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One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, October 4, 2006 >>

St. Francis of Assisi

Job 9:1-12, 14-16

Psalm 88

Luke 9:57-62

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"HOW GREAT THOU ART"

"Should one wish to contend with Him, he could not answer Him once in a thousand times." —Job 9:3

God is beyond the powers of human expression. "He removes the mountains before they know it; He overturns them in His anger. He shakes the earth out of its place, and the pillars beneath it tremble" (Jb 9:5-6). "He alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the crests of the sea" (Jb 9:8). "He does great things past finding out, marvelous things beyond reckoning" (Jb 9:10). "Should He seize me forcibly, who can say Him nay? Who can say to Him, 'What are You doing?' " (Jb 9:12)

The truth that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" echoes throughout the Scriptures (e.g. see Ps 111:10). We feel amazement, awe, and wonder at the presence of the almighty God. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31). "How great Thou art!"

When we have a more realistic awareness of Him, everything comes into right perspective. We realize our privilege to be in His kingdom. We recognize that the greatest honor possible for a human being is to praise and serve God. We feel blessed to suffer, even to die for Him. We almost faint to think we receive the all-holy God into our bodies in Holy Communion. When we have the fear of the Lord, we disdain a minimalistic, mediocre Christianity and abandon ourselves to a life of joyful, sacrificial commitment to the Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, why did You ever pay any attention to me? Thank You, Lord, for loving me.

Promise: "Jesus answered him, 'Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.' " —Lk 9:62

Praise: When St. Francis heard the Lord calling him, he left behind his old way of life and did not look back (cf Lk 9:62).

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 15 (16)
The Lord, my inheritance
My body will rest in calm and hope. Alleluia.
Preserve me, Lord, I put my hope in you. I have said to the Lord “You are my Lord, in you alone is all my good”. As for the holy and noble men of the land, in them is all my delight. But for those who run to alien gods, their sorrows are many. I will not share in their libations of blood. I will not speak their names. You, Lord, are my inheritance and my cup. You control my destiny, the lot marked out for me is of the best, my inheritance is all I could ask for. I will bless the Lord who gave me understanding; even in the night my heart will teach me wisdom. I will hold the Lord for ever in my sight: with him at my side I can never be shaken. Thus it is that my heart rejoices, heart and soul together; while my body rests in calm hope. You will not leave my soul in the underworld. You will not let your chosen one see decay. You will show me the paths of life, the fullness of joy before your face, and delights at your right hand until the end of time. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
My body will rest in calm and hope. Alleluia.

Reading	1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you in every way and preserve your life and your soul and your body without blemish, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Prayer
Let us pray. Lord our God, we are tired by the work of the day. Refresh us with peaceful sleep and, forever renewed by the help you give, let us always be dedicated to you in body and mind. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.