Posted on 02/03/2009 10:21:14 PM PST by Salvation
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week
in Ordinary Time
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Reading 1
Heb 12:4-7, 11-15
Brothers and sisters:
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as "discipline";
God treats you as his sons.
For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Strive for peace with everyone,
and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,
that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,
through which many may become defiled.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a
R.(see 17) The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Gospel
Mk 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, "Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?"
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house."
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
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1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: 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 who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary
By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.
The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
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Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families. February Devotion: The Holy Family
INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal
CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.
IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
Holy Family Chaplet
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with you.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.
Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's, and 3 Glory be's.
PRAYER TO
THE HOLY FAMILY
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GOD our Heavenly Father, You call all peoples to be united as one family in worshipping You as the one and true God. You willed that Your Son become man, giving Him a virgin mother and a foster father to form the Holy Family of Nazareth.
WE pray: may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image and model of every human family unit walk in the spirit of Nazareth and grow in the understanding of its particular mission in society and the Church. May our families be living cells of love, faithfulness and unity, thus reflecting God's covenant with humanity and Christ's redeeming love for His Church.
JESUS, Mary and Joseph protect our families from all evil; keep us, who are away from home, one in love with our dear ones.
Feast of the Holy Family (Dom Guéranger OSB)
The Holy Family vs. The Holy Innocents: A Christmas season reflection [Catholic Caucus]
The Redemption and Protection of the Family [Feast of the Holy Family]
Vatican creche to place Holy Family in Joseph's carpentry workshop
Imitating the Holy Family; Four Traits that Make It Possible
Lots of Graphics: Post your favorite image of the St. Mary and Child, the Holy Family...
Ah, sometimes I really regret leaving The Church.
But She hasn’t provided evidence to return to Her.
That was a lovely set of Readings. Thank you for this thread and the work in putting it together.
Just what are you waiting for?
Have you looked for it?
You are welcome to come back at any time, just find a priest that you can sit down with and have a good talk with him.
There are also many classes for Catholics who have been away from the Church. Perhaps your problem has been resolved and you are not aware of it.
Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for February 2009
General: That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God's people.
Mission: That the Church in Africa may find adequate ways and means to promote reconciliation, justice and peace efficaciously, according to the indications of the Synod of the Bishops’ Special Assembly for Africa.
From: Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15
The Example of Christ (Continuation)
Perseverance in Affliction
[11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Striving for Peace; Purity; Reverent Worship
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Commentary:
4-13. Following Christ’s example, Christians should struggle to avoid sin; they
should put up with tribulation and persecution because if such adversity arises
it means that the Lord permits it for our good. The letter’s tone of encourage-
ment seems to change here to one of reproach. It is as if the writer were saying,
“Christ gave his life for your sins, contending even to the point of dying for you;
how is it that you do not put up with suffering, out of love for him? It is true that
you are being persecuted: God is disciplining you as a Father disciplines his
children. But you are children of God and therefore your attitude should be one
of abandonment to his will even when it seems hard. That is the way a Father
brings up his children.”
The main point is that the only important thing is fidelity to God, and that the sin
of apostasy is the greatest of all misfortunes. “Don’t forget, my son, that for you
on earth there is but one evil, which you must fear and avoid with the grace of
God: sin” (St J. Escriva, “The Way”, 386).
5-11. Suffering, the sacred writer teaches, is a sign of God’s paternal love for us;
it proves that we really are his children.
This teaching is supported by the quotation from Proverbs 3: 12, taken from a
long discourse in which a father exhorts his son to acquire true wisdom. In the
present passage the father is identified with God and we with the sons whom he
is addressing.
By being incorporated into Christ through Baptism a person becomes a child of
God: this is the very basis of the Christian life and it should be a source of sere-
nity and peace in every difficulty we meet in the course of life. The term “disci-
pline” which appears so much in this passage does not convey the full richness
of the original Greek word, “paideia”, which has to do with the educational up-
bringing of child by parent, of pupil by teacher, and also the punishment meted
out in this context. Here the focus is largely on the second aspect. However, it
should be remembered that in ancient times education and instruction always
involved the idea of punishment. God, therefore, should not be seen as a cruel
or pitiless father, but as a good father who brings up his children in an affectio-
nate yet firm way. Adversity and suffering are a sign that this divine teaching me-
thod is at work: God uses them to educate us and discipline us. “You suffer in
this present life, which is a dream, a short dream. Rejoice, because your Father-
God loves you so much, and if you put no obstacles in his way, after this bad
dream he will give you a good awakening” (St J. Escriva, “The Way”, 692). If we
were illegitimate children he would not bother to educate us; but because we are
true sons he disciplines us, to make us worthy of bearing his name. “Everything
that comes to us from God,” an ancient ecclesiastical writer reminds us, “and
that we initially see as beneficial or disadvantageous, is sent to us by a father
who is full of tenderness and by the wisest of physicians, with our good in mind”
(Cassian, “Collationes”, VII, 28).
When the soul has this kind of attitude, that is, when the trials the Lords sends
are willingly accepted, “with peaceful fruit of righteousness” and it yields fruit of
holiness which fills it with peace: “Jesus prays in the garden: “Pater mi” (Mt
26:39), “Abba, Pater!” (Mk 14:36). God is my Father, even though he may send
me suffering. He loves me tenderly, even while wounding me. Jesus suffers, to
fulfill the Will of the Father.... And I, who also wish to fulfill the most holy Will of
God, following in the footsteps of the Master, can I complain if I too meet suffe-
ring as my traveling companion?
“It will be a sure sign of my sonship, because God is treating me as he treated
his own divine Son. Then I, as he did, will be able to groan and weep alone in my
Gethsemani; but, as I lie prostrate on the ground, acknowledging my nothingness,
there will rise up to the Lord a cry from the depths of my soul: “Pater mi, Abba,
Pater,... fiat!” (St J. Escriva, “The Way of the Cross”, I, 1).
12-13. This exhortation follows logically from the previous one. It seems to evoke
the world of athletic competition referred to at the beginning of the chapter. Verse
12 is like a shout of encouragement to a runner who is beginning to flag in the
middle of a race.
The author uses a quotation from Isaiah (Is 35:3) in which drooping hands and
weak knees indicate moral decline (cf. 2 Sam 2:7; 4:1; Jer 47:3). He then goes
on to use words from Proverbs 4:26 to encourage right living: “make straight
steps with your feet”: if the Christian perseveres in his efforts even if he is some-
what “lame”, that is, even if he is someone whose faith is weak and is in danger
of apostasy, he will be able to return to fitness in spite of everything.
However, this exhortation can be taken as addressed not only to those who need
to mend their ways but also to Christians in general, who should be exemplary
and never in any way be a stumbling-block to their weaker brethren.
14. These words echo what our Lord says in the Sermon on the Mount: “Bles-
sed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”. Jesus promises
those who promote peace that they will be sons of God and therefore share in
God’s inner life, which makes man holy. The Apostles and disciples of the Lord
often repeat this teaching (cf. Jas 3:18; Rom 12:18; 1 Pet 3:11). Being at peace
with God, which comes from docility to his plans (v. 11), necessarily leads one
to foster and maintain peace with others. Peace with God and with one’s neigh-
bor is inseparable from the search for holiness. Christ brings about the fulfillment
of the ancient promises which foretold a flowering of peace and righteousness in
the messianic times (cf. Ps 72:3; 85:1 1-12; Is 9:7; etc.).
“Holiness”: it is not just a matter of avoiding sin. one needs to cultivate virtue and
to desire to attain holiness with the help of grace. Holiness or Christian perfection
is the common goal of all Christ’s disciples. Salvation and holiness are really one
and the same thing, for only saints can obtain entry into the presence of God:
only those who are holy can see the Holy One.
“You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). These words
of our Lord are always echoing through the Church; today more than ever. “Today,
once again, I set myself this goal and I also remind you and all mankind: this is
God’s will for us, that we be saints.
“In order to bring peace, genuine peace, to souls; in order to transform the earth
and to seek God our Lord in the world and through the things of the world perso-
nal sanctity is indispensable” (St J. Escriva, “Friends of God”, 294).
15. Theodoret comments on this passage as follows: “Do not be concerned
only about yourselves; rather let each of you look after the other; strengthen the
waverer and assist him who needs your helping hand” (”Interpretatio Ep. ad Hae-
breos, ad loc.”). A Christian needs to be concerned not only about his own soul,
his own salvation; on his conscience should also lie the salvation of his brothers
and sisters in the faith. He should be like a gardener who cares for his plants
and makes sure no weeds or diseases spread through his garden. In the Old
Testament, the man who denies his faith is described as a root bearing poiso-
nous and bitter fruit (cf. Deut 29:18). Anyone who is indifferent to a brother’s
infidelity endangers those around him, for bad example can spread like an epi-
demic. This passage is reminiscent of St Paul’s reproach to the Corinthians:
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Cor 5:6).
Hence the need to be ever vigilant to ensure that no one through his own fault
loses the gifts God has given him; “the true apostle is on the lookout for occa-
sions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers to draw them towards
the faith, or to the faithful to instruct them, strengthen them, incite them to a
more fervent life; ‘for Christ’s love urges us on’ (2 Cor 5:14), and in the hearts of
all should the Apostle’s words find echo: ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gos-
pel’ (1 Cor 9:16)” (Vatican II, “Apostolicam Actuositatem”, 6).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
From: Mark 6:1-6
No Prophet Is Honored In His Own Country
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Commentary:
1-3. Jesus is here described by His occupation and by the fact that He is the son
of Mary. Does this indicate that St. Joseph is dead already? We do not know,
but it is likely. In any event, the description is worth underlining: in the Gospels
of St. Matthew and St. Luke we are told of the virginal conception of Jesus. St.
Mark’s Gospel does not deal with our Lord’s infancy, but there may be an allu-
sion here to His virginal conception and birth, in His being described as “the son
of Mary.”
“Joseph, caring for the Child as he had been commanded, made Jesus a crafts-
man, transmitting his own professional skill to him. So the neighbors of Naza-
reth will call Jesus both “faber” and “fabri filius”: the craftsman and the son of
the craftsman” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 55). This message of
the Gospel reminds us that our vocation to work is not marginal to God’s plans.
“The truth that by means of work man participates in the activity of God Him-
self, his Creator, was ‘given particular prominence by Jesus Christ’—the Jesus
at whom many of His first listeners in Nazareth ‘were astonished, saying,
“Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to Him?... Is not
this the carpenter?’” (Mark 6:23). For Jesus not only proclaimed but first and
foremost fulfilled by His deeds the ‘Gospel’, the word of eternal Wisdom, that
had been entrusted to Him. Therefore this was also ‘the gospel of work’, be-
cause ‘He who proclaimed it was Himself a man of work’, a craftsman like
Joseph of Nazareth (cf. Matthew 13:55). And if we do not find in His words a
special command to work—but rather on one occasion a prohibition against too
much anxiety about work and life—(Matthew 6:25-34)—at the same time the elo-
quence of the life of Christ is unequivocal: He belongs to the `working world’,
He has appreciation and respect for human work. It can indeed be said the ‘He
looks with love upon human work’ and the different forms that it takes, seeing
in each one of these forms a particular facet of man’s likeness with God, the
Creator and Father” (John Paul II, “Laborem Exercens”, 26).
St. Mark mentions by name a number of brothers of Jesus, and refers in general
to His sisters. But the word “brother” does not necessarily mean son of the
same parents. It can also indicate other degrees of relationship—cousins, ne-
phews, etc. Thus in Genesis 13:8 and 14:14 and 16 Lot is called the brother of
Abraham (translated as “kinsman” in RSV), whereas we know that he was Abra-
ham’s nephew, the son of Abraham’s brother Haran. The same is true of Laban,
who is called the brother of Jacob (Genesis 29:15) although he was his mother’s
brother (Genesis 29:15); there are other instances: cf. 1 Chronicles 23:21-22, etc.
This confusion is due to the poverty of Hebrew and Aramaic language: in the ab-
sence of distinct terms, the same word, brother, is used to designate different
degrees of relationship.
>From other Gospel passages we know that James and Joses, who are mentioned
here, were sons of Mary of Clophas (John 19:25). We know less about Judas and
Simon: it seems that they are the Apostles Simon the Cananaean (Matthew 10:4)
and Judas the son of James (Luke 6:16), the author of the Catholic Epistle, in
which he describes himself as “brother” of James. In any event, although James,
Simon and Judas are referred to as brothers of Jesus, it is nowhere said they were
“sons of Mary”—which would have been the natural thing if they had been our Lord’s
brothers in the strict sense. Jesus always appears as an only son: to the people
of Nazareth, He is “the son of Mary” (Matthew 13:55). When He was dying Jesus
entrusted His mother to St. John (cf. John 19:26-27), which shows that Mary had
no other children. To this is added the constant belief of the Church, which regards
Mary as the ever-virgin: “a perfect virgin before, while, and forever after she gave
birth” (Paul IV, “Cum Quorumdam”).
5-6. Jesus worked no miracles here: not because He was unable to do so, but as
punishment for the unbelief of the townspeople. God wants man to use the grace
offered him, so that, by cooperating with grace, he become disposed to receive
further graces. As St. Augustine neatly puts it, “He who made you without your
own self, will not justify you without yourself” (”Sermon” 169).
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
| First reading | Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15 © |
|---|---|
| In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death. Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again. Always be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community. |
|
| Psalm or canticle: Psalm 102:1-2,13-14,17-18 |
| Gospel | Mark 6:1-6 © |
|---|---|
| Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. | |
| Wednesday, February 4, 2009 St. Joseph of Leonessa, Capuchin, Priest (Memorial) |
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Douay Rheims Version
MATINS: First Nocturn
Psalm 44
Eructavit Cor Meus
The excellence of Christ's kingdom, and the endowments of his Church. 1 Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the sons of Core, for understanding.
A canticle for the Beloved. 2 MY heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the king: My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly. 3 Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips; therefore hath God blessed thee for ever. 4 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most mighty. 5 With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign. Because of truth and meekness and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. 6 Thy arrows are sharp: under thee shall people fall, into the hearts of the king's enemies. 7 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness. 8 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 9 Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory houses: out of which 10 the daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety. 11 Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: and forget thy people and thy father's house. 12 And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore. 13 And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance. 14 All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders, 15 clothed round about with varieties. After her shall virgins be brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee. 16 They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into the temple of the king. 17 Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: thou shalt make them princes over all the earth. 18 They shall remember thy name throughout all generations. Therefore shall people praise thee for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 45
Deus Noster RefugiumThe Church in persecution trusteth in the protection of God. 1 Unto the end, for the sons of Core, for the hidden. 2 OUR God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly. 3 Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea. 4 Their waters roared and were troubled: the mountains were troubled with his strength. 5 The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle. 6 God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the morning early. 7 Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down: he uttered his voice, the earth trembled. 8 The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector. 9 Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth, 10 making wars to cease even to the end of the earth. He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: and the shield he shall burn in the fire. 11 Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth. 12 The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
SECOND NOCTURN:
Psalm 47
Magnus DominusGod is greatly to be praised for the establishment of his Church. 1 A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week. 2 GREAT is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. 3 With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king. 4 In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her. 5 For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together. 6 So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved: 7 trembling took hold of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour. 8 With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis. 9 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever. 10 We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple. 11 According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice. 12 Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord. 13 Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell ye in her towers. 14 Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation. 15 For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: he shall rule us for evermore.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 48
Audite Haec Omnes GentesThe folly of worldlings, who live in sin, without thinking of death or hell. 1 Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core. 2 HEAR these things, all ye nations: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world. 3 All you that are earthborn, and you sons of men: both rich and poor together. 4 My mouth shall speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding. 5 I will incline my ear to a parable; I will open my proposition on the psaltery. 6 Why shall I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me. 7 They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches, 8 No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom, 9 Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever, 10 and shall still live unto the end. 11 He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: the senseless and the fool shall perish together: And they shall leave their riches to strangers: 12 and their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever. Their dwelling places to all generations: they have called their lands by their names. 13 And man when he was in honour did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them. 14 This way of theirs is a stumblingblock to them: and afterwards they shall delight in their mouth. 15 They are laid in hell like sheep: death shall feed upon them. And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their help shall decay in hell from their glory. 16 But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, when he shall receive me. 17 Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, and when the glory of his house shall be increased. 18 For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; nor shall his glory descend with him. 19 For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him. 20 He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: and he shall never see light. 21 Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
THIRD NOCTURN
Psalm 49
Deus DeorumThe coming of Christ: who prefers virtue and inward purity before the blood of victims. 1 A psalm for Asaph. THE God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof: 2 out of Sion the loveliness of his beauty. 3 God shall come manifestly: our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall burn before him: and a mighty tempest shall be round about him. 4 He shall call heaven from above, and the earth, to judge his people. 5 Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices. 6 And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge. 7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I will testify to thee: I am God, thy God. 8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight. 9 I will not take calves out of thy house: nor he goats out of thy flocks. 10 For all the beasts of the woods are mine: the cattle on the hills, and the oxen. 11 I know all the fowls of the air: and with me is the beauty of the field. 12 If I should be hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 13 Shall I eat the flesh of bullocks? or shall I drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God the sacrifice of praise: and pay thy vows to the most High. 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 16 But to the sinner God hath said: Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth ? 17 Seeing thou hast hated discipline: and hast cast my words behind thee. 18 If thou didst see a thief thou didst run with him: and with adulterers thou hast been a partaker. 19 Thy mouth hath abounded with evil, and thy tongue framed deceits. 20 Sitting thou didst speak against thy brother, and didst lay a scandal against thy mother's son: 21 these things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face. 22 Understand these things, you that forget God; lest he snatch you away, and there be none to deliver you. 23 The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm50
MiserereThe repentance and confession of David after his sin. The fourth penitential psalm. 1 Unto the end, a psalm of David, 2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee. 3 HAVE mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity. 4 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 5 For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. 6 To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged. 7 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me. 8 For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me. 9 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. 10 To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. 11 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 12 Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. 13 Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 14 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. 15 I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee. 16 Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice. 17 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. 18 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted. 19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 20 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. 21 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
LAUDS:
Psalm 96
Dominus RegnavitAll are invited to rejoice at the glorious coming and reign of Christ. 1 For the same David, when his land was restored again to him. THE Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne. 3 A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings have shone forth to the world: the earth saw and trembled. 5 The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory. 7 Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, and that glory in their idols. Adore him, all you his angels: 8 Sion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord. 9 For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods. 10 You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner. 11 Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart. 12 Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 64
Te DecetGod is to be praised in his Church, to which all nations shall be called. 1 To the end, a psalm of David. The canticle of Jeremias and Ezechiel to the people of the captivity, when they began to go out. 2 A HYMN, O God, becometh thee in Sion: and a vow shall be paid to thee in Jerusalem. 3 O hear my prayer: all flesh shall come to thee. 4 The words of the wicked have prevailed over us: and thou wilt pardon our transgressions. 5 Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken to thee: he shall dwell in thy courts. We shall be filled with the good things of thy house; holy is thy temple, 6 wonderful in justice. Hear us, O God our saviour, who art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and in the sea afar off. 7 Thou who preparest the mountains by thy strength, being girded with power: 8 who troublest the depth of the sea, the noise of its waves. The Gentiles shall be troubled, 9 and they that dwell in the uttermost borders shall be afraid at thy signs: thou shalt make the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to be joyful. 10 Thou hast visited the earth, and hast plentifully watered it; thou hast many ways enriched it. The river of God is filled with water, thou hast prepared their food: for so is its preparation. 11 Fill up plentifully the streams thereof, multiply its fruits; it shall spring up and rejoice in its showers. 12 Thou shalt bless the crown of the year of thy goodness: and thy fields shall be filled with plenty. 13 The beautiful places of the wilderness shall grow fat: and the hills shall be girded about with joy, 14 The rams of the flock are clothed, and the vales shall abound with corn: they shall shout, yea they shall sing a hymn.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 100
Miserdicordiam & JudiciumThe prophet exhorteth all, by his example, to follow mercy and justice. 1 A psalm for David himself. MERCY and judgment I will sing to thee, O Lord: I will sing, 2 and I will understand in the unspotted way, when thou shalt come to me. I walked in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house. 3 I did not set before my eyes any unjust thing: I hated the workers of iniquities. 4 The perverse heart did not cleave to me: and the malignant, that turned aside from me, I would not know. 5 The man that in private detracted his neighbour, him did I persecute. With him that had a proud eye, and an unsatiable heart, I would not eat. 6 My eyes were upon the faithful of the earth, to sit with me: the man that walked in the perfect way, he served me. 7 He that worketh pride shall not dwell in the midst of my house: he that speaketh unjust things did not prosper before my eyes. 8 In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the land: that I might cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Canticle of Judith 16: 1-21 1 Then Judith sung this canticle to the Lord, saying: 2 Begin ye to the Lord with timbrels, sing ye to the Lord with cymbals, tune unto him a new psalm, extol and call upon his name. 3 The Lord putteth an end to wars, the Lord is his name. 4 He hath set his camp in the midst of his people, to deliver us from the hand of all our enemies. 5 The Assyrian came out of the mountains from the north in the multitude of his strength: his multitude stopped up the torrents, and their horses covered the valleys. 6 He bragged that he would set my borders on fire, and kill my young men with the sword, to make my infants a prey, and my virgins captives. 7 But the almighty Lord hath struck him, and hath delivered him into the hands of a woman, and hath slain him. 8 For their mighty one did not fall by young men, neither did the sons of Titan strike him, nor tall giants oppose themselves to him, but Judith the daughter of Merari weakened him with the beauty of her face. 9 For she put off her the garments of widowhood, and put on her the garments of joy, to give joy to the children of Israel. 10 She anointed her face with ointment, and bound up her locks with a crown, she took a new robe to deceive him. 11 Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty made his soul her captive, with a sword she cut off his head. 12 The Persians quaked at her constancy, and the Medes at her boldness. 13 Then the camp of the Assyrians howled, when my lowly ones appeared, parched with thirst. 14 The sons of the damsels have pierced them through, and they have killed them like children fleeing away: they perished in battle before the face of the Lord my God. 15 Let us sing a hymn to the Lord, let us sing a new hymn to our God. 16 O Adonai, Lord, great art thou, and glorious in thy power, and no one can overcome thee. 17 Let all thy creatures serve thee: because thou hast spoken, and they were made: thou didst send forth thy spirit, and they were created, and there is no one that can resist thy voice. 18 The mountains shall be moved from the foundations with the waters: the rocks shall melt as wax before thy face. 19 But they that fear thee, shall be great with thee in all things. 20 Woe be to the nation that riseth up against my people: for the Lord almighty will take revenge on them, in the day of judgment he will visit them. 21 For he will give fire, and worms into their flesh, that they may burn, and may feel for ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 145
Lauda AnimaWe are not to trust in men, but in God alone. 1 Alleluia, of Aggeus and Zacharias. 2 PRAISE the Lord, O my soul, in my life I will praise the Lord: I will sing to my God as long as I shall be. Put not your trust in princes: 3 in the children of men, in whom there is no salvation. 4 His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish. 5 Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God: 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. 7 Who keepeth truth for ever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them that are fettered: 8 the Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down: the Lord loveth the just. 9 The Lord keepeth the strangers, he will support the fatherless and the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy. 10 The Lord shall reign for ever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
PRIME:
Psalm 25
Judica Me DomineDavid's prayer to God in his distress, to be delivered, that he may come to worship him in his tabernacle. 1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. JUDGE me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence: and I have put my trust in the Lord, and shall not be weakened. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; burn my reins and my heart. 3 For thy mercy is before my eyes; and I am well pleased with thy truth. 4 I have not sat with the council of vanity: neither will I go in with the doers of unjust things. 5 I have hated the assembly of the malignant; and with the wicked I will not sit. 6 I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord: 7 That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth. 9 Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands are iniquities: their right hand is filled with gifts. 11 But as for me, I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me. 12 My foot hath stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 51
Quid GloriarisDavid condemneth the wickedness of Doeg, and foretelleth his destruction. 1 Unto the end, understanding for David, 2 when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul: David went to the house of Achimelech. 3 WHY dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity? 4 All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit. 5 Thou hast loved malice more than goodness: and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness. 6 Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue. 7 Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling place: and thy root out of the land of the living. 8 The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say: 9 Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity. 10 But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever. 11 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 52
Dixit IsipiensThe general corruption of man before the coming of Christ. 1 Unto the end, for Maeleth, understandings to David. THE fool said in his heart: There is no God. 2 They are corrupted, and become abominable in iniquities: there is none that doth good. 3 God looked down from heaven on the children of men: to see if there were any that did understand, or did seek God. 4 All have gone aside, they are become unprofitable together, there is none that doth good, no not one. 5 Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people as they eat bread? 6 They have not called upon God: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear. For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men: they have been confounded, because God hath despised them. 7 Who will give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when God shall bring back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
TERCE:
Psalm 53
Deus In Nomine TuoA prayer for help in distress. 1 Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David. 2 When the men of Ziph had come and said to Saul: Is not David hidden with us? 3 SAVE me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength. 4 O God, hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth. 5 For strangers have risen up against me; and the mighty have sought after my soul: and they have not set God before their eyes. 6 For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul. 7 Turn back the evils upon my enemies; and cut them off in thy truth. 8 I will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise, O God, to thy name: because it is good: 9 For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye hath looked down upon my enemies.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 54
Exaudi DeusA prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas. 1 Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David. 2 HEAR, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication: 3 be attentive to me and hear me. I am grieved in my exercise; and am troubled, 4 at the voice of the enemy, and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have cast iniquities upon me: and in wrath they were troublesome to me. 5 My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me. 6 Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me. 7 And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest? 8 Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness. 9 I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm. 10 Cast down, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city. 11 Day and night shall iniquity surround it upon its walls: and in the midst thereof are labour, 12 and injustice. And usury and deceit have not departed from its streets. 13 For if my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it. And if he that hated me had spoken great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden myself from him. 14 But thou a man of one mind, my guide, and my familiar, 15 Who didst take sweetmeats together with me: in the house of God we walked with consent. 16 Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For there is wickedness in their dwellings: in the midst of them. 17 But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me. 18 Evening and morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and he shall hear my voice. 19 He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for among many they were with me. 20 God shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God: 21 he hath stretched forth his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant, 22 they are divided by the wrath of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and the same are darts. 23 Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever. 24 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee, O Lord.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
SEXT:
Psalm 55
Miserere Mei DeusA prayer of David in danger and distress. 1 Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar ) when the Philistines held him in Geth. 2 HAVE mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me. 3 My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me. 4 From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee. 5 In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me. 6 All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil. 7 They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul, 8 for nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces. O God, 9 I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set my tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise. 10 Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God. 11 In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me. 12 In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee: 13 Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 56
Miserere Mei DeusThe prophet prays in his affliction, and praises God for his delivery. 1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave. 2 HAVE mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away. 3 I will cry to God the most High; to God who hath done good to me. 4 He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. God hath sent his mercy and his truth, 5 and he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions. I slept troubled. The sons of men, whose teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 6 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. 7 They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it. 8 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing, and rehearse a psalm. 9 Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise early. 10 I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations. 11 For thy mercy is magnified even to the heavens: and thy truth unto the clouds. 12 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 57
Si Vere UtiqueDavid reproveth the wicked, and foretelleth their punishment. 1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title. 2 IF in very deed you speak justice: judge right things, ye sons of men. 3 For in your heart you work iniquity: your hands forge injustice in the earth. 4 The wicked are alienated from the womb; they have gone astray from the womb: they have spoken false things. 5 Their madness is according to the likeness of a serpent: like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ears: 6 Which will not hear the voice of the charmers; nor of the wizard that charmeth wisely. 7 God shall break in pieces their teeth in their mouth: the Lord shall break the grinders of the lions. 8 They shall come to nothing, like water running down; he hath bent his bow till they be weakened. 9 Like wax that melteth they shall be taken away: fire hath fallen on them, and they shall not see the sun. 10 Before your thorns could know the brier; he swalloweth them up, as alive, in his wrath. 11 The just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge: he shall wash his hands in the blood of the sinner. 12 And man shall say: If indeed there be fruit to the just: there is indeed a God that judgeth them on the earth.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
NONE:
Psalm 58
Eripe MeA prayer to be delivered from the wicked, with confidence in God's help and protection. It agrees to Christ and his enemies, the Jews. 1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David for an inscription of a title, when Saul sent and watched his house to kill him. 2 DELIVER me from my enemies, O my God; and defend me from them that rise up against me. 3 Deliver me from them that work iniquity, and save me from bloody men. 4 For behold they have caught my soul: the mighty have rushed in upon me: 5 Neither is it my iniquity, nor my sin, O Lord: without iniquity have I run, and directed my steps. 6 Rise up thou to meet me, and behold: even thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel. Attend to visit all the nations: have no mercy on all them that work iniquity. 7 They shall return at evening, and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city. 8 Behold they shall speak with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips: for who, say they, hath heard us? 9 But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt bring all the nations to nothing. 10 I will keep my strength to thee: for thou art my protector: 11 my God, his mercy shall prevent me. 12 God shall let me see over my enemies: slay them not, lest at any time my people forget. Scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord, my protector: 13 For the sin of their mouth, and the word of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride. And for their cursing and lying they shall be talked of, 14 when they are consumed: when they are consumed by thy wrath, and they shall be no more. And they shall know that God will rule Jacob, and all the ends of the earth. 15 They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city. 16 They shall be scattered abroad to eat, and shall murmur if they be not filled. 17 But I will sing thy strength: and will extol thy mercy in the morning. For thou art become my support, and my refuge, in the day of my trouble. 18 Unto thee, O my helper, will I sing, for thou art God my defence: my God my mercy.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 59
Deus Repulisti NosAfter many afflictions, the Church of Christ shall prevail. 1 Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the inscription of a title, to David himself, for doctrine, 2 when he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal; and Joab returned and slew of Edom, in the vale of the saltpits, twelve thousand men. 3 O GOD, thou hast cast us off, and hast destroyed us; thou hast been angry, and hast had mercy on us. 4 Thou hast moved the earth, and hast troubled it: heal thou the breaches thereof, for it has been moved. 5 Thou hast shewn thy people hard things; thou hast made us drink the wine of sorrow. 6 Thou hast given a warning to them that fear thee: that they may flee from before the bow: That thy beloved may be delivered. 7 Save me with thy right hand, and hear me. 8 God hath spoken in his holy place: I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem; and will mete out the vale of tabernacles. 9 Galaad is mine, and Manasses is mine: and Ephraim is the strength of my head. Juda is my king: 10 Moab is the pot of my hope. Into Edom will I stretch out my shoe: to me the foreigners are made subject. 11 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? 12 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go out with our armies? 13 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the salvation of man. 14 Through God we shall do mightily: and he shall bring to nothing them that afflict us.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
VESPERS:
Psalm 127
Beati OmnesThe fear of God is the way to happiness. 1 A gradual canticle. BLESSED are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. 5 May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 And mayest thou see thy children's children, peace upon Israel.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 128
Saepe ExpugnaveruntThe Church of God is invincible: her persecutors come to nothing. 1 A gradual canticle. OFTEN have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say. 2 Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me. 3 The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity. 4 The Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners: 5 let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion. 6 Let them be as grass on the tops of houses: which withered before it be plucked up: 7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom. 8 And they that have passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 129
De ProfundisA prayer of a sinner trusting in the mercies of God. The 6th penitential psalm. 1 A gradual canticle. OUT of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 3 If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. 4 For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word: 5 my soul hath hoped in the Lord. 6 From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. 7 Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 130
Domine Non EstThe prophet's humility. 1 A gradual canticle of David. LORD, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. 2 If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 131
Memento DomineA prayer for the fulfilling of the promise made to David. 1 A gradual canticle. O LORD, remember David, and all his meekness. 2 How he swore to the Lord, he vowed a vow to the God of Jacob: 3 If I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house: if I shall go up into the bed wherein I lie: 4 If I shall give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, 5 Or rest to my temples: until I find out a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 6 Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: we have found it in the fields of the wood. 7 We will go into his tabernacle: We will adore in the place where his feet stood. 8 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified. 9 Let thy priests be clothed with justice: and let thy saints rejoice. 10 For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thy anointed. 11 The Lord hath sworn truth to David, and he will not make it void: of the fruit of thy womb I will set upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep thy covenant, and these my testimonies which I shall teach them: Their children also for evermore shall sit upon thy throne. 13 For the Lord hath chosen Sion: he hath chosen it for his dwelling. 14 This is my rest for ever and ever: here will I dwell, for I have chosen it. 15 Blessing, I will bless her widow: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy. 17 There will I bring forth a horn to David: I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. 18 His enemies I will clothe with confusion: but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
COMPLINE:
Psalm 33
Benedicam DominumAn exhortation to the praise and service of God. 1 For David, when he changed his countenance before Achimelech, who dismissed him, and he went his way. 2 I WILL bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth. 3 In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice. 4 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together. 5 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles. 6 Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded. 7 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles. 8 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them. 9 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him. 10 Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 11 The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good. 12 Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 13 Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days? 14 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 15 Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it. 16 The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and his ears unto their prayers. 17 But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 18 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles. 19 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit. 20 Many are the afflictions of the just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them. 21 The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken. 22 The death of the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty. 23 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall offend.
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Psalm 60
Exaudi DeusA prayer for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, which shall have no end. 1 Unto the end, in hymns, for David. 2 HEAR, O God, my supplication: be attentive to my prayer, 3 To thee have I cried from the ends of the earth: when my heart was in anguish, thou hast exalted me on a rock. Thou hast conducted me; 4 for thou hast been my hope; a tower of strength against the face of the enemy. 5 In thy tabernacle I shall dwell for ever: I shall be protected under the covert of thy wings. 6 For thou, my God, hast heard my prayer: thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear thy name. 7 Thou wilt add days to the days of the king: his years even to generation and generation. 8 He abideth for ever in the sight of God: his mercy and truth who shall search ? 9 So will I sing a psalm to thy name for ever and ever: that I may pay my vows from day to day. -Glory be to the Father...
Haydock’s Bible Commentary
Divine Office "Liturgy of the Hours"
The Psalms: The Perfect Prayer Book for Everyone
"Ego sum Alpha et Omega, princípium
et finis, dicit Dóminus Deus : qui est,
et qui erat, et qui ventúrus est, omnípotens".
"The psalms are prayer, in which God Himself teaches us how to pray; for they were written under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Herein we have the answer to the question: "What prayers shall I say?" Why the prayers of Holy Scripture itself! "There is no need to scrape together endless man-made prayers when Sacred Scripture frames the very thoughts of God." The psalms are the vital presentation of God's inspirations and man's aspirations; they are the ideal manifestations of man's hunger and thirst after God and of God's loving response to man. Of great age, they are ever new and appropriate. They are as satisfying and stimulating to us of the twentieth century as they were to men before the birth of Christ and down through the Apostolic and Middle Ages".
Rev. Joseph B. Frey; July 16, 1947.
From My Daily Psalm Book, Arranged by Father Joseph Frey, Confraternity of the Precious Blood (1947) pp.vi-ix.
..
If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.
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 102 (103) |
|---|
| Praise of the compassionate Lord |
| My soul, bless the Lord. Never forget all he has done for you. |
| My soul, bless the Lord! All that is in me, bless his holy name. My soul, bless the Lord! Never forget all he has done for you. The Lord, who forgives your wrongdoing, who heals all your weaknesses. The Lord, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with kindness and compassion. The Lord, who fills your age with good things, who renews your youth like an eagle’s. The Lord, who gives fair judgements, who gives judgement in favour of the oppressed. 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 soul, bless the Lord. Never forget all he has done for you. |
| Psalm 102 (103) |
|---|
| As a father cares for his children, so the Lord cares for those who fear him. |
| The Lord is compassion and kindness, full of patience, full of mercy. He will not fight against you for ever: he will not always be angry. He does not treat us as our sins deserve; he does not pay us back for our wrongdoing. As high as the sky above the earth, so great is his kindness to those who fear him. As far as east is from west, so far he has put our wrongdoing from us. As a father cares for his children, so the Lord cares for those who fear him. For he knows how we are made, he remembers we are nothing but dust. Man – his life is like grass, he blossoms and withers like flowers of the field. The wind blows and carries him away: no trace of him remains. 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. |
| As a father cares for his children, so the Lord cares for those who fear him. |
| Psalm 102 (103) |
|---|
| Bless the Lord, all he has created. |
| The Lord has been kind from the beginning; to those who fear him his kindness lasts for ever. His justice is for their children’s children, for those who keep his covenant, for those who remember his commandments and try to perform them. The Lord’s throne is high in the heavens and his rule shall extend over all. Bless the Lord, all his angels, strong in your strength, doers of his command, bless him as you hear his words. Bless the Lord, all his powers, his servants who do his will. Bless the Lord, all he has created, in every place that he rules. My soul, bless the Lord! 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, all he has created. |
|
| Reading | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 © |
|---|---|
| You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about ‘times and seasons’, since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, ‘How quiet and peaceful it is’ that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it. But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober. Night is the time for sleepers to sleep and drunkards to be drunk, but we belong to the day and we should be sober; let us put on faith and love for a breastplate, and the hope of salvation for a helmet. God never meant us to experience the Retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, alive or dead, we should still live united to him. So give encouragement to each other, and keep strengthening one another, as you do already. We appeal to you, my brothers, to be considerate to those who are working amongst you and are above you in the Lord as your teachers. Have the greatest respect and affection for them because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And this is what we ask you to do, brothers: warn the idlers, give courage to those who are apprehensive, care for the weak and be patient with everyone. Make sure that people do not try to take revenge; you must all think of what is best for each other and for the community. Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus. Never try to suppress the Spirit or treat the gift of prophecy with contempt; think before you do anything – hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil. May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you and he will not fail you. Pray for us, my brothers. Greet all the brothers with the holy kiss. My orders, in the Lord’s name, are that this letter is to be read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
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| Reading | Diadochus of Photica, "On Spiritual Perfection" |
|---|---|
| The mind's sense of taste teaches the art of spiritual discernment | |
| The light that true knowledge gives out is the ability to distinguish unerringly what is right from what is wrong. This being so, the path of uprightness – which leads the mind towards God, the radiant sun of righteousness – takes that same mind into an unbounded light of knowledge and then leads it on to seek trustingly for love. Those who are struggling in battle ought always to keep their souls free of the tumultuous waves of distraction. If they do this, the mind will be able to distinguish among the thoughts that come to it. The good thoughts, sent by God, they can store in the treasure-house of their memory. The evil thoughts, sent by the devil, they can throw out. In just the same way, when the sea is calm, the fisherman can see to the bottom of it and practically no fish can escape his gaze; but if it is stirred up by wind and storm, it becomes opaque when in calm times it was transparent – and when that happens, even the wiliest fisherman is wasting his time. Clearing and purifying the mind is the task of the Holy Spirit alone – just as when a house is being burgled, the spoils can only be recovered if a strong man bursts in and despoils the burglar. Therefore we ought to keep our souls at peace so that the Holy Spirit is welcome there, so that the lamp of knowledge will always be lit – for when it is, the dark and bitter impulses of the devil will be easy to see and they will be reduced to creeping helplessness as they are caught in that holy and glorious light. This is why St Paul says ‘Do not extinguish the Spirit’ – that is, do not sadden the Holy Spirit with evil acts and thoughts, or his light may cease to protect you. Of course the eternal and life-giving Spirit is not actually extinguished: rather, it is the sad turning away of the Spirit that leaves the mind wrapped in gloom and without the light of knowledge. The mind has a perfect sense of taste that is able to discern and distinguish. When we are healthy, our body’s sense of taste can unerringly distinguish good from bad, so that we desire only what is good for us. The same applies to our mind, as long as it is in perfect health and not disturbed by too many cares: it can very well perceive and desire the consolations that God offers.Through the action of love, it has an unfading memory of their taste, and so it can always seek what is best. As St Paul says: My prayer is that your love may increase and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception, so that you can always recognise what is best. |
|
| Concluding Prayer |
|---|
| Hear our prayer, O Lord our God: fill our minds with veneration of you and make us love all men as we ought. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. |
Collect: Lord our God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love all men as you love them. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Old Calendar: St. Andrew Corsini, bishop and confessor
St. Andrew was born in the fourteenth century in Florence, Italy. He fell into bad company; but soon, touched by the grief of his mother, the young nobleman entered the Carmelite Order. Having served as prior of his convent, he was chosen to fill the vacant bishopric of Fiesole. He continually helped the poor, doing so in secret in the case of those who were ashamed to make known their distress. By showing his people the true nature of Christian peace, Bishop Andrew put an end to a number of troublesome disturbances in the city. He died on the feast of the Epiphany, 1373.
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.
Patron: Civil disorder; riot.
Symbols: Holding a cross, with a wolf and lamb at his feet, and floating above a battlefield on a cloud or a white palfrey.
Things to Do:
| Mk 6:1-6 | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 1 | And going out from thence, he went into his own country; and his disciples followed him. | et egressus inde abiit in patriam suam et sequebantur illum discipuli sui |
| 2 | And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were in admiration at his doctrine, saying: How came this man by all these things? and what wisdom is this that is given to him, and such mighty works as are wrought by his hands? | et facto sabbato coepit in synagoga docere et multi audientes admirabantur in doctrina eius dicentes unde huic haec omnia et quae est sapientia quae data est illi et virtutes tales quae per manus eius efficiuntur |
| 3 | Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? are not also his sisters here with us? And they were scandalized in regard of him. | nonne iste est faber filius Mariae frater Iacobi et Ioseph et Iudae et Simonis nonne et sorores eius hic nobiscum sunt et scandalizabantur in illo |
| 4 | And Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred. | et dicebat eis Iesus quia non est propheta sine honore nisi in patria sua et in cognatione sua et in domo sua |
| 5 | And he could not do any miracles there, only that he cured a few that were sick, laying his hands upon them. | et non poterat ibi virtutem ullam facere nisi paucos infirmos inpositis manibus curavit |
| 6 | And he wondered because of their unbelief, and he went through the villages round about teaching. | et mirabatur propter incredulitatem eorum |
(*) v 6-7 breakdown differs.
If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.
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 107 (108) |
|---|
| Praise of the Lord and a plea for help |
| My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. |
| My heart is ready, O God – my heart is ready. I shall sing and make music. Awake, my glory! Rise up, harp and lyre! We will awaken the dawn. I will proclaim you to the peoples, O Lord, sing of you to the nations: for your kindness is great, it reaches the heavens; great is your faithfulness, high as the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory stretch over the earth. Give deliverance to your beloved, let your right hand bring safety – answer my prayer! God has spoken from his holy place: “I shall triumph, dividing Shechem, measuring off the vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine, mine is Manasseh; Ephraim my helmet, Judah my sceptre. But Moab shall be my wash-basin, on Edom I will place my sandal; I will cry in triumph over the Philistine.” Who shall lead me to the fortified city? Who shall lead me to Edom? Surely you, God – although you rejected us. Will you not come out, O God, with our armies? Give us help in our troubles, for vain is the help of man. With God we shall triumph – he will trample our enemies. 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 heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. |
| Canticle | Isaiah 61-62 |
|---|---|
| The prophet rejoices over the new Jerusalem | |
| The Lord has clothed me in the garments of salvation. | |
| I will rejoice with joy in the Lord, and my spirit shall be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation and wrapped me round with the robe of justice, like a bridegroom decked with a crown, like a bride adorned with her jewels. Just as the earth sends up its shoots, and the garden makes its seeds to sprout, so the Lord God will make justice spring up and praise before all the nations. For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still until her justice comes forth as brightness, and her salvation is lit up like a torch. And the Gentiles shall see your justice, and all the kings see your glory. You shall be called by a new name, chosen by the mouth of the Lord. You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer called “Forsaken,” your land no longer called “Desolate,” you will be called “My pleasure in her,” and your land “The Wedded”; for the Lord has been well pleased with you, and your land will receive its bridegroom. For as a young man takes a virgin to wife, so will your sons take you; and as a husband takes joy in his spouse, so your God will rejoice at you. 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. |
|
| The Lord has clothed me in the garments of salvation. | |
| Psalm 145 (146) |
|---|
| The blessedness of those who hope in the Lord |
| I will praise my God as long as I live. |
| Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life, make music to my God as long as I exist. Do not trust in princes to save you, they are only sons of men. One day their breath will leave them, they will return to the ground; on that day perish all their plans. Happy the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth and all that is in them, who keeps faith for ever, who gives justice to the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners, he gives light to the blind, he raises the fallen. The Lord loves the upright, cares for strangers, sustains orphans and widows; but the wicked he sends astray. The Lord will reign for all ages, your God, O Zion, from generation to generation. 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 will praise my God as long as I live. |
| Short reading | Deuteronomy 4:39-40 © |
|---|---|
| Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today. | |
| Canticle | Benedictus |
|---|---|
| The Messiah and his forerunner | |
| Let us serve the Lord in holiness through all our days. | |
| Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. 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. |
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| Let us serve the Lord in holiness through all our days. | |
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| 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 who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| Lord, remember the new covenant, which has been sealed with the blood of the Lamb. May your people receive forgiveness for their sins and move ever forward towards redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who 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 Holy Father asks to be joined by the prayers of all the faithful, so that the Lord may enlighten the path of the Church. May the effort of the Pastors and of all the faithful grow in support of the delicate and burdensome mission of the Successor of Apostle Peter as "custodian of the unity" in the Church.
Full text of the Secretariat of State here.
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 138 (139) |
|---|
| The Lord knows all things |
| Your knowledge of me is beyond my understanding, O Lord. |
| Lord, you have examined me, you know me: you know when I sit down and when I rise. From far away you know my thoughts: you know every step I take, when I walk, when I lie down: you have seen all that I do. Before a word even reaches my lips, you know, Lord, all that I will say. You are close in front of me and close behind me: you have laid your hand upon me. Your knowledge is beyond my understanding: it is too high, I cannot reach it. Where shall I go, to escape your spirit? Where shall I go, to flee your face? If I rise to the heavens, you are there. If I sink to the depths, you are there. If I put on the wings of the dawn itself – if I make my abode beyond the farthest sea – it is still your hand that will lead me there, it is still your right hand that will hold me. If I say “May the shadows cover me: let there be no light around me” – the shadows will not hide me from you, and the night will shine like the day: for shadows and light are the same to you. 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. |
| Your knowledge of me is beyond my understanding, O Lord. |
| Psalm 138 (139) |
|---|
| I, the Lord, search the heart, I probe the loins, to give each man what his conduct deserves. |
| For you created my innermost being as you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you, for you made me so wonderfully: so wonderful are your works, so perfect your knowledge. Even my bones were not hidden from you as I was being created in secret, put together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me before ever I was completed. All my days were written in your book before any of them came into being. Your thoughts, O God, are precious to me: precious above all things and too many to count. If I try to count them, they are more than the sand: if I come to an end, still I am with you. Look into me, God, and know my heart: examine me and know my paths. See if I am wandering on ways that lead nowhere, and set my feet on the path to eternity. 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, the Lord, search the heart, I probe the loins, to give each man what his conduct deserves. |
| Canticle | (Colossians 1) |
|---|---|
| Christ, firstborn of all creatures and firstborn from the dead | |
| In him all things were created and in him all things hold together. | |
| 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. |
|
| In him all things were created and in him all things hold together. | |
| Short reading | 1 John 2:3-6 © |
|---|---|
| We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says, ’I know him’, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, refusing to admit the truth. But when anyone does obey what he has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. We can be sure that we are in God only when the one who claims to be living in him is living the same kind of life as Christ lived. | |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
|---|---|
| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| Put forth your strength, Lord: throw down the proud and lift up the humble. | |
| 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. |
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| Put forth your strength, Lord: throw down the proud and lift up the humble. | |
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| 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 who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| Remember, Lord, your mercy and loving kindness. As you fill the hungry with the good things of heaven, so relieve our poverty with your abundant riches. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who 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 |
| Made for God February 4, 2009 |
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
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Father Jeffrey Bowker, LC
Mark 6:1-6 Introductory Prayer:O Lord, you said that blest are they who find no stumbling block in you. I want to be a blest person, so that you may find in me no obstacle to the holiness you want for me. I believe in you, but I long for a greater faith to see and respond to the signs of your hand moving in my world. I love you, Lord, and wish to lead my brothers and sisters to you through my testimony, through my being truly convinced that you are the life of men. Petition: Lord, grant me the gift of total surrender to your will for me in all things. 1. “Where Did This Man Get All This? What Mighty Deeds Are Wrought by His Hands” How beautiful it is to contemplate the humble and meek Christ! He now manifests, to the shock and awe of the worldly-minded, the signs of his true origin and the nature of his true mission. The power of God, the power of the supernatural, now intervenes in what is merely natural through the mere “carpenter’s son.” The “signs of credibility” that Christ enacts through his mighty words and deeds powerfully point to his divine origins and invite his contemporaries to faith. It is an invitation to leave behind them the superficial category of Jesus as just a nice neighbor (which means they can live the same as before) and receive the gift of Christ as redeemer (which means change and conversion). Are there signs in my life that the Lord is looking to change me, to change my behavior in some way, so I might live more by faith and charity? How much longer will I resist before I am won over by his goodness? 3. “He Was Not Able to Perform Any Mighty Deed There.” Our Lord makes himself vulnerable to us, to our willingness to believe. He comes only to make us happy and to elevate our lives to be more beautiful, deeper in meaning and richer in fruits. He wants to bring into our life his power to work miracles and to move the mountains of fear and burdens that we encounter. He comes to be ointment for our wounds and consolation for our weary hearts. The only thing he needs to make us happy, then, is our faith, our unconditional and active faith. Without it (since he respects our freedom), we cripple his capacity to act in our life as Savior and Lord. How sad it is to see how easily we refuse such a selfless and beautiful gift. Conversation with Christ: Lord, teach me to receive you with a heart ready to leave my rationalistic way of acting and choosing. Help me to know how to read your invitations with supernatural faith and to follow them in true obedience, where true love proves itself. Resolution: I will be very obedient to the lights I receive today from the Holy Spirit, acting on them with promptness and generosity. |
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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 30 (31) |
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| Trustful prayer in time of adversity |
| O God, protect me; be my refuge. |
| In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, Turn your ear to me, make haste to rescue me. Be my rampart, my fortification; keep me safe. For you are my strength and my refuge: you will lead me out to the pastures, for your own name’s sake. You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me – for you are my strength. Into your hands I commend my spirit: you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth. 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. |
| O God, protect me; be my refuge. |
| Psalm 129 (130) |
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| Out of the depths |
| Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord. |
| 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. |
| Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord. |
| Reading | Ephesians 4:26-27 |
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| Be angry if you must, but do not sin: do not let your anger outlast the sunset: do not give the Devil his chance. | |
| Short Responsory | ? |
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| 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. |
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
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| 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. |
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| 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 | |
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| Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you lay a gentle yoke upon those who follow you. Meek and humble, you give them a light burden to carry. Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; and give us rest, to make us more eager to serve you, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
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