A New Way of Living: Daily Prayer for the Lindisfarne Community

By Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon and Andrew Fitz-Gibbon

A New Way of Living is the prayer and Daily Office book of the Lindisfarne Community. Following the Christian calendar, and in the spirit of the Book of Common Prayer, A New Way of Living contains morning, evening and night prayer for each day of the week and for the seasons of the Christian year. Unique to this book, its prayers, psalms and meditations are edited for inclusive language both for G*d and humanity. A New Way of Living is a valuable resource to deepen spiritual practice for any who wish to establish a daily routine of prayer and meditation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669852100

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 by Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon and Andrew Fitz-Gibbon.

Cover picture, Taughannock Falls NY,

Copyright © 2022 Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 10/27/2022

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

842468

The restoration of the church will surely come from a new kind of

monasticism, which will have nothing in common with the old but a life

of uncompromising adherence to the Sermon on the Mount in imitation

of Christ. I believe the time has come to rally people together for this.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

If you are to have a rule to guide you, who is to write that rule? You

ask me to do so, but I am not qualified. I cannot claim to be any wiser

than you, so I could not presume to formulate any kind of law for you to

follow. Should Jesus write your rule? The teaching of Jesus must be the

primary guide for any disciple. Yet Jesus did not give clear rules. Jesus

gave us stories whose meaning is infinitely profound; and Jesus gave us

sermons in which every sentence and even every word is pregnant with

truth. We cannot reduce these stories and sermons to a set of laws …

If you wish to formulate a rule you must listen to your own conscience

and discern these principles. Write down with your own hand on

paper what G*d has written with G*d’s hand on the human heart.

Pelagius

CONTENTS

§ Introduction to Daily Prayer

§ The Seasons and Colors

§ Morning Prayer on Sunday

§ Evening Prayer on Sunday

§ Night Prayer on Sunday

§ Morning Prayer on Monday

§ Evening Prayer on Monday

§ Night Prayer on Monday

§ Morning Prayer on Tuesday

§ Evening Prayer on Tuesday

§ Night Prayer on Tuesday

§ Morning Prayer on Wednesday

§ Evening Prayer on Wednesday

§ Night Prayer on Wednesday

§ Morning Prayer on Thursday

§ Evening Prayer on Thursday

§ Night Prayer on Thursday

§ Morning Prayer on Friday

§ Evening Prayer on Friday

§ Night Prayer on Friday

§ Morning Prayer on Saturday

§ Evening Prayer on Saturday

§ Night Prayer on Saturday

§ Morning Prayer During the Season of the Inclusive Christ

§ Evening Prayer During the Season of the Inclusive Christ

§ Night Prayer During the Season of the Inclusive Christ

§ Morning Prayer in Advent

§ Evening Prayer in Advent

§ Night Prayer in Advent

§ Morning Prayer in the Christmas Season

§ Evening Prayer in the Christmas Season

§ Night Prayer in the Christmas Season

§ Morning Prayer in the Epiphany Season

§ Evening Prayer in the Epiphany Season

§ Night Prayer in the Epiphany Season

§ Morning Prayer in Lent

§ Evening Prayer in Lent

§ Night Prayer in Lent

§ Morning Prayer in Passiontide

§ Evening Prayer in Passiontide

§ Night Prayer in Passiontide

§ Morning Prayer in the Easter Season

§ Evening Prayer in the Easter Season

§ Night Prayer in the Easter Season

§ Morning Prayer from the Day after Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost

§ Evening Prayer from the day after Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost

§ Night Prayer from the day after Ascension Day until the Day of Pentecost

§ Eucharist 1

§ Eucharist 2

§ Eucharist 3

§ Eucharist 4

§ Eucharist 5

§ The Rule of the Lindisfarne Community

§ The Understandings of the Lindisfarne Community

§ Foundation and Principles of the Lindisfarne Community

§ Sources and Acknowledgements

§ INTRODUCTION TO DAILY PRAYER

The Lindisfarne Community is a secular monastic community (sometimes called new monastic) and like traditional monastic communities, Lindisfarne places emphasis on a life centered on spiritual practices: prayer, study, work, and rest. Yet, ours is a life of deep spirituality lived in the world rather than in the cloister. In the Christian monastic tradition emphasis has been placed on daily prayer and Bible reading, especially the psalms. Traditional Christian monastics said prayer seven times a day. In the English Reformation, when monasticism was outlawed for political reasons, the Church of England reduced the number of offices to two—morning and evening prayer—to be said by the clergy. The laity joined the clergy in church on Sundays in the saying of the offices. Thus morning and evening prayer, derived from the monastic tradition, became the staple spirituality of Anglicanism. More recently a third daily office—Compline, or night prayer—has become popular. The Lindisfarne Community has continued this tradition of three daily offices. This rhythm of daily prayer helps immensely in sustaining a vibrant spirituality, and in recent years many excellent versions of a daily office book have been published.

Our first community prayer book was produced in 1998 to serve the needs of members and friends of the Lindisfarne Community. The book evolved through limited run editions in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005 and published with Xlibris in 2006. This 2022 edition continues that evolution and remains in the spirit of The Book of Common Prayer. Each office contains prayers, canticles (the little songs of scripture), psalms, Bible readings, meditations from various sources, with space for silence. Like The Book of Common Prayer, our office book is designed around the Christian calendar during which we focus on the main events of the life of Christ and the early church. Prayers change according to the season. In this volume we begin the calendar on November 1 (All Saints Day) to coincide with the beginning of the Celtic year in the season of Samhain. This pre-Advent season, sometimes called the Kingdom of Christ we have termed the Inclusive Christ. In broad strokes, the season of Samhain includes the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany cycle; Imbolc covers Lent, Easter and Pentecost; and Beltane and Lammas cover the long stretch of Ordinary Time in summer and autumn.

During the praying of the various offices we encourage the use of symbols, crosses, candles, icons, vestments, singing and place in ways meaningful to each individual or group. It is important to remember that the offices are supplemental to each person’s other prayers and spiritual exercises (Eucharist, meditation, mindfulness, somatic practice). Morning prayer can be used any time from rising until noon; evening prayer from noon until sundown; night prayer just before sleep. Night prayer ought to be the last event of the day. Each office gives the reader choices of canticles and psalms and readers should be free to use as much or little of the office as needed.

The use of language

Using words to signify the divine presents immense difficulty. G*d is always more than we can think of or imagine. Words are symbols and not the thing signified: a finger pointing at the moon. Theologians and mystics have spoken of the via negativa. We cannot say anything positive about G*d, for to do so would reduce G*d, would be inadequate and might border on the idolatrous. Language about G*d is, then, always analogical—the most we can say is that G*d is somewhat like this, but not this. In the Jewish tradition the name of G*d is not to be written or spoken. Theologian Paul Tillich coined the phrase G*d beyond G*d to remind us that G*d is above our best understanding.

We have chosen to use the signifier G*d rather than God, following the suggestion of feminist theologian Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, and for similar reasons. The traditional spelling in English God has been associated exclusively with masculinity. The divine is not human and carries no gender. Yet, most liturgical publications still use exclusively male language for the deity. We have adopted a different approach and, unique to this volume, is the use of inclusive language for the deity and for humanity. We began this practice in our 2006 version and revised the text again for this version. In 2006, the principles we worked with were generic language for G*d rather than the traditional masculinist He Him Himself etc. and for humanity. On occasion, we used feminine pronouns for the divine where the text describes feminine attributes and, at times, deliberately used the feminine to disrupt male descriptions of G*d. In the Christian tradition, where G*d is addressed as Father, we have found it appropriate to say Father-Mother, Mother-Father, Abba-Amma, Amma-Abba, and in this edition we interchange the uses. When he, him or his refers to G*d, the noun G*d—G*d’s—may easily be inserted. On occasion it is appropriate to use she, most particularly when feminine imagery is used of G*d (e.g. Shekinah, spirit, wisdom, rock, womb, nurturing, giving birth etc.) Since our last edition, the pronoun they as a singular pronoun has become more acceptable. They may be more appropriate as a pronoun for G*d than either he or she, and we have played creatively with its use. Pronouns for Jesus present other areas for creativity. The Jesus of history was a first century Jewish male, and where appropriate in the text we use the pronoun he for Jesus. The post-resurrection Christ is neither male nor female, shares attributes with both, and may rightly be termed non-binary. In this volume we use the pronoun they for the post-Easter Christ. Our preference is to use the inclusive word savior referring to Jesus rather than Lord, as Lord is also inextricably masculinist.

+Abbess Jane

+Abbot Andrew

Ordinary Time, Lammas 2022

§ THE SEASONS AND COLORS

The Inclusive Christ

All Saints’ Day—November (White)

The Sunday between October 30 and November 5 may be kept as All Saints’ Sunday or as:

The Fourth Sunday before Advent (Red)

The Third Sunday before Advent (Red)

The Second Sunday before Advent (Red)

The Inclusive Christ—The Sunday next before Advent (Red)

Advent

The First Sunday of Advent (Purple or blue)

The Second Sunday of Advent (Purple or blue)

The Third Sunday of Advent (Purple or blue)

The Fourth Sunday of Advent (Purple or blue)

Christmas Eve (White or gold)

Christmas

Christmas Day—December 25 (White or gold)

The First Sunday of Christmas (White)

The Second Sunday of Christmas (White)

Epiphany

The Epiphany—January 6 (White)

The Baptism of Christ—The First Sunday after Epiphany (White)

The Second Sunday after Epiphany (White)

The Third Sunday after Epiphany (White)

The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (White)

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)—February 2 (White)

Ordinary Time

From February 3

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Green)

The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany (Green)

The Seventh Sunday after Epiphany (Green)

The Eighth Sunday after Epiphany (Green)

The Last Sunday after Epiphany (Green)

Lent

Ash Wednesday (Purple)

The First Sunday of Lent (Purple)

The Second Sunday of Lent (Purple)

The Third Sunday of Lent (Purple)

The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Purple)

The Fifth Sunday of Lent—Passiontide begins (Purple)

Palm Sunday (Red)

Monday of Holy Week (Red)

Tuesday of Holy Week (Red)

Wednesday of Holy Week (Red)

Maundy Thursday (White)

Good Friday (Red)

Easter Eve (White)

Easter

Easter Day (White or gold)

Monday of Easter Week (White)

Tuesday of Easter Week (White)

Wednesday of Easter Week (White)

Thursday of Easter Week (White)

Friday of Easter Week (White)

Saturday of Easter Week (White)

The Second Sunday of Easter (White)

The Third Sunday of Easter (White)

The Fourth Sunday of Easter (White)

The Fifth Sunday of Easter (White)

The Sixth Sunday of Easter (White)

Ascension Day (White or gold)

The Seventh Sunday of Easter—Sunday after Ascension Day (White)

Pentecost (Whit Sunday) (Red)

Ordinary Time

From the Monday following the Day of Pentecost

Trinity Sunday (White)

The First Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Second Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Third Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The Last Sunday after Trinity (Green)

The year ends on Halloween (Samhain) October 31, and the cycle begins again.

§ MORNING PRAYER ON SUNDAY

Preparation

O G*d, make speed to save us.

O G*d, make haste to help us.

O G*d,

In my deeds,

In my words,

In my wishes,

In my reason,

And in the fulfilling of my desires,

May the Three of Love dwell.

Carmina Gadelica (amended)

I wait for G*d; my soul waits for G*d;

in G*d’s word is my hope.

Psalm 130.4

Silent reflection and confession.

Father-Mother, you are always present,

Forgive us for not reflecting your faithfulness.

Jesus, you are always self-giving,

Forgive us for living for ourselves.

Holy Spirit, you always lead us forward,

Forgive us for holding back.

Ray Simpson (amended)

The all loving G*d forgive all our sins, and keep us walking in love, through the Spirit, for Christ’s sake,

Amen.

Canticle

A Song of David

1

Blessèd are you, G*d of Israel, for ever and ever,*

for yours is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendor and the majesty.

2

Everything in heaven and on earth is yours;*

yours is the realm, O G*d, and you are exalted as ruler over all.

3

True wealth and honor come from you*

and you rule over all.

4

In your hand are love and goodness;*

yours it is to give strength and goodness to all.

5

And now we give you thanks, our G*d,*

and praise your glorious name.

6

For all things come from you,*

and of your own have we given you.

1 Chronicles 29.10-14

Or

A Song of the Spirit of Wisdom

1

I prayed and understanding was given me;*

I called on G*d and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

2

I preferred her to scepters and thrones*

and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.

3

I loved her more than health or beauty*

and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases.

4

In her company, all good things came to me;*

in her hands a wealth of true riches.

5

In all these good things, I rejoiced, because wisdom brings them,*

but I did not know that she was their mother.

6

What I learned without selfishness I pass on without reserve,*

I do not hide her gifts.

7

For wisdom is an unfailing treasure for mortals:*

those who receive her are friends with G*d.

Wisdom 7. 7-14

Glory to the Father-Mother, and to the Christ and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever.

Psalm

Psalm 39

1

I said, "I will keep watch upon my ways,*

so that I do not offend with my tongue.

2

"I will put a muzzle on my mouth*

while the wicked are in my presence."

3

So I held my tongue and said nothing;*

I refrained from rash words; but my pain became unbearable.

4

My heart was hot within me; while I pondered, the fire burst into flame;*

I spoke out with my tongue:

5

"O G*d, let me know my end and the number of my days,*

so that I may know how short my life is.

6

"You have given me a mere handful of days, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight;*

truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.

7

"We walk about like a shadow and in vain we are in turmoil;*

we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.

8

"And now, what is my hope?*

O G*d, my hope is in you.

9

"Deliver me from all my transgressions*

and do not make me the taunt of the fool."

10

I fell silent and did not open my mouth,*

for surely it was you that did it.

…

13

Hear my prayer, O G*d, and give ear to my cry;*

hold not your peace at my tears.

14

For I am but a sojourner with you,*

a wayfarer, as all my ancestors were.

15

Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again,*

before I go my way and am no more.

Or

Psalm 65

1

You are to be praised, O G*d, in Zion;*

to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem.

2

To you that hear prayer shall all flesh come,*

because of their transgressions.

3

Our sins are stronger than we are,*

but you will blot them out.

4

Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there!*

They will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple.

5

Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O G*d of our salvation,*

O hope of all the ends of the earth and of the seas that are far away.

6

You make fast the mountains by your power;*

they are girded about with might.

7

You still the roaring of the seas,*

the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples.

8

Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs;*

you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.

9

You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous;*

the river of G*d is full of water.

10

You prepare the grain,*

for so you provide for the earth.

11

You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges;*

with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.

12

You crown the year with your goodness,*

and your paths overflow with plenty.

13

May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing,*

and the hills be clothed with joy.

14

May the meadows cover themselves with flocks and the valleys cloak themselves with grain;*

let them shout for joy and sing.

Glory to the Father-Mother, and to the Christ and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever.

Short Scripture Reading

Week One

With what shall I come before G*d, and bow myself before G*d the most high? Shall I come with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will G*d be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? G*d has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does G*d require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your G*d?

Micah 6.6-8

Week Two

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father-Mother on the throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Revelation 3.20-22

Week Three

Blessed be the G*d and Abba-Amma of our savior Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before G*d in love. G*d destined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ, according to G*d’s good pleasure and will, to the praise of the glorious grace that is freely bestowed on us in the beloved.

Ephesians 1.3-6

Week Four

Jesus said, The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father-Mother in spirit and truth, for the Father-Mother seeks such as these to be worshipers. G*d is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4.23,24

Meditation

Hospitality

I like to use the word hospitality, not only because it has such deep roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition but also, and primarily, because it gives us more insight into the nature and response to the human condition of loneliness. Hospitality is the virtue which allows us to break through the narrowness of our own fears and to open our houses to the stranger, with the intuition that salvation comes to us in the form of a tired traveler. Hospitality makes anxious disciples into powerful witnesses, makes suspicious owners into generous givers, and makes closed-minded sectarians into interested recipients of new ideas and insights.

Henri Nouwen

In Praise of Relationships

For the singer whose voice sounds through the stillness, give thanks.

For the prayer partner whose hands tremble with the vitality of the Holy Spirit, give thanks.

For the soul-mate whose gentleness calms troubled souls, give thanks.

For the healer whose touch radiates heavenly heat, give thanks.

For the friend whose face reflects strength and determination, give thanks.

For all companions on the way, give thanks.

For angels among us, give thanks.

Jane Richardson Jensen and Patricia Harris-Watkins

Equality

How beautiful it is that the second human being was taken from the side of the first, so that nature might teach that human beings are equal and, as it were, collateral, and that there is in human affairs neither a superior nor an inferior, a characteristic of true friendship.

Aelred of Rievaulx

Silent reflection

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

This is the gospel we proclaim.

Prayers

Pray for:

Members and friends of the Lindisfarne Community

All who have asked for prayer

All who have no one to pray for them

That this day may be holy, good and joyful:

we pray to you, O G*d.

That we may offer to you our worship and our work:

we pray to you, O G*d.

That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:

we pray to you, O G*d.

That in the pleasures and pains of life, we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:

we pray to you, O G*d.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:

we pray to you, O G*d.

Common Worship Daily Prayer, 2002 (amended)

Silence or free prayer

Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of G*d.

Collect, the Prayer Jesus Taught, and the Blessing

Remember, O G*d, what you have worked in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one G*d, now and for ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer (amended)

Our Father-Mother, in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your realm 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.

Keep us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the realm, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and forever.

Amen.

May we be as Christ to those we meet, may we find Christ within them.

Amen.

Let us bless our G*d

Thanks be to G*d

§ EVENING PRAYER ON SUNDAY

Preparation

O G*d, make speed to save us.

O G*d, make haste to help us.

May the everlasting Amma-Abba shield you

East and west wherever you go.

Carmina Gadelica (amended)

I spread out my hands to you;

my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.

Psalm 143.6

Loving G*d, we thank you:

for life and love,

for the wonders of the natural world,

for family, friends, neighbors and colleagues,

for work, creativity and accomplishments,

for hopes and aspirations,

for disappointments and failures,

for your child Jesus Christ,

for your Holy Spirit, through whom we may be as Christ to those we meet, and may find Christ within them.

Canticle

A Song of the Lamb

1

Salvation and glory and power belong to our G*d,*

whose judgments are true and just.

2

Praise our G*d, all you servants of G*d,*

you who hold G*d in awe, both small and great.

3

G*d, the all loving, reigns:*

let us rejoice and exult and give glory and homage.

4

The marriage of the lamb has come*

and their spouse has made themself ready.

5

Happy are those who are invited*

to the wedding banquet of the lamb.

to the one who sits on the throne and to the lamb*

be blessing and honor and glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen.

From Revelation 19

Or

A Song of the Lights

1

O gladsome light, of the holy glory of the immortal Mother-Father,*

heavenly, holy, blessèd Jesus Christ.

2

Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening,*

we praise you, Mother-Father, Christ and Holy Spirit.

3

For it is right at all times to worship you with voices of praise,*

O child of G*d and giver of life: therefore all the world glorifies you.

Trans: West Malling

Glory to the Mother-Father, and to the Christ and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever.

Psalm

Psalm 145

1

I will exalt you, O G*d my savior,*

and bless your name for ever and ever.

2

Every day will I bless you*

and praise your name for ever and ever.

3

Great is G*d and greatly to be praised;*

there is no end to G*d’s greatness.

4

One generation shall praise your works to another*

and shall declare your power.

5

I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty*

and all your marvelous works.

6

They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts,*

and I will tell of your greatness.

7

They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness;*

they shall sing of your righteous deeds.

8

G*d is gracious and full of compassion,*

slow to anger and of great kindness.

9

G*d is loving to everyone*

and G*d’s compassion is over all creation.

10

All your works praise you, O G*d,*

and your faithful servants bless you.

11

They make known the glory of your realm*

and speak of your love;

12

That the peoples may know of your lovingkindness*

and the glorious splendor of your realm.

13

Your realm is an everlasting realm;*

your reign endures throughout all ages.

14

G*d is faithful in speaking*

and merciful in all works

15

G*d upholds all those who fall;*

and lifts up those who are bowed down.

16

The eyes of all wait upon you, O G*d,*

and you give them their food in due season.

17

You open wide your hand*

and satisfy the needs of every