Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 41
October 31, 2023
A Collect to Strive First and Foremost to Love
God of grace and mercy, who has not dealt to humanity what it deserves, help us strive to love well above all things, that we might not become mired in useless details or focus on that which is secondary, but would fulfill all that your Law has required by devoting ourselves to care and connection with all those in whom you have placed in our path, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns forever with you and the Holy Spirit in joyous and perfect union. Amen.
'He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."' - Matthew 22:37-40
October 30, 2023
A Collect to Love Others Well
Gracious God, whose nature and character is love, reveal to us where we fail to love one another, that we could turn from all things that keep us from desiring the good of those around us and sow harmony and cooperation throughout your creation, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end and was raised to new life by you through the power of the Spirit. Amen.
"This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Matthew 22:38-39
October 29, 2023
A Collect to Love God Wholly
O Lord our God, whom in your overflowing love and joy created all things, help us to love you wholly and with all our being, that we might join with you in the eternal exchange of love that you have lived since before all time, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loves the Father who loves the Spirit who loves the Son in perpetual joy and union. Amen.
'He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment."' - Matthew 22: 37-38
October 28, 2023
A Collect to Do Good in the World
Loving God, who desires that all might know you and enter into your kingdom, help us to do such good in our world that all would notice and recognize that we are your children, imitators of you who sends down blessings upon the earth in abundance and desires good for all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect love, world without end. Amen.
'For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.' - 1 Thes. 1:8
October 27, 2023
A Collect for Joy in the Midst of Challenge and Conflict
Merciful Lord, who knows our struggles, having shared our fragile form, light in us always a spark of joy, even in the midst of challenge and conflict, that we might be grounded in you and the goodness of your character and your gifts and so be secure in the knowledge of your nearness, through you who speaks beauty and goodness in to the world with the Father through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.' -
October 26, 2023
A Collect to Imitate Christ
Holy Spirit, who enlivens our hearts and guides our paths, teach us to imitate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that we would live as he lived and so grow ever more to be like him, filled with virtue and acting in goodness, truth, and love for all God's creation, through him who was raised to new life and now reigns in heaven with the Father through you. Amen.
'And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.' - 1 Thes. 1:6
October 25, 2023
A Collect for Virtue
Gracious God, who gives life and breath to all things, give to us also faith, love, and hope, that we might continue the work of your kingdom and steadfastly look to you for all that we need, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
'We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.' - 1 Thes. 1:2-3
October 24, 2023
A Collect to be Willing to Give to the Lord
Lord God, King above all kings and ruler of all that is, grant us willing hearts to give you what you are owed, even when we find it difficult, that we would honor you always and live well as citizens of your blessed kingdom and that our hearts might be changed to be desirous of doing your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit in glory and light perpetual. Amen.
'"Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."' - Matthew 22:17-21
October 23, 2023
A Collect to Give to All Their Due
Lord God Almighty, who reigns over all things in grace and justice, grant to us faithful and willing hearts, that we would give to all those who are owed their due, whether it be respect for earthly authorities, love to all those who bear your image, or honor to you who gives life to everything, through Jesus Christ our Savior, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perpetual glory, now and forever. Amen.
'"Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."' - Matthew 22:19-21
October 22, 2023
A Collect to Shun Manipulation and Flattery
Holy Spirit of God, source of all truth and wisdom, remove from us all desire for flattery and manipulation, that we would not attempt to use or lead others solely for our purposes but would be honest with all, respecting the choices and desires of each person whom you have created in your image, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father through you, now and forever. Amen.
'Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality."' - Matthew 22:15-16
