Sundays at All Hallows (March 15, 2026)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, Mid-Lent Sunday, or Refreshment Sunday.In the Church of England and some other Anglican Churches, it coincides with Mothering Sunday, a Sunday on which Christians have historically visited their mother church—the church in which they received the sacrament of baptism.
Regrettably I am unable to observe this custom as my mother church is St. Mary the Virgin in Therfield, in Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom, a goodly distance from where I now live.
Among Mothering Sunday customs are the baking off Simnel Cakes and Mothering Buns, "plain yeast-leavened buns, iced, and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands,” for the occasion and children gathering and presenting their mothers with bouquets of violets.
The topic of this Sunday’s message is spiritual blindness.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Haye’s arrangement of JESUS, LORD TO ME for solo piano.
Silence
‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’
John 8:12
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and
just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8,9
Let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and humbly confess our sins.
Silence
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much
the devices and the desires of our own hearts.
we have offended against your holy laws,
we have left undone what we ought to have done,
and we have done what we ought not to have done.
Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;
restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant, most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober lives,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon
and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their
sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open our lips, O Lord;
And we shall declare your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Open this link to James Quinn SJ’s paraphrase of the Jubilate Deo, “Sing All Creation.”
1 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness!
Joyously serve him, singing hymns of homage!
Chanting his praises, come before his presence!
Praise the Almighty!
2 Know that our God is Lord of all the ages!
He is our maker; we are all his creatures,
people he fashioned, sheep he leads to pasture!
Praise the Almighty!
3 Enter his temple, ringing out his praises!
Sing in thanksgiving as you come before him!
Blessing his bounty, glorify his greatness!
Praise the Almighty!
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Great in his goodness is the Lord we worship;
steadfast his kindness, love that knows no ending!
Faithful his word is, changeless, everlasting!
Praise the Almighty!
Open this link in a new tab to hear David Preston’s “Shout with Joy to God, All Nations” (Psalm 66).
1 Shout with joy to God, all nations,
sing the glory of his name;
praise with loudest acclamations!
His tremendous deeds proclaim!
All his foes in fear and trembling
bow beneath his mighty arm,
while all earth with joy assembling
sounds his praise in song and psalm.
2 Come and see, with awe and wonder,
see displayed the power of God!
As he held the waves asunder
Israel crossed the sea dry-shod;
praise him, then, with jubilation,
who for ever rules by might,
keeping watch lest any nation
dare contest his sovereign right.
3 Praise him, who has stood beside us
and not let our footsteps slide!
In the fires of life you tried us
till, like silver, purified:
you sent fierce affliction to us,
conquerors trampled on our head,
yet through flame and flood you drew us
and to peace and freedom led.
4 What thank-offering shall I render,
my most solemn vows to pay,
made to you, my strong defender,
when I faced the evil day?
Here I offer on your altar
all I am and have to do;
may my purpose never falter,
all my life be spent for you.
5 Come and listen, all who fear him,
hear what God has done for me:
with my praises I drew near him,
and poured out my urgent plea;
had I cherished sin within me,
God would not have heard my prayer;
praise him for the answer given:
in his gracious love and care.
Had I cherished sin within me,
God would not have heard my prayer;
praise him for the answer given me:
in his gracious love and care.
Silence
How generous is your goodness, O God,
how great is your salvation,
how faithful is your love!
Help us to trust in you in trial,
to praise you in deliverance
and to rejoice before you with overflowing hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Adam Wright’s arrangement of Psalm 67, “May God Be Gracious to Us and Bless Us.”
Verse 1
May God be gracious to us and bless us
And make his face to shine upon us
That Your way may be known on Earth
Your saving power among all nations
Chorus
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let all the peoples praise You
Verse 2
O let the nations be glad
And sing for joy
For You judge the peoples with equity
And guide the nations upon Earth
Chorus
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let all the peoples praise You
Verse 3
The Earth has yielded its increase
God our God shall bless us
God shall bless us
Let all the ends of the Earth fear Him
Chorus
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let all the peoples praise You
Tag
Let the peoples praise You O God
Tag
Let all the peoples praise You
Silence
In the face of Jesus Christ,
your light and glory have blazed forth
to all the nations, O God;
with all your people,
may we make known your grace
and live out your ways of peace. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the First Book of Samuel.
1 Samuel 16: 1-13
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s “Bless the Lord, Our Fathers' God”
Piano accompaniment only (3 verses; no introduction)
1 Bless the Lord, our fathers' God,
bless the name of heaven's king;
bless him in his holy place,
tell his praise, his glories sing.
2 Bless the Lord who reigns on high
throned above the cherubim;
bless the Lord who knows the depths,
show his praise and worship him.
3 Bless the Lord for evermore,
bless the Holy Trinity;
bless the Father, Spirit, Son,
sing his praise eternally!
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 5: 8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s "O Bless the God of Israel" (Benedictus)
1 O bless the God of Israel,
who comes to set us free,
who visits and redeems us
and grants us liberty.
The prophets spoke of mercy,
of rescue and release,
God shall fulfil his promise
and bring his people peace.
2 He comes! The Child of David,
the Son whom God has given;
he comes to live among us
and raise us up to heaven.
Before him goes his servant,
forerunner in the way,
the prophet of salvation,
the herald of the Day.
3 Where once were fear and darkness
the sun begins to rise-
the dawning of forgiveness
upon the sinner’s eyes.
He guides the feet of pilgrims
along the paths of peace:
O, bless our God and Saviour,
with songs that never cease!
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
John 9: 1-41
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
“Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”
The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
“We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
1 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness!
Joyously serve him, singing hymns of homage!
Chanting his praises, come before his presence!
Praise the Almighty!
2 Know that our God is Lord of all the ages!
He is our maker; we are all his creatures,
people he fashioned, sheep he leads to pasture!
Praise the Almighty!
3 Enter his temple, ringing out his praises!
Sing in thanksgiving as you come before him!
Blessing his bounty, glorify his greatness!
Praise the Almighty!
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Great in his goodness is the Lord we worship;
steadfast his kindness, love that knows no ending!
Faithful his word is, changeless, everlasting!
Praise the Almighty!
Open this link in a new tab to hear David Preston’s “Shout with Joy to God, All Nations” (Psalm 66).
1 Shout with joy to God, all nations,
sing the glory of his name;
praise with loudest acclamations!
His tremendous deeds proclaim!
All his foes in fear and trembling
bow beneath his mighty arm,
while all earth with joy assembling
sounds his praise in song and psalm.
2 Come and see, with awe and wonder,
see displayed the power of God!
As he held the waves asunder
Israel crossed the sea dry-shod;
praise him, then, with jubilation,
who for ever rules by might,
keeping watch lest any nation
dare contest his sovereign right.
3 Praise him, who has stood beside us
and not let our footsteps slide!
In the fires of life you tried us
till, like silver, purified:
you sent fierce affliction to us,
conquerors trampled on our head,
yet through flame and flood you drew us
and to peace and freedom led.
4 What thank-offering shall I render,
my most solemn vows to pay,
made to you, my strong defender,
when I faced the evil day?
Here I offer on your altar
all I am and have to do;
may my purpose never falter,
all my life be spent for you.
5 Come and listen, all who fear him,
hear what God has done for me:
with my praises I drew near him,
and poured out my urgent plea;
had I cherished sin within me,
God would not have heard my prayer;
praise him for the answer given:
in his gracious love and care.
Had I cherished sin within me,
God would not have heard my prayer;
praise him for the answer given me:
in his gracious love and care.
Silence
How generous is your goodness, O God,
how great is your salvation,
how faithful is your love!
Help us to trust in you in trial,
to praise you in deliverance
and to rejoice before you with overflowing hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Adam Wright’s arrangement of Psalm 67, “May God Be Gracious to Us and Bless Us.”
Verse 1
May God be gracious to us and bless us
And make his face to shine upon us
That Your way may be known on Earth
Your saving power among all nations
Chorus
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let all the peoples praise You
Verse 2
O let the nations be glad
And sing for joy
For You judge the peoples with equity
And guide the nations upon Earth
Chorus
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let all the peoples praise You
Verse 3
The Earth has yielded its increase
God our God shall bless us
God shall bless us
Let all the ends of the Earth fear Him
Chorus
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let the peoples praise You O God
Let all the peoples praise You
Tag
Let the peoples praise You O God
Tag
Let all the peoples praise You
Silence
In the face of Jesus Christ,
your light and glory have blazed forth
to all the nations, O God;
with all your people,
may we make known your grace
and live out your ways of peace. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the First Book of Samuel.
1 Samuel 16: 1-13
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s “Bless the Lord, Our Fathers' God”
Piano accompaniment only (3 verses; no introduction)
1 Bless the Lord, our fathers' God,
bless the name of heaven's king;
bless him in his holy place,
tell his praise, his glories sing.
2 Bless the Lord who reigns on high
throned above the cherubim;
bless the Lord who knows the depths,
show his praise and worship him.
3 Bless the Lord for evermore,
bless the Holy Trinity;
bless the Father, Spirit, Son,
sing his praise eternally!
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 5: 8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s "O Bless the God of Israel" (Benedictus)
1 O bless the God of Israel,
who comes to set us free,
who visits and redeems us
and grants us liberty.
The prophets spoke of mercy,
of rescue and release,
God shall fulfil his promise
and bring his people peace.
2 He comes! The Child of David,
the Son whom God has given;
he comes to live among us
and raise us up to heaven.
Before him goes his servant,
forerunner in the way,
the prophet of salvation,
the herald of the Day.
3 Where once were fear and darkness
the sun begins to rise-
the dawning of forgiveness
upon the sinner’s eyes.
He guides the feet of pilgrims
along the paths of peace:
O, bless our God and Saviour,
with songs that never cease!
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
John 9: 1-41
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
“Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”
The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
“We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
In ancient times blindness, eye diseases, and impaired vision were common maladies. Among the pagans, except when such a malady was caused by a physical injury, these maladies were attributed to a variety of supernatural causes. Their gods, the pagans believed, were notoriously capricious and quick to take offense at some perceived impiety. They might blind a person on a whim. Even a physical injury might have a supernatural cause. Belief in witchcraft and curses such as the evil eye were widespread.
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
Born Blind
In ancient times blindness, eye diseases, and impaired vision were common maladies. Among the pagans, except when such a malady was caused by a physical injury, these maladies were attributed to a variety of supernatural causes. Their gods, the pagans believed, were notoriously capricious and quick to take offense at some perceived impiety. They might blind a person on a whim. Even a physical injury might have a supernatural cause. Belief in witchcraft and curses such as the evil eye were widespread.
Among the Jews these maladies were often attributed to God’s punishment for the sins of the person afflicted with a particular malady and in case of a person born blind to God’s punishment for the sins of the parents. Indeed, any misfortune which befell someone was attributed to divine retribution for wrongdoing. It was believed that they must have done something bad and God was punishing them. It is noteworthy that Jesus rejected this view both in this Sunday’s Gospel reading and elsewhere in the Gospels. See Luke 13:1-5.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus used the Pharisees’ reaction to his healing of the man born blind to draw attention to their spiritual blindness, their unwillingness to see in the healing God’s work. Jesus saw the Pharisees as they really were and not as they wished their coreligionists to see them. They were so focused upon what they believed was the spiritual condition of others, they failed to recognize their own spiritual condition.
Jesus looked at a person’s heart, their innermost inclinations, and not their outward appearance, the way God did in this Sunday’s Old Testament reading. He saw an individual’s true character, and not the mask or masks they wear for others.
The Pharisees’ own attitudes and beliefs blinded them to the fact that Jesus was from God. He did not fit into the way they saw God, themselves, others, and the world.
How do our own attitudes and beliefs blind us to what God is doing in the world, in people’s lives, in our own lives? How are they keeping us from recognizing what God is doing and joining God in what God is doing? These are questions everyone who identifies themselves as a Christian needs to ask themselves.
While we may not have been born physically like the man born blind, we are born spiritually blind. Only by God’s grace, by the Holy Spirit working in us, are we able to recognize our spiritual condition and our need for a Savior. But even then we may be dogged by attitudes and beliefs that we acquired when we were spiritually blind, and our minds were completely in the dark. We need to recognize them for what they are and have nothing to do with them. Rather we need to fashion and frame our lives according to Jesus’ teaching and example, relying upon God’s grace to enable us. We need to practice what Paul urged the members of the church at Ephesus to do, to live as children who belong to the light.
Silence
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Almighty God, grant that we, who justly deserve to be punished
for our sinful deeds, may in your mercy and kindness be pardoned
and restored; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live every day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear George Herbert’s “The God of Love My Shepherd Is.”
1 The God of love my Shepherd is,
and he that doth me feed:
while he is mine and I am his,
what can I want or need,
what can I want or need?
2 He leads me to the tender grass,
where I both feed and rest;
then to the streams that gently pass:
in both I have the best,
in both I have the best.
3 Or if I stray, he doth convert
and bring my mind in frame:
and all this not for my desert,
but for his holy name,
but for his holy name.
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Yea, in death’s shady black abode
well may I walk, not fear:
for thou art with me; and thy rod
to guard, thy staff to bear,
to guard, thy staff to bear.
5 Nay, thou dost make me sit and dine,
e'en in my enemy's sight:
my head with oil, my cup with wine,
runs over day and night,
runs over day and night.
6 Surely thy sweet and wondrous love
shall measure all my days;
and as it never shall remove,
so neither shall my praise,
so neither shall my praise.
[Let us pray for all in civil authority.]
Almighty God, you rule over the kingdoms of the world: We
commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that,
being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in
your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government
are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know
and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
that they may serve your people faithfully to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops and other clergy, and on the congregations which they serve; and, in order that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, Lord, for the honour of our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
[Let us pray for ourselves and others.]
Silence
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
Eternal God,
grant to us this day and every day
such readiness and delight in following Christ,
that whether our lives are short or long
we shall have lived abundantly. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you heart-felt thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful,
and that we praise you,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kathleen Thomerson’s “I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light.”
1 I want to walk as a child of the light
I want to follow Jesus
God sent the stars to give light to the world
The star of my life is Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
2 I want to see the brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
3 I'm looking for the coming of Christ
I want to be with Jesus
When we have run with patience the race
We shall know the joy of Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear St. Aidan’s Community’s "The Grace" (2 Corinthians 13:14).
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus used the Pharisees’ reaction to his healing of the man born blind to draw attention to their spiritual blindness, their unwillingness to see in the healing God’s work. Jesus saw the Pharisees as they really were and not as they wished their coreligionists to see them. They were so focused upon what they believed was the spiritual condition of others, they failed to recognize their own spiritual condition.
Jesus looked at a person’s heart, their innermost inclinations, and not their outward appearance, the way God did in this Sunday’s Old Testament reading. He saw an individual’s true character, and not the mask or masks they wear for others.
The Pharisees’ own attitudes and beliefs blinded them to the fact that Jesus was from God. He did not fit into the way they saw God, themselves, others, and the world.
How do our own attitudes and beliefs blind us to what God is doing in the world, in people’s lives, in our own lives? How are they keeping us from recognizing what God is doing and joining God in what God is doing? These are questions everyone who identifies themselves as a Christian needs to ask themselves.
While we may not have been born physically like the man born blind, we are born spiritually blind. Only by God’s grace, by the Holy Spirit working in us, are we able to recognize our spiritual condition and our need for a Savior. But even then we may be dogged by attitudes and beliefs that we acquired when we were spiritually blind, and our minds were completely in the dark. We need to recognize them for what they are and have nothing to do with them. Rather we need to fashion and frame our lives according to Jesus’ teaching and example, relying upon God’s grace to enable us. We need to practice what Paul urged the members of the church at Ephesus to do, to live as children who belong to the light.
Silence
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Almighty God, grant that we, who justly deserve to be punished
for our sinful deeds, may in your mercy and kindness be pardoned
and restored; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live every day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear George Herbert’s “The God of Love My Shepherd Is.”
1 The God of love my Shepherd is,
and he that doth me feed:
while he is mine and I am his,
what can I want or need,
what can I want or need?
2 He leads me to the tender grass,
where I both feed and rest;
then to the streams that gently pass:
in both I have the best,
in both I have the best.
3 Or if I stray, he doth convert
and bring my mind in frame:
and all this not for my desert,
but for his holy name,
but for his holy name.
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Yea, in death’s shady black abode
well may I walk, not fear:
for thou art with me; and thy rod
to guard, thy staff to bear,
to guard, thy staff to bear.
5 Nay, thou dost make me sit and dine,
e'en in my enemy's sight:
my head with oil, my cup with wine,
runs over day and night,
runs over day and night.
6 Surely thy sweet and wondrous love
shall measure all my days;
and as it never shall remove,
so neither shall my praise,
so neither shall my praise.
[Let us pray for all in civil authority.]
Almighty God, you rule over the kingdoms of the world: We
commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that,
being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in
your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government
are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know
and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
that they may serve your people faithfully to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops and other clergy, and on the congregations which they serve; and, in order that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, Lord, for the honour of our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
[Let us pray for ourselves and others.]
Silence
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
Eternal God,
grant to us this day and every day
such readiness and delight in following Christ,
that whether our lives are short or long
we shall have lived abundantly. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you heart-felt thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful,
and that we praise you,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kathleen Thomerson’s “I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light.”
1 I want to walk as a child of the light
I want to follow Jesus
God sent the stars to give light to the world
The star of my life is Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
2 I want to see the brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
3 I'm looking for the coming of Christ
I want to be with Jesus
When we have run with patience the race
We shall know the joy of Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear St. Aidan’s Community’s "The Grace" (2 Corinthians 13:14).
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
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