Break Open the Word

The Day of Pentecost, 23 May 2021   Acts 2:1-21 or  Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 104:25-35, 37 Romans 8:22-27 or  Acts 2:1-21 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15   The Collect   Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.   or this   O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.     Background: Whitsunday   This is another name for the Day of Pentecost, the last S

  The Seventh Sunday of Easter, 16 May 2021   Acts 1:15-17, 21-26  Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19   The Collect   O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.     Background: The Collect   This prayer which ends the Entrance Rite of the Liturgy has both ancient and modern roots. In the Anglican and Lutheran liturgies, the collects are translations of the ancient Roman texts. Over time, however, the Romans have added new texts, and the Lutherans have added collects to match the increased number of lectionary readings in the three-year lectionary. Collects are also used in the Orthodox, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches as well. Their value to those preaching and proclaiming is the