200th upload of Morning Prayer on YouTube and Gloria.tv! Seems like just yesterday I was asking "Where do I plug in this microphone thing?"

Thanks for listening and viewing, and for all your support and encouragement. Pax et bonum.

A milestone reached: today marks the 100th upload of Morning Prayer.

Thank you for your encouragement and support!

Psalm 42, the first psalm following the Invitatory Psalm (psalm 95), is an all-time favorite. I suppose it may be because I spent a lot of time in mountains as a young geologist years ago, and can readily visualize the imagery. Here are the first few lines in the King James version: 1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? God bless us all this day.

Blase was a well educated Physician who became Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was persecuted by Agricola, the famous Roman general, who ordered Blase to renounce his faith. When Blase refused he was thrown into prison where he helped sick prisoners and famously saved a child who was choking on a fish bone. Blase refused to renounce his faith and was tortured by having his flesh torn with wool combs. He was finally beheaded on the orders of Agricola. (www.catholic-saints.info)

Each morning, Lord, fill us with your kindness.

O Lord, you have been our refuge
from one generation to the next.
Before the mountains were born
or the earth or the world brought forth,
you are God, without beginning or end.

I fled Him, down the night and
down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches
of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears
I hid from Him, and under
running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of
chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that
followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbed pace.
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat--and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet--
"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

v1 The Hound of Heaven, F. Thompson

Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said, "Who are you, sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. (Acts 9 1-7)

How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord, God of hosts

My soul is longing and yearning,
is yearning for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my soul ring out their joy
to God, the living God.