Replies

From: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Jesus, the Apostle’s Model

[8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as
preached in my gospel, [9] the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters
like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. [10] Therefore I endure every-
thing for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which in
Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory. [11] The saying is sure: If we have died with
him, we shall also live with him; [12] if we endure, we shall also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us; [13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful
— for he cannot deny himself.

Avoiding Useless Argument

[14] Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing
about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. [15] Do your best
to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be
ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

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Commentary:

8. “Jesus Christ, risen from the dead”: the Resurrection is the climax of our faith
(cf. 1 Cor 15) and the fixed reference point for Christian living, for we know that
“Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has domi-
nion over him” (Rom 6:9). Therefore, Christ lives on in a glorified condition: “Christ
is alive. He is not someone who has gone, someone who existed for a time and
then passed on, leaving us a wonderful example and a great memory. No, Christ
is alive. Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us. His resurrection shows us that God
does not abandon his own” (St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 102).

“As preached in my gospel”: literally, “according to my gospel”; Jesus’ glorious
resurrection and his descent from David were key points in St Paul’s preaching.

9-10. The trials which St Paul was experiencing in prison on account of his prea-
ching of the Gospel constitute an entitlement to heaven, for “martyrdom makes
the disciple like his master, who willingly accepted death for the salvation of the
world, and through it he is conformed to him by the shedding of blood” (”Lumen
Gentium”, 42). This is a shining example of the Communion of Saints at work,
for, when a Christian links his suffering to Christ’s passion, that suffering contri-
butes to the Redemption: “Therefore he is carrying out an irreplaceable service.
In the Body of Christ, which is ceaselessly born of the Cross of the Redeemer,
it is precisely suffering permeated by the spirit of Christ’s sacrifice that is the ir-
replaceable mediator and author of the good things which are indispensable for
the world’s salvation. It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the
way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything
else, makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption”
(Bl. John Paul II, “Salvifici Doloris”, 27).

Throughout history many pastors of the Church have suffered persecution on
account of their fidelity to Christ. St John Chrysostom, shortly before going into
exile, expressed his feelings in this way: “For me, this world’s evils are some-
thing I despise; and its good things are an object of scorn. I am not afraid of po-
verty nor do I have any desire for riches; I am not afraid of death nor do I have
any desire to live unless it be to your advantage” (”Ante Exiltum Hom.”, 1).

11-13. “The saying is sure”: this is a technical expression used a number of
times in the Pastoral Epistles to attract attention to especially important state-
ments (cf. note on 1 Tim 1:15). Here it introduces a poetic section in the form
of a hymn of four verses, each consisting of a pair of contrasting phrases (of
the type the Semitic mind loves). It is quite possible that this hymn was used
in very early baptismal liturgy, given that it has to do with the intimate union of
the baptized person with Christ, who died and is now risen; it also encourages
Christians to stay faithful in the face of adverse circumstances even if that
means martyrdom.

Thus, the first verse deals with the beginning of Christian life. Dying to sin and
rising to the life of grace are Pauline expressions (cf. Rom 6:34) which point to
the fact that in Baptism the Christian becomes a sharer in the passion, death
and burial of the Lord, and also in the glory of his resurrection. Grace is the
supernatural life and that life will attain its full form in heaven.

The two following verses deal with the stark choice the Christian has to make
in the face of difficulties — endurance, or denial of the faith (cf. Mt 10:33; Lk 12:
9); the hymn puts special emphasis on endurance, using as it does terminolo-
gy proper to athletics (cf. Heb 12:1-3); also, the verb used in the second part
of each phrase is in the future tense, as if an unlikely possibility were being dis-
cussed: “In the event of our denying him...”. And (what is most important) the
Christian’s faithfulness is orientated towards Christ: “we shall reign with him.”
“To persevere is to persist in love, ‘per Ipsum et cum Ipso et in Ipso...’. Indeed
we can also interpret this as: “He himself, with me, for me and in me” (St. J.
Escriva, “Furrow”, 366).

The last verse breaks the pattern because it does not counterpose attitude and
result but rather man’s infidelity and Christ’s fidelity: “If we are faithless, he re-
mains faithful.” This paradox of our Lord’s love marks the climax of the hymn,
which is a kind of poem extolling Christian endurance based on our Lord’s eter-
nal faithfulness. “We Christians have the right to proclaim the royalty of Christ.
Although injustice abounds, although many do not desire the kingdom of love,
the work of salvation is taking place in the same human history as harbors evil”
(St. J. Escriva, “Christ Is Passing By”, 186).

14-16. False teachers were in a position to do harm to the still immature Chris-
tian community of the time; apparently they were not teaching things which were
directly heretical; but they were involving the believers in controversy to such an
extent that there was a danger of turning the truth of faith into rational deductions
in a complicated philosophical system. The Apostle advises that the best way to
deal with all that dangerous wordiness is to expound revealed truth in a simple,
straightforward way.

“Rightly handling”: the original means “cutting straight”, the way a mason cuts
a stone or a farmer ploughs a furrow. Similarly, preaching and teaching the Gos-
pel should be done in direct, simple language accessible to all. The teacher
should not simply recommend views, attitudes and feelings: his function is to
pass on the certainties which “the word of truth” (that is, revealed teaching) pro-
vides. Paul VI taught that one “sign of love will be the effort to transmit to Chris-
tians, not doubts and uncertainties born of an erudition poorly assimilated but
certainties that are solid because they are anchored in the Word of God. The
faithful need these certainties for their Christian life” (”Evangelii Nuntiandi”, 79).

*********************************************************************************************
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.

Office of Readings

INVITATORY

The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.

Lord, + open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Psalm 95
A call to praise God

Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).

Come, let us sing to the Lord *
   and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
   and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
   the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
   and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
   the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
   bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
   the flock he shepherds.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
   in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
   they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
   and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
   “They shall not enter into my rest.”

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Eternal Father, through your Word
You gave new life to Adam’s race,
Transformed them into sons of light,
New creatures by your saving grace.

To you who stooped to sinful man
We render homage and all praise:
To Father, Son and Spirit blest
Whose gift to man is endless days.

Melody: Erhalt uns, Herr L.M.
Music: Geistliche Lieder, 1543
Text: © Stanbrook Abbey, used with permission.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The word of the Lord is a strong shield for all who put their trust in him.

Psalm 18:31-51
Hymn of thanksgiving

If God is on our side who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

IV

As for God, his ways are perfect; *
the word of the Lord, purest gold.
He indeed is the shield *
of all who make him their refuge.

For who is God but the Lord? *
Who is a rock but our God?
The God who girds me with strength *
and makes the path safe before me.

My feet you made swift as the deer’s; *
you have made me stand firm on the heights.
You have trained my hands for battle *
and my arms to bend the heavy bow.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The word of the Lord is a strong shield for all who put their trust in him.

Ant. 2 Your strong right hand has upheld me, Lord.

V

You gave me your saving shield; *
you upheld me, trained me with care.
You gave me freedom for my steps; *
my feet have never slipped.

I pursued and overtook my foes, *
never turning back till they were slain.
I smote them so they could not rise; *
they fell beneath my feet.

You girded me with strength for battle; *
you made my enemies fall beneath me,
you made my foes take flight; *
those who hated me I destroyed.

They cried, but there was no one to save them; *
they cried to the Lord, but in vain.
I crushed them fine as dust before the wind; *
trod them down like dirt in the streets.

You saved me from the feuds of the people *
and put me at the head of the nations.
People unknown to me served me: *
when they heard of me they obeyed me.

Foreign nations came to me cringing: †
foreign nations faded away. *
They came trembling out of their strongholds.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Your strong right hand has upheld me, Lord.

Ant. 3 May the living God, my Savior, be praised for ever.

VI

Long life to the Lord, my rock! *
Praised be the God who saves me,
the God who gives me redress *
and subdues people under me.

You saved me from my furious foes. *
You set me above my assailants.
You saved me from violent men, †
so I will praise you, Lord, among the nations: *
I will sing a psalm to your name.

He has given great victories to his king †
and shown his love for his anointed, *
for David and his sons for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord God, our strength and salvation, put in us the flame of your love and make our love for you grow to a perfect love which reaches to our neighbor.

Ant. May the living God, my Savior, be praised for ever.

Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see.
– The wonders of your law.

READINGS

FIRST READING

From the book of Job
38:1-30

God confounds Job

   Then the Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said:

Who is this that obscures divine plans
   with words of ignorance?
Gird up your loins now, like a man;
   I will question you, and you tell me the answers!

Where were you when I founded the earth?
   Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its size; do you know?
   Who stretched out the measuring line for it?
Into what were its pedestals sunk,
   and who laid the cornerstone,
While the morning stars sang in chorus
   and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

And who shut within doors the sea,
   when it burst forth from the womb;
When I made the clouds its garment
   and thick darkness its swaddling bands?
When I set limits for it
   and fastened the bar of its door,
And said: Thus far shall you come but no farther,
   and here shall your proud waves be stilled!

Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning
   and shown the dawn its place
For taking hold of the ends of the earth,
   till the wicked are shaken from its surface?
The earth is changed as is clay by the seal,
   and dyed as though it were a garment;
But from the wicked the light is withheld,
   and the arm of pride is shattered.

Have you entered into the sources of the sea,
   or walked about in the depths of the abyss?
Have the gates of death been shown to you,
   or have you seen the gates of darkness?

Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
   Tell me, if you know all:
Which is the way to the dwelling place of light,
   and where is the abode of darkness,
That you may take them to their boundaries
   and set them on their homeward paths?
You know, because you were born before them,
   and the number of your years is great!

Have you entered the storehouse of the snow,
   and seen the treasury of the hail
Which I have reserved for times of stress,
   for the days of war and of battle?
Which way to the parting of the winds,
   whence the east wind spreads over the earth?

Who has laid out a channel for the downpour
   and for the thunderstorm a path
To bring rain to no man's land,
   the unpeopled wilderness;
To enrich the waste and desolate ground
   till the desert blooms with verdure?

Has the rain a father;
   or who has begotten the drops of dew?
Out of whose womb comes the ice,
   and who gives the hoarfrost its birth in the skies,
When the waters lie covered as though with stone
   that holds captive the surface of the deep?

RESPONSORY
Romans 9:20; Job 38:3

Who are you, a man, to dare argue with God?
– The pot has no right to say to the potter: Why did you make this shape?

Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer what I ask.
– The pot has no right to say to the potter: Why did you make this shape?

SECOND READING

From the Moral Reflections on Job by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
(Lib. 29,2-4: PL 76, 478-480)

The Church moves forward like the advancing dawn

Since the daybreak or the dawn is changed gradually from darkness into light, the Church, which comprises the elect, is fittingly styled daybreak or dawn. While she is being led from the night of infidelity to the light of faith, she is opened gradually to the splendor of heavenly brightness, just as dawn yields to the day after darkness. The Song of Songs says aptly: Who is this who moves forward like the advancing dawn? Holy Church, inasmuch as she keeps searching for the rewards of eternal life, has been called the dawn. While she turns her back on the darkness of sins, she begins to shine with the light of righteousness.

This reference to the dawn conjures up a still more subtle consideration. The dawn intimates that the night is over; it does not yet proclaim the full light of day. While it dispels the darkness and welcomes the light, it holds both of them, the one mixed with the other, as it were. Are not all of us who follow the truth in this life daybreak and dawn? While we do some things which already belong to the light, we are not free from the remnants of darkness. In Scripture the Prophet says to God: No living being will be justified in your sight. Scripture also says: In many ways all of us give offense.

When he writes, the night is passed. Paul does not add, the day is come, but rather, the day is at hand. Since he argues that after the night has passed, the day as yet is not come but is rather at hand, he shows that the period before full daylight and after darkness is without doubt the dawn, and that he himself is living in that period.

It will be fully day for the Church of the elect when she is no longer darkened by the shadow of sin. It will be fully day for her when she shines with the perfect brilliance of interior light. This dawn is aptly shown to be an ongoing process when Scripture says: And you showed the dawn its place. A thing which is shown its place is certainly called from one place to another. What is the place of the dawn but the perfect clearness of eternal vision? When the dawn has been brought there, it will retain nothing belonging to the darkness of night. When the Psalmist writes: My soul thirsts for the living God; when shall I go and see the face of God?, does he not refer to the effort made by the dawn to reach its place? Paul was hastening to the place which he knew the dawn would reach when he said he wished to die and to be with Christ. He expressed the same idea when he said: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

RESPONSORY
Philippians 1:3, 6, 9

Whenever I think of you, I give thanks to God.
– I am confident that he who has begun the good work in you
will bring it to fulfillment on the day of Christ Jesus.

My prayer is that your love may grow more and more
in both knowledge and insight.
– I am confident that he who has begun the good work in you
will bring it to fulfillment on the day of Christ Jesus.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,
your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
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.

Or:

O God, whose providence never fails in its design,
keep from us, we humbly beseech you,
all that might harm us
and grant all that works for our good.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Lauds

INVITATORY

The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.

Lord, + open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Psalm 95
A call to praise God

Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).

Come, let us sing to the Lord *
   and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
   and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
   the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
   and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
   the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
   bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
   the flock he shepherds.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
   in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
   they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
   and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
   “They shall not enter into my rest.”

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.

If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

When morning fills the sky,
Our hearts awaking cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
In all our works and prayer
His Sacrifice we share:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
The night becomes as day,
When from our hearts we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
The powers of darkness fear
When this glad song they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

In heav’n our joy will be
To sing eternally:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
Let earth and sea and sky
From depth to height reply:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
Let all the earth now sing
To our eternal King:
May Jesus Christ be praised.
By this the eternal song.
Through ages all along:
May Jesus Christ be praised.

Melody: Old 122nd 667.667 D
Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1500-1561
Text: E. Caswall, 1814-1878, alt.

Or:

Behold, the golden dawn arise;
The paling night forsakes the skies:
Those shades that hid the world from view,
And us to dangerous error drew.

May this new day be calmly passed,
May we keep pure while it shall last:
Nor let our lips from truth depart,
Nor dark designs engage the heart.

So may the day speed on; the tongue
No falsehood know, the hands no wrong:
Our eyes from wanton gaze refrain,
No guilt our guarded bodies stain.

For God all-seeing from on high
Surveys us with a watchful eye:
Each day our every act he knows
From early dawn to evening’s close.

All laud to God the Father be;
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.

Melody: Old 100th L.M.
Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1500-1561
Text: Sol ecce surgit igneus, eleventh century Anglo Saxon
Translation: John M. Neale, 1818-1866

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.

Psalm 57
Morning prayer in affliction

This psalm tells of our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy *
for in you my soul has taken refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge *
till the storms of destruction pass by.

I call to God the Most High, *
to God who has always been my help.
May he send from heaven and save me *
and shame those who assail me.

May God send his truth and his love.

My soul lies down among lions, *
who would devour the sons of men.
Their teeth are spears and arrows, *
their tongue a sharpened sword.

O God, arise above the heavens; *
may your glory shine on earth!

They laid a snare for my steps, *
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path *
but fell in it themselves.

My heart is ready, O God, *
my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise. *
Awake, my soul,
awake, lyre and harp, *
I will awake the dawn.

I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples, *
among the nations I will praise you
for your love reaches to the heavens *
and your truth to the skies.

O God, arise above the heavens; *
may your glory shine on earth!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son.

Ant. Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.

Ant. 2 My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.

Canticle: Jeremiah 31:10-14
The happiness of a people who have been redeemed

Jesus was to die . . . to gather God’s scattered children into one fold (John 11:51, 52).

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, *
proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, *
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

The Lord shall ransom Jacob, *
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.

Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, *
they shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings:
the grain, the wine, and the oil, *
the sheep and the oxen;
they themselves shall be like watered gardens, *
never again shall they languish.

Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, *
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy, *
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
I will lavish choice portions upon the priests, *
and my people shall be filled with my blessings,
says the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.

Ant. 3 The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.

Psalm 48
Thanksgiving for the people’s deliverance

He took me up a high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, God’s holy city (Revelation 21:10).

The Lord is great and worthy to be praised *
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty, *
the joy of all the earth.

Mount Zion, true pole of the earth, *
the Great King’s city!
God, in the midst of its citadels, *
has shown himself its stronghold.

For the kings assembled together, *
together they advanced.
They saw; at once they were astounded; *
dismayed, they fled in fear.

A trembling seized them there, *
like the pangs of birth.
By the east wind you have destroyed *
the ships of Tarshish.

As we have heard, so we have seen *
in the city of our God,
in the city of the Lord of hosts *
which God upholds for ever.

O God, we ponder your love *
within your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name *
reaches the ends of the earth.

With justice your right hand is filled. *
Mount Zion rejoices;
the people of Judah rejoice *
at the sight of your judgments.

Walk through Zion, walk all round it; *
count the number of its towers.
Review all its ramparts, *
examine its castles,

that you may tell the next generation *
that such is our God,
our God for ever and always. *
It is he who leads us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, the body of your risen Son is the temple not made by human hands and the defending wall of the new Jerusalem. May this holy city, built of living stones, shine with spiritual radiance and witness to your greatness in the sight of all nations.

Ant. The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.

READING
Isaiah 66:1-2

      Thus says the Lord:
The heavens are my throne,
   and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house can you build for me;
   what is to be my resting place?
My hand made all these things
   when all of them came to be, says the Lord.
This is the one whom I approve:
   the lowly and afflicted man who trembles at my word.

RESPONSORY

From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord.
– From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord.

I will do what you desire;
– hear me, O Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. Let us serve the Lord in holiness, and he will save us from our enemies.

Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
   all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Let us serve the Lord in holiness, and he will save us from our enemies.

INTERCESSIONS

The Lord Jesus Christ has given us the light of another day. In return we thank him as we cry out:
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.

You offered yourself in sacrifice for our sins,
– accept our intentions and our work today.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.

You bring us joy by the light of another day,
– let the morning star rise in our hearts.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.

Give us strength to be patient with those we meet today,
– and so imitate you.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.

Make us aware of your mercy this morning, Lord
– and let your strength be our delight.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Let us conclude our prayers with 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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

All-powerful and ever-living God,
at morning, noon, and evening we pray:
cast out from our hearts the darkness of sin
and bring us to the light of your truth,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless + us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Daytime Prayer

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

At Midmorning

From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator’s praise arise:
Let the Redeemer’s name be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
Halleluia!

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord;
Eternal truth attends they word:
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Halleluia!

Melody: Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag or Eisenach (without halleulia) L.M.
Music: Nicholaus Hermann, 1560 or Johann Schein, 1583-1630
Text: Isaac Watts, 1719

At Midday

Lord of all being, throned afar,
Your glory flames from sun and star;
Center and soul of every sphere,
And yet to loving hearts how near.

Sun of our life, your living ray
Sheds on our path the glow of the day;
Star of our hope, your gentle light
Shall ever cheer the longest night.

Lord of all life, below, above,
Whose light is truth, whose warmth is love;
Before the brilliance of your throne
We ask no luster of our own.

Give us your grace to make us true,
And kindling hearts that burn for you,
Till all your living altars claim
One holy light, one heavenly flame.

Melody: Uffingham L.M.
Music: Jeremiah Clarke, 1659-1707
Text: Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809-1894

At Midafternoon

Most ancient of all mysteries,
Before your throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.

When heaven and earth were still unmade,
When time was yet unknown,
You in your radiant majesty
Did live and love alone.

You were not born, there was no source
From which your Being flowed;
There is no end which you can reach,
For you are simply God.

How wonderful creation is,
The work which you did bless;
What them must you be like, dear God;
Eternal loveliness!

Most ancient of all mysteries,
Before your throne we lie;
Have mercy now, most merciful,
Most holy Trinity.

Melody: Saint Flavian C.M.
Music: John F. Henry, 1818-1888, and James G. Walton, 1821-1905
Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863

PSALMODY

Ant 1. Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may see the wonders of your law.

Psalm 119:17-24
III (Ghimel)

A meditation on God’s law

Loving God means keeping his commandments (1 John 5:3).

Bless your servant and I shall live *
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see *
the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth; *
show me your commands.
My soul is ever consumed *
as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed, *
who turn from your commands.
Relieve me from scorn and contempt *
for I do your will.

Though princes sit plotting against me *
I ponder on your rulings.
Your will is my delight; *
your statutes are my counselors.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, giver of all good gifts, do not let us go astray from your commands but help us to seek you with all our hearts.

Ant. Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may see the wonders of your law.

Ant 2. Guide me, O Lord, in your truth.

Psalm 25
Prayer for God’s favor and protection

Our hope will never be disappointed (Romans 5:5).

I

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. †
I trust you, let me not be disappointed; *
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed, *
but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways. *
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: *
for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long *
because of your goodness, O Lord.
Remember your mercy, Lord, *
and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth. *
In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright. *
He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; *
he teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love *
for those who keep his covenant and law.
Lord, for the sake of your name *
forgive my guilt; for it is great .

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

To you, Lord, we lift up our souls; rescue us, do not let us be put to shame for calling out to you. Do not remember the sins of our youth and stupidity, but remember us with your love.

Ant. Guide me, O Lord, in your truth.

Ant 3. Look on me, Lord, and help me, for I am poor and alone.

II

If anyone fears the Lord *
he will show him the path he should choose.
His soul shall live in happiness *
and his children shall possess the land.
The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him; *
to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord; *
for he rescues my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and have mercy *
for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart *
and set me free from my distress.
See my affliction and my toil *
and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes; *
how violent their hatred for me.
Preserve my life and rescue me. *
Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.
May innocence and uprightness protect me: *
for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Through your Son, Lord, you spared sinners to show us your mercy and love. Do not remember our sins, but show us your ways; relieve our distress, and satisfy the longing of your people, so that all our hopes for eternal peace may reach fulfillment.

Ant. Look on me, Lord, and help me, for I am poor and alone.

At the other hours, the complementary psalmody is used.

MIDMORNING

READING
Amos 4:13

He formed the mountains, and created the wind,
   and declares to man his thoughts;
He made the dawn and the darkness,
   and strides upon the heights of the earth:
   the Lord, the God of hosts by name.

All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord.
– Praise and glorify him for ever.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord,
in midmorning you gave your Holy Spirit
to the apostles gathered in prayer.
Give us a share in the life and love
that your Spirit brings.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

MIDDAY

READING
Amos 5:8, 9b

He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
   who turns darkness into dawn,
   and darkens day into night;
Who summons the waters of the sea,
   and pours them out upon the surface of the earth;
   whose name is Lord.

Beauty and wealth surround him.
– Richness and splendor adorn his holy place.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

All-powerful and ever-living God,
with you there is no darkness,
from you nothing is hidden.
Fill us with the radiance of your light:
may we understand the law you have given us
and live it with generosity and faith.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

MIDAFTERNOON

READING
Amos 9:6

I have built heaven, my upper chamber,
   and established my vault over the earth;
I summon the waters of the sea
   and pour them out upon the surface of the earth,
   I, the Lord by name.

The sky proclaims God’s glory.
– The vault of heaven, the hand of him who made it.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord,
help us to follow the example
of your Son’s patience and endurance.
May we face all life’s difficulties
with confidence and faith.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Vespers

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

For the fruits of his creation,
   Thanks be to God;
For the gifts to every nation,
    Thanks be to God;
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while men are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
    Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor,
   God’s will be done;
In the help we give our neighbor,
    God’s will is done;
In our world-wise task of caring
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests men are sharing,
    God’s will is done.

For the harvests of his spirit,
    Thanks be to God;
For the good all men inherit,
    Thanks be to God;
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us,
    Thanks be to God.

Melody: East Acklam 84.84.88.84
Music: Francis Jackson
Text: F. Pratt Green

Or:

Almighty God, whose will supreme
Made ocean’s flood with life to teem;
Part in the firmament to fly,
And part in ocean depths to lie:

Appointing fishes in the sea,
And fowls in open air to be;
That each, by origin the same,
Its separate dwelling place might claim:

Grant that thy servants by the tide
Of Blood and Water purified
No guilty fall from thee may know,
Nor death eternal undergo.

Let none despair through sin’s distress,
Be none puffed up with boastfulness;
That contrite hearts be not dismayed,
Nor haughty souls in ruin laid.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

Melody: Prospect L.M.
Music: W. Walker, The Southern Harmony, 1835
Text: Magnæ Deus potentiæ, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604
Translation: William John Courthope, 1804-1885

PSALMODY

Ant.1 I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.

Psalm 30
Thanksgiving for deliverance from death

Christ, risen in glory, gives continual thanks to his Father (Cassian).

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me *
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord, I cried to you for help *
and you, my God, have healed me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, *
restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, *
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts but a moment; his favor through life. *
At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

I said to myself in my good fortune: *
“Nothing will ever disturb me.”
Your favor had set me on a mountain fastness, *
then you hid your face and I was put to confusion.

To you, Lord, I cried, *
to my God I made appeal:
“What profit would my death be, my going to the grave? *
Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?”

The Lord listened and had pity. *
The Lord came to my help.
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing, *
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly. *
O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

God our Father, glorious in giving life, and even more glorious in restoring it, when his last night on earth came, your Son shed tears of blood, but dawn brought incomparable gladness. Do not turn away from us, or we shall fall back into dust, but rather turn our mourning into joy by raising us up with Christ.

Ant. I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.

Ant. 2 The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.

Psalm 32
They are happy whose sins are forgiven

David speaks of the happiness of the man who is holy in God’s eyes not because of his own worth, but because God has justified him (Romans 4:6).

Happy the man whose offense is forgiven, *
whose sin is remitted.
O happy the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *
in whose spirit is no guile.

I kept it secret and my frame was wasted. *
I groaned all the day long
for night and day your hand *
was heavy upon me.
Indeed, my strength was dried up *
as by the summer’s heat.

But now I have acknowledged my sins; *
my guilt I did not hide.
I said: “I will confess *
my offense to the Lord.”
And you, Lord, have forgiven *
the guilt of my sin.

So let every good man pray to you *
in the time of need.
The floods of water may reach high *
but him they shall not reach.
You are my hiding place, O Lord; †
you save me from distress. *
You surround me with cries of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you *
the way you should go;
I will give you counsel *
with my eye upon you.

Be not like horse and mule, unintelligent, †
needing bridle and bit, *
else they will not approach you.
Many sorrows has the wicked †
but he who trusts in the Lord, *
loving mercy surrounds him.

Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, *
exult, you just!
O come, ring out your joy, *
all you upright of heart.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

You desired, Lord, to keep from us your indignation and so did not spare Jesus Christ, who was wounded for our sins. We are your prodigal children, but confessing our sins we come back to you. Embrace us that we may rejoice in your mercy together with Christ your beloved Son.

Ant. The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.

Ant. 3 The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

Canticle: Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
The judgment of God

We praise you, the Lord God Almighty, *
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power, *
you have begun your reign.

The nations have raged in anger, *
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead: *
the time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you, *
the great and the small alike.

Now have salvation and power come, †
the reign of our God and the authority *
of his Anointed One.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, *
who night and day accused them before God.

They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb †
and by the word of their testimony; *
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens, *
and you that dwell therein!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

READING
1 Peter 1:6-9

There is cause for rejoicing here. You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials; but this is so that your faith, which is more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold, may by its genuineness lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears. Although you have never seen him, you love him, and without seeing you now believe in him, and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith’s goal, your salvation.

RESPONSORY

The Lord had given us food, bread of the finest wheat.
– The Lord had given us food, bread of the finest wheat.

Honey from the rock, to our heart’s content.
– bread of the finest wheat.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– The Lord had given us food, bread of the finest wheat.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

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

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.

INTERCESSIONS

Our hope is in God, who gives us help. Let us call upon him, and say:
Look kindly on your children, Lord.

Lord, our God, you made an eternal covenant with your preople,
– keep us ever mindful of your mighty deeds.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.

Let your ordained ministers grow toward perfect love,
– and preserve your faithful people in unity by the bond of peace.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.

Be with us in our work of building the earthly city,
– that in building we may not labor in vain.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.

Send workers into your vineyard,
– and glorify your name among the nations.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.

Welcome into the company of your saints our relatives and benefactors who have died,
– may we share their happiness one day.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Let us conclude our prayers with 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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father,
you illumine the night
and bring the dawn to scatter darkness.
Let us pass this night in safety,
free from Satan’s power,
and rise when morning comes
to give you thanks and praise.
We ask 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.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless + us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Compline

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.

[I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;

Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen..]

HYMN

We praise you, Father, for your gifts
Of dusk and nightfall over earth,
Foreshadowing the mystery
Of death that leads to endless day.

Within your hands we rest secure;
In quiet sleep our strength renew;
Yet give your people hearts that wake
In love to you, unsleeping Lord.

Your glory may we ever seek
In rest, as in activity,
Until its fullness is revealed,
O source of life, O Trinity.

Melody: Te lucis ante terminum (plainchant) L.M.
Music: Anonymous, Gregorian
Text: West Malling Abbey

PSALMODY

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

Psalm 16
God is my portion, my inheritance

The Father raised up Jesus from the dead and broke the bonds of death (Acts 2:24).

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. †
I say to the Lord: “You are my God. *
My happiness lies in you alone.”

He has put into my heart a marvelous love *
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows. †
Never will I offer their offerings of blood. *
Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; *
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight: *
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, *
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight: *
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; *
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, *
nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life, †
the fullness of joy in your presence, *
at your right hand happiness for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

READING
1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness. May he preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

CANTICLE OF SIMEON

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation *
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord God,
send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

BLESSING

May the all-powerful Lord
grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Or:

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Or:

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve,
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes occulos
ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

Or:

Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 12
28.	And there came one of the scribes that had heard them reasoning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him which was the first commandment of all.	Et accessit unus de scribis, qui audierat illos conquirentes, et videns quoniam bene illis responderit, interrogavit eum quod esset primum omnium mandatum.	και προσελθων εις των γραμματεων ακουσας αυτων συζητουντων ειδως οτι καλως αυτοις απεκριθη επηρωτησεν αυτον ποια εστιν πρωτη παντων εντολη
29.	And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God.	Jesus autem respondit ei : Quia primum omnium mandatum est : Audi Israël, Dominus Deus tuus, Deus unus est :	ο δε ιησους απεκριθη αυτω οτι πρωτη παντων των εντολων ακουε ισραηλ κυριος ο θεος ημων κυριος εις εστιν
30.	And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment.	et diliges Dominum Deum tuum ex tota corde tuo, et ex tota anima tua, et ex tota mente tua, et ex tota virtute tua. Hoc est primum mandatum.	και αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εξ ολης της καρδιας σου και εξ ολης της ψυχης σου και εξ ολης της διανοιας σου και εξ ολης της ισχυος σου αυτη πρωτη εντολη
31.	And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.	Secundum autem simile est illi : Diliges proximum tuum tamquam teipsum. Majus horum aliud mandatum non est.	και δευτερα ομοια αυτη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον μειζων τουτων αλλη εντολη ουκ εστιν
32.	And the scribe said to him: Well, Master, thou hast said in truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him.	Et ait illi scriba : Bene, Magister, in veritate dixisti, quia unus est Deus, et non est alius præter eum.	και ειπεν αυτω ο γραμματευς καλως διδασκαλε επ αληθειας ειπας οτι εις εστιν και ουκ εστιν αλλος πλην αυτου
33.	And that he should be loved with the whole heart, and with the whole understanding, and with the whole soul, and with the whole strength; and to love one's neighbour as one's self, is a greater thing than all holocausts and sacrifices.	Et ut diligatur ex toto corde, et ex toto intellectu, et ex tota anima, et ex tota fortitudine, et diligere proximum tamquam seipsum, majus est omnibus holocautomatibus, et sacrificiis.	και το αγαπαν αυτον εξ ολης της καρδιας και εξ ολης της συνεσεως και εξ ολης της ψυχης και εξ ολης της ισχυος και το αγαπαν τον πλησιον ως εαυτον πλειον εστιν παντων των ολοκαυτωματων και θυσιων
34.	And Jesus seeing that he had answered wisely, said to him: Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.	Jesus autem videns quod sapienter respondisset, dixit illi : Non es longe a regno Dei. Et nemo jam audebat eum interrogare.	και ο ιησους ιδων αυτον οτι νουνεχως απεκριθη ειπεν αυτω ου μακραν ει απο της βασιλειας του θεου και ουδεις ουκετι ετολμα αυτον επερωτησαι