Morning Prayer for Thursday May 14, 2026. Ascension Day!

Here is a link to our liturgy: Morning Prayer 5.14.26, Ascension Day | Daily Office Network

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:02

Good morning and welcome. I'm Father Tom Royd, the Vicar of the Daily Office Network. The Daily Office Network is a community of Christians who gather together on a daily basis to pray morning prayer at 7 and 9 a.m. Eastern Time. We use the Book of Common Prayer from the Episcopal Church as our guide. We mix an artwork and a news story. We come from several different faith traditions in several different countries. We do our best to exercise tolerance and decency with one another here. Now let's settle in and begin morning prayer. Today is Thursday. It is the 14th of May, 2026. In the life of the church, we celebrate the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is Ascension Day. The Daily Office Network is podcasting. You can find us by going to Apple or Spotify and searching Keywords Daily Office Network, or you can click on one of our links on our page. Let's begin. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kinship is one that shall never be destroyed. Beautiful piece of artwork. This is by Petro Pergino from the 1500 from 1500. It's called Ascension. It's in the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon, France. Ascension Day is celebrated 40 days after Easter. Christians believe that after Christ's resurrection, he appeared to the disciples at various places and times up until his ascension to the Father in heaven. He ascends with the promise that he will send his Holy Spirit as an advocate and guide among us. We celebrate the coming of that Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost on May 24th this year. God open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

SPEAKER_07 2:30

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. Therefore, let us keep the peace. Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin once for all. But the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah. Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Hallelujah.

SPEAKER_01 3:59

Thank you, Eddie. Our psalms appointed for this morning are Psalm number eight and psalm number 47. Excuse me. I'm going to ask Jill and Carol to lead our Psalms. Jill, would you start? And then Carol, would you join in?

SPEAKER_10 4:21

Oh Lord our God, how exalted is your name in all the world.

SPEAKER_02 4:28

Out of the mouths of infants and children, your majesty is praised above the heavens.

SPEAKER_10 4:35

You have set up a stronghold against our your adversaries to quell the enemy and the adventure.

SPEAKER_02 4:45

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, you have set in their courses.

SPEAKER_10 4:56

What are human beings that you should be mindful of them? Mortals that you should seek them out.

SPEAKER_02 5:04

You have made them but little lower than the angels. You adorn them with glory and honor.

SPEAKER_10 5:11

You give them mastery over the works of your hands? You put all things under their feet.

SPEAKER_02 5:20

All sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea. O Lord our God, how exalted is your name in all the world.

SPEAKER_10 5:44

Shout to God with a cry of joy. The Lord subdues the people under us and the nations under our feet.

SPEAKER_02 6:01

The Lord chooses our inheritance for us, the bride of the beloved Jacob.

SPEAKER_10 6:09

God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the ram's horn.

SPEAKER_02 6:16

Sing praises to God, sing praises, sing praises to our sovereign, sing praises.

SPEAKER_10 6:23

For God is sovereign over all the earth. Sing praises with all your skill.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

God reigns over the nations. God sits upon heaven's holy throne.

SPEAKER_10 6:37

The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.

SPEAKER_02 6:46

The rulers of the earth belong to God, and God is highly exalted.

SPEAKER_10 6:50

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 7:04

Thank you, Jill and Carol. That was a great reading. This artwork comes from the Bramberg Library. It's Daniel's vision of worship before the throne of God from the Bramberg Apocalypse, folio 10 versio from 1020. Our reading to accompany this comes from Daniel chapter seven, verses nine through fourteen. Chad, would you lead this?

SPEAKER_00 7:47

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an ancient one took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and his hair the hair of his head was like pure wool. On his throne were its fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. I watched then because of the noise of the arrogant words that the horn was speaking, and as I watched the beast was put to death and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming from the clouds of heaven, and he came to the ancient one and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed. The word of the Lord.

SPEAKER_01 9:15

Thanks be to God. Thank you, Chad. Our first canticle is Song of Zachariah. Mother Unjell, would you lead this?

SPEAKER_05 9:27

In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from unhung shall break upon us. Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel. You have come to your people and set them free. You have raised them from us of mighty Savior, born of the house and your servant David. Through your holy providence, you promised a hold to save us from our enemies. From the hands of all the haters, to show mercy to our forums, and to remember your holy covenant. This one says one to our mother, Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship in with the mouthful, holy and righteous before you're heart. And your child shall become the prophet of the most high. For you will come before the heart to prepare the way, to give God's be upon the knowledge of the salvation, by the forgiveness of the sins, in the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from heart shall break upon us to shine upon the moss of dwelling darkness, and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the wing of peace. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us.

SPEAKER_01 11:30

Thank you, Mother Angel. You can see the wounds in the hands and in the feet. Christ the King with his wounds visible, the artist of this piece is unknown. Our next reading is from Hebrews chapter two, verses five through eighteen. Paul, would you lead this?

SPEAKER_08 12:09

Now God did not subject the coming world about which we are speaking to angels, but someone has testified somewhere. What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels. You have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet. Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation, I will praise you, and again I will put my trust in him, and again here am I and the children whom God has given me. Since for since therefore the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice for atonement for the sins of the people, because he himself was tested by what he suffered. He is able to help those who are being tested. The word of the Lord.

SPEAKER_01 15:18

Thanks be to God. Thank you, Paul. Our next canticle is the Todayum. Mother Angel, would you lead this?

SPEAKER_05 15:31

We praise you, O God. We acclaim you as Lord. All creation worships you, the Father everlasting. Do you all angels, all the powers of heaven, the cherubim and seraphim sing in endless praise. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white roped army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world, the holy church acclaims you. Father of majesty and unbounded, you eternal and only son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You Christ are the King of Glory, the eternal son of the Father. When you took our flesh to set us free, you humbly chose the Virgin's one. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory. We believe that you will come to be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people. Bought with the price of your own blood and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

SPEAKER_01 17:04

Thank you, Mother Angel. Stained glass window of the Great Commission. This is at St. Patrick's Cathedral in El Paso, Texas. Our next reading is from Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16 through 20. Deacon Elizabeth, would you lead this?

SPEAKER_04 17:30

Sure. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age. The word of the Lord.

SPEAKER_01 18:16

Thanks be to God. Thank you, Deacon. And now the apostles creed, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again, he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. And now the prayers begin with our Lord's Prayer. John R., would you lead us in the Lord's Prayer and then we'll read the suffrages?

SPEAKER_06 19:20

The Lord be with you.

SPEAKER_01 19:21

And also with you. Let us pray.

SPEAKER_06 19:25

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 forever. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 19:51

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.

SPEAKER_06 19:55

Govern and uphold them now and always.

SPEAKER_01 19:58

Day by day we bless you.

SPEAKER_06 20:00

We praise your name forever.

SPEAKER_01 20:03

Lord, keep us from all sin today.

SPEAKER_06 20:07

Have mercy on us, Lord. Have mercy.

SPEAKER_01 20:10

Lord, show us your love and mercy.

SPEAKER_06 20:13

Oh, we put our trust in you.

SPEAKER_01 20:15

In you, Lord, is our hope. And we shall never hope in hand. Thank you, John. This is artwork that is in the in a chapel in Padua by Giotto di Bondon from 1305, and it is called The Ascension of Christ. I'm gonna page back up so you can see the top part of this. It's rather tall. Almost looks like Jesus is opening the door. And now two prayers, the collect of the day for Ascension Day, and a collect for guidance. Patricia, would you lead these two prayers?

SPEAKER_09 21:15

Almighty God, whose blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his church on earth even to the end of the ages. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being. We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives. We may not forget you but may remember that the warm.

SPEAKER_01 22:11

Amen. Thank you, Patricia. And now it's time for us to report on America's gun toll. We do that on Thursdays. We take a look at all the people who've been shot or killed in the United States in the last week with all the guns that we have lying around. First, we look at a spotlight. Excuse me. This takes us to a VFW post outside in Fruitport, Michigan. A mass shooting occurred at a high school prom after party at the Fruitport, Michigan VFW post number 3734 at 502 55201 Airline Highway in Fruitport, Michigan. 30 to 40 gunshots were heard just after midnight, and one caller reported that there were 50 kids in her driveway in her yard. As chaos ensued, four people were shot, two people were hit by fleeing vehicles in the chaos. It's believed that multiple people fired guns during the incident and that there were two groups shooting at each other. The police are reviewing video evidence to identify suspects and determine if they can what led to this shooting. It's not like I remember my high school prom with the after party or any of that. We have a lot of guns in this country. And a lot of them are unregulated in hands of people who use them maliciously. We look at this last week's totals. Our numbers both for those killed and those injured went up. Those killed by gunfire in the United States went up by 70. It was 274 people were killed this past week. It was 204 the week before. It brings our year-to-date killed in the United States to 4,489 people. Those injured by gunfire in the U.S. also went up. 503. It had been 471 the week before, and it brings our total year-to-date injured to 7,895. And so we pray a prayer to end gun violence. O Lord our God, we pray for the victims of the other pandemic as gun violence ravages our homes, our streets, our businesses, our schools, and even our houses of worship. We pray for the children who are killed and injured. We pray for their families, their classmates, their teachers, and school employees. We pray for teenagers who are gunned down before their lives have really started. We pray for police officers who keep fighting a never ending battle while trying to keep themselves and everyone else safe. We pray for an end to racial profiling and law enforcement. We pray for all who are depressed or mentally ill, wanting to hurt themselves or others in a nation where guns are everywhere. We pray for the victims of crime who are forced to defend themselves and their loved ones. We pray for anti-violence activists and community leaders in a time when new methods of protest and reform must be created. Let your demands for justice and your cries for peace be heard, O Lord, in our legislative chambers and in our hearts, and may your healing grace overtake this land through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. We'll continue with the prayer for the mission of the church. I'm going to ask Robert to lead this, and then I'll bless the Lord and bless us.

SPEAKER_03 25:50

Almighty God, you sent your son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself. We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth the community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your name. The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 26:22

Let us bless the Lord, alleluia, alleluya. Thanks be to God.

SPEAKER_03 26:27

Alleluia, Alleluia.

SPEAKER_01 26:30

Now go in safety, for you cannot go where God is not. Go in love, for love alone endures, and go in peace, for that is God's gift to those whose hearts and minds are in his Son Jesus. And God's blessing be with you. Christ's peace be with you. The Spirit's outpouring be with you now and always. Amen. That is morning prayer on this Thursday. Thank you for coming to pray today. Wherever you go, take that love of Jesus that lives inside of you, that Jesus that you carry in your heart. Show that Jesus to the world. Share that Jesus with the world. We hope to see you back with us tomorrow safe and sound.