Introduction to the Word for Worship
(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:7-10, ESV)
Our position is one of perpetual supplication for grace to obey in order that we may experience the more grace which God gives to the obedient. Nevertheless, the purpose of God is to lead us down into the lowest place of self-awareness and lamentation (v.9). This is the goal of the programme: the decisive taking of sides (v.7) leads into the practice of the presence of God (v.8a). This in turn prompts the longing (v.8b) to be like him in holiness. As always, the more we pursue his likeness, the more deeply and sorrowfully our sinfulness and shortcomings are exposed (v.9). But the Lord sets the downward path before us because there is no other way up (v.10).
-Alec Motyer (emphasis added)
The Collect of the Day
O merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
First Reading: James 4:7–5:6
Psalm 19 (posted below the Playlist)
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-48
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below on the Spotify Playlist to listen)
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day speaks to another, *
and one night gives knowledge to another.
3 There is neither speech nor language, *
and their voices are not heard;
4 But their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their words to the ends of the world.
5 In them he has set a tent for the sun,*
which comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber,
and rejoices like a strong man to run his course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost part of the heavens,
and runs about to the end of it again, *
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
and gives wisdom to the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; *
sweeter also than honey, than the drippings from the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant taught, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
O cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins,
lest they get the dominion over me; *
so shall I be undefiled, and innocent of great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be always acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
(from the New Coverdale Psalter as found in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer)