"Fairest Lord Jesus"
Reading & Collect
This week's readings can be found here for this Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany are John 1:29-42
Our weekly reflection will be part of our Online Service on our Facebook Page on Sunday
A Special Prayer for the Crisis in Ukraine
Poem
From The School of the Heart
Christopher Harvey (1597–1663)
The whole round world is not enough to fill The heart's three corners, but it craveth still; None but the Trinity, who made it, can Suffice the vast triangulated heart of man.
Second Sunday of Epiphany
John Keble The heart of childhood is all mirth: We frolic to and fro As free and blithe, as if on earth Were no such thing as woe. But if indeed with reckless faith We trust the flattering voice, Which whispers, “Take thy fill ere death, Indulge thee and rejoice;” Too surely, every setting day, Some lost delight we mourn; The flowers all die along our way Till we, too, die forlorn. Such is the world’s gay garish feast, In her first charming bowl Infusing all that fires the breast, And cheats the unstable soul. And still, as loud the revel swells, The fevered pulse beats higher, Till the seared taste from foulest wells Is fain to slake its fire. Unlike the feast of heavenly love Spread at the Saviour’s word For souls that hear His call, and prove Meet for His bridal board. Why should we fear, youth’s draught of joy If pure would sparkle less? Why should the cup the sooner cloy, Which God hath deigned to bless? For, is it Hope, that thrills so keen Along each bounding vein, Still whispering glorious things unseen? – Faith makes the vision plain. The world would kill her soon: but Faith Her daring dreams will cherish, Speeding her gaze o’er time and death To realms where nought can perish. Or is it Love, the dear delight Of hearts that know no guile, That all around see all things bright With their own magic smile? The silent joy that sinks so deep, Of confidence and rest, Lulled in a father’s arms to sleep, Clasped to a mother’s breast? Who, but a Christian, through all life That blessing may prolong? Who, through the world’s sad day of strife, Still chant his morning song? Fathers may hate us or forsake, God’s foundlings then are we: Mother on child no pity take, But we shall still have Thee. We may look home, and seek in vain A fond fraternal heart, But Christ hath given His promise plain To do a Brother’s part. Nor shall dull age, as worldlings say, The heavenward flame annoy: The Saviour cannot pass away, And with Him lives our joy. Ever the richest, tenderest glow Sets round the autumnal sun – But there sight fails: no heart may know The bliss when life is done. Such is Thy banquet, dearest Lord; O give us grace, to cast Our lot with Thine, to trust Thy word, And keep our best till last. (John Keble)
To Pray for
Peace among all nations - and an end to the ongoing war between the Ukraine and Russia
The ability to forgive
Humility
Others
Those affected by the extreme storms in California