My Family Prayer Book

 2026-08-23 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 22:19-23 Isaiah 22, theologically is interpreted as a contrast between self-seeking, prideful leadership (Shebna) and faithful stewardship (Eliakim). Shebna and Eliakim are two officials in the royal court of Judah during King Hezekiah's reign. Shebna was the royal steward (or "master of the household") — essentially the palace administrator, one of the most powerful positions in the kingdom, overseeing the royal household and holding the "key" of authority in the palace. Isaiah delivers a harsh judgment against him (Isaiah 22:15-19). Shebna is condemned for his pride and self-glorification — specifically for carving out an elaborate tomb for himself in the rock, "on the height," as a monument to his own importance. Eliakim son of Hilkiah is the man God appoints to replace Shebna (Isaiah 22:20-24). Isaiah describes Eliakim being clothed with Shebna's robe and sash and given his authority — he ...

    2022-Jul-24: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time   Opening prayer Heavenly Father, send forth your Spirit to enlighten our minds and dispose our hearts to accept your truth. Help us to listen to one another with openness and honesty, eager to learn from the talents and intuitions that you have given each of us. Never let differences of opinion diminish our mutual esteem and love. May we leave this meeting with more knowledge and love for you and your Son. In the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Theme of the  liturgy   We learn the proper way to prayer Genesis 18:20-32 This week’s text continues the story from the three visitors under the terebinths of Mamre (18:1-10a). After the guests have eaten, drunk, and rested, Abraham escorts them to the road, and they depart on their way to Sodom. We read that the Holy One has heard the great outcry against the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah but no specifics about the nature of their wickedness. It is interesting that even...

   2025-Feb-9: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time   Isaiah 6:1-2a 6:3-8   This chapter of Isaiah was precipitated by the death of King Uzziah (r.  792–742 BC) in 742 BC (or 736 BC, according to some historians) who had ruled for 50 years at a time. At this very time the Assyrian army was armed and dangerous compared to the poor defences of Israel - well into Isaiah's own ministry. Isaiah's grand vision of God's sacred power takes place in the Holies of Holy within the inner sanctuary of the Temple in Jerusalem in the presence of God. The woodcarving come to life as seraphim. And Isaiah has no hesitancy in offering his services to bring the word of God to a disbelieving populace.  But first, the seraph approaches an unworthy Isaiah with a live coal. Fire has a cleansing, atoning purpose, but the pain is considerable. The cleansing of sin is not easy. But the touching of the coal to the lips cleanses the prophet and prepares him for a life of prophe...