Church of the Good Shepherd CEC

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 37:1-18
11Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong.2For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away.3Put your trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and feed on its riches.4Take delight in the LORD, and he shall give you your heart’s desire.5Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, and he will bring it to pass.6He will make your righteousness as clear as the light and your just dealing as the noonday.7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.8Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes.9Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.10For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the LORD shall possess the land.11In a little while the wicked shall be no more; you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.12But the lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace.13The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash at them with their teeth.14The Lord laughs at the wicked, because he sees that their day will come.15The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow to strike down the poor and needy, to slaughter those who are upright in their ways.16Their sword shall go through their own heart, and their bow shall be broken.17The little that the righteous has is better than great riches of the wicked.18For the power of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Brief Comment and Prayer: Dwell in the land God has given you. Delight in his blessings, know that as you commit your way to Him, He will guide and keep you. Do not focus on the wrong others do, you be faithful and encourage others to do so as opportunities arise. Better the peace of God and His favor than all riches and the acclaim of a world that does not honor Him. Lord God, thank you for your love and care. Grant us grace to keep our eyes fixed upon you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Appointed Gospel for today is John 9:1-17
1Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” 9Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am he.” 10Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” 12Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” 13They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” — NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer: Beware of quick judgments. God is at work in our lives more than we see at first, or may see at all. But if we in faith trust that He is at work, we open ourselves up to being able to see more than we could otherwise. Lord God, you know all things. Give us grace to trust in you in all things in this life. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 17
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings-Proper 17, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 26
1Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.2Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and my mind.3For your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you.4I have not sat with the worthless, Nor do I consort with the deceitful.5I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down with the wicked.6I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, that I may go in procession round your altar,7Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds.8LORD, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides.9Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with those who thirst for blood,10Whose hands are full of evil plots, and their right hand full of bribes.11As for me, I will live with integrity; redeem me, O LORD, and have pity on me.12My foot stands on level ground; in the full assembly I will bless the LORD.

Brief Comment and Prayer: The Psalmist makes a bold statement. He asks God to test and try his integrity. And yet he knows he still needs redemption and mercy. The Psalmist is not perfect, neither are. Like the Psalmist, let us ask God to examine our heart and mind so He may test us. From there may we grow into being more and more settled and secure in Him who is level ground. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Appointed Gospel reading for today is John 8:33-47
33They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 37″I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” 39They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father-God.” 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” — NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer: God’s words must have a place in our hearts. They come from what God knows. Jesus reminds us we must keep perspective. If God is our father, then we will receive His Word. That does not necessarily mean easy. But deep within our spirits we will hunger for God. Fan the flame! Seek God in His Word and be freed from the deceptiveness of sin. We serve a victorious Christ, Christus Victor. Amen.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 17
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A generational healing service is a combined time of teaching and prayer ending with Eucharist. It grew out of the ministry of our Bishop, Charles Jones. Its premise is that the sins of the fathers (and mothers) can be passed down through the generations. One of the scriptures that support this is Exodus 20.5-6

Exodus 20:5-6: “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Parents often repeat the sins of their fathers (and mothers). They may replicate sinful attitudes, prejudices, and/or values, which their children may assimilate from their parents. In addition, the parents’ sin usually has hurtful consequences in the lives of the offspring, causing them to form wrong and ungodly beliefs based on their hurts.

But God’s desire is to not keep perpetuating the passing down of sin and hurt through the generations. Exodus 20.6 confirms this: “6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments”. As does Exodus 34.7 “who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin.”

In Jesus Christ, we are set free from out past. Luke 4 teaches us that the Lord came to set the captives free. He continues to do that in our day through His body here on earth, the church (1 Corinthians 12.27).

Generational Eucharist is the foundation for inner healing. As Bishop Jones began implementing this in his ministry years ago, we have seen many miraculous healings. Often the breaking of generation sins makes subsequent healing easier.

Our prayer is that God will begin to do the same among us. The word says ask so we may receive (Matthew 7:7). We are asking! Please join us September 7 at 7:30 P.M. here at Church of the Good Shepherd for a generation healing service. Invite you friends! Invite anyone you know!

God bless!

Fr. Guido

Daily Office Readings-Proper 16, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 16
1Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.” 2All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people. 3But those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied.4Their libations of blood I will not offer, nor take the names of their gods upon my lips. 5O LORD, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who uphold my lot. 6My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.7I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. 8I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. 9My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope. 10For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit. 11You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Brief Comment and Prayer:
Though we live in a different time, there are still false gods those around us run after. Anything we put before God can be an idol. Running after idols brought ruin in the time of the Psalmist and brings ruin to those who run after them now. Know you heart. Lord God, truly be Lord over all of us, in word, though and deed. In the name of Jesus, to the Glory of the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Appointed Gospel Reading for today is John 7:37-52
37On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43So there was a division among the people because of Him. 44Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” 46The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” 47Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51″Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” 52They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” — NKJV

Brief Comment Prayer: Ignorance is not necessarily bliss. The Pharisees thought they knew how the Scriptures were meant to unfold regarding the messiah. They were in for a surprise. So too can we be surprised. This reminds us to walk humbly before God, presuming nothing, with our ears open to learn and our mouths being slow to speak. Lord God, give us ears to hear you, eyes to see, and a will to obey. Enable us to know when to speak or when to remain silent. In Jesus name. Amen.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 16
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, forever and ever. Amen

Daily Office Readings-Proper 16, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 119:1-24
1Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!2Happy are they who observe his decrees and seek him with all their hearts!3Who never do any wrong, but always walk in his ways.4You laid down your commandments, that we should fully keep them.5Oh, that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes!6Then I should not be put to shame, when I regard all your commandments.7I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgments.8I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.9How shall a young man cleanse his way? By keeping to your words.10With my whole heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commandments.11I treasure your promise in my heart, that I may not sin against you.12Blessed are you, O LORD; instruct me in your statutes.13With my lips will I recite all the judgments of your mouth.14I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees than in all manner of riches.15I will meditate on your commandments and give attention to your ways.16My delight is in your statutes; I will not forget your word.17Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.18Open my eyes, that I may see the wonders of your law.19I am a stranger here on earth; do not hide your commandments from me.20My soul is consumed at all times with longing for your judgments.21You have rebuked the insolent; cursed are they who stray from your commandments!22Turn from me shame and rebuke, for I have kept your decrees.23Even though rulers sit and plot against me, I will meditate on your statutes.24For your decrees are my delight, and they are my counsellors.

Brief Comment and Prayer: God is pleased when we value more His opinion, revealed in His Word, than the opinions of others. Everyone around us has an opinion. Some present their own with a greater sense self-importance. But God’s say is what really matters. The Psalmist knew that. May we know it as well. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Appointed Gospel for today is John 7:1-13
1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 9When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. 10But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 12And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 13However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. — NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer: If we are not careful, we can allow ourselves to be swayed by others to move on their timetable. Some will not be above using ridicule as a form of coercion. But we need not be moved. We can take as our example from Jesus that we must wait on God’s timing. When we do that, we allow him to be truly in control and open ourselves up to move in the power of His might. Heavenly Father enable us to follow where you lead, in your time, by your Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232
Proper 16
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, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings-Proper 16, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 5
1Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation.2Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I make my prayer to you.3In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.4For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, and evil cannot dwell with you.5Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; you hate all those who work wickedness.6You destroy those who speak lies; the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O LORD, you abhor.7But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.8Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way straight before me.9For there is no truth in their mouth; there is destruction in their heart;10Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.11Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall, because of their schemes.12Because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.13But all who take refuge in you will be glad; they will sing out their joy for ever.14You will shelter them, so that those who love your Name may exult in you.15For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.

Brief Comment and Prayer: Integrity is important to God. Our words should match our actions. The Psalmist knows he needs God. He knows his shortcomings, his need for God’s mercy. He also knows to seek God. Mindful of our own shortcomings, we also must seek God. We must let him be our King. Lord God, come and have your way within us today. You know us as we truly are but do not reject us. You call us into deeper relationship with you. Thank you Lord! In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Appointed Gospel Reading for today is John 6:60-71
60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. — NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer: If we have truly come to encounter the Lord, our response should be like Peter. To whom else shall we go for life? May it only be to Jesus. Choose this day who you will serve. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 16
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, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings-Proper 16, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 146
Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.2Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them.3When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish.4Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! Whose hope is in the LORD their God;5Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever;6Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.7The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;8The LORD loves the righteous; the LORD cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.9The LORD shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!

Brief Comment and Prayer: We need to remember/realize in whom we have trusted. If we really believe God to be who the Psalmist proclaims Him to be, why do we fear? God will answer us; we do not have to worry about being left in the storm. The Lord of the storm is with us. Let us fix our eyes on him. Lord God you do all things according to what you know best. We entrust ourselves to you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Appointed Gospel for today is Mark 6:1-6a
1Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. 4But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. — NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer: Let’s be mindful of our expectations. God does not often show up how we planned or expected. That be so, we can still expect His will to be good for us. Those who look past what others were saying in this passage we among those who were healed.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit.

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 16
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, forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings-Proper 15, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 140
1Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, 2Who devise evil in their hearts and stir up strife all day long.3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder’s poison is under their lips.4Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who are determined to trip me up.5The proud have hidden a snare for me and stretched out a net of cords; they have set traps for me along the path.6I have said to the LORD, “You are my God; listen, O LORD, to my supplication.7O Lord GOD, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.8Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O LORD, nor let their evil plans prosper.9Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.10Let hot burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the mire, never to rise up again.”11A slanderer shall not be established on the earth, and evil shall hunt down the lawless.12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor and render justice to the needy.13Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your Name, and the upright shall continue in your sight.

Brief Comment and Prayer: We will be pressed by evil and evil doers. But God is our deliverer. Those who stand in His grace will stand the storms that overthrow the violent. Even if our physical lives are lost, we through His mercy and grace will stand victorious before God in heaven. Lord God, in you alone we stand by your grace. Helps us process in relationship with you the feelings we experience as we encounter and contend with evil in this life. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Appointed Gospel reading for today is John 6:27-40
27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 30Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” – NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer: Our faith is in a person-Jesus Christ. It is based on His word that we have staked our lives. While His word forms the basis of propositional truth, we relate to Jesus as the one who is the truth. And the truth is what sets us free and lasts forever. Lord Jesus thank you for coming to us and being the way, the truth and life for us and all who put their trust in you. May we grow daily in our trust in you. To the Glory of the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy Spirit.

Concluding Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 15
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 forever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings-Proper 15, Year Two

The Lord be with you!
(Your response) And also with you!

The Appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 131
1O LORD, I am not proud; I have no haughty looks.2I do not occupy myself with great matters, or with things that are too hard for me.3But I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother’s breast; my soul is quieted within me.4O Israel, wait upon the LORD, from this time forth for evermore.

Brief Comment and Prayer: Be still and wait upon the Lord. God will answer. He will show you the way and lead you through. Lord God, thank you for hearing us. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Appointed Gospel for today is John 6:16-27
16Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 18Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 19So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. 22On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone- 23however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks- 24when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” 26Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” — NKJV

Brief Comment and Prayer:The food that endures is Christ Himself. He does not give us His life, He is our life. We who are baptized into Him have Him. But not like a possession. Rather as one whom we choose to give ourselves away to everyday. We give ourselves away as we say “yes” to what he has for us. Even when it does not look good with our eyes, God will makes something good out of it in due time. In this sense, then, we walk by faith and not by sight. Lord God, you see and know all things. We trust you are with us through them. You do not necessarily send the calamities upon us, but are with us through them. Thank you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Take a moment to reflect/mediate on the above Scriptures and let it inspire and direct you prayers as you are led by the Holy SpiritConcluding

Collect: Taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pg 232

Proper 15
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 forever. Amen.