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

Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come. 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 the Lord, the King who is to come. 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, the King who is to come. 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, the King who is to come. 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, the King who is to come. 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, the King who is to come. 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, the King who is to come.

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. I: Ordinary: 649 Proper of Seasons: 242 Psalter: Friday, Week II, 890 Christian Prayer: Does not contain Office of Readings. Office of Readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent 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 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me by the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of my Lord for ever. 𝄞"Psalm 23" by Melinda Kirigin-Voss [https://divineoffice.org/melinda-kirigin-voss/] • Available on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/yesterday-today-and-forever/id418013978] • Text from Psalm 23 King James Version; Used wih permission • Albums that contain this Hymn: Yesterday, Today, and Forever PSALMODY Ant. 1 Lord, in your anger, do not punish me. Psalm 38 A sinner in extreme danger prays earnestly to God All his friends were standing at a distance. (Luke 23:49) I O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me, Lord, in your rage. Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me. Through your anger all my body is sick: through my sin, there is no health in my limbs. My guilt towers higher than my head; it is a weight too heavy to bear. 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, in your anger, do not punish me. Ant. 2 Lord, you know all my longings. II My wounds are foul and festering, the result of my own folly. I am bowed and brought to my knees. I go mourning all the day long. All my frame burns with fever; all my body is sick. Spent and utterly crushed, I cry aloud in anguish of heart. O Lord, you know all my longing: my groans are not hidden from you. My heart throbs, my strength is spent; the very light has gone from my eyes. My friends avoid me like a leper; those closest to me stand afar off. Those who plot against my life lay snares; those who seek my ruin speak of harm, planning treachery all the day long. 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, you know all my longings. Ant. 3 I confess my guilt to you, Lord; do not abandon me, for you are my Savior. III But I am like the deaf who cannot hear, like the dumb unable to speak. I am like a man who hears nothing in whose mouth is no defense. I count on you, O Lord: it is you, Lord God, who will answer. I pray: Do not let them mock me, those who triumph if my foot should slip.” For I am on the point of falling and my pain is always before me. I confess that I am guilty and my sin fills me with dismay. My wanton enemies are numberless and my lying foes are many. They repay me evil for good and attack me for seeking what is right. O Lord, do not forsake me! My God, do not stay afar off! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my God, my savior! 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 Do not abandon us, Lord our God; you did not forget the broken body of your Christ, nor the mockery his love received. We, your children, are weighed down with sin; give us the fullness of your mercy. Ant. I confess my guilt to you, Lord; do not abandon me, for you are my Savior. 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. Let your compassion come upon me, Lord. — Your salvation, true to your promise. READINGS First reading From the book of the prophet Isaiah  27:1-13 The Lord cares for his vineyard once again On that day, The Lord will punish with his sword that is cruel, great, and strong, Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the coiled serpent; and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. On that day – The pleasant vineyard, sing about it! I, the Lord, am its keeper, I water it every moment; Lest anyone harm it, night and day I guard it. I am not angry, but if I were to find briers and thorns, In battle I should march against them; I should burn them all. Expunging and expelling, I should strive against them, carrying them off with my cruel wind in time of storm. In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall sprout and blossom, covering all the world with fruit. Is he to be smitten as his smiter was smitten? or slain as his slayer was slain? Or shall he cling to me for refuge? He must make peace with me; peace shall he make with me! This, then, shall be the expiation of Jacob’s guilt, this the whole fruit of the removal of his sin: He shall pulverize all the stones of the altars like pieces of chalk; no sacred poles or incense altars shall stand. For the fortified city shall be desolate, an abandoned pasture, a forsaken wilderness, where calves shall browse and lie. Its boughs shall be destroyed, its branches shall wither and be broken off, and women shall come to build a fire with them. This is not an understanding people; therefore their maker shall not spare them, nor shall he who formed them have mercy on them. On that day, The Lord shall beat out the grain between the Euphrates and the Wadi of Egypt, and you shall be gleaned one by one, O sons of Israel. On that day, A great trumpet shall blow, and the lost in the land of Assyria and the outcasts in the land of Egypt Shall come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain, in Jerusalem. RESPONSORY See Matthew 24:31; Isaiah 27:13 The Lord will send forth his angels with a mighty trumpet blast; — they will gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. They shall come and worship the Lord on his holy mountain in Jerusalem. — They will gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Second reading From a treatise Against Heresies by St Irenaeus, bishop Eve and Mary The Lord, coming into his own creation in visible form, was sustained by his own creation which he himself sustains in being. His obedience on the tree of the cross reversed the disobedience at the tree in Eden; the good news of the truth announced by an angel to Mary, a virgin subject to a husband, undid the evil lie that seduced Eve, a virgin espoused to a husband. As Eve was seduced by the word of an angel and so fled from God after disobeying his word, Mary in her turn was given the good news by the word of an angel, and bore God in obedience to his word. As Eve was seduced into disobedience to God, so Mary was persuaded into obedience to God; thus the Virgin Mary became the advocate of the virgin Eve. Christ gathered all things into one, by gathering them into himself. He declared war against our enemy, crushed him who at the beginning had taken us captive in Adam, and trampled on his head, in accordance with God’s words to the serpent in Genesis: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall lie in wait for your head, and you shall lie in wait for his heel. The one lying in wait for the serpent’s head is the one who was born in the likeness of Adam from the woman, the Virgin. This is the seed spoken of by Paul in the letter to the Galatians: The law of works was in force until the seed should come to whom the promise was made. He shows this even more clearly in the same letter when he says: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman. The enemy would not have been defeated fairly if his vanquisher had not been born of a woman, because it was through a woman that he had gained mastery over man in the beginning, and set himself up as man’s adversary. That is why the Lord proclaims himself the Son of Man, the one who renews in himself that first man from whom the race born of woman was formed; as by a man’s defeat our race fell into the bondage of death, so by a man’s victory we were to rise again to life. RESPONSORY See Luke 1:26, 27, 30, 31, 32 The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary who was betrothed to Joseph. The light filled her with fear, but the angel said to her: Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. — Behold you shall conceive and bear a son, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob for ever. — Behold you shall conceive and bear a son, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. CONCLUDING PRAYER Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten alert and with lighted lamps to meet him when he comes. 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.

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. I: Ordinary: 653 Proper of Seasons: 245 Psalter: Friday, Week II, 893 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Seasons: 82 Psalter: Friday, Week II, 835 Morning Prayer for Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent 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 Lord, teach us to pray; Lord, teach us to pray; Lord, teach us to pray, teach us to pray, teach us to pray, Lord. (2x) Our Father, Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. Amen Amen. Lord, teach us to pray; Lord, teach us to pray; Lord, teach us to pray, teach us to pray, teach us to pray, Lord. (2x) Our Father, Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. Amen Amen. Lord, teach us to pray; Lord, teach us to pray; Lord, teach us to pray, teach us to pray, teach us to pray, Lord. (2x) Our Father, Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. Amen Amen. 𝄞"Lord, Teach Us to Pray" by Briege O'Hare And Marie Cox • Available on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lord-teach-us-to-pray/id444178914] • Available for Purchase [https://www.poorclaresireland.org/Hermitage_Arts.html] • Title: Lord, Teach Us to Pray; Composed and arranged by: Briege O'Hare, OSC; Sung by: Marie Cox,RSM; (c) 1966 Briege O'Hare; Used by permission • Albums that contain this Hymn: Lord, Teach Us To Pray PSALMODY Ant. 1 A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn. Psalm 51 O God, have mercy on me Your inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man. (Ephesians 4:23-24). Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge, O see, in guilt I was born, a sinner was I conceived. Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones you have crushed may revive. From my sins turn away your face and blot out all my guilt. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you. O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse, my sacrifice, a contrite spirit, a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn. In your goodness, show favor to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, holocausts offered on your altar. 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, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations. Ant. A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn. Ant.2 Even in your anger, Lord, you will remember compassion. Canticle – Habakkuk 3:2-4, 13a, 15-19 God comes to judge Lift up your heads, for your redemption is at hand. (Luke 21:28) O Lord, I have heard your renown, and feared, O Lord, your work. In the course of the years revive it, in the course of the years make it known; in your wrath remember compassion! God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Covered are the heavens with his glory, and with his praise the earth is filled. His splendor spreads like the light; rays shine forth from beside him, where his power is concealed. You come forth to save your people, to save your anointed one. You tread the sea with your steeds amid the churning of the deep waters. I hear, and my body trembles; at the sound, my lips quiver. Decay invades my bones, my legs tremble beneath me. I await the day of distress that will come upon the people who attack us. For though the fig tree blossom not nor fruit be on the vines, though the yield of the olive fail and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. God, my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet swift as those of hinds and enables me to go upon the heights. 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. Even in your anger, Lord, you will remember compassion. Ant. 3 O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Psalm 147 The restoration of Jerusalem Come, I will show you the bride of the Lamb (Revelation 21:9) O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates, he has blessed the children within you. He established peace on your borders, he feeds you with finest wheat. He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command. He showers down snow white as wool, he scatters hoar-frost like ashes. He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. The waters are frozen at his touch; he sends forth his word and it melts them: at the breath of his mouth the waters flow. He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees. He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees. 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 established peace within the borders of Jerusalem. Give the fullness of peace now to your faithful people. May peace rule us in this life and possess us in eternal life. You are about to fill us with the best of wheat: grant that what we see dimly now as in a mirror, we may come to perceive clearly in the brightness of your truth. Ant. O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! READING Jeremiah 30:21, 22 Thus says the Lord: His leader shall be from Jacob, and his ruler shall come from his kin. When I summon him, he shall approach me. You shall be my people, and I will be your God. 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 Your light will come, Jerusalem; the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty. — Your light will come, Jerusalem; the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty. You will see his glory within you; — the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Your light will come, Jerusalem; the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Say to the fainthearted: Take courage! The Lord our God is coming to save us. 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. Say to the fainthearted: Take courage! The Lord our God is coming to save us. INTERCESSIONS To Christ our Redeemer, who comes to save us from our sins, let us cry out with joy: Come, Lord Jesus! The prophets of old foretold your birth among us, — now make virtue come to life in us. Come, Lord Jesus! We proclaim your saving work, — now grant us your salvation. Come, Lord Jesus! You came to heal the contrite, — heal the weaknesses of your people. Come, Lord Jesus! You came and saw fit to reconcile the world, when you come again in judgment, — free us from the torments of punishment. Come, Lord Jesus! 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 Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten alert and with lighted lamps to meet him when he comes. 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.

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. I: Ordinary: 658 Proper of Seasons: 247 (reading, concluding prayer) Complementary Psalter: 1191 (Series I, Midmorning) Midmorning Prayer for Friday in Advent, 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. Alleluia. HYMN We walk by faith, and not by sight; no gracious words we hear from Him who spoke as none e'er spoke; but we believe Him near. We may not touch His hands and side, nor follow where He trod; but in His promise we rejoice; and cry, "My Lord and God!" Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; and may our faith abound, to call on You when You are near, and seek where You are found: that, when our life of faith is done in realms of clearer light, we may behold You as You are with full and endless sight. 𝄞"We Walk By Faith" by Johanna Montealto • Title: We Walk By Faith; Text: Henry Alford (1810-1871), alt.; Music: St. Botolph; Artist: Johanna Montealto; Recording copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 This is the good news the prophets foretold: The Savior will be born of the Virgin Mary. Psalm 120 Longing for peace Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12) 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. This is the good news the prophets foretold: The Savior will be born of the Virgin Mary. READING Jeremiah 29:11,13 I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you look for me, you will find me: when you seek me with all your heart. 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. The nations will revere your name, O Lord. — And the great ones of the earth will acknowledge your glory. CONCLUDING PRAYER Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten alert and with lighted lamps to meet him when he comes. 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.

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. I: Ordinary: 661 Proper of Seasons: 247 Psalter: Friday, Week II, 898 Midday Prayer for Friday in Advent, 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. Alleluia. HYMN Almighty Ruler, God of Truth, Who guide and master all, The rays with which you gild the dawn With noonday heat now fall. O quench the fires of hatred, Lord, Of anger and of strife, Bring health to every mind and heart That peace may enter life. Most holy Father, grant our prayer Through Christ your only Son That in your Spirit we may live And praise you ever one. 𝄞"Almighty Ruler, God of Truth" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR95M83/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk5] • Ralph Wright, 1808; Melody: St. Anne; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. Psalm 119:73-80 X (Yod) It was your hands that made me and shaped me: help me to learn your commands. Your faithful will see me and rejoice for I trust in your word. Lord, I know that your decrees are right, that you afflicted me justly. Let your love be ready to console me by your promise to your servant. Let your love come and I shall live for your law is my delight. Shame the proud who harm me with lies while I ponder your precepts. Let your faithful turn to me, those who know your will. Let my heart be blameless in obeying you lest I be ashamed. 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 We know that your rulings are just ones, Lord, and so we ask for mercy; treat us gently and we will not be put to shame. Psalm 59:2-5, 10-11, 17-18 Prayer for help against enemies These words of the Savior teach us the devotion that all should have for the Father (Eusebius of Caesarea). Rescue me, God, from my foes; protect me from those who attack me. O rescue me from those who do evil and save me from blood-thirsty men. See, they lie in wait for my life; powerful men band together against me. For no offense, no sin of mine, Lord, for no guilt of mine they rush to take their stand. Awake, come to my aid and see! O my Strength, it is you to whom I turn, for you, O God, are my stronghold, the God who shows me love. O God, come to my aid and let me look in triumph on my foes. As for me, I will sing of your strength and each morning acclaim your love for you have been my stronghold, a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, it is you to whom I turn, for you, O God, are my stronghold, the God who shows me love. 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 of power, you rescued your Son from the grasp of evil men. Deliver us from evil and confirm our trust in you, so that with our rising we may sing of your power and exult in your mercy at dawn. Psalm 60 Prayer after disaster You will suffer in the world, but have confidence: I have overcome the world (John 16:33). O God, you have rejected us and broken us. You have been angry; come back to us. You have made the earth quake, torn it open. Repair what is shattered for it sways. You have inflicted hardships on your people and made us drink a wine that dazed us. You have given those who fear you a signal to flee from the enemy’s bow. O come and deliver your friends, help with your right hand and reply. From his holy place God has made this promise: “I will triumph and divide the land of Shechem, I will measure out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine and Manasseh, Ephraim I take for my helmet, Judah for my commander’s staff. Moab I will use for my washbowl; on Edom I will plant my shoe. Over the Philistines I will shout in triumph.” But who will lead me to conquer the fortress? Who will bring me face to face with Edom? Will you utterly reject us, O God, and no longer march with our armies? Give us help against the foe: for the help of man is vain. With God we shall do bravely and he will trample down our foes. 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, all power and authority is yours; you have overcome the world. Give us courage when evil seems to triumph and help us never to forget that you are with us to the end of time. Ant. The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. READING Jeremiah 30:18 Thus says the Lord: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity. 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. Remember us, Lord, because of the love you have for your people. — Come and bring us your salvation. CONCLUDING PRAYER Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten alert and with lighted lamps to meet him when he comes. 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.