Vespers (Evening 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.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 109 (110)
The Messiah, king and priest
The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”. From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes. Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn. The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”. The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings. He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls; he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high. 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.

Psalm 109 (110)

The Messiah, king and priest

The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”.

From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes.
Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn.

The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”.
The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings.

He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls;
he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high.

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.

Psalm 129 (130)
Out of the depths
Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears listen out for the voice of my pleading. If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord – Lord, who would be left? But with you is forgiveness, and for this we revere you. I rely on you, Lord, my spirit relies on your promise; my soul hopes in the Lord, more than the watchman for daybreak. More than the watchman for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is kindness and abundant redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all its transgressions. 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.

Psalm 129 (130)

Out of the depths

Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears listen out for the voice of my pleading.

If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord – Lord, who would be left?
But with you is forgiveness, and for this we revere you.
I rely on you, Lord, my spirit relies on your promise;
my soul hopes in the Lord, more than the watchman for daybreak.

More than the watchman for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord:
for with the Lord there is kindness and abundant redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel from all its transgressions.

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.

Canticle	(Colossians 1)
Christ, firstborn of all creatures and firstborn from the dead
Let us give thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to share in the light that is the saints’ inheritance. He has rescued us from the power of the shadows and brought us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones and dominations, principalities and powers. All things were created through him and for him: he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, and so he is pre-eminent above all. For it was the Father’s will that the fullness of God should dwell in him, and that through him all things should be reconciled to himself. Through the blood of the Cross he brought peace to all things, both on Earth and in the heavens. 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.

Canticle

(Colossians 1)

Christ, firstborn of all creatures and firstborn from the dead

Let us give thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to share in the light that is the saints’ inheritance.
He has rescued us from the power of the shadows and brought us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation,
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
thrones and dominations, principalities and powers.

All things were created through him and for him: he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

And he is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, and so he is pre-eminent above all.
For it was the Father’s will that the fullness of God should dwell in him, and that through him all things should be reconciled to himself.
Through the blood of the Cross he brought peace to all things, both on Earth and in the heavens.

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.

Short reading	1 John 1:1 - 3 ©
Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with our hands: the Word, who is life – this is our subject. That life was made visible: we saw it and we are giving our testimony, telling you of the eternal life which was with the Father and has been made visible to us. What we have seen and heard we are telling you so that you too may be in union with us, as we are in union with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Short reading

1 John 1:1 - 3 ©

Something which has existed since the beginning,
that we have heard,
and we have seen with our own eyes;
that we have watched
and touched with our hands:
the Word, who is life –
this is our subject.
That life was made visible:
we saw it and we are giving our testimony,
telling you of the eternal life
which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.
What we have seen and heard
we are telling you
so that you too may be in union with us,
as we are in union
with the Father
and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. 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.

Canticle

Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

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.

Prayers and Intercessions

?

God the compassionate Father anointed his Son with the Holy Spirit and sent him to bring good news to the poor. Let us ask him, then: - God of compassion, take pity on us.
Compassionate and ever-living God, you want all men to be saved and come to knowledge of your truth. We thank you for having given this world your only-begotten Son:: may the whole earth rejoice at his nativity.
You sent your Son to bring the good news to the poor, to announce freedom for captives and proclaim the time of grace:: grant to mankind the gifts of liberty and peace.
You guided the wise men of the Gentiles to see your Son and worship him:: accept the worship of our faithful prayer.
After them, you call all men out of the shadows and into your light, so that at the name of Jesus every knee may bend:: send us out into the world as witnesses of your Gospel.
You made Christ, born in Bethlehem, a light to enlighten the gentiles:: let the light of your face shine on our departed brethren.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Almighty and invisible God, by your coming you dispelled the shadows of this world.
We ask you to look with favour upon us
so that we may worthily celebrate the splendour of your Son’s nativity.

He lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

The Word Among Us

Friday, December 29, 2006

Meditation
1 John 2:3-11

Whoever says, I am in the light, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light. (1 John 2:9-10)

Are you living in the darkness or in the light? According to John, you can tell by evaluating the love you have (or don’t have) for your brothers and sisters.

We’ve all heard valiant stories about a mother who managed to forgive someone who murdered her child, of Jews held in Nazi prison camps who forgave their guards, or of priests held prisoner for years who forgave the Communist rulers. The list can go on and on, and it paints quite a heroic picture. But are there any events, even from long ago, that loom in your mind and stick in your conscience? We are coming up on the end of another year, and this may be a good time for some introspection and examination.

In his book The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen points out that when we refuse to forgive someone, we ourselves become lost. The elder son in Jesus’ parable remained at home, but, interiorly, he wandered away from his father. . . . When confronted by his father’s joy at the return of his younger brother, a dark power erupts in him and boils to the surface, Nouwen writes. This brother simply could not forgive.

Take time today and examine your heart to see if there are any relationships that need healing. Take them to the Lord in prayer and try your best to forgive. Make the decision to follow Jesus’ own example so that you can live in his light more fully. Scripture calls us to love those who don’t love us along with those who do. If there is an opportunity to repair a wounded or broken relationship, decide today that you will take that step. Even if it’s only one small step toward full forgiveness, take that step with Jesus. Imagine all the healing that can flow in the new year if we can enter it with an attitude of reconciliation and unity!

Father, as I approach this new year, I ask you to give me a deeper love. Heal the wounds that have caused division in my life, and help me to forgive. I pray that you will bring all of your children together in peace.

Psalm 96: 1-3, 5-6; Luke 2:22-35

One Bread, One Body

<< Friday, December 29, 2006 >>

St. Thomas Becket

1 John 2:3-11

Psalm 96

Luke 2:22-35

View Readings

BARE FACTS

"This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a Sign that will be opposed — and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare." —Luke 2:34-35

As a result of her suffering, the Lord promised Mary the gift of laying bare the thoughts of many hearts. On this fifth day of Christmas, Jesus wants us to know whether we have a personal relationship with Him, and if so, how deep that relationship is. Many claim to know Jesus personally but don't keep the commandments. They are liars and in them there is no truth (1 Jn 2:4).

Mary, as a good spiritual counselor, will help us be honest with God and with ourselves. She'll visit us and minister the Spirit to us as she did with Elizabeth and John (Lk 1:41). Then the Spirit will convict us and prove us wrong about sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). She will also pray for us as she did in the upper room (Acts 1:14). Within nine days, with the help of her prayers, a group of scared hypocrites got honest with God and became the Spirit-filled leaders of the early Church.

Most of all, Mary will simply be there, usually in an almost imperceptible way, but we know she's there. Her very presence will keep us honest, or get us honest, as she reveals things we'd just as soon keep to ourselves. Mary has ways of laying bare our hearts and showing us what we need to bring before the Lord. "Mary" Christmas!

Prayer: Jesus, may my relationship with You be so strong that I would suffer and even die for You.

Promise: "The way we can be sure we are in union with Him is for the man who claims to abide in Him to conduct himself just as He did." —1 Jn 2:5-6

Praise: St. Thomas Becket reformed his life after being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and eventually accepted martyrdom rather than submit to the king's unjust demands.

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 87 (88)
The prayer of one gravely ill
I cry out to you, Lord, by day and by night.
Lord God, my saviour, I have cried out to you by day and by night. Let my prayer come before you: turn your ear to my request. For my soul is full of evils, my life has come close to its end. I am counted with those who go down to the pit: I am left without help. I am one of the dead, like the murdered who sleep in their tombs, who lie there forgotten, cut off from your care. You have thrust me down into the pit, to the gloom and the shadow of death. Your anger weighs heavy upon me; you have drowned me under your waves. You have taken my friends away from me: you have made me hateful in their sight, I am shut in, I may not go out. My eyes are weak from my sufferings. I have called to you, Lord, all the day; I have stretched out my hands to you. Is it for the dead that you perform your wonders? Will the ghosts rise up and proclaim you? In the tomb, will they tell of your kindness? Will they tell of your faithfulness in the place of the lost? Will your wonders be known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of oblivion? And so I have called out to you, Lord, and in the morning my prayer will come before you. With what purpose, Lord, do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me? I am poor; from my youth I have been dying; I have borne the terrors you sent, I am lost in confusion. Your anger has overrun me, your terrors have broken me: they have flowed round me like water, they have besieged me all the day long. You have taken my friends and those close to me: all I have left is shadows. 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.
I cry out to you, Lord, by day and by night.

Reading	(Jeremiah 14:9)
You, Lord, are in our midst, and we are called by your name; therefore do not abandon us, Lord, our God.

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.
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.

Prayer
Let us pray. Lord, let us be so united with your only Son that we become worthy to rise with him into new life, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, 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.

Lk 2:22-35
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
22	And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:	et postquam impleti sunt dies purgationis eius secundum legem Mosi tulerunt illum in Hierusalem ut sisterent eum Domino
23	As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:	sicut scriptum est in lege Domini quia omne masculinum adaperiens vulvam sanctum Domino vocabitur
24	And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons:	et ut darent hostiam secundum quod dictum est in lege Domini par turturum aut duos pullos columbarum
25	And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him.	et ecce homo erat in Hierusalem cui nomen Symeon et homo iste iustus et timoratus expectans consolationem Israhel et Spiritus Sanctus erat in eo
26	And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.	et responsum acceperat ab Spiritu Sancto non visurum se mortem nisi prius videret Christum Domini
27	And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,	et venit in Spiritu in templum et cum inducerent puerum Iesum parentes eius ut facerent secundum consuetudinem legis pro eo
28	He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said	et ipse accepit eum in ulnas suas et benedixit Deum et dixit
29	Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace:	nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine secundum verbum tuum in pace
30	Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,	quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
31	Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:	quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum
32	A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.	lumen ad revelationem gentium et gloriam plebis tuae Israhel
33	And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.	et erat pater eius et mater mirantes super his quae dicebantur de illo
34	And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted.	et benedixit illis Symeon et dixit ad Mariam matrem eius ecce positus est hic in ruinam et resurrectionem multorum in Israhel et in signum cui contradicetur
35	And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.	et tuam ipsius animam pertransiet gladius ut revelentur ex multis cordibus cogitationes

Melchior Broederlam

Presentation in the Temple and Flight to Egypt

1393-99
Tempera on wood, 167 x 125 cm
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Dijon