All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (January 30, 2022)
PROCLAMATION OF THE LIGHT
One or more candles may be lit. Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord
Thanks be to God
EVENING HYMN
Open this link in a new tab to hear F. Bland Tucker’s translation of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”
O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
In you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is he,
And blest are you, his holy Son.
Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God
Who dwells in the eternal light.
Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Son of God, Life-giving Lord;
Wherefore you are through all the earth
And in the highest heaven adored.
O Gracious Light!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Dear Jesus,
as hen covers her chicks with her wings
to keep them safe, do thou this night
protect us under your golden wings. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Luke 4:21-30 Jesus’ words infuriate the people of Nazareth who attempt to kill him
Then he shut the book, handed it back to the attendant and resumed his seat. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed upon him and he began to tell them, “This very day this scripture has been fulfilled, while you were listening to it!”
Everybody noticed what he said and was amazed at the beautiful words that came from his lips, and they kept saying, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
So he said to them, “I expect you will quote this proverb to me, ‘Cure yourself, doctor!’ Let us see you do in your own country all that we have heard that you did in Capernaum!” Then he added, “I assure you that no prophet is ever welcomed in his own country. I tell you the plain fact that in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were shut up for three and a half years and there was a great famine through the whole country, there were plenty of widows in Israel, but Elijah was not sent to any of them. But he was sent to Sarepta, to a widow in the country of Sidon. In the time of Elisha the prophet, there were a great many lepers in Israel, but not one of them was healed—only Naaman, the Syrian.”
But when they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was furiously angry. They sprang to their feet and drove him right out of the town, taking him to the brow of the hill on which it was built, intending to hurl him down bodily. But he walked straight through the whole crowd and went on his way.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
Good News Indeed
What did Jesus say in today’s reading that made everyone in the synagogue so furiously angry that they attempted to kill Jesus? One moment they were praising Jesus’ beautiful words; the next they were so enraged that they were intent on murdering him.
Was it his blunt statement that no prophet is ever welcomed in his own country?
Was it Jesus’ inference that the kindness that God would be showing would not be restricted to the people of the Covenant, to Jews like themselves but would be extended to non-Jews, to people outside of the Covenant, as in the days of Elijah and Elisha.
The Jews consider these people “sinners,” unworthy of God’s kindness. Yet Jesus reminds them that God has shown them kindness in the past and infers that God will show them kindness again.
It is likely that these words were the ones that angered them the most. Admiration turned to outrage, and congregation of Nazareth’s synagogue became a lynch mob, set on throwing Jesus from the brow of the hill on which the town stood. One is prompted to wonder how many others the Nazarenes had killed in this fashion, hurling them to their death on the rocks below.
But it was not Jesus’ time. Jesus walks straight through the angry mob and goes on his way.
Jesus’ words must have rankled the people of Nazareth for a long time. They were a bitter pill to swallow.
However, they are good news to us. Good news indeed.
God’s love is not confined to one people. God’s love embraces all the peoples of the earth—black, brown, and white, rich and poor, everybody.
As Jesus pointes to the attention of his disciples and the multitude in the Sermon on the Mountain, God is good even to the wicked and the ungrateful.
We are tempted in our time to selfishly believe that God only loves people like ourselves, people in our “tribe.” God does not love people who do not dress like us, speak like us, live in the neighborhoods in which we live, have the same customs as we do, share our political opinions, vote like we do. God does not love people who worship differently from us, who have different theological views from ours.
Jesus taught his disciples to love even their enemies and to do good to them. If God did not love their enemies, what was the point of loving them?
The Jews consider these people “sinners,” unworthy of God’s kindness. Yet Jesus reminds them that God has shown them kindness in the past and infers that God will show them kindness again.
It is likely that these words were the ones that angered them the most. Admiration turned to outrage, and congregation of Nazareth’s synagogue became a lynch mob, set on throwing Jesus from the brow of the hill on which the town stood. One is prompted to wonder how many others the Nazarenes had killed in this fashion, hurling them to their death on the rocks below.
But it was not Jesus’ time. Jesus walks straight through the angry mob and goes on his way.
Jesus’ words must have rankled the people of Nazareth for a long time. They were a bitter pill to swallow.
However, they are good news to us. Good news indeed.
God’s love is not confined to one people. God’s love embraces all the peoples of the earth—black, brown, and white, rich and poor, everybody.
As Jesus pointes to the attention of his disciples and the multitude in the Sermon on the Mountain, God is good even to the wicked and the ungrateful.
We are tempted in our time to selfishly believe that God only loves people like ourselves, people in our “tribe.” God does not love people who do not dress like us, speak like us, live in the neighborhoods in which we live, have the same customs as we do, share our political opinions, vote like we do. God does not love people who worship differently from us, who have different theological views from ours.
Jesus taught his disciples to love even their enemies and to do good to them. If God did not love their enemies, what was the point of loving them?
Jesus healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman and the servant of a Roman officer. He ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other social outcasts. He did not shun lepers. He did not avoid the Pharisees who were his severest critics. He spoke with a Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. He refused to call down fire on a Samaritan village that refused him and his disciples hospitality because they were going to Jerusalem. He used the kindness of Samaritan to a Jew to illustrate who are our neighbors. He numbered Mary, Martha, and other woman among his followers. His inner circle of disciples was a mixed lot—fishermen, a tax collector, a Zealot, and the man who betrayed him.
Jesus’ actions dovetailed with his words. He did not say one thing and do another. He showed the God’s promised kindness was not just for the Jews but for everybody. God was not just the loving God of the Jews. God was the loving God of all humankind.
Jesus’ actions dovetailed with his words. He did not say one thing and do another. He showed the God’s promised kindness was not just for the Jews but for everybody. God was not just the loving God of the Jews. God was the loving God of all humankind.
This was the secret about which the apostle Paul wrote in his letters, the secret that God had been keeping from before time and which he made known in the person of his Son, Jesus. The Jews thought of God as their God, but God was humanity’s God, not theirs alone. They were his first chosen, but God had also chosen the rest of humanity to be their brothers and sisters.
We struggle to understand why Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross. But Jesus’ suffering and death, while it may not seem that way to us, was an act of kindness toward us, indeed the supreme act of kindness toward us. Through that act God reconciled us to himself. He also reconciled Jew to non-Jew and enables us to be reconciled to those with whom we have experienced a rift in our relationship.
Jesus was not forced to suffer and die on the cross. He went willingly. He went out of love for God, for the Father, and out of love for us. He did not give himself just for the people of the Covenant but for all humankind. He made on a cross a new Covenant, a new Covenant sealed by his blood.
We struggle to understand why Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross. But Jesus’ suffering and death, while it may not seem that way to us, was an act of kindness toward us, indeed the supreme act of kindness toward us. Through that act God reconciled us to himself. He also reconciled Jew to non-Jew and enables us to be reconciled to those with whom we have experienced a rift in our relationship.
Jesus was not forced to suffer and die on the cross. He went willingly. He went out of love for God, for the Father, and out of love for us. He did not give himself just for the people of the Covenant but for all humankind. He made on a cross a new Covenant, a new Covenant sealed by his blood.
By knowing Jesus, we know the Father who sent him, and by knowing the Father and Jesus whom he sent we have eternal life, The very moment we believe in Jesus, eternal life is ours. No truer words were spoken by Jesus that sabbath in the synagogue at Nazareth when he declared that the time had come for God to show his kindness.
May we, as Jesus taught, show that we are indeed sons and daughters of the Most High, by showing the same kindness to other people, not just our fellow Christians but everybody, that God has shown us and keeps showing us, a kindness that makes us willing to forgive those over whom we have power and to pursue reconciliation, the restoration of friendly relations, with them.
May we, as Jesus taught, show that we are indeed sons and daughters of the Most High, by showing the same kindness to other people, not just our fellow Christians but everybody, that God has shown us and keeps showing us, a kindness that makes us willing to forgive those over whom we have power and to pursue reconciliation, the restoration of friendly relations, with them.
Let us imitate God as his dear children.
Silence is kept.
SONG OF PRAISE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chaz Bower’s choral arrangement of “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord.”
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord;
I sing my Savior’s praise!
You looked upon my lowliness,
and I am full of grace.
Now ev’ry land and ev’ry age
this blessing shall proclaim—
great wonders you have done for me,
and holy is your name.
To all who live in holy fear
Your mercy ever flows.
With mighty arm you dash the proud,
Their scheming hearts expose.
The ruthless you have cast aside,
the lowly throned instead;
the hungry filled with all good things,
the rich sent off unfed.
To Israel, your servant blest,
(To Israel, your servant blest,)
your help is ever sure;
(your help is ever sure;)
the promise to our parents made
(the promise to our parents made)
their children will secure.
(their children will secure.)
Sing glory to the Holy One,
(Sing glory to the Holy One,)
give honor to the Word,
(give honor to the Word,)
and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,
(and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,)
one God, by all adored,
(one God by all adored,)
on God, by all adored.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For peace from on high and our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the welfare of all churches and for the unity of the human family, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For (name), our bishop, and (name), our pastor, and for all ministers of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For our nation, its government, and for all who serve and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this city (town, university, monastery…). For every city and community, and for all those living in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the safety of travelers, the recovery of the sick, the care of the destitute and the release of prisoners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For an angel of peace to guide and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a peaceful evening and a night free from sin, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a Christian end to our lives and for all who have fallen asleep in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit (and of all the saints), let us commend ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ our Lord.
To you, O Lord.
Free Prayer
In silent or spontaneous prayer all bring before God the concerns of the day.
The Collect
O Lord,
you have taught us
that all our doings without love are worth nothing:
send your Holy Spirit,
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you;
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
RESPONSE
Open this link in a new tab to hearJohn L Bell’s arrangement of Alison Robertson’s hymn, “Love Is the Touch.”
1 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
2 Love is the lilt in a lingering voice;
love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
love is the cure for the frightened and flawed:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
3 Love is the light in a tunnel of pain;
love is the will to be whole once again;
love is the trust of a friend on the road:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Love is the Maker, and Spirit, and Son;
love is the kingdom their will has begun;
love is the pathway the saints all have trod:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
God is where love is, for love is of God.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, as our Saviour has taught us,
we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
BLESSING
May the One who began a good work in us
bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
and may the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us
and remain with us always. Amen.
Silence is kept.
SONG OF PRAISE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chaz Bower’s choral arrangement of “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord.”
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord;
I sing my Savior’s praise!
You looked upon my lowliness,
and I am full of grace.
Now ev’ry land and ev’ry age
this blessing shall proclaim—
great wonders you have done for me,
and holy is your name.
To all who live in holy fear
Your mercy ever flows.
With mighty arm you dash the proud,
Their scheming hearts expose.
The ruthless you have cast aside,
the lowly throned instead;
the hungry filled with all good things,
the rich sent off unfed.
To Israel, your servant blest,
(To Israel, your servant blest,)
your help is ever sure;
(your help is ever sure;)
the promise to our parents made
(the promise to our parents made)
their children will secure.
(their children will secure.)
Sing glory to the Holy One,
(Sing glory to the Holy One,)
give honor to the Word,
(give honor to the Word,)
and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,
(and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,)
one God, by all adored,
(one God by all adored,)
on God, by all adored.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For peace from on high and our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the welfare of all churches and for the unity of the human family, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For (name), our bishop, and (name), our pastor, and for all ministers of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For our nation, its government, and for all who serve and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this city (town, university, monastery…). For every city and community, and for all those living in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the safety of travelers, the recovery of the sick, the care of the destitute and the release of prisoners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For an angel of peace to guide and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a peaceful evening and a night free from sin, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For a Christian end to our lives and for all who have fallen asleep in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit (and of all the saints), let us commend ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ our Lord.
To you, O Lord.
Free Prayer
In silent or spontaneous prayer all bring before God the concerns of the day.
The Collect
O Lord,
you have taught us
that all our doings without love are worth nothing:
send your Holy Spirit,
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you;
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
RESPONSE
Open this link in a new tab to hearJohn L Bell’s arrangement of Alison Robertson’s hymn, “Love Is the Touch.”
1 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
2 Love is the lilt in a lingering voice;
love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
love is the cure for the frightened and flawed:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
3 Love is the light in a tunnel of pain;
love is the will to be whole once again;
love is the trust of a friend on the road:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Love is the Maker, and Spirit, and Son;
love is the kingdom their will has begun;
love is the pathway the saints all have trod:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
God is where love is, for love is of God.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, as our Saviour has taught us,
we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
BLESSING
May the One who began a good work in us
bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
and may the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us
and remain with us always. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment