<< Saturday, October 11, 2008 >>

Galatians 3:22-29
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Psalm 105:2-7

Luke 11:27-28

BLESSED AMONG BLESSINGS

"Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it." —Luke 11:28

Physical relationships can be very fulfilling for human beings. For example, a married couple's physical relationship expressed in sexual intercourse can be an exceptional blessing. The physical relationship of a mother with the child she conceives, births, and nurtures is also one of the greatest blessings in life. Therefore, a woman cried out to Jesus: "Blest is the womb that bore You and the breasts that nursed You!" (Lk 11:27) However, Jesus responded: "Rather...blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it" (Lk 11:28). As wonderful as physical relationships can be, even as wondrous as was Mary's physical relationship with Jesus, it is more blest to hear God's word and keep it.

Living God's word is such a blessing that when Jeremiah found God's words, he devoured them (Jer 15:16). They became the joy and happiness of his heart (Jer 15:16). The psalmist delighted in obeying God's word (Ps 40:9). God's word was more precious to him "than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Ps 119:72). When Ezra proclaimed God's word to the people, they rejoiced and celebrated for eight days (Neh 8:9-10, 17-18). Jesus spent the afternoon and evening of His resurrection day by opening the hearts and minds of two disciples and the apostles to the Scriptures (see Lk 24:27, 32, 45). There is something very blest about hearing and doing God's word. Get blest.

Prayer: Father, I commit myself by Your grace to pray and read the Bible every day for the rest of my life.

Promise: "If you belong to Christ you are the descendants of Abraham, which means you inherit all that was promised." —Gal 3:29

Praise: When George cannot make it to daily Mass, he feasts on God's word by reading and pondering that day's eucharistic scriptures.

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 4
Thanksgiving
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer.
When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness. When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom: now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer. Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy? Why do you seek for vain things? Why do you run after illusions? Know that the Lord has done marvellous things for those he has chosen. When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Be vigorous, but do not sin: speak in the silence of your heart, in your bed, be at rest. Offer righteousness as a sacrifice, and put your trust in the Lord. Many are saying, Who will give us good things? Let your face shine on us, Lord, let the light of your face be a sign. You have given me a greater joy than the others receive from abundance of wheat and of wine. In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest: firm in the hope you have given 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.
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer.

Psalm 133 (134)
Evening prayer in the Temple
Bless the Lord through the night.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand through the night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your arms to the sanctuary and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Sion – the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 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.
Bless the Lord through the night.

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ©
Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart. You shall repeat them to your children and say them over to them whether at rest in your house or walking abroad, at your lying down or at your rising.

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. Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Anointed, 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.

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One Bread, One Body

BLESSED AMONG BLESSINGS

Compline (Night Prayer)