The Archbishop has requested that we ring the bell every day at noon and say this Angelus prayer together

Angelus

God Bless the world
Give it wisdom at this time
Grant us relief and release
Be with those who are ill
And bless the carers fighting this pandemic

For Jesus Christ sake.
Amen

Collect 

Good Shepherd, you are the gate that secures the sheepfold: grant that all who hear your voice may know you who calls us each by name, and follow where you lead; for you live and reign in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Eucharist Readings:

Acts 13:26-33                      Psalm 2                       John 14:1-7

This was the first mission trip for Paul and Barnabas. Paul received his chance to speak and the message he gave to the people was as follows: Acts 13: 26 “My brothers, who come of Abraham’s stock and others among you who worship God, we are the people to whom the message of salvation was sent…..”(verse 32 & 33)” we are here to give you the good news that God, who made the promise to the fathers, has fulfilled it for the children by raising Jesus from the dead as indeed it stands in the second Psalm: You are my Son, this day I have begotten you. Indeed, a promise to us, my beloved sons, and daughters a message of salvation and hope that Jesus conquered death.”

In a noticeably short time, life for the disciples was going to fall apart. Their world was going to collapse in chaos around them. At such a time there was only one thing to do, to hold on to their trust in God. If in the darkest hour, we believe that somehow there is a purpose in life and that purpose is love, even the unbearable becomes bearable and even in the darkness, there is a light. Jesus adds to that, He says not only “Believe in God,” He also says: “Believe in me.” For Jesus is the proof that God is willing to give us everything he has to give, as Paul put it: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?”

I think we are all familiar with the person Horatio G Spafford who wrote the hymn, “It is well with my soul”, and under what circumstances he wrote this hymn. He endured so much pain, losing his son at first, then his property in the great Chicago fire, then his four daughters on the ship which sank on its way to England. After receiving a telegram from his wife, he took the first ship to England to be with his wife. On his way to England, the captain of this ship came to him and showed him where exactly the ship had sunk and where his daughters died. During that time, he wrote the hymn, “It is well with my soul.”

It is incredible to think that such encouraging and uplifting words were born from the depths of such unimaginable sorrow. It is an example of truly inspiring faith and trust in the Lord. Perhaps that is why this hymn demonstrates the power of our God, and how he can comfort our weary souls when the darkest tragedies overtake us. Especially in this time where we feel that our world is also collapsing around us, the chaos which has broken out, and many of us are enduring pain. We conquer our demons, our enemies by trusting in God. 

The important thing is to live in the present. we are sometimes distracted by things that happened in the past or what might happen in the future. God is giving us the assurance he is already ‘in the tomorrow’. Set your troubled hearts at rest. He gave His only son for us. Maybe, just maybe we can echo the words “It is well with my soul”. 

Morning Prayer