FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Communion’s prayer, Sunday X after Trinity
Week from 21 to 26 August 2017
“True Worship”
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Introduction: True worship is the one approved by God, the one which is right in his sight. This is the worship made with a genuine heart, the wholehearted worship, the one that truly expresses one’s inner self. For the word of God advises us: “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” Pr.23:26. This recommendation is based on the first and greatest commandment of which Jesus reminded us: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Mt.22:37. In fact, what’s in one’s heart expresses one’s authentic love, “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” Mt.12:34. Conversely, God does not tolerate deceitfulness. That is why He rebuked his people, saying: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” Mt.15:8. True worship before God is source of salvation and allows those practicing it to receive God’s blessing, which keeps them motivated and dedicated. Those who do the opposite are disapproved by God, therefore He says to them: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” Rev.3: 15-16. Likewise He does not accept the prayers made out of temper or said out of spite, so He said: “Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands” Mal.2:13. In contrast, He rewards those who offer true worship to him, according to his words: “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” Dt.4:29.
Monday 21: The worship approved by God.
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” Jn.4:24.
Reading 1: Rom.6:8-13. Reading 2: Jn.4:20-26. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Jn.4:23-24. Other references:
– “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” Jn.15:7.
– “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” 1 Jn.3:18.
Tuesday 22: True worship does not practice self-justification.
“Do not trust in deceptive words and say, this is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord !”Jer.7:4.
Reading 1: Mt.15:1-11. Reading 2: Jer.7:1-7. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Jer.7:3-4. Other references:
-“who say, keep away ; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you ! Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day” Is.65:5.
-“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” Lk.18.14.
Wednesday 23: True worship turns back to God.
“A broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” Ps.51:17b.
Reading 1: Lk.7:40-50. Reading 2: Ps.51:7-17. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Ps.51:17. Other references:
-“Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent” Mt.11:20.
-“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little” Lk.7:47.
Thursday 24: True worship is grounded on faith.
“ If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer” Mt.21:22.
Reading 1: Jc.5:12-18. Reading 2: Mt.21:17-22. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Mt.21:22. Other references:
-“Go ! Let it be done just as you believed it would” Mt.8:13.
-“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” Rom.4:20-22.
Friday 25: True worship fulfills God’s grace.
“How much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to many!”Rm.5:15b.
Reading 1: Jn.14:8-14. Reading 2: Ro.5:12-21. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Ro.5:15. Other references:
-“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God”Dt.28:1-2.
-“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but shows favor for the humble” Jas 4:6.
Saturday 26: True worship exalts God.
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” Lk.1:46-47.
Reading 1: Ps.9:1-10. Reading 2: Lk.1:46-56. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Lk.1:46-47. Other references:
-“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High” Ps.9:1-2.
-“Jesus asked: Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Lk.17:17-18.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German, and can be seen on the sites www.flm67ha.org and www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “Hifi – english”.
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