Day 227 | St Mary Day

Read | Day 227 | Saturday | August 15 |

Jeremiah 37: 11-21
Jeremiah 38: 1-13, 14-28a
Ezekiel 1: 1-28
Ezekiel 2: 1– 3: 15

Background | Ezekiel |  ... When the spirit of the prophecy came upon Ezekiel, he was standing by the river Chebar, a tributary of the Euphrates in Babylon. It was in the fifth year of the First Captivity, which had taken place during the reign of King Jehoiachin(Jechoniah).

Ezekiel was born in Jerusalem in a priestly family. His father's name was Buzi. When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, carried off King Jehoiachim and the "flower" of Judah into exile in Babylon, Ezekiel was among this "First Captivity." In Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar set up the deposed king's uncle Zedekiah on the throne, and made him swear allegiance to Babylon. This was in the year 3317, eleven years before the destruction of Jerusalem. (The Prophet Habakkuk flourished at that time in the Holy Land. The third chapter of Habakkuk is the Haphtorah of the second day of Shavuot.)

The first exiles in Babylon settled down to a new life in captivity. Ezekiel kept the spirit of Judaism alive among them. But the practices of idolatry which proved Judah's undoing were deeply rooted among the exiles. The widespread idol worship of their conquerors seemed about to engulf them. Some of the exiles thought that G-d had sold them out to the Babylonians and that there was no longer any sense in keeping up the Torah and remain Jews. ...  More at ... Click here

Date | 599 BC
Reading | Jeremiah is imprisoned by the palace guard then in a cistern; Zedekiah questions Jeremiah  and he says from the Lord, "surrender and live"; Ezekiel - 593 BC among the first deported to Babylon - visions of windstorm, four weird looking multi-faced creatures with wheels, God commissions Ezekiel, Israel not willing to listen but you will be like the hardest stone in your determination, he was mad the God took him back, and he was depressed.

Source | Tyndale | The One Year Chronological Bible NIV | ISBN 978-1-4143-5993-9 | kindle edition

Next |  Day 228 | Sunday | August 16 | 
Ezekiel 3: 16-27 
Ezekiel 4: 1-17 
Jeremiah 27: 1-22 
Jeremiah 28: 1-17 
Jeremiah 51: 59-64 

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Collect of the Day

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Collect for Saturdays

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Source | Forward Movement | Daily Office Anytime | Click here