15 JULY 08

TUESDAY AFTER TRINITY VIII

15 JULY 08

LECTIONARY READINGS

Morning Prayer: Psalm 111, 114; 1 Samuel 11:14-12:5; Luke 15:11-end

Evening Prayer: Psalm 118; Daniel 6:9-15; Acts 26:24-27:8

REFLECTION

Today I would like to consider some thoughts on Psalm 118, found in Evening Prayer. The constant refrain we hear in this Psalm is "for His mercy endureth forever." Have you consider the characteristics of the Lord's mercy? Have you experienced His mercy? Have you seen the imprint of His mercy in the lives of other people?

The Psalmist today calls on various aspects of Israel's society, the house of Aaron, those the fear the Lord, those who are in trouble, etc., to give thanks to the Lord because they know that His mercy endures forever. The Psalmist tells us that he has been under great stress because many people have been after him, have desired to do him harm. Yet, the Lord has protected him. The Psalmist has sought the Lord's strength. In the end, the Psalmist proclaims "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." We are shown that even though we may be experiencing all kinds of stress and difficulties in life, we can know the Lord is with us and gives us His mercy.

How might you and I share the reality of the Lord's mercy with those around us who may not know the Lord? Are there ways the Lord might use you to be His mouth piece, hands, feet, etc., of mercy to those in your life who need mercy? Truly, may our lives declare boldly that we give to the Lord for His great mercy.

Have a blessed day in Christ!

Fr. Greg

THE COLLECT FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SAINT OF THE DAY

The translation of St. Swithun, bishop, confessor (800-862)

Swithun entered the monastery of Winchester, and became a priest therein. King Egbert of the West Saxons heard of his fame and gave his son Ethelwulf into his care; and when this prince years afterwards succeeded to the kingdom, he nominated Swithun Bishop of Winchester, with the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his clergy. thereafter, in his dudty towards his See, Swithun left nothing undone which is the part of a faithful shepherd. He shrank from all display and gaining of glory in the sight of men, and desired nothing more than that all the good which he did should be unknown save to God and to his own conscience. When he was dying, (to wit, on July 2nd 862), he expressed the wish that his body should be laid in the earth outside the church, under the open sky, that the feet of them that came thither might pass ofver him, and that the rain and the dew might fall upon him; and his lowly wish was carried out. Wherefrom hath sprung the belief that because of his love of both sunshine and rain, God doth ever grant his reuest for either, whichever he preferreth for his feast day, and for forty days continuously thereafter. But when the new Cathedral Church of Winchester was built, theh relicks of blessed Swithun were translated thereto, to wit, in 1093.

THE COLLECT FOR THE TRANSLATION OF ST. SWITHUN

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast made this day honourable unto us by reason of the festival of blessed Swithun thy Confessor and Bishop ; grant, we beseech thee ; that thy Church may so rejoice in this solemnity, that we which on this day do honour him on earth may by his intercession obtain thy succour in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.