overzealous on my account, because they have prophesied, and you do not yet prophesy. Await the proper time. "Would that all the people of the Lord might prophesy, whenever the Lord shall give them his spirit."

Collect of the Day: St. Matthew, 21 September

We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pentecost, Proper 21

2009-09-20T14:28:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 19

Daily Scripture Readings
Numbers 11:4-29 (Monday)
Esther 7:1-10 (Tuesday)
James 4:7-16 (Wednesday)
James 5:1-12 (Thursday)
James 5:13-20 (Friday)
Mark 9:38-50 (Saturday)
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 4:7-5:6; Mark 9:38-48 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

St. Matthew, 21 September
We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Philander Chase, Bishop, 22 September
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith: We give you heartfelt thanks for the pioneering spirit of your servant Philander Chase, and for his zeal in opening new frontiers for the ministry of your Church. Grant us grace to minister in Christ's name in every place, led by bold witnesses to the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sergius, Abbot, 25 September
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Sergius of Moscow, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop, 26 September
Lord and Father, our King and God, by your grace the Church was enriched by the great learning and eloquent preaching of you servant Lancelot Andrewes, but even more by his example of biblical and liturgical prayer: Conform our lives, like his, to the image of Christ, that our hearts may love you, our minds serve you, and our lips proclaim the greatness of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

Pentecost, Proper 20

2009-09-13T14:12:00.000-04:00

Collect of the Week
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 54

Daily Scripture Readings
Proverbs 31:10-31 (Monday)
Jeremiah 11:18-20 (Tuesday)
James 3:13-18 (Wednesday)
James 4:1-6 (Thursday)
James 4:7-8 (Friday)
Mark 9:30-37 (Saturday)
Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:30-37 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Holy Cross Day, 14 September
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Dante, 15 September
Almighty God, who moved your servant Dante Alighieri to proclaim your judgement against sin, your cleansing power, and your steadfast love: Bring us to acknowledge our sins and our helplessness, enable us to welcome and embrace your loving correction, and conform us in all things to the likeness of your beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

Ninian, 16 September
O God, who by the preaching of your blessed servant and bishop Ninian caused the light of the Gospel to shine in the land of Britain: Grant, we pray, that, having his life and labors in remembrance, we may show our thankfulness by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hildegard, 17 September
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Dag Hammarskjold, 18 September
Heavenly Father, who have taught us that the peacemakers shall be called the children of God: Grant that, like your servant Dag Hamarskjöld, we may always seek to live at peace with our neighbors, and to reconcile those living in strife and enmity; so that in this way we may follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Tractarians, 19 September
Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the examples of your servants Edward Pusey, Richard Froude, John Keble, and John Newman, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Downloadable .pdf file

The Suffering Servant

2009-09-07T10:44:00.004-04:00

Text: Isaiah 50:4-9

Isaiah foresees the coming Messiah as a servant who will endure untold suffering but will finally be vindicated. His suffering will be an example through which others may be sustained through times of weariness and despair. "The LORD GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught," writes Isaiah, "that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary."

The servant is a teacher, but he teaches not only with words, but also with deeds. "Morning by morning, he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear those who are taught. The LORD GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting." It is the will of God that his servant suffer this way in order to sustain and deliver others. Reading, as we do, from the perspective of Christ's suffering, it is easy to hear the Messianic overtones and recall our Lord's passion and death. We know the rest of the story, and Isaiah himself foresees it.

"But the Lord GOD helps me," declares the servant, "therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." Although the servant must suffer, he knows the Lord will make everything right in the end. "He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty?"

From the despair of his suffering, the servant turns to the joy of his vindication, all of which will be the work of God, accomplishing his will and purpose which, in the end, is all that matters. "Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment," the servant says of his tormentors, "the moth will eat them up." They and the suffering they inflict will pass away. The word of God will stand forever, embodied in the suffering and the glorification of his servant, the Messiah.

Jesus knew full well the suffering that awaited him, and the vindication which would follow. He could not be deterred from accomplishing his mission, despite the protestations of Peter who, only a moment earlier, had confessed Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 8:27-38). The road to glory was the road of suffering, and none could enter the former without first enduring the latter. Jesus, the suffering servant himself, invites those who would follow him to emulate his example by taking up the cross.

Collect of the Day: Labor Day, 7 September

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pentecost, Proper 19

2009-09-06T14:00:00.002-04:00

Collect of the Week
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 116

Daily Scripture Readings
Isaiah 50:4-9 (Monday)
Proverbs 1:20-33 (Tuesday)
James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18 (Wednesday)
James 3:1-12 (Thursday)
Mark 8:27-38 (Friday)
Mark 9:14-29 (Saturday)
Isaiah 50:4-9; James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18; Mark 8:27-38 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Labor Day, 7 September
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Constance and Her Companions, 9 September
We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Alexander Crummell, 10 September
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Alexander Crummell, whom you called to preach the Gospel to those who were far off and to those who were near. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

John Henry Hobart, 12 September
Revive your Church, Lord God of hosts, whenever it falls into complacency and sloth, by raising up devoted leaders like your servant John Henry Hobart whom we remember today; and grant that their faith and vigor of mind may awaken your people to your message and their mission; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
God give you grace to confess the faith of Christ crucified. God give you strength to offer yourself to him; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you always, now and forever. Amen.

*David Adam, Traces of Glory: Prayers for the Church Year, Morehouse Publishing 1999, p. 121

Downloadable .pdf file

Augustine on the Meeting of Rich and Poor

2009-09-01T10:20:00.003-04:00

Text: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9

Proverbs 22:2 was a favorite text of Augustine, who often spoke of the relationship between rich and poor as being one of mutual support. "Where have they met each other?" he asked in one homily. "In this life. This one was born, that one was born, their lives were crossed, they have met each other. And who made them? The Lord. The rich man, to help the poor; the poor man, to test the rich."

In an earlier sermon, he reminds both rich and poor of their responsibility toward each other and again emphasizes the mutuality of the relationship. "The rich and the poor meet together," he says. "In what way, except in this present life? The rich and the poor are born alike. You meet one another as you walk along the way together. The poor must not defraud the rich; the rich must not oppress the poor. The one has need, the other has plenty, but 'the Lord is the maker of them both.' The Lord helps the one in need by the one who has; by the one who has not the Lord tests the one who has."

Elsewhere, Augustine sees the poor as providing as important a service to the rich as the rich to the poor. Here, he expounds on a relationship of mutual relief.

Both of you are traveling the same road; you are companions on the journey. Lightly laden are the poor man's shoulders, but yours are burdened with heavy luggage. Give away some of the load that is weighing you down; give away some of your luggage to the needy man--and you will thus afford relief both to yourself and to your companion. The Scripture says, "The rich and the poor have met one another, but the Lord had made them both." Where have they met, except in this life? The one is now arrayed in costly garments, while the other is clad in rags. When did they meet? Both were born naked, and even the rich man was born poor. Let him disregard what he found when he had come; let him consider what he brought with him.

Collect of the Day: David Pendleton Oakerhater, 1 September

O God of unsearchable wisdom and infinite mercy, who chose a captive warrior, David Oakerhater, to be your servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own people and to exercise the office of a deacon among them: Liberate us, who commemorate him today, from bondage to self, and empower us for service to you and to the neighbors you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Pentecost, Proper 18

2009-08-30T13:17:00.003-04:00

Collect of the Week
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 146

Daily Scripture Readings
Isaiah 35:4-7a (Monday)
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9 (Tuesday)
Proverbs 22:22-3 (Wednesday)
James 1:17-27 (Thursday)
Mark 7:24-30 (Friday)
Mark 7:31-37 (Saturday)
Isaiah 35:4-7a, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:31-37 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Aidan, 31 August
O loving God, who called your servant Aidan from the peace of a cloister to re-establish the Christian mission in northern England, and gave him the gifts of gentleness, simplicity, and strength: Grant that we, following his example, may use what you have given us for the relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

David Pendleton Oaherhater, 1 September
O God of unsearchable wisdom and infinite mercy, who chose a captive warrior, David Oakerhater, to be your servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own people and to exercise the office of a deacon among them: Liberate us, who commemorate him today, from bondage to self, and empower us for service to you and to the neighbors you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Martyrs of New Guinea, 2 September
Almighty God, we remember before you this day the blessed martyrs of New Guinea, who, following the example of their Savior, laid down their lives for their friends; and we pray that we, who honor their memory, may imitate their loyalty and faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Nikolai Grundtvig, 3 September
Almighty God, we praise you for the men and women you have sent to call the Church to its tasks and renew its life, such as your servant Nikolai Grundtvig. Raise up in our own day teachers and prophets inspired by your Spirit, whose voices will give strength to your Church and proclaim the reality of your kingdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Paul Jones, 4 September
Merciful God, who sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in this and every land witnesses, who, after the example of your servant Paul Jones, will stand firm in proclaiming the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

David Livingstone and Albert Schweitzer, 5 September
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant David Livingstone, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of Africa. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
The Lord touch your heart with his love and open your life to his glory, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you always, now and forever. Amen.*

*David Adam, Traces of Glory: Prayers for the Church Year, Morehouse Publishing 1999, p. 119

Downloadable .pdf file

Pentecost, Proper 17

2009-08-23T14:01:00.003-04:00

Collect of the Week
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 15

Daily Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 4:1-5 (Monday)
Deuteronomy 4:6-9 (Tuesday)
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (Wednesday)
Ephesians 6:10-20 (Thursday)
James 1:17-21 (Friday)
James 1:22-27 (Saturday)
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Bartholomew, 24 August
Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Louis, 25 August
O God, you called your servant Louis of France to an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave him zeal for your Church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate him this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Thomas Gallaudet and Henry Winter Syle, 27 August
O Loving God, whose will it is that everyone should come to you and be saved: We bless your holy Name for your servants Thomas Gallaudet and Henry Winter Syle whose labors with and for those who are deaf we commemorate today, and we pray that you will continually move your Church to respond in love to the needs of all people; through Jesus Christ, who opened the ears of the deaf, and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Augustine of Hippo, 28 August
Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
May the Lord of Hosts be with you so that you will become greater and greater still, until you receive the crown of life which the Lord has prepared for those that love him.*

*Vasholz, Robert, Benedictions: A Pocket Resource, Christian Focus Publishing 2007, p. 48

Downloadable pdf file.

As for the Husband, Love as Christ Loved

2009-08-22T10:12:00.004-04:00

Text: Ephesians 5:25-33

The measure of a husband's love for his wife, Paul says, must be nothing less than that of Christ for the church. Christ laid down his life for the church in order to sanctify her and present her holy, "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing." It is this same self-giving, sacrificial love which a husband must have toward his wife, counting not even his own life as too great a price to pay for her honor and purity.

It was the great sin of Adam that he failed in this regard. He would not lay down his life to protect and defend Eve from the enticements of the serpent. His desire for self-preservation, self-gratification, and self-exaltation crowded out the love that should have been paramount over all, to love his wife as his own body. But where Adam failed, Christ succeeded. In the supreme act of self-giving, he "gave himself up" for his bride, the church.

This is the love a husband is to have for his wife. She is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. Therefore, Paul says, "He who loves his wife loves himself." This is not the self-centered kind of self-love exhibited by Adam, but the self-giving, sacrificial love exhibited by Christ. Respect for a husband who so loves and lays down his life is, for the wife, not a burden or an obligation, but a joyful response in love that is equally self-giving.

Collect of the Day: For Good Use of Leisure

God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That Troublesome "Submit" Passage

2009-08-21T10:45:00.004-04:00

Text: Ephesians 5:21-24

English translations of Ephesians 5:22 are often the source of unnecessary controversy, particularly in our age of egalitarianism. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" is, in fact, an incomplete thought coming at the tail end of Paul's discourse on what it means to "walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). All relationships within the body of Christ are to be punctuated by mutual submission, "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

A more literal translation of Ephesians 5:21-22 would read, "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, wives to your own husbands as to the Lord." The paragraph break and the insertion of the word "submit" in verse 22 makes it appear that wives are being singled out for a special kind of submission. In one sense, this is true. The wife submitting to the husband is symbolic of the church submitting to Christ. But if the wife symbolizes the church and the husband symbolizes Christ, who "is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior," then it is not the husband's place to lord his authority over his wife.

The fall adversely affected not only Adam and Eve's relationship with God, but also their relationship with one another. God said to Eve that her desire would be for her husband, but he would lord it over her. Inequity in the man/woman relationship is part and parcel to the curse of a fallen humanity. But the union of Christ and the church represents the new, restored humanity. Therefore, those who "walk in love, as Christ loved us" will exemplify this restoration in the most basic of human relationships, that of man and woman becoming one flesh in the holy bonds of matrimony.

In submitting to "their own husbands, as to the Lord," wives are setting the example which the whole church is to follow. Christ loves the church as his own body; and the church, as the spotless Bride, submits to her loving Savior and walks as he walked, in perfect love toward God and one another.

Collect of the Day: Blaise Pascal, 21 August

Almighty God, who gave your servant Blaise Pascal a great intellect, that he might explore the mysteries of your creation, and who kindled in his heart a love for you and a devotion to your service: Mercifully give us your servants, according to our various callings, gifts of excellence in body, mind, and will, and the grace to use them diligently and to your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Glory of the LORD

2009-08-18T09:01:00.002-04:00

Text: 1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11

David had wanted a temple for the LORD in Jerusalem, but the task of building it fell to his son Solomon. Once completed, the Temple became the center of religious life for Israel under the Old Covenant. It was the place of intersection between heaven and earth, where God made his dwelling among his people. The ark of the covenant was a visible symbol of God's presence, but as the priests placed it "in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim," they were overwhelmed by the reality toward which the symbol pointed.

"And when the priests came out of the Holy Place," we are told, "a cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD." The priests are literally caught up in the ultimate reality of God's glorious presence. Unable to stand, the implication is that they would fall prostrate, the only appropriate response whenever frail, fallen human beings find themselves in the presence of the most holy God.

A parallel account of the dedication of the Temple in 2 Chronicles 7 emphasizes God speaking to Solomon, including the familiar passage, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray. . ." (2 Chronicles 7:14). This account emphasizes Solomon's end of the conversation, but the king's prayer of dedication is a reverent response to this initial act of God in revealing his glory in his house to his people.

This is consistent with the whole biblical witness. From creation to the calling of Abraham to the establishment of Israel as a nation to the coming of Christ, it is God who always takes the initiative in creating, calling, establishing, and restoring his relationship with his people for the purpose of revealing his glory. In the presence of that glory, no human being can stand. Even the priests set apart for service can only fall on their faces and worship.

Collect of the Day: William Porcher DuBose, 19 August

Almighty God, who gave to your servant William Porcher DuBose special gifts of grace to understand the Scriptures and to teach the truth as it is in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Can You Serve the Lord Faithfully?

2009-08-17T16:18:00.002-04:00

Text: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-25

Joshua's declaration, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," is a testimony to his faithfulness. But it is also a challenge to the Israelites to look beyond themselves to do that which they are incapable of doing on their own. The generation that followed Joshua into the Promised Land was true to its word. We are told, "Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel" (Joshua 24:31). But the generations that followed would see Joshua's warnings about the consequences of unfaithfulness come to pass.

"You are not able to serve the LORD," says Joshua, "for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good."

Joshua's warning is the first in what will be a long series of repeated reminders to the people of Israel to be faithful to God and of the consequences of turning away from him. In the generations to come, the people of Israel would continually test God's patience and disappoint him by going after the very gods their forebears here promise to forsake.

Faithfulness was always the condition of God's promise to the people of Israel. But, time and again, the Israelites would demosntrate that they were "not able to serve the LORD." Consistent faithfulness is not within the capacity of fallen human nature. God alone is holy, and God alone is faithful, and his faithfulness was not measured in proportion to Israel's response. His terms are laid out from the beginning and he knows the path the Israelites will choose. But Israel alone will be held accountable for choosing that path. God is faithful, even when his people are faithless.

Collect of the Day: For Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

Pentecost, Proper 16

2009-08-16T14:18:00.002-04:00

Collect of the Week
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory 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.

Psalm 16

Daily Scripture Readings
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-25 (Monday)
1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11 (Tuesday)
1 Kings 8:22-30 (Wednesday)
1 Kings 8:41-43 (Thursday)
Ephesians 5:21-24 (Friday)
Ephesians 5:25-33 (Saturday)
John 6:60-69 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

William Porcher DuBose, 18 August
Almighty God, you gave to your servant William Porcher DuBose special gifts of grace to understand the Scriptures and to teach the truth as it is in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Helena, 19 August
Almighty God, who called your servant Helena to an earthly throne so that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and filled her with zeal for your Church and love for your people; Grant to us your people that we may be fruitful in good works, and steadfast in our faith in you, and finally by your mercy may attain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

Bernard of Clairvaux, 20 August
O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blaise Paschal, 21 August
Almighty God, who gave your servant Blaise Pascal a great intellect, that he might explore the mysteries of your creation, and who kindled in his heart a love for you and a devotion to your service: Mercifully give us your servants, according to our various callings, gifts of excellence in body, mind, and will, and the grace to use them diligently and to your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
May your eyes see the king in his beauty
That you might view a land that stretches afar;
Like Abraham, who looked to a city,
Whose architect and builder is God.*

*Vasholz, Robert, Benedictions: A Pocket Resource, Christian Focus Pubishing 2007, p. 18.

Downloadable .pdf file

The Wisdom to Ask for Wisdom

2009-08-11T13:29:00.002-04:00

Text: 1 Kings 3:3-9

Solomon inherits a strong and established kingdom from his father David. But, from the outset, there are signs that the new king is in over his head. To begin with, he enters into an alliance with Egypt, taking Pharaoh's daughter in marriage. This may have been politically shrewd, but it was spiritually wrongheaded. Egypt symbolized, and Pharaoh embodied, the oppression and bondage out of which the Israelites had been delivered under Moses. Allying with Israel's ancient tormentor was hardly a step forward.

In addition, Solomon "sacrificed and made offerings at the high places." This was a blemish on his otherwise firm commitment to "walking in the statutes of David his father." This he did, perhaps, out of ignorance, not realizing it was an affront to God. Indeed, young Solomon exhibits genuine humility when given the opportunity to ask of God whatever he wishes. He asks only for "an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

If his choice of political alliances and places of worship demonstrates an early naivete on Solomon's part, his request demonstrates that he also possessed a fair amount of wisdom even before he made it. He was wise enough to know that he was not wise enough. To govern a people as great as Israel, he would need a wisdom beyond his own. Whereas David was after the heart of God, Solomon was after the wisdom of God. The burden of the kingdom was too much for him to bear alone. Only with "an understanding mind" would he be able to "discern between good and evil," and "an understanding mind" could only reside in a heart surrendered in humility to God.

Collect of the Day: Clare of Assisi, 11 August

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Firmly Established Kingdom

2009-08-10T09:14:00.003-04:00

Text: 1 Kings 2:10-12

David leaves a "firmly established" kingdom to his son Solomon. Throughout the rest of the Old Testament story, David will be remembered as Israel's greatest king, the standard by which all his successors will be measured. But David's legacy is not simply that of a great earthly ruler. His place in Israel's history owes far less to his own greatness as to the greatness of the One who chose him and "firmly established him upon the throne.

Absent the filter of preconceived notions planted mostly by the heroic stories we learned in Sunday School, the biblical account of David's life does not always paint a very flattering picture. Here is a man who could just as easily be scorned for his ruthlessness toward both friend and foe as praised for his faithfulness to the God who raised him up from a simple shepherd to a mighty monarch.

One may well wonder just what kind of God is so willing to stand by so flawed a man as David. But, in the end, that is the whole point of the story. For all of his exploits--be they good, bad, or just plain ugly--David is not the hero; God is. It is God's faithfulness to David, not David's faithfulness to God, that secures David's legacy as the greatest of Israel's kings.

David uncensored is a man whose commitment to decency, morality, and justice is sporadic at best. But he is brought to his knees when confronted with his failings. It is not his own desire to be godly which leads him to repent but, rather, his humble recognition of God's desire to use him as an instrument in bringing about Israel's (and the world's) redemption. David realized that in spite of all his wealth, fame, and power, he was only a man. It is for that reason alone that he is remembered as "the man after God's own heart."

Collect of the Day: Laurence, 10 August

Almighty God, who called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom: Grant that we, following his example, may fulfil your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pentecost, Proper 15

2009-08-09T15:56:00.001-04:00

Collect of the Week
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of this redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 111

Daily Scripture Readings
1 Kings 2:10-12 (Monday)
1 Kings 3:3-9 (Tuesday)
1 Kings 3:10-14 (Wednesday)
Proverbs 9:1-6 (Thursday)
Ephesians 5:15-20 (Friday)
Luke 1:46-55 (Saturday)
John 6:52-59 (Sunday)

Reflection, Spiritual Reading, Journaling

Daily Prayers

Laurence (Monday, 10 August)
Almighty God, who called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom: Grant that we, following his example, may fulfil your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Clare of Assisi (Tuesday, 11 August)
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Hippolytus (Wednesday, 12 August)
O God, who have enlightened your Church by the teaching of your servant Hippolytus: Enrich us evermore, we pray, with your heavenly grace, and raise up faithful witnesses who by their life and doctrine will set forth the truth of your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jeremy Taylor (Thursday, 13 August)
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, like your servant Jeremy Taylor, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Maximilian Kolbe (Friday, 14 August)
Most loving Father, whose Son Jesus Christ came to give his life as a ransom for many: Give us the grace, as you did to your servant Maximilian Kolbe, to be always ready to come to the aid of those in need or distress, not counting the cost; that so we may follow in the footsteps of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

The Virgin Mary (Saturday, 15 August)
O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Bread Himself

2009-08-08T14:19:00.003-04:00

Text: John 6:35-40

The crowd is eager to receive some kind of bread, but not "the true bread which comes down from heaven" (John 6:33). They cannot comprehend Jesus' declaration, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

The problem with the people in the crowd is that they see Jesus in the wrong light. They see him as the provider of the bread, but not as the bread himself. "But I have said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe," Jesus tells them. "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me."

Like their forebears in the wilderness under Moses, the people were presuming themselves to be special because Jesus was there to give them whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. By shifting the focus away from the wants of the people to the sovereignty of the Father, Jesus is speaking a word of judgment upon the crowd. "And this is the will of him who sent me," he says, "that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day." Some in the crowd may "come." Many will not. The final decision, however, belongs to the Father.

This is not to say that God arbitrarily decides who will enter into eternal life and who will not (that is a discussion for another day). It is to say, rather, that he has chosen and established the means through which such a decision will be made. "For this is the will of my Father," Jesus says, "that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

Salvation is, from beginning to end, all about Jesus. Believe in him and live. Reject him and die. No matter how you slice it, he is the indispensable bread of life.

Collect of the Day: Dominic, 8 August

O God of the prophets, who opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching and fervent devotion: Make your Church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in love to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.