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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Sunday, January 7, 2007 >> Epiphany
 
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Psalm 72
Matthew 2:1-12
View Readings  
 
ABOUT FACE
 
"The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the Child was." —Matthew 2:9
 

The word "Christmas" is made up of two words: "Christ" and "Mass." The word "Mass" is based on a root word meaning "sent." Until there is a sending, there is no Christ-mas. Until there is an epiphany, a manifestation of Jesus to the nations, there is no Christmas.

The wise men are wise not just because they followed the star to the manger, but also because they went forth and gave the message of the Messiah to the nations. Likewise, the shepherds not only went to the manger but were sent from the manger to tell everyone what they had seen and heard (Lk 2:18).

Almost four billion people on the earth did not have Christmas this year because they had neither Christ nor Mass. We must follow the star and then be the star to a world in darkness (Is 60:2; Phil 2:15). When we see the manger scene, we always see the wise men and shepherds coming. Let's turn them around and have them going from the manger, making disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19) and being the light of the world (Mt 5:14).

 
Prayer: Jesus, if I tell the world about You, I know that I've had a true Christmas. May I not be ashamed of the gospel (Rm 1:16) but be Your witness (Acts 1:8).
Promise: "In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews, members of the same body and sharers of the promise through the preaching of the gospel." —Eph 3:6
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who was made manifest to reveal God's unchanging love for this world.
 

34 posted on 01/07/2007 7:02:23 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
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 90 (91)
The protection of the Most High
He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night.
He who lives under the protection of the Most High
 dwells under the shade of the Almighty.
He will say to the Lord:
 “You are my shelter and my strength,
 my God, in whom I trust”.

For he will free you from the hunter’s snare,
 from the voice of the slanderer.
He will shade you with his wings,
 you will hide underneath his wings.
His faithfulness will be your armour and your shield.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
 nor the arrow that flies by day;
nor the plague that walks in the shadows,
 nor the death that lays waste at noon.

A thousand will fall at your side,
 at your right hand ten thousand will fall,
 but you it will never come near.
You will look with your eyes
 and see the reward of sinners.
For the Lord is your shelter and refuge;
 you have made the Most High your dwelling-place.
Evil will not reach you,
 harm cannot approach your tent;
for he has set his angels to guard you
 and keep you safe in all your ways.

They will carry you in their arms
 in case you hurt your foot on a stone.
You walk on the viper and cobra,
 you will tread on the lion and the serpent.

Because he clung to me, I shall free him:
 I shall lift him up because he knows my name.
He will call upon me and for my part, I will hear him:
 I am with him in his time of trouble.
I shall rescue him and lead him to glory.
I shall fill him with length of days
 and show him my salvation.

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.
He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night.

Reading Apocalypse 22:4-5
They will see the face of the Lord, and his name will be marked on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need sunlight or lamp-light, because the Lord God himself will shine upon them. And they will reign for ever and ever.

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.
Today we have celebrated the mystery of the Christ’s resurrection, and so now we humbly ask you, Lord, that we may rest in your peace, far from all harm, and rise rejoicing and giving praise to you.
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.

35 posted on 01/07/2007 7:53:36 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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