Divine Office Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Feb 11, Morning Prayer for Wednesday of the 5th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 654 All from Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 748 Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 618 All from Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 712 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 All from Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 738 Morning Prayer for Wednesday in Ordinary Time 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 breaks the day, and dawn grows bright, Christ nearer seems, the Light of Light: From us, like shades that nighttime brings, Drive forth, O Lord, all darksome things. Earth’s dusky veil is torn away, Pierced by the sparkling beams of day; Our life resumes its hues apace, Soon as the Daystar shows his face. So thee, O Christ, alone we seek, With conscience pure and temper meek: With tears and chants we humbly pray That thou wouldst guide us through each day. For many’a shade obscures each sense Which needs thy beams to purge it thence; Light of the Morning Star, thy grace Shed on us from thy cloudless face. 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. 𝄞"When Breaks the Day" by Rebecca Hincke • Musical Score [https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/divineoffice/When_Breaks_the_Day.pdf] • Title: When Breaks the Day; Text: Nox et tenebrae et nubila, Prudentius; Tr Anon; Tune: Chant, Mode I; Lumen Christi Hymnal; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. PSALMODY Ant. 1 O Lord, in your light we see light itself. Psalm 36 The malice of sinners and God’s goodness No follower of mine wanders in the dark; he shall have the light of life (John 8:12). Sin speaks to the sinner in the depths of his heart. There is no fear of God before his eyes. He so flatters himself in his mind that he knows not his guilt. In his mouth are mischief and deceit. All wisdom is gone. He plots the defeat of goodness as he lies on his bed. He has set his foot on evil ways, he clings to what is evil. Your love, Lord, reaches to heaven; your truth to the skies. Your justice is like God’s mountain, your judgments like the deep. To both man and beast you give protection. O Lord, how precious is your love. My God, the sons of men find refuge in the shelter of your wings. They feast on the riches of your house; they drink from the stream of your delight. In you is the source of life and in your light we see light. Keep on loving those who know you, doing justice for upright hearts. Let the foot of the proud not crush me nor the hand of the wicked cast me out. See how the evil-doers fall! Flung down, they shall never rise. 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, you are the source of unfailing light. Give us true knowledge of your mercy so that we may renounce our pride and be filled with the riches of your house. Ant. O Lord, in your light we see light itself. Ant. 2 O God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power. Canticle — Judith 16:2-3a, 13-15 God who created the world takes care of his people They were singing a new song (Revelation 5:9). Strike up the instruments, a song to my God with timbrels, chant to the Lord with cymbals. Sing to him a new song, exalt and acclaim his name. A new hymn I will sing to my God. O Lord, great are you and glorious, wonderful in power and unsurpassable. Let your every creature serve you; for you spoke, and they were made, you sent forth your spirit, and they were created; no one can resist your word. The mountains to their bases, and the seas are shaken; the rocks, like wax, melt before your glance. But to those who fear you, you are very merciful. 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. O God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power. Ant. 3 Exult in God’s presence with hymns of praise. Psalm 47 The Lord Jesus is King of all He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and his kingdom will have no end. All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear, great king over all the earth. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet. Our inheritance, our glory, is from him, given to Jacob out of love. God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Sing praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our king, sing praise. God is king of all the earth. Sing praise with all your skill. God is king over the nations; God reigns on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples are assembled with the people of Abraham’s God. The rulers of the earth belong to God, to God who reigns over all. 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, King of all peoples and all ages, it is your victory we celebrate as we sing with all the skill at our command. Help us always to overcome evil by good, that we may rejoice in your triumph for ever. Ant. Exult in God’s presence with hymns of praise. READING Tobit 4:15a. 16a. 18a. 19 Do to no one what you yourself dislike. Give to the hungry some of your bread, and to the naked some of your clothing. Seek counsel from every wise man. At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him to make all your paths straight and to grant success to all your endeavors and plans. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY Incline my heart according to your will, O God. — Incline my heart according to your will, O God. Speed my steps along your path, — according to your will, O God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Incline my heart according to your will, O God. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Show us your mercy, Lord; remember your holy covenant. 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. Show us your mercy, Lord; remember your holy covenant. INTERCESSIONS Let us give thanks to Christ and offer him continual praise, for he sanctifies us and calls us his brothers and sisters: Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness. With single-minded devotion we dedicate the beginnings of this day to the honor of your resurrection, — may we make the whole day pleasing to you by our works of holiness. Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness. As a sign of your love, you renew each day for the sake of our well-being and happiness, — renew us daily for the sake of your glory. Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness. Teach us today to recognize your presence in all men, — especially in the poor and in those who mourn. Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness. Grant that we may live today in peace with all men, — never rendering evil for evil. Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness. 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 God our Savior, hear our morning prayer: help us to follow the light and live the truth. In you we have been born again as sons and daughters of light: may we be your witnesses before all the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.

Feb 14, Invitatory for Saturday of the 5th week of Ordinary Time

Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us worship God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light. Psalm 100 Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy. Ant. Come, let us worship God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock. Ant. Come, let us worship God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. Ant. Come, let us worship God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age. Ant. Come, let us worship God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light. 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 God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light.

Feb 14, Morning Prayer for Saturday of the 5th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 654 All from the Psalter: Saturday, Week I, 810 Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 618 All from the Psalter: Saturday, Week I, 774 Christian Prayer (single volume) Ordinary: 689 All from the Psalter: Saturday, Week I, 770 Morning Prayer for Saturday in Ordinary Time 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 The dawn is sprinkling in the east Its golden shower, as day flows in; Fast mount the pointed shafts of light: Farewell to darkness and to sin! Away, ye midnight phantoms all! Away, despondence and despair! Whatever guilt the night has brought Now let it vanish into air. So that last morning, dread and great, Which we with trembling hope await With blessed light for us shall glow Who chant the song we sang below. 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. 𝄞"The Dawn is Sprinkling in the East" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NTRJGTH/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk15] • Musical Score [https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/divineoffice/The_Dawn_is_Sprinkling_in_the_East.pdf] • Title: The Dawn is Sprinkling in the East; Text: Aurora iam spargit polum, 7th-8th c.; Tr. Edward Caswall; Tune: Chant, Mode I; Lumen Christi Hymnal; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 3 PSALMODY Ant. 1 Dawn finds me ready to welcome you, my God. Psalm 119 XIX (Koph) I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me, I will keep your commands; I call upon you, save me and I will do your will. I rise before dawn and cry for help, I hope in your word. My eyes watch through the night to ponder your promise. In your love hear my voice, O Lord; give me life by your decrees. Those who harm me unjustly draw near: they are far from your law. But you, O Lord, are close: your commands are truth. Long have I known that your will is established 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 Save us by the power of your hand, Father, for our enemies have ignored your words. May the fire of your word consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts. Ant. Dawn finds me ready to welcome you, my God. Ant. 2 The Lord is my strength, and I shall sing his praise, for he has become my Savior. Canticle – Exodus 15:1-4a, 8-13, 17-18 Hymn of victory after the crossing of the Red Sea Those who had conquered the beast were singing the song of Moses, God’s servant (see Revelation 15:2-3). I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. He is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him. The Lord is a warrior, Lord is his name! Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea. At a breath of your anger the waters piled up, the flowing waters stood like a mound, the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea. The enemy boasted, “I will pursue and overtake them; I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them; I will draw my sword; my hand shall despoil them!” When your wind blew, the sea covered them; like lead they sank in the mighty waters. Who is like you among the gods, O Lord? Who is like you, magnificent in holiness? O terrible in renown, worker of wonders, when you stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them! In your mercy you led the people you redeemed; in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling. And you brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance — the place where you made your seat, O Lord, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands established. The Lord shall reign forever and 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. The Lord is my strength, and I shall sing his praise, for he has become my Savior. Ant. 3 O praise the Lord, all you nations. Psalm 117 Praise for God’s loving compassion I affirm that… the Gentile peoples are to praise God because of his mercy (Romans 15:8-9). O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him, all you peoples! Strong is his love for us; he is faithful 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, may all nations and peoples praise you. May Jesus, who is called faithful and true and who lives with you eternally, possess our hearts for ever. Ant. O praise the Lord, all you nations. READING 2 Peter 1:10-11 Be solicitous to make your call and election permanent, brothers; surely those who do so will never be lost. On the contrary, your entry into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY I cry to you, O Lord, for you are my refuge. — I cry to you, O Lord, for you are my refuge. You are all I desire in the land of the living, — for you are my refuge. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — I cry to you, O Lord, for you are my refuge. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Lord, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. 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. Lord, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. INTERCESSIONS Let us all praise Christ. In order to become our faithful and merciful high priest before the Father’s throne, he chose to become one of us, a brother in all things. In prayer we ask of him: Lord, share with us the treasure of your love. Sun of Justice, you filled us with light at our baptism, — we dedicate this day to you. Lord, share with us the treasure of your love. At every hour of the day, we give you glory, — in all our deeds, we offer you praise. Lord, share with us the treasure of your love. Mary, your mother, was obedient to your word, — direct our lives in accordance with that word. Lord, share with us the treasure of your love. Our lives are surrounded with passing things; set our hearts on things of heaven, — so that through faith, hope and charity we may come to enjoy the vision of your glory. Lord, share with us the treasure of your love. 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 Lord, free us from the dark night of death. Let the light of resurrection dawn within our hearts to bring us to the radiance of eternal life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.

Feb 18, About Today for Wednesday of the 0th week of Lent

About Today - Ash Wednesday, watercolor, detail by Julian Fałat [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Fa%C5%82at_Julian%2C_Popielec.jpg] ASH WEDNESDAY “Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near,” (James 5:8). [1][2] Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of a new Lenten season. Pope Francis encourages the faithful to live “in the presence of the Father [who] gives us a much deeper joy than worldly glory can give us. May our attitude this Lent be one of living in secret where the Father sees us, loves us and waits for us. Naturally, exterior things are important too, but we must always choose to live in the presence of God. Let us do what we can, in prayer, in sacrifice, and in acts of charity, humbly before God. This way we will be worthy of God the Father’s reward.” May each of us have a blessed Lent.[3] [1] New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [2] Irish Province of Society of Jesus, Sacred Space for Lent 2015, (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2015). [3] Pope Francis, Audio-message to the young people of the Prelature of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii., www.vatican.va.

Feb 12, Morning Prayer for Thursday of the 5th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 654 All from the Psalter: Thursday, Week I, 768 Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 618 All from the Psalter: Thursday, Week I, 732 Christian Prayer (single volume) Ordinary: 689 All from the Psalter: Thursday, Week I, 748 Morning Prayer for Thursday in Ordinary Time 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 Behold the golden Dawn arise; The paling night forsakes the skies: Those shades that hid the world from view, And us to dang'rous 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. 𝄞"Behold the Golden Dawn Arise" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ5M16F/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk11] • Musical Score [http://traffic.libsyn.com/divineoffice/Behold_the_Golden_Dawn_Arise.pdf] • Title: Behold the Golden Dawn Arise; Text: Sol ecce surgit igneus, Prudentius; Tr. John M. Neale; Tune: Chant, Mode I; Lumen Christi Hymnal; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 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 (St. 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. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. 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. 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, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.