Evening Prayer With Bob

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. ~ Matthew 1:24 (NRSV) Image: Saint Joseph and Jesus Christ, Son of God, Fredrick del Guidice, 2010 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honoured for length of time, or measured by number of years; but understanding is grey hair for anyone, and a blameless life is ripe old age. ~ Wisdom 4:7-9 (NRSV) Image: The Stoning of Saint Stephen, Rembrandt, 1625 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Raise, raise the song on high, the mother sings her lullaby; Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe the son of Mary! Image: Geburt Christi Heilige Nacht, Weihnacht, (Nativity, Holy Night, Christmas), Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1520. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. ~ Psalm 139:10, 11 (NRSV) Image: The Nativity, William Blake, 1790 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, For he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 2:46-49 Image: Mary and Elizabeth, Kathe Kollwitz --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:38 Image: The Annunciation, Francisco Goya, 1785, --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:5-6 Image: Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio, 1601. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ~ John 3:16 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. ~ Luke 3:5-6 Image: The Durbin Rocket, built in 1910, courtesy of Smithsonianassociates.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" ~ Matthew 11:2-3 Image: St. John the Baptist in the Prison, oil on canvas, c. 1565-70, Juan Fernandez de Navarrete, 1526-1579 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Bear fruit worthy of repentance. ~ Matthew 3:8 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

[John the Baptist] proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." ~ Mark 1:7-8 Image: St. John the Baptist, Titian, 1542 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.' 62And he went out and wept bitterly. ~ Luke 22:61-62 (NRSV) Image: Peter's Denial, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, 1919 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done. ~ Luke 22:42 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. ~ John 3:29 (NRSV) Image: I am unable to find the name of the artist of this portrait of John the Baptist. If you know, please share with me so I can offer proper attribution. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. ~ Psalms 42:10 Image: De Sterrennacht, (The Starry Night), Vincent van Gogh, 1889 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ~ Luke 22:27 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

I have been young and now I am old, but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread. Psalms 37:26 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again." ~ John 8:10-11 (NRSV) Image: Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery, Max Beckmann, 1917 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

We walk about like a shadow, and in vain we are in turmoil; we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them. And now, what is my hope? O Lord, my hope is in you. ~ Psalm 39:7-8 Image: Shadow Jumper, 2007, Richard Hambleton, 2007 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. ~ Luke 21:28 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ~ Luke 7:28 (NRSV) Image: Holy Family with St. John the Baptist, Michelangelo, 1506 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them." ~ Luke 21:8 (NRSV) Image: Jacobello Alberegno , altare dell'apocalisse, 1360-90 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.' ~ Luke 21:3-4 (NRSV) Image: The Widow's Mite, Gustave Dore, 1880 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

You will save a lowly people, but you will humble the haughty eyes. You, O Lord, are my lamp; my God, you make my darkness bright. ~ Psalm 18: 28-29 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

But I put my trust in your mercy; * my heart is joyful because of your saving help. ~ Psalm 13:5 (NRSV) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

The Lord will hear the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear; To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, so that mere mortals may strike terror no more. ~ Psalms 10: 18-19 Image: Comforter, Catherine Murphy, 2007 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ~ Isiah 55:1 nImage: St. Andrew, Exterior mosaic next to the cathedral at Amalfi, Italy. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. ~ Matthew 25:11 (NRSV) Image: "Advent Tradition: Old and New," Fumbling Toward Grace, blog by Sarah Babbs at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/fumblingtowardgrace/2009/11/30/advent-tradition-old-and-new/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

You hide your face, and they are terrified; you take away their breath, and they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. ~ Psalm 104:30-31 (NRSV) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; * let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. ~ Psalm 143:10 (NRSV) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. ~ Joel 2:27 Image: Abraham Lincoln, Photographed by Matthew Brady, January 1864 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." ~ Luke 19:5 (NRSV) Image: Zacchaeus by Niels Larsen Stevns --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. ~ Psalm 126: 1-2 Image: Смех (Laughing) Filipp Malyavin, 1898 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.' But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. ~ Luke 18:22-23 (NRSV) Image:"Christ and the Rich Young Ruler" by Heinrich Hofmann --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.' ~ Matthew 21: 12-13 (NRSV) Image: Expulsion of the Moneychangers from the Temple, Luca Giordano, 1675 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. ~ Luke 18: 11 (NRSV) Image: The Pharisee and the Publican, baroque fresco in Ottobeuren Basilica. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord. ~ Book of Common Prayer, p. 818 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." ~ Luke 17: 20-21 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will. ~ Book of Common Prayer, p. 828 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. ~ Luke 17:2 Image: Millstone, Dalgarven Mill – Museum of Ayrshire Country Life and Costume in North Ayrshire, Scotland, --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. " Luke 16:20 (NRSV) Image: Притча о Лазаре, (Parable of Lazarus), Fyodor Bronnikov --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:23 (NRSV) Image: Malheur à vous scribes et pharisiens, James Tissot --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ~ Luke 16:13 (NRSV) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my Name. ~ Psalm 91: 14 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found. ~ Luke 15:31-32 Image: Le retour du fils prodigue (The Return of the Prodigal Son), Ossip Zadkine, 1964 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ For Those in the Armed Forces of our Country, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823 Image: The Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:27 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Prayer for our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? ~ Matthew 20: 15 Image: Vineyard Harvest, Micaela Eleutheriade --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support

What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; Wait patiently for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:17-18 Christ the Good Shepherd, Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c.1660 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/bob-johnson9/support