Day Eleven — Tuesday 4 January 2022
The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Milan 1571-Port' Ercole 1610) The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew. Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace.
1 John 3.7-10
Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.
Psalm 98.1-7
1. O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have gained him victory.
2. The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6. With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
7. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
John 1.35-42
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).
You are our eternal salvation,
the unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting,
you are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing
through the tempter's power,
without leaving the heights
you came to the depths in your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,
you saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,
restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,
and so possess us as your shining dwellings.
By your first coming, make us righteous;
at your second coming, set us free:
so that, when the world is filled with light
and you judge all things,
we may be clad in spotless robes
and follow in your steps, O King,
into the heavenly hall.
—Unknown Author, 10th century.
by e e cummings (1894–1962).
i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes,
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
i thank You God for most this amazing day, Dan Forrest's setting of e e cummings' poem. World Premiere by Atlanta Master Chorale, 13 October 2018. Atlanta Master Chorale, cond. Eric Nelson.
May the Lord, who has called out of darkness into his marvellous light, bless us and fill us with peace. Amen.