Wednesday February 9, 2022
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Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Collect
Almighty and everliving God, whose Son Jesus Christ healed the sick and restored them to wholeness of life, look with compassion on the anguish of the world and by your power make whole all peoples and nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN. Come, let us worship.
The Proclamation of the Word
1st Reading: Isaiah 59:15b - 21 (NRSV)
and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle. According to their deeds, so will he repay; wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. So those in the west shall fear the name of the Lord, and those in the east, his glory; for he will come like a pent-up stream that the wind of the Lord drives on.And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the Lord. And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the Lord, from now on and for ever.
Psalm 119:97-120 (Book of Alternative Services page 875):
Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law! * all the day long it is in my mind.
98 Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, * and it is always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, * for your decrees are my study.
100 I am wiser than the elders, * because I observe your commandments.
101 I restrain my feet from every evil way, * that I may keep your word.
102 I do not shrink from your judgements, * because you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste! * they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104 Through your commandments I gain understanding; * therefore I hate every lying way.
Nun
105 Your word is a lantern to my feet * and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am determined * to keep your righteous judgements.
107 I am deeply troubled; * preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, * and teach me your judgements.
109 My life is always in my hand, * yet I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, * but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; * truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes * for ever and to the end.
Samekh
113 I hate those who have a divided heart, * but your law do I love.
114 You are my refuge and shield; * my hope is in your word.
115 Away from me, you wicked! * I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, * and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, * and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
118 You spurn all who stray from your statutes; * their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; * therefore I love your decrees.
120 My flesh trembles with dread of you; * I am afraid of your judgements.
God, as your only Son revealed you still at work in your creation, so through Christ your living Word enable us to know your love and to share it with others. We ask this in his name. Amen.
2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 1:15 – 2:13 (NRSV)
You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me —may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus.
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:1-16 (NRSV)
Teaching about Divorce
He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them.Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’
Jesus Blesses Little Children
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
The Lord’s PrayerOur 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, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Closing Prayer Shield and protector of all, hear the prayers of those who call upon you, and set them free from violence, persecution, and fear, that all may know that deliverance belongs to you. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. May the grace of God uphold you, the peace of God surround you, the love of God flow from you and the strength of God protect and bring you safely through this day. Amen.