All Hallows Morning and Evening Prayer for Sunday (October 23, 2022)
The morning service begins at the top of the page at the Acclamation of Christ at the Dawning of the Day. Scroll down the page for the beginning of the evening service as the Blessing of the Light.
MORNING PRAYER
THE ACCLAMATION OF CHRIST AT THE DAWNING OF THE DAY
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John L. Bell’s morning hymn, “Today I Awake.”
1 Today I awake and God is before me.
At night, as I dreamt, God summoned the day;
For God never sleeps but patterns the morning
with slithers of gold or glory in grey.
2 Today I arise and Christ is beside me.
He walked through the dark to scatter new light,
Yes, Christ is alive, and beckons his people
to hope and to heal, resist and invite.
3 Today I affirm the Spirit within me
at worship and work, in struggle and rest.
The Spirit inspires all life which is changing
from fearing to faith, from broken to blest.
4 Today I enjoy the Trinity round me,
above and beneath, before and behind;
The Maker, the Son, the Spirit together
they called me to life and call me their friend.
This prayer of thanksgiving is said.
Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
THE WORD OF GOD
PSALMODY
Open this link in a new tab to hear Liam Lawson’s adaptation of Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
1 My soul is thirsting for the Lord,
how it yearns for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and soul ring out for joy
to God, the living God.
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
2 The sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow a nest for her brood.
She lays her young by your altars,
Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
3 One day, O Lord, within your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
The threshold of the house of God
I prefer to the house of the wicked.
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
Silence is kept.
Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory,
that, strengthened by the bread of life,
we may come to your eternal dwelling place;
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw Jr’s metrical paraphrase of the Song of Creation, the Benedicite Omnia Opera, “Let All Creation Bless the Lord.”
1 Let all creation bless the Lord,
till heav'n with praise is ringing.
Sun, moon, and stars, peal out a chord,
stir up the angels' singing.
Sing, wind and rain! Sing snow and sleet!
Make music, day, night, cold, and heat:
exalt the God who made you,
exalt the God who made you!
2 All living things upon the earth,
green fertile hills and mountains,
sing to the God who gave you birth;
be joyful, springs and fountains.
Lithe waterlife, bright airborne birds,
wild roving beasts, tame flocks and herds;
exalt the God who made you,
exalt the God who made you!.
3 O men and women ev'rywhere,
lift up a hymn of glory:
all you who know God's steadfast care,
tell out salvation's story.
No tongue be mute; all sing your part,
you humble souls and meek of heart:
exalt the God who made you,
exalt the God who made you!
Silence may be kept.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Sirach 35:12–17 God hears the prayer of the humble
Think not to corrupt with gifts; for he will not receive them:
And set not thy mind on an unrighteous sacrifice;
For the Lord is judge,
And with him is no respect of persons.
He will not accept any person against a poor man;
And he will listen to the prayer of him that is wronged.
He will in no wise despise the supplication of the fatherless;
Nor the widow, when she poureth out her tale.
Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek?
And is not her cry against him that hath caused them to fall?
He that serveth God according to his good pleasure shall be accepted,
And his supplication shall reach unto the clouds.
The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds;
And till it come nigh, he will not be comforted;
And he will not depart, till the Most High shall visit;
And he shall judge righteously, and execute judgement.
Silence is kept.
Luke 18:9–14 Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
A Parable for Today
If you do a Google search on the words, “narcissist” and “narcissism” on the internet, you will be rewarded with a plethora of articles on the topic, ranging from articles in psychological journals to those in popular magazines. If you do YouTube search on the same words, you will have similar results—numerous videos on the topic.
Narcissism has gained a prominent place in the popular imagination, according to Psychology Today, and the label “narcissist” is frequently applied to people who think that they are very important in a way that annoys others. There is a growing perception that narcissism is on the rise, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The twenty-first century has even been dubbed the “new age of narcissism.” However, the bulk of psychological research does not support this perception.
We all are to some degree narcissistic, some more than others. A high level of narcissism can have toxic effects on personal relationships. Children with narcissistic parents become anxious and depressed. Individuals with a narcissistic romantic partner experience all kinds of relationship problems. Employees with a narcissistic boss will have a tough time of it.
Among the common characteristics of people who are narcissistic is that they have an overinflated opinion of themselves. They see themselves as better than other people. They can be highly competitive, striving to outdo everyone else and to be at the top of the heap. They have a strong need to be right, to have the last word, and to always be in control. They do not like anyone disagreeing with them. If they run into difficulties or feel emotionally hurt, they will treat their situation as if it is worse than anyone else’s.
People who are narcissistic lack empathy. They are unable to see things from other people’s point of view. They are unable to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation. They only see things from their own point of view. They put their feelings and comfort first. They cannot imagine other people feeling or seeing things in any other way than the way that they do. It does not occur to them that other ways of considering things may exist. As a consequence, they often lack any feelings of guilt or remorse for their actions.
People who are narcissistic have a strong need for attention, praise, and admiration. They will go to great lengths to seek affirmation from others. They will create scenarios to elicit the approval of others and to keep themselves at the center of attention. They will make slight difficulties seem like serious problems for this purpose. They will also create problems for themselves.
People who are narcissistic often have deep-seated feelings of insecurity. It is these feelings that underlie their attention seeking behavior and their enormous ego. It is also these feelings that cause them to seek too much control in every situation. They seldom display vulnerability, and they tend to see everything in black and white. Things are completely good, or they are an utter failure. There are no shades of gray.
People who are narcissistic have difficulty in respecting the limits of what others consider to be acceptable behavior. They have difficulty in understanding and separating the line between themselves and others. They believe that they are entitled to everything. They will make demands, show annoyance, try to trick or control others by making them believe their memories or beliefs about something are wrong, tell lies and half-truths, and employ other forms of manipulation to get what they want. They will express anger and shock if someone tells them “no.”
People who are narcissistic and those who are around them are apt to have very chaotic lives.
One of the things that we notice when we read the Gospels is how narcissistic the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law were. They appear to have had a high level of narcissism. Among their practices against which Jesus warned his disciples and the crowds who flocked to hear him was the lengths to which they went to draw attention to themselves. Their objection to Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath showed that they were lacking in empathy toward others. Their growing anger toward Jesus can also be accounted for in part by their narcissistic tendencies. They were jealous of their position in Jewish society, and they had a strong need to control the situation. They expected people to follow their lead and saw in Jesus an unwelcome competitor for their leadership role. The people were not flocking to hear them. They were flocking to hear Jesus. Jesus was spoiling what in their estimation should have been a positive situation for them.
In this morning’s gospel reading, Luke 18:9–14, Jesus points to the attention of those who thought very highly of their own righteousness and who viewed everyone else with contempt that God does not share their opinion of themselves or their opinion of others. Rather God looks with favor on those who humble themselves in his sight. The tax collector recognizes that he falls short, shows genuine remorse for his sinfulness, and throws himself on God’s mercy. Jesus concludes the story that tells them with these words, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Now Jesus is not telling them anything new. In passage after passage of the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, the same message is repeated over and over again. God shows his compassion and mercy to the humble, to those who recognize their spiritual poverty, to those acknowledge their need of God and their dependence upon God. As members of the spiritual elite of Jewish society as they saw themselves, this is something that they should have known. However, they chose to ignore it.
Jesus is not talking about false humility, pretending to be humble. He is talking about the genuine article, not being proud because we are aware of our bad qualities.
The narcissistic characteristics that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law exhibited are characteristics that we ourselves exhibit. We feel superior to those who watch church services on cable TV or the internet because we actually go to church: we attend services in person. We look down on people who do not live by our standards. While our self-righteousness may not be displayed in as obvious way as it was at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, it is still evident. The degree of empathy we show others leaves much to be desired. I believe that if we take time to examine ourselves, we will discover other ways that we exhibit the narcissistic characteristics that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law exhibited, not only individually but also as a church. Like the folks to whom Jesus told the story in today’s gospel reading, we are in sore need of an attitude adjustment.
In the story he told, Jesus shows us in the example of the tax collector what our attitude should be. We should show that we are very sorry for the bad things that we have done, for the mistakes that we have made, and wish that we had not done them or made them. We should recognize that we have no righteousness of our own and we are utterly dependent upon God’s kindness and forgiveness. The goodwill and favor God shows us is not something that we can earn nor is it something that we deserve to be shown due to some quality of our own. It is not something to which we are in any way entitled. We have no reason to think of ourselves as better than anyone else.
Rather than being superior to others, we have come as far as we come as a disciple of Jesus solely by the grace of God, solely with God’s help and through his kindness. We have nothing to boast about.
What then should then be our response to God’s generosity? It is something to which the folks to whom Jesus told the story should have known too. It is found in a passage of the Book of the Prophet Micah:
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6: 8 NLT)
In the words of the Jewish sage Ben Sira, the author of the Wisdom of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus, which Anglicans and Lutherans read for the examples it provides of faithful conduct, it is to "serveth God according to his good pleasure."
Silence is kept.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Micael Talbot’s responsorial setting of the Benedictus Dominus Deus, “Blessed Be the Lord.”
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Israel
He has come to His people
And set them free.
He has raised up for us
A mighty savior:
Born of His servant David.
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord.
He has promised of old,
He would save us,
Through His prophets of old,
From our enemies.
He promised to show
Mercy to our fathers,
To remember His covenant of old.
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord.
This was the oath He swore
To our father Abraham,
To set us free to worship
Him without fear.
Holy and righteous in the sight of God
All the days of our lives.
And you, my child, are the prophet,
Of the most High.
You will go before the Lord
To prepare His way
To announce the news of salvation
By forgiveness of all our sins.
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord.
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord,
Blessed be the Lord.
Silence may be kept.
PRAYERS
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.
THE COLLECTS
Jesus our Lord,
you have taught us that judgement
begins at the house of God;
save us from our self-satisfaction,
rigidity and corruption,
so that we may stand ready to do your will;
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As Christ teaches us, we pray:
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.
CLOSING SONG
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s metrical paraphrase of the Te Deum laudamus, “God, We Praise You.”
1 God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
God, we name you sovereign Lord!
Mighty King whom angels worship,
Father, by your church adored:
all creation shows your glory,
heaven and earth draw near your throne
singing 'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord of hosts, and God alone!'
2 True apostles, faithful prophets,
saints who set their world ablaze,
martyrs, once unknown, unheeded,
join one growing song of praise,
while your church on earth confesses
one majestic Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God, our hope eternally.
3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
everlasting Son of God,
humble was your virgin mother,
hard the lonely path you trod:
by your cross is sin defeated,
hell confronted face to face,
heaven opened to believers,
sinners justified by grace.
4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
you will judge the world you made;
Lord, in mercy help your servants
for whose freedom you have paid:
raise us up from dust to glory,
guard us from all sin today;
King enthroned above all praises,
save your people, God, we pray.
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
THE BLESSING OF THE LIGHT
A lamp or candle may be lit.
The Lord is my light and my salvation:
my God shall make my darkness to be bright.
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you
and also with you.
Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of day and night:
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As darkness falls you renew your promise
to reveal among us the light of your presence.
By the light of Christ, your living Word,
dispel the darkness of our hearts
that we may walk as children of light
and sing your praise throughout the world.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Blessed be God for ever.
Other candles may be lit as the following is sung.
Open this link in a new tab to hear William Bradley Roberts’ choral setting of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”
1 O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the
everliving Father in heaven.
O Jesus, Christ, holy and blessed!
2 Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3 thou art worthy at all times
to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
As Psalm 141 — A Song of the Evening Sacrifice, is sung, incense may be burned.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Peter Inwood’s setting of Psalm 141, “O Lord, Let My Prayer Rise Before You Like Incense.”
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
1. Lord, I am calling:
hasten to help me.
Listen to me as I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
2. Lord, set a guard at my mouth,
keep watch at the gate of my lips.
Let my heart not turn to things that are wrong,
to sharing the evil deeds done by the sinful.
No, I will never taste their delights.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
3. The good may reprove me,
in kindness chastise me,
but the wicked shall never anoint my head.
Ev’ry day I counter their malice with prayer.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
4 To you, Lord, my God, my eyes are turned:
in you I take refuge;
do not forsake me.
Keep me from the traps they have set for me,
from the snares of those who do evil.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
5 Praise to the Father, praise to the Son,
all praise to the life-giving Spirit.
As it was, is now and shall always be
for ages unending. Amen.
O Lord, let my prayer rise before you as incense,
my hands like an evening offering.
This opening prayer is said.
That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
so may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise
now and for ever.
Amen.
THE WORD OF GOD
PSALMODY
Open this link in a new tab to hear Liam Lawson’s adaptation of Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
1 My soul is thirsting for the Lord,
how it yearns for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and soul ring out for joy
to God, the living God.
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
2 The sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow a nest for her brood.
She lays her young by your altars,
Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
3 One day, O Lord, within your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
The threshold of the house of God
I prefer to the house of the wicked.
How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!
Silence is kept.
Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory,
that, strengthened by the bread of life,
we may come to your eternal dwelling place;
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Donald Pearson's setting of the Dignus est, “Splendor and Honor.”
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created
and have their being;
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation,
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne,
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor,
for ever more and for evermore.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For ever more and for evermore.
Silence may be kept.
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 18:31-43 Jesus again predicts his death and heals a blind beggar
Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”
But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
Jesus performed a number of miracles in the city of Jericho or its vicinity. The woman with the issue of blood was healed when she touched his robe. Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. In this evening’s gospel reading, Luke18:31-43, he heals a blind beggar.
Through the miracles he performed Jesus made known the compassionate and merciful nature of God. They also served him as his credentials.
We do not know how long the blind beggar had been blind, whether he had been born blind or had lost his sight at some point in his life. We do know that he had been forced to beg, to ask people for food or money because he apparently had no family to care for him or his family was so poor that he had to beg to feed himself.
Beggars were a common sight in the ancient Mid-East. They would wait on the side of a well-trafficked road or street and beg food or money from the passers-by.
In Jesus’ day giving alms to the poor was seen as a form of righteousness. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were known for their ostentatious displays of alms giving through which they sought to draw attention to themselves and their righteousness. Jesus warned his disciples against their ostentatiousness in alms giving, too obviously making a large gift to a poor individual in an attempt to make their fellow Jews notice and admire them. He, however, did not forbid his disciples to give alms to the poor. In fact, he told the rich young man to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor.
Why did the people in front try to silence the blind beggar when he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” For beggars to shout at passers-by to get their attention was not unusual. What was unusual was how he addressed Jesus. He called Jesus “Son of David.” “Son of David” is a title for the Messiah, God’s Promised One. Those who tried to silence him must not have believed that Jesus was the Messiah. The blind man would shout louder, “Son of David have mercy on me.”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped walking and had the blind beggar brought to him. Jesus asks him what he wants, and the man tells Jesus that he wants to see. Jesus does not touch him. Or pray over him. He just says, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” The very instant Jesus speaks these words, the man can see. Jesus then continues on his way, the man follows him, praising God. Those who witnessed the miracle praise God too.
How are we to understand Jesus’ words, “Your faith has healed you.” This is an important question. Too often people who do not receive healing in response to prayer, laying on of hands, or anointing are told that they lacked faith. They would have been healed if they had more faith. But Jesus is not talking about the measure of an individual’s faith. The faith to which Jesus is referring is the man’s faith which had prompted him to begin shouting when he learned that it was Jesus who was passing by. He had in all likelihood heard from others the stories circulating about Jesus. He had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. It was this faith which led to his healing.
In the Eastern Church the words of the blind man, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” form the basis of what is called the Jesus Prayer. Praying the Jesus Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer. As one breathes in, one prays silently, “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” As one breathes out, one does the same thing. One prays this way over and over again for a period of time. “A sinner” was not originally a part of the prayer. To learn more about this form of prayer google “breath prayer.” Also google “hesychasm,” the term used described how this form of prayer is used in the Eastern Church.
Jesus continues to heal people in response to prayer as he healed did during his earthly ministry. I have not only heard testimony to this effect, but also I have witnessed at least one such healing. For this reason, I encourage individual Christian not only pray for healing for those who are sick or injured or struggling with addiction or who otherwise need healing but also Sunday school classes and small groups to do the same for their participants and others who may need healing.
I also encourage the imposition of hands upon those who need healing and their anointing with oil. Prayer and these two practices are ways of showing goodwill and love toward others. God can use all three separately or together as a means of grace.
I am not going to claim that God will heal every time. God is sovereign in such matters and how he chooses to heal may not be what we are hoping for. God heals in a multitude of ways.
Churches may want to add a monthly healing service to their schedule at which Holy Communion is celebrated and those needing healing receive prayer, the imposition of hands, and anointing.
At a local church’s Sunday services pastors will want to make sure that the Prayers and Concerns, whatever they are called in the local church, include intercession for those who need healing and thanksgiving for those who have received healing. They may want to lay hands on those who come forward for prayer when the invitation is given and to anoint them with oil. We should not underestimate the value of such tangible expressions of our caring for others.
A local church, whether it is large or small or somewhere in between, can have a ministry of healing.
Let’s not be like the people in front who tried to silence the blind beggar. Let us join our voices to his, to the voices of believers of past generations, to the voices of believers not yet born, and cry, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy….” “Son of David, have mercy….” If not for ourselves, for others who need healing and salvation.
Silence is kept.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open a link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw Jr.’s metrical paraphrase of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims with Wonder.”
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
For God has looked with favor,
on one the world thought frail;
and blessings through the ages will echo
the angel's first "All hail."
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
God's mercy shields the faithful
and gives them safe retreat
to arms that turns to scatter
the proud in their conceit.
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
The mighty have been vanquished;
the lowly lifted up.
The hungry find abundance;
the rich, an empty cup.
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
To Abraham's descendants
the Lord will steadfast prove,
for God has made with Israel
a covenant of love.
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
Silence may be kept.
PRAYERS
Particular intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered before any section.
Periods of silence may be kept.
Blessed are you eternal God,
to be praised and glorified for ever.
Heavenly Father, hear us as we pray for the unity of the Church.
May we all be one that the world may believe.
Grant that every member of the Church
may truly and humbly serve you,
that the life of Christ may be revealed in us.
We remember those who have died.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
(Remembering N)
We praise you for all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May we also come to share your heavenly kingdom.
Have compassion on those who suffer from sickness,
grief or trouble.
In your presence may they find strength.
Look with your kindness on our homes and families.
Grant that your love may grow in our hearts.
Make us alive to the needs of our community.
Help us to share one another’s joys and burdens.
Inspire and lead those who hold authority
in the nations of the world.
Guide us and all people in the way of justice and peace.
Strengthen all who minister in Christ’s name.
Give us courage to proclaim your Gospel.
We pray in silence for our own needs and the needs of others...
Silence is kept.
Praise to you, abundant God,
for when we ask, you give;
when we seek, you show the way.
When we knock, you answer.
Praise to you for your unfailing grace.
Make us now your faithful people.
Amen.
THE COLLECTS
Jesus our Lord,
you have taught us that judgement
begins at the house of God;
save us from our self-satisfaction,
rigidity and corruption,
so that we may stand ready to do your will;
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As Christ teaches us, we pray:
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.
CLOSING SONG
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Healer of Our Every Ill.”
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
1 You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
2 In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
3 Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother;
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
4 You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
and by your will they were created
and have their being;
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation,
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne,
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor,
for ever more and for evermore.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For ever more and for evermore.
Silence may be kept.
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 18:31-43 Jesus again predicts his death and heals a blind beggar
Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”
But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
Silence is kept.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
HOMILY
Jesus Heals Now as Then!
Jesus performed a number of miracles in the city of Jericho or its vicinity. The woman with the issue of blood was healed when she touched his robe. Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. In this evening’s gospel reading, Luke18:31-43, he heals a blind beggar.
Through the miracles he performed Jesus made known the compassionate and merciful nature of God. They also served him as his credentials.
We do not know how long the blind beggar had been blind, whether he had been born blind or had lost his sight at some point in his life. We do know that he had been forced to beg, to ask people for food or money because he apparently had no family to care for him or his family was so poor that he had to beg to feed himself.
Beggars were a common sight in the ancient Mid-East. They would wait on the side of a well-trafficked road or street and beg food or money from the passers-by.
In Jesus’ day giving alms to the poor was seen as a form of righteousness. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were known for their ostentatious displays of alms giving through which they sought to draw attention to themselves and their righteousness. Jesus warned his disciples against their ostentatiousness in alms giving, too obviously making a large gift to a poor individual in an attempt to make their fellow Jews notice and admire them. He, however, did not forbid his disciples to give alms to the poor. In fact, he told the rich young man to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor.
Why did the people in front try to silence the blind beggar when he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” For beggars to shout at passers-by to get their attention was not unusual. What was unusual was how he addressed Jesus. He called Jesus “Son of David.” “Son of David” is a title for the Messiah, God’s Promised One. Those who tried to silence him must not have believed that Jesus was the Messiah. The blind man would shout louder, “Son of David have mercy on me.”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped walking and had the blind beggar brought to him. Jesus asks him what he wants, and the man tells Jesus that he wants to see. Jesus does not touch him. Or pray over him. He just says, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” The very instant Jesus speaks these words, the man can see. Jesus then continues on his way, the man follows him, praising God. Those who witnessed the miracle praise God too.
How are we to understand Jesus’ words, “Your faith has healed you.” This is an important question. Too often people who do not receive healing in response to prayer, laying on of hands, or anointing are told that they lacked faith. They would have been healed if they had more faith. But Jesus is not talking about the measure of an individual’s faith. The faith to which Jesus is referring is the man’s faith which had prompted him to begin shouting when he learned that it was Jesus who was passing by. He had in all likelihood heard from others the stories circulating about Jesus. He had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. It was this faith which led to his healing.
In the Eastern Church the words of the blind man, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” form the basis of what is called the Jesus Prayer. Praying the Jesus Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer. As one breathes in, one prays silently, “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” As one breathes out, one does the same thing. One prays this way over and over again for a period of time. “A sinner” was not originally a part of the prayer. To learn more about this form of prayer google “breath prayer.” Also google “hesychasm,” the term used described how this form of prayer is used in the Eastern Church.
Jesus continues to heal people in response to prayer as he healed did during his earthly ministry. I have not only heard testimony to this effect, but also I have witnessed at least one such healing. For this reason, I encourage individual Christian not only pray for healing for those who are sick or injured or struggling with addiction or who otherwise need healing but also Sunday school classes and small groups to do the same for their participants and others who may need healing.
I also encourage the imposition of hands upon those who need healing and their anointing with oil. Prayer and these two practices are ways of showing goodwill and love toward others. God can use all three separately or together as a means of grace.
I am not going to claim that God will heal every time. God is sovereign in such matters and how he chooses to heal may not be what we are hoping for. God heals in a multitude of ways.
Churches may want to add a monthly healing service to their schedule at which Holy Communion is celebrated and those needing healing receive prayer, the imposition of hands, and anointing.
At a local church’s Sunday services pastors will want to make sure that the Prayers and Concerns, whatever they are called in the local church, include intercession for those who need healing and thanksgiving for those who have received healing. They may want to lay hands on those who come forward for prayer when the invitation is given and to anoint them with oil. We should not underestimate the value of such tangible expressions of our caring for others.
A local church, whether it is large or small or somewhere in between, can have a ministry of healing.
Let’s not be like the people in front who tried to silence the blind beggar. Let us join our voices to his, to the voices of believers of past generations, to the voices of believers not yet born, and cry, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy….” “Son of David, have mercy….” If not for ourselves, for others who need healing and salvation.
Silence is kept.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open a link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw Jr.’s metrical paraphrase of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims with Wonder.”
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
For God has looked with favor,
on one the world thought frail;
and blessings through the ages will echo
the angel's first "All hail."
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
God's mercy shields the faithful
and gives them safe retreat
to arms that turns to scatter
the proud in their conceit.
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
The mighty have been vanquished;
the lowly lifted up.
The hungry find abundance;
the rich, an empty cup.
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
To Abraham's descendants
the Lord will steadfast prove,
for God has made with Israel
a covenant of love.
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.
Silence may be kept.
PRAYERS
Particular intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered before any section.
Periods of silence may be kept.
Blessed are you eternal God,
to be praised and glorified for ever.
Heavenly Father, hear us as we pray for the unity of the Church.
May we all be one that the world may believe.
Grant that every member of the Church
may truly and humbly serve you,
that the life of Christ may be revealed in us.
We remember those who have died.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
(Remembering N)
We praise you for all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May we also come to share your heavenly kingdom.
Have compassion on those who suffer from sickness,
grief or trouble.
In your presence may they find strength.
Look with your kindness on our homes and families.
Grant that your love may grow in our hearts.
Make us alive to the needs of our community.
Help us to share one another’s joys and burdens.
Inspire and lead those who hold authority
in the nations of the world.
Guide us and all people in the way of justice and peace.
Strengthen all who minister in Christ’s name.
Give us courage to proclaim your Gospel.
We pray in silence for our own needs and the needs of others...
Silence is kept.
Praise to you, abundant God,
for when we ask, you give;
when we seek, you show the way.
When we knock, you answer.
Praise to you for your unfailing grace.
Make us now your faithful people.
Amen.
THE COLLECTS
Jesus our Lord,
you have taught us that judgement
begins at the house of God;
save us from our self-satisfaction,
rigidity and corruption,
so that we may stand ready to do your will;
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As Christ teaches us, we pray:
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.
CLOSING SONG
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Healer of Our Every Ill.”
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
1 You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
2 In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
3 Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother;
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
4 You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
THE CONCLUSION
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment