Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church (Breviary)

Mar 15, Invitatory for Sunday of the 4th week of Lent

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Antiphon: 1043 Psalm: 1044 Christian Prayer: Antiphon: 687 Psalm: 688 Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us worship Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering. Psalm 95 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 Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering. 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 Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering. 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 Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering. 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 Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering. 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 Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering. 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 Christ the Lord, who for our sake endured temptation and suffering.

Mar 15, Office of Readings for Sunday of the 4th week of Lent

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1045 Proper of Seasons: 273 Psalter: Sunday, Week IV, 1490 Office of Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent 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. HYMN On this day, the first of days, God the Father's name we praise; Who, creation's Lord and spring, Did the world from darkness bring. On this day the eternal Son Over death his triumph won; On this day the Spirit came With his gifts of living flame. Father, who didst fashion man Godlike in thy loving plan, Fill us with that love divine, And conform our wills to thine. Word made flesh, all hail to thee! Thou from sin has set us free, And with thee we die and rise Unto God in sacrifice. Holy Spirit, you impart Gifts of love to every heart; Give us light and grace, we pray, Fill our hearts this holy day. God, the blessed Three in One, May thy holy will be done; In thy word our souls are free. And we rest this day with thee. 𝄞"On this day, the first of days" by Gabe Bouck, Rebecca Hincke • Title: On this day, the first of days; Words: From the Breviary of the Diocese of LeMans, 1748; translated by Henry W. Baker in 1861.; Music by Johann A. Freylinghausen (1704); Artists: Gabe Bouck and Rebecca Hincke; Recording (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 Who can climb the Lord’s mountain, or stand in his holy place? Psalm 24 The Lord’s entry into his temple Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (St. Irenaeus). The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things, who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory. 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 When your Son was unjustly condemned, Lord God, and surrounded by the impious, he cried to you, and you set him free. Watch over your people as the treasure of your heart and guide their steps along safe paths that they may see your face. Ant. Who can climb the Lord’s mountain, or stand in his holy place? Ant. 2 Bless our God, you nations of the world; he has given us life. Psalm 66 Eucharistic Hymn The Lord is risen and all people have been brought by him to the Father (Hesychius). I Cry out with joy to God, all the earth, O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise. Say to God: “How tremendous your deeds! Because of the greatness of your strength your enemies cringe before you. Before you all the earth shall bow; shall sing to you, sing to your name!” Come and see the works of God, tremendous his deeds among men. He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the river dry-shod. Let our joy then be in him; he rules for ever by his might. His eyes keep watch over the nations; let rebels not rise against him. O peoples, bless our God, let the voice of his praise resound, of the God who gave life to our souls and kept our feet from stumbling. For you, O God, have tested us, you have tried us as silver is tried: you led us, God, into the snare; you laid a heavy burden on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water but then you brought us relief. 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. Bless our God, you nations of the world; he has given us life. Ant. 3 Listen to me, all you who revere God, let me tell you what great things he has done for me. II Burnt offering I bring to your house; to you I will pay my vows, the vows which my lips have uttered, which my mouth spoke in my distress. I will offer burnt offerings of fatlings with the smoke of burning rams. I will offer bullocks and goats. Come and hear, all who fear God. I will tell what he did for my soul: to him I cried aloud, with high praise ready on my tongue. If there had been evil in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has heeded the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer nor withhold his love from 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. Psalm-prayer Almighty Father, in the death and resurrection of your own Son you brought us through the waters of baptism to the shores of new life. By those waters and the fire of the Holy Spirit you have given each of us consolation. Accept our sacrifice of praise; may our lives be a total offering to you, and may we deserve to enter your house and there with Christ praise your unfailing power. Ant. Listen to me, all you who revere God, let me tell you what great things he has done for me. 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. Lord, your words are spirit and life. — You have the words of eternal life. READINGS First reading From the book of Leviticus 8:1-17; 9:22-24 The ordination of the priests The Lord said to Moses, “Take Aaron and his sons, together with the vestments, the anointing oil, the bullock for a sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened food. Then assemble the whole community at the entrance of the meeting tent.” And Moses did as the Lord had commanded. When the community had assembled at the entrance of the meeting tent, Moses told them what the Lord had ordered to be done. Bringing forward Aaron and his sons, he first washed them with water. Then he put the tunic on Aaron, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, placed the ephod on him, and girded him with the embroidered belt of the ephod, fastening it around him. He then set the breastpiece on him, with the Urim and Thummim in it, and put the miter on his head, attaching the gold plate, the sacred diadem, over the front of the miter, at his forehead, as the Lord had commanded him to do. Taking the anointing oil, Moses anointed and consecrated the Dwelling, with all that was in it. Then he sprinkled some of this oil seven times on the altar, and anointed the altar, with all its appurtenances, and the laver, with its base, thus consecrating them. He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, thus consecrating him. Moses likewise brought forward Aaron’s sons, clothed them with tunics, girded them with sashes, and put turbans on them, as the Lord had commanded him to do. When he had brought forward the bullock for a sin offering, Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. Then Moses slaughtered it, and taking some of its blood, with his finger he put it on the horns around the altar, thus purifying the altar. He also made atonement for the altar by pouring out the blood at its base when he consecrated it. Taking all the fat that was over the inner organs, as well as the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat, Moses burned them on the altar. The bullock, however, with its hide and flesh and offal he burned in the fire outside the camp, as the Lord had commanded him to do. Aaron then raised his hands over the people and blessed them. When he came down from offering the sin offering and holocaust and peace offering, Moses and Aaron went into the meeting tent. On coming out they again blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord was revealed to all the people. Fire came forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the holocaust and the remnants of the fat on the altar. Seeing this, all the people cried out and fell prostrate. RESPONSORY Hebrews 7:23, 24; Sirach 45:7, 8 Under the old covenant, there were many priests, because death prevented them from continuing in office. — But Christ has an eternal priesthood because he remains for ever. The Lord raised up Aaron, conferred on him the priesthood of the people, and blessed him with great honor. — But Christ has an eternal priesthood because he remains for ever. Second reading From a treatise on John by Saint Augustine, bishop Christ is the way to the light, the truth, and the life The Lord tells us: I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. In these few words he gives a command and makes a promise. Let us do what he commands so that we may not blush to covet what he promises and to hear him say on the day of judgment: “I laid down certain conditions for obtaining my promises. Have you fulfilled them?” If you say: “What did you command, Lord our God?” he will tell you: “I commanded you to follow me. You asked for advice on how to enter into life. What life, if not the life about which it is written: With you is the fountain of life?” Let us do now what he commands. Let us follow in the footsteps of the Lord. Let us throw off the chains that prevent us from following him. Who can throw off these shackles without the aid of the one addressed in these words: You have broken my chains? Another psalm says of him: The Lord frees those in chains, the Lord raises up the downcast. Those who have been freed and raised up follow the light. The light they follow speaks to them: I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness. The Lord gives light to the blind. Brethren, that light shines on us now, for we have had our eyes anointed with the eye-salve of faith. His saliva was mixed with earth to anoint the man born blind. We are of Adam’s stock, blind from our birth; we need him to give us light. He mixed saliva with earth, and so it was prophesied: Truth has sprung up from the earth. He himself has said: I am the way, the truth, and the life. We shall be in possession of the truth when we see face to face. This is his promise to us. Who would dare to hope for something that God in his goodness did not choose to promise or bestow? We shall see face to face. The Apostle says: Now I know in part, now obscurely through a mirror, but then face to face. John the apostle says in one of his letters: Dearly beloved, we are now children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. We know that when he is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. This is a great promise. If you love me, follow me. “I do love you,” you protest, “but how do I follow you?” If the Lord your God said to you: “I am the truth and the life,” in your desire for truth, in your love for life, you would certainly ask him to show you the way to reach them. You would say to yourself: “Truth is a great reality, life is a great reality; if only it were possible for my soul to find them!” RESPONSORY Psalm 119:104-105; John 6:69 I hate the ways of falsehood. — Your word is a lantern which guides my steps, a light for the pathway before me. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. — Your word is a lantern which guides my steps, a light for the pathway before me. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. 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. ACCLAMATION (at least in the communal celebration) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.

Mar 15, Morning Prayer for Sunday of the 4th week of Lent

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1049 Proper of Seasons: 277 Psalter: Sunday, Week IV, 1497 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Seasons: 340 Psalter: Sunday, Week IV, 925 Morning Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent 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. HYMN According to Thy gracious word, In meek humility, This will I do, my dying Lord, I will remember Thee. Thy body, broken for my sake, My bread from heaven shall be; Thy testamental cup I take, And thus remember Thee. 𝄞"According to Thy Gracious Word" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR5TD21/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk1] • Title: According to Thy Gracious Word; Text: James Montgomery; Tune: TALLIS' ORDINAL by Thomas Tallis, ca. 1567; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. 1 O God, my God, I give you thanks; you are my God, I shall proclaim your glory. Psalm 118 Song of joy for salvation This Jesus is the stone which, rejected by you builders, has become the chief stone supporting all the rest (Acts 4:11). Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever. Let the sons of Israel say: “His love endures for ever.” Let the sons of Aaron say: “His love endures for ever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures for ever.” I called to the Lord in my distress; he answered and freed me. The Lord is at my side; I do not fear. what can man do against me? The Lord is at my side as my helper; I shall look down on my foes. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in men; it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. The nations all encompassed me; in the Lord’s name I crushed them. They compassed me, compassed me about; in the Lord’s name I crushed them. They compassed me about like bees; they blazed like a fire among thorns. In the Lord’s name I crushed them. I was hard-pressed and was falling but the Lord came to help me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he is my savior. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just. The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me. The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die. Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. This is the Lord’s own gate where the just may enter. I will thank you for you have answered and you are my savior. The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light. Go forward in procession with branches even to the altar. You are my God, I thank you. My God, I praise you. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures 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, you have given us the great day of rejoicing: Jesus Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone of the Church, our spiritual home. Shed upon your Church the rays of your glory, that it may be seen as the gate of salvation open to all nations. Let cries of joy and exultation ring out from its tents, to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection. Ant. O God, my God, I give you thanks; you are my God, I shall proclaim your glory. Ant. 2 God of might, deliver us; free us from the power of the enemy. Canticle – Daniel 3:52 57 Let all creatures praise the Lord The Creator… is blessed for ever (Romans 1:25). Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever. Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. 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 of might, deliver us; free us from the power of the enemy. Ant. 3 Praise God for his mighty deeds. Psalm 150 Praise the Lord Let mind and heart be in your song: this is to glorify God with your whole self (Hesychius). Praise God in his holy place, praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his powerful deeds, praise his surpassing greatness. O praise him with sound of trumpet, praise him with lute and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipes. O praise him with resounding cymbals, praise him with clashing of cymbals. Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to 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. Psalm-prayer Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and of all created things, you make your just ones holy and you justify sinners who confess your name. Hear us as we humbly pray to you: give us eternal joy with your saints. Ant. Praise God for his mighty deeds. READING See Nehemiah 8:9, 10 Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength! 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 Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. — Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. You were wounded for our offenses, — have mercy on us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. It was unheard of for anyone to open the eyes of a man born blind until the coming of Christ, the Son of God. 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. It was unheard of for anyone to open the eyes of a man born blind until the coming of Christ, the Son of God. INTERCESSIONS Let us give glory to God, whose kindness knows no limit. Through Jesus Christ, who lives for ever to intercede for us, let us pray: Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love. God of mercy, let today be a day rich in good works, — a day of generosity to all we meet. Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love. From the waters of the flood you saved Noah through the ark, — from the waters of baptism raise up to new life those under instruction. Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love. May we live not by bread only, — but by every word falling from your lips. Kindle in our hearts the fire of your love. Help us to do away with all dissension, — so that we may rejoice in your gifts of peace and love. Kindle in our hearts the fire 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 O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. 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. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.

Mar 15, Midmorning Prayer for Sunday of the 4th week of Lent

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1054 Complementary Psalmody: 1651 (Midmorning) Proper of Seasons: 279 (antiphon, reading, concluding prayer) Midmorning Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, using the Complementary Psalmody 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. HYMN 1. God Father, praise and glory Your children come to sing. Goodwill and peace to mankind. The gifts your kingdom brings. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 2. And you, Lord Coeternal, God's sole begotten Son; O Jesus. King anointed. You have redemption won. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 3. O Holy Ghost, Creator The Gift of God most high; Life, love and holy wisdom, Our weakness now supply. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 𝄞"God Father, Praise and Glory" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NTPHX87/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk3] • Musical Score [https://divineoffice.org/wp-content/uploads/O-God-Almighty-Father.pdf] • Title: God Father, Praise and Glory; Text: anon; Translator: John Rothensteiner, 1936, alt.; Melody: Gott Vater! Sel Gepriesen; Music: Mains Gesangbuch, 183; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4 PSALMODY Ant. 1 The time of penance has come, the time to atone for our sins and to seek our salvation. Psalm 120 Longing for peace To the Lord in the hour of my distress I call and he answers me. “O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of the deceitful.” What shall he pay you in return, O treacherous tongue? The warrior’s arrows sharpened and coals, red-hot, blazing. Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, dwell among the tents of Kedar! Long enough have I been dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for fighting. 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 121 Guardian of his people Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16) I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard. The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night. The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and 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 122 The holy city, Jerusalem You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to God’s house. And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!” For love of my brethren and friends I say: Peace upon you. For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. 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 time of penance has come, the time to atone for our sins and to seek our salvation. READING 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 7 My brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, even as you learned from us to conduct yourselves in a way pleasing to God — which you are indeed doing — so you must learn to make still greater progress. God has not called us to immorality but to holiness. 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. Create in me a clean heart, O God. — Renew in me a steadfast spirit. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. 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. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.

Mar 15, Midday Prayer for Sunday of the 4th week of Lent

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1054 Proper of Seasons: 279 (Midday) Psalter: Sunday, Week IV, 1502 Midday Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, using the Current Psalmody 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. HYMN O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 𝄞"How Great Thou Art" by Melinda Kirigin-Voss [https://divineoffice.org/melinda-kirigin-voss/] • Title: How Great Thou Art; "O Store Gud" by Carl Boberg (1859-1940); Translation: Stuart K. Hine in 1899; Tune: Old Swedish meody; Artist: Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Copyright Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Used with permission. PSALMODY Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to me and live. Psalm 23 The Good Shepherd The Lamb himself will be their shepherd and will lead them to the springs of living waters (Revelation 7:17). The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever 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. Psalm-prayer Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of your Church, you give us new birth in the waters of baptism, anoint us with saving oil, and call us to salvation at your table. Dispel the terrors of death and the darkness of error. Lead your people along safe paths, that they may rest securely in you and live for ever in your Father’s house. Psalm 76 Thanksgiving for victory They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30). I God is made known in Judah; in Israel his name is great. He set up his tent in Jerusalem and his dwelling place in Zion. It was there he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, the armor. You, O Lord, are resplendent, more majestic than the everlasting mountains. The warriors, despoiled, slept in death; the hands of the soldiers were powerless. At your threat, O God of Jacob, horse and rider lay stunned. 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. II You, you alone, strike terror. Who shall stand when your anger is roused? You uttered your sentence from the heavens; the earth in terror was still when God arose to judge, to save the humble of the earth. Men’s anger will serve to praise you; its survivors surround you in joy. Make vows to your God and fulfill them. Let all pay tribute to him who strikes terror, who cuts short the life of princes, who strikes terror in the kings of the 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 Your power is awesome, Father, and wonderful is your holiness. In your presence the earth both trembles and stands still, for you shattered death’s power by the cross. Rise to help your people: give your light, and grant salvation to the meek of the earth, that they may praise your name in heaven. Ant. As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to me and live. READING Isaiah 30:15, 18 Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust your strength lies. Yet the Lord is waiting to show you favor, and he rises to pity you; For the Lord is a God of justice: blessed are all who wait for him! 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. Turn your face away from my sins. — Blot out all my guilt. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. 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. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.