Fr. Tony’s Mid-week Message
August 8, 2012
Things I’m Certain of that I learned from the Prayer
Book (I)
I. God has a better intention for us and for those about us than we can ask, imagine, or pray for.
--“Almighty
God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy
never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come,
knowing that ‘thou art doing for them better things than we
can desire or pray for’; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come,
knowing that ‘thou art doing for them better things than we
can desire or pray for’; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(No. 54, p.
831; reference is to Ephesians 3:20)
II. God does not want us to be sick or suffering. He does not willingly send suffering or affliction on anyone. He created each of us for joy and any departure from that is not because of God or God’s plan. The fact that Jesus constantly healed people tells us that God’s ultimate plan for us does not include sickness. The fact that Jesus fed both good and bad alike tells us God does not punish with hunger. The fact that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and that God raised Jesus tells us God does not want death for anyone.
II. God does not want us to be sick or suffering. He does not willingly send suffering or affliction on anyone. He created each of us for joy and any departure from that is not because of God or God’s plan. The fact that Jesus constantly healed people tells us that God’s ultimate plan for us does not include sickness. The fact that Jesus fed both good and bad alike tells us God does not punish with hunger. The fact that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and that God raised Jesus tells us God does not want death for anyone.
--
“O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that
‘thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men’:
Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom
our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy,
nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of
thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon him, and give
him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
‘thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men’:
Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom
our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy,
nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of
thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon him, and give
him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(No.
55, p. 831; reference is to Lamentations 3:33.)
More to come…
Grace and Peace.
--Fr.
Tony+
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