2 Because He turned His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simple hearted;
when I was in great need,
He saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12 How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
You have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to You
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD
-- in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
This week is Corpus Christi, a Catholic feast. One our Nicene Creed prays that, The Holy Roman Catholic Church, we may all be one. Rather new to me, I found this on Social Media. I grew up in Episcopalian Parochial Schools and don't remember much about Corpus Christi, the Feast held every year on the second Thursday after Pentecost.
With so much division in the world, it was rather thrilling to read this, today, in the Anglican Church of Canada Daily Online Lectionary, adaption of the Revised Common Lectionary:
"Corpus Christi is not officially observed in the Anglican Church of Canada's calendar. However, many parishes do keep this celebration, and this feast has always been included in McCausland's. To reflect this, the option for Corpus Christi will always be listed second. There is usually only one Eucharist for Corpus Christi and it should be kept, like Maundy Thursday, on Thursday evening. There is a set of readings for the first evening prayer of Corpus Christ."
Continuing on:
"Maundy Thursday makes it difficult for many to wholeheartedly celebrate the institution of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday.
Attempting to do so with white hangings and vestments, bells, and the Gloria makes it difficult not to interrupt the tone of Holy Week by this anticipation of the liturgical announcement of the Resurrection on Saturday night at the Great Vigil. Thus, it has become more common to observe Maundy Thursday in a more restrained way with red hangings and vestments, the exclusion of bells, and the Gloria.
Therefore, the first Thursday after the season of Easter allows a fuller celebration of the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the church. Although Corpus Christi is not in the Canadian Calendar, it is observed in a number of places in the Anglican Communion and The Church of England's Common Worship."
Now, if I speak with the tongues and men and angels... when I came to the point, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom....
And to explain this in an orderly manner, The Feast of Corpus Christi is about the Death of Jesus Christ, opening His arms willingly to the whole world. The whole world. All.
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created
ALL
things,
and
by Your Will
they existed
and
were created.”
This is a celebration of the Eucharist. The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This is a celebration of Transubstantiation. Yes, I went to Episcopalian Parochial School. This part, I remember well. My step-grandfather, Reverend William Tate Young, wrote a Book about the importance of Hope in the Eucharist.
Why should we honor something the Christian Church has practiced since Matthias was first mentioned in The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1? Only one reason. Never deny hope in Jesus. Never deny the bruised reed, leaping ahead in faith. He is the dot and iota of fulfilling All in All.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him,
for he who comes to God
must believe that He is
and that
He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
He has the whole world
in
His Hands
Today
if
you hear His Voice.
Today.
My thanks to Edward, who took this photo today
and shared it with me.
The Glory of God
is All HIS.
Father God, He has an idea how He will greet you.
Abba, Father God,
Help our prayers be fruitful.
Let our conversation about joy, need, praise.
Heal the hurting,
uplift the families.
Especially in High Water.
Send Your vast blessings. Father God, we pray,
Speak the Word, Father God,
and we know Your healing.
Prayers are being answered. Thank You.
Dwell in us, Father.
Help the ones we Love to have You dwelling in them.
Help us to Seek You First.
And we will finish well in Jesus Christ.
We pray for those facing
difficult days
and for the entire Nation.
Worldwide Peace.
Praise Your gift of life in Jesus.
Amen.