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Notable Feast Days this Week:

October 11 - Philip the Deacon, Acts 8:5 (Eastern/Lutheran)
October 12 - Symeon the New Theologian, 1021 (Eastern)
October 12 - Wilfrid of York, 709 (Western)
October 15 - Teresa of Avila, 1582 (Roman Catholic)

Liturgical Color - Green

Revised Common Lectionary

Jeremiah 31:27-34
Psalm 119:97-104
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 121
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Luke 18:1-8

Forward

-- The Twenty Second Sunday in Trinitytide -- October 16, 2016

Persistence
"Just as Jacob did, we seek a blessing from God (Gen 32:22-31) from whom our help comes. He keeps us from stumbling into wrongdoing and from all evil (Psalm 121). We continue to learn from God's Word (2 Tim 3:14-4:5) and petition him for help day and night (Lk 18:1-8)."
- Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Psalms of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 119:97-104

"Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts..."

Psalm 121

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand..."

Jeremiah 31:27-34
The promise of a new covenant
Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob's struggle with the angel
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Christ the judge
Luke 18:1-8
A widow begs for justice

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Note: The daily readings will be designated as the week marked for Proper 23,
or The Twentieth - First Week of/after Pentecost.

Practicing Prayer

Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for all who suffer, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. -from Sundays and Seasons, 2016

Form for Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)

Form for Daily Prayer (View and Download)

Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go (Listen)

Daily Prayer Form for Children and Families (New!)

Psalm 121 Spotify Playlist

Click Here For More Spotify Psalms Playlists

Singing Psalms and Hymns

I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121) - by Brian Doerksen| Leadsheet

I Lift Up My Eyes (Psalm 121) - by Derek and Emily Moore | Leadsheet | Chord Chart

Psalm 121 Anglican Plainchant

Psalm 121 Metrical Option (Tunes: New Britain, Dundee)

Resources for Pointed Chant

Resources for Plainchant

Read about "Several Ways to Sing the Psalms"

Commentary on Luke 18:1-8

"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace."

-Ephrem the Syrian on Luke 18:1-8

More Historic Commentary (View and Download)

Music for Listening

Indianapolis musician Kaitlyn Ferry has released a new EP of Psalms songs perfect for meditation and corporate worship alike. Stream and dowload "Psalms" at her Bandcamp page.

Favorite track:
I Lift My Eyes (Psalm 123)

Thematic Art

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