Altar Server Prayer: Father in heaven, Your Son Jesus Christ showed his
love for you by serving his brothers and sisters in need. I now
ask you to give me your help I serve you and your people Open my mouth to
praise you in word and song. Open my ears to hear your word. Open my hand to do
your work well. Take from me all evil and distracting thoughts.
Help me to know what I should do and do it well. Help me to serve
reverently at your Holy Altar and give you praise and glory now and
for ever. Amen
We are the real people of
the circumcision, we who worship in accordance with the Spirit of God; we have
our own glory from Christ Jesus without having to rely on a physical operation.
If it came to relying on physical evidence, I should be fully qualified myself.
Take any man who thinks he can rely on what is physical: I am even better
qualified. I was born of the race of Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, a
Hebrew born of Hebrew parents, and I was circumcised when I was eight days old.
As for the Law, I was a Pharisee; as for working for religion, I was a
persecutor of the Church; as far as the Law can make you perfect, I was
faultless. But because of Christ, I have come to consider all these advantages
that I had as disadvantages. Not only that, but I believe nothing can happen
that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Let the hearts that seek the lord rejoice
The tax collectors and the
sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and
the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes
sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘What man among you with a
hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness
and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he
not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together
his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my
sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing
in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have
no need of repentance.
‘Or again, what woman with ten
drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and
search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call
together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have
found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing
among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’
Heavenly Father, fill me with your love. Thank you Father for the knowledge that nothing can outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. Lord Jesus Christ you are the good Shepherd. Your word today reveal how much you love me that you gave your life to save me. Help me Lord to love you more. Help me appreciate your sacrifice for my salvation. Make me aware of my sins Lord, and give me a repentant heart. Holy Spirit of God, abide with me.
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