Saturday Morning Prayers (March 1)

Morning Prayer – Terce – from Daily Prayer for All Seasons

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Opening

Wisdom knows and understands all things
and guides us in our actions.

Prayer

O God, your Spirit of Wisdom was present at the creation and with Jesus at his baptism: Open our hearts to that same Spirit, and strengthen and guide us to love and serve you and our neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Praise

A Song of the Spirit of Wisdom (Wisdom 7:7-8, 10-14a)

I prayed and understanding was given me; *
I called on God and the Spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepters and thrones, *
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.
I loved her more than health or beauty, *
and I chose to have her rather than light
because her radiance never ceases.
In her company, all good things came to me; *
in her hands, a wealth of true riches.
In all these good things, I rejoiced
because Wisdom brings them, *
but I did not know that she was their mother.
What I learned without selfishness I pass on without reserve; *
I do not hide her gifts.
For Wisdom is an unfailing treasure for mortals: *
those who receive her are friends with God.

Scripture

Ruth 4:1-17

No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there than the next-of-kin, of whom Boaz had spoken, came passing by. So Boaz said, ‘Come over, friend; sit down here.’ And he went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, ‘Sit down here’; so they sat down. He then said to the next-of-kin, ‘Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our kinsman Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you of it, and say: Buy it in the presence of those sitting here, and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not, tell me, so that I may know; for there is no one prior to you to redeem it, and I come after you.’ So he said, ‘I will redeem it.’ Then Boaz said, ‘The day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you are also acquiring Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead man, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance.’ At this, the next-of-kin said, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.’

Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, one party took off a sandal and gave it to the other; this was the manner of attesting in Israel. So when the next-of-kin said to Boaz, ‘Acquire it for yourself’, he took off his sandal. Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, ‘Today you are witnesses that I have acquired from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance, in order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from his kindred and from the gate of his native place; today you are witnesses.’ Then all the people who were at the gate, along with the elders, said, ‘We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you produce children in Ephrathah and bestow a name in Bethlehem; and, through the children that the Lord will give you by this young woman, may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.’

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.’ Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighbourhood gave him a name, saying, ‘A son has been born to Naomi.’ They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Meditation

Where is the wisdom of God moving in you, and in the world around you?

Prayers

Breath of God, inspire us with your guidance.
Come to us, Holy Spirit, and be present with us.

Wisdom of God, guide us to works of goodness and mercy.
Come to us, Holy Spirit, and be present with us.

Spirit of God, teach us to be faithful.
Come to us, Holy Spirit, and be present with us.

(take time in the silence to add particular intercessions or thanksgivings.)

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, 
     hallowed be your Name, 
     your kingdom come, 
     your will be done, 
         on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our sins 
     as we forgive those 
         who sin against us. 
Save us from the time of trial, 
     and deliver us from evil. 
For the kingdom, the power, 
     and the glory are yours, 
     now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer

Gracious God: give us deeper reverence for the truth and such wisdom in the use of knowledge that your kingdom may be advanced and your name glorified;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Going Out

Wisdom knows and understands all things,
and she will guide us in our actions.