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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

Today’s Reflection

IN VIRTUALLY EVERY Benedictine community, we see the affirmation, “Treat everyone as Christ.” This statement illuminates the heart of the Benedictine ethic and the hospitality for which many know it. Benedictine hospitality stems from the belief that Christ is present as guest and host in every encounter. Jesus proclaims a divine-human synergy, as recorded in Matthew 25. …

We reveal our love for God in our love for one another. Christ feels the pain of those who are marginalized and neglected, who experience injustice on city streets, long waits in line for social services, and exclusion of voting rights. God rejoices in children welcomed in church in all their chaotic creativity, in families receiving shelter, and in foreigners provided safe asylum. In ways beyond our imagining, God feels our pain and celebrates our joy. Everything we do touches God.

—Bruce G. Epperly, The Mystic in You: Discovering a God-Filled World (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

When have you seen Jesus hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or in prison?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
—Matthew 25:35-36, 40 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

The Academy for Spiritual Formation creates transformative space for people to be in communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • Jill Posted September 15, 2019 5:43 am

    When we are intentional about our sight – we have plentiful opportunities to serve as Christ served, to love as Christ loved. Even as yesterday’s reading stated – withholding judgment and offering a silent blessing – this can re-orient us to living more like our Saviour.
    Feeling so “filled up” following time with my best friend yesterday. It is the rarest of occasions where we get that kind of time together. I look back over my week and am so grateful for where God has brought me. The week began very difficult, but I feel back on an even keel.
    Today, following church, dad and I will golf. It is supposed to be a beautiful, warm day – and it should be quite pleasant for us.
    I so appreciate the fervent prayers offered here on myself and my dad’s behalf. If I could ask specifically for Tuesday – it would have been mom and dad’s 64th anniversary. I know his heart will be oh so heavy and tears will be abundant. I pray those tears will lead to further healing and that he will sense strength from his Lord to continue on in this new normal.
    Thoughts from Psalm 62 this morning as I anticipate worship at church…Father, God – our salvation, our surest Rock, our strong fortress – thank You for delivering us and for quieting us. Sing over us and let us sense Your guidance.

  • Shelton Prince Posted September 15, 2019 5:50 am

    I witness it daily. I thank God For Saving a wrech like me,so I can share my experience and Hope with others of the Amazing God we serve. To God Be The Glory

  • April Posted September 15, 2019 10:41 am

    Good Morning UR Family!! I just found the Aaron Keyes U-tube of Psalm 62 and watched/listened as he sang the Psalm…how powerful His words are when set to music and I can “see” Him in the words. What a feeling of peace has come over me and I will reflect on this throughout the day….as well as try to bless when I am tempted to judge.
    Jill, I just looked at my calendar and see the 17th is the 64th anniversary of another couple who would be celebrating their days together, but the husband passed this spring. I will get a card off to her today and prayers to you and your family today and Tuesday too.
    When do I see God….yesterday I was standing in line to be checked out and a younger man just started to talk to me. I struck up a conversation with him and enjoyed my waiting time. This is not the first time this has happened…I believe this is one small act I can do to be the hands and feet of Christ and see Jesus in the face of the hungry, thirsty….
    I hold each of you in my prayers and thank you for your prayers for me and my family.
    Blessing and peace to all.

  • robert moeller Posted September 16, 2019 2:55 am

    Wrote a post, it disappeared when I clicked on accepting cookies.

    Christ is seen in the hungry, naked, and imprisoned who are with us everyday.
    It is our task to feed, clothe and visit them.

    Thankful for the healing and recovery TomE, Meesook, Anneliese, Howard, and Chris have expressed. Prayers for Jill, Larry, Marcy, Julie, Andrea, Lowell, and Connie that God’s healing, comfort, and peace is with you. Special days are remembered out of love. Thank You, Lord.

    Progress building a replacement railroad station model and parts needed for layout benchwork should arrive today. Deck refinishing wth favorable weather. Thank You, Lord.

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