THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES

Monday, Sept 15: Psalm 2; Jeremiah 18:12-23; 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5;

Tuesday, Sept 16: Psalm 2; Jeremiah 19:1-15; 1 Timothy 4:6-16;

Wednesday, Sept 17: Psalm 2; Jeremiah 20:1-18; Luke 18:18-30;

Thursday, Sept 18: Psalm 14; Jeremiah 13:20-27; 1 Timothy 1:1-11;

Friday, Sept 19: Psalm 14; Jeremiah 4:1-10; 2 Peter 2:1-10a;

Saturday, Sept 20: Psalm 14; Jeremiah 4:13-21, 29-31; John 10:11-21;

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

How are you a lost sheep, in need of someone to come and search for you? How are you a religious leader, grumbling at the community’s disintegrating standards? How are you called to engage in the search for others who live in isolation from God and community?

MORNING PRAYER

Persistent God,

as the day begins and the light increases, let me drink deeply of your grace. As the day unfolds, when my heart strays from you, call me back to this moment.

Come after me as surely as a woman searches for treasure lost. 

If I am deaf and satisfied, if I resent the needs of others, blow strong against me. Do not leave me in my foolishness—for I would have your mercy flow from me: I would be a refuge for those who wander; I would lend my heart to celebrations; I would speak your name. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER

Patient, persistent God,

I offer the day-that-has-been to you, knowing that I was not alone, even when I wandered and filled my heart with noise.

[silent prayer]

As darkness falls, as I yield to sleep, seek me again in my dreams. Call to me in ways beyond my knowing that I might find the strength to feed your people,

that I might live, again, to call your name, that I might know the joy of every stranger headed home.

For the mercy of the Christ will sustain me and the power of the Spirit send me forth. Amen.