Evening Prayer (Vespers)
You may wish to light a candle and place it before you as you
begin.
Gracious God, to proclaim your Word is a holy
action.
May we be open to your Spirit at this moment,
that we may be moved to boldly live our faith,
each and every day. Amen.
HYMN: Open your ears, O faithful people
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdUsQN4L4Bs
First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a
A reading from:
Isaiah
Say to
those who are panicking:
“Be strong!
Don’t fear!
Here’s your
God,
coming with
vengeance;
with divine
retribution
God will
come to save you.”
5 Then the
eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the
ears of the deaf will be cleared.
6 Then the lame will leap like
the deer,
and the
tongue of the speechless will sing.
Waters will spring up in the desert,
and streams
in the wilderness.
7 The burning sand will become
a pool,
and the
thirsty ground, fountains of water.
The jackals’ habitat, a pasture;
grass will
become reeds and rushes.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to
God.
Gospel:
Mark 7:31-37
A reading
from: Mark
31 After leaving the region of Tyre, Jesus went
through Sidon toward the Galilee Sea through the region of the Ten
Cities. 32 Some people brought to him a man who was
deaf and could hardly speak, and they begged him to place his hand on the man
for healing. 33 Jesus took him away from the crowd
by himself and put his fingers in the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the
man’s tongue. 34 Looking into heaven, Jesus sighed
deeply and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Open up.” 35 At
once, his ears opened, his twisted tongue was released, and he began to speak
clearly.
36 Jesus gave the people strict orders not to tell
anyone. But the more he tried to silence them, the more eagerly they shared the
news. 37 People were overcome with wonder, saying,
“He does everything well! He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to
those who can’t speak.”
Word of
God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
REFLECTION:
Here are my responses
to the prompts. What are yours?
What strikes you in this Gospel reading?
Jesus sighed deeply
Why
does it strike you?
Essentially,
Jesus breathes on the man, or into him. It is like Jesus breathed in deeply to be
filled with God’s Spirit, then breathed out on the man while he was touching him.
But then, what of the mud and the spittle? Aren’t they, too, filled with God’s Spirit? Perhaps this is a reminder that everything is of and from God.
Or, perhaps the mud and spit are for show, for the people who are watching. I notice in this image the eyes of the man behind Jesus. He is paying close attention! What is he thinking?
What is God saying to you through this text?
Breathe
deeply, to draw in Spirit. Pray and breathe often. Pay attention, because we never know when the Spirit will show up, or how!
SCRIPTURE
DIALOGUE
Christ’s followers eagerly shared everything in
common.
May we be
empowered and inspired to do the same!
PRAYERS
In Christ Jesus we meet
the God who knows our weakness and bears the wounds of the world. Therefore,
let us be bold as we pray, trusting that God draws near to those in any kind of
need.
Individual prayers are
offered silently or aloud.
Into your wide embrace,
O God, we place all our prayers, spoken and unspoken, trusting that you will
receive them into your heart of mercy, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen
LORD’S PRAYER
Our
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,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
HYMN: Healer of our every ill
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g446Nicwe2E
BLESSING
As you leave this place,
remember to walk in God’s ways.
Remember to dwell in the goodness of God.
Remember to be faithful.
May peace be upon you + this day and always. Amen.
Scripture
from Common English Bible © 2012
Liturgy
from ELW Annual Liturgy License 26504
And
Abingdon Worship Annual 2021
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