Author Archives: Steve Benner

Absalom Jones (1746-1818)Absalom Jones was born a house slave in 1746 in Delaware. After being sold to a store owner in Philadelphia at sixteen, he eventually bought his own freedom in 1784. At St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, he served as lay minister for its Black membership. The active evangelism of Jones and that ofContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, February 13, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. I have called out because you answer me, O God;incline your ear and hear my words; keep me, O Lord, like the apple of your eye; protect me under the shadow of your wings.V. O Lord, hear a cause that is just; *pay heed to my cry.Turn your ear to my prayer: *noContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, February 12, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. Remember, O Lord, your covenant, * and do not abandon for ever the souls of your poor; arise, O Lord, and judge your own cause; forget not the cries of those who seek you.V. Why, O God, have you cast us off forever? *Why does your anger blaze at the sheep of your pasture?RememberContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, February 11, 2021”

ScholasticaAccording to the Dialogues of Gregory the Great, Scholastica was born c. 480 in Nursia, Umbria, of wealthy parents (Anicius Eupropius and his wife Claudia Abondantia Reguardati). While Gregory states that Scholastica was Benedict’s sister, a later tradition says she was his twin (whether this is meant biologically or spiritually, or both is unclear). GregoryContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, February 10, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. Seek first the kingdom of God, and the rest will be given to you in addition, says the Lord.V. Do not fret because of the wicked; *do not envy those who do evil,Trust in the Lord and do good; *then you will dwell in the land and safely pasture. Matthew 6; Psalm 37 AlmightyContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, February 9, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God, for it is you, O Lord, whom I implore.V. You are no God who delights in evil; *no sinner is your guest.The boastful shall not stand their ground *before your eyes. Psalm 5 Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,allContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, February 8, 2021”

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany For another form of worship in the home based on today’s lessons in the Revised Common Lectionary, go to https://blogs.elca.org/worship/3327/ Antiphon1 Ant. Render secure my footsteps in your paths * so that my feet do not slip; incline your ear and hear my words;display your wonderful mercies, O Lord, SaviorContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, February 7, 2021”

The Martyrs of Japan, 1597Almost fifty years after Francis Xavier had arrived in Japan as its first Christian apostle, the presence of several thousand baptised Christians in the land became a subject of suspicion to the ruler Hideyoshi, who soon began a period of persecution. Twenty-six men and women, Religious and lay, were first mutilatedContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, February 6, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. O Lord, if you were to take in-to account our iniquities, who would withstand the test? But forgiveness abides with you, O God of Israel.V. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; *Lord, hear my voice!O let your ears be attentive *to the sound of my pleadings. Psalm 130 AlmightyContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, February 5, 2021”

Antiphon1 Ant. My heart declared to you: * Your countenance have I sought; I shall ever seek your countenance, O Lord;do not turn your face from me.V. The Lord is my light and my salvation; *whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life; *whom should I dread? Psalm 27 Almighty God,to whom allContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, February 4, 2021”