SEC Daily Prayer

RETURNING TO GOD

O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

Opening - From Psalm 63
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,*
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself;*
my lips shall give you praise.
For you have been my helper,*
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you;*
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 77
I will cry aloud to God;*
I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;*
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire;
I refused to be comforted.
I think of God, I am restless,*
I ponder, and my spirit faints.
You will not let my eyelids close;*
I am troubled and I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old;*
I remember the years long past;
I commune with my heart in the night;*
I ponder and search my mind.
Will the Lord cast me off for ever?*
will he no more show his favour?
Has his loving-kindness come to an end for ever?*
has his promise failed for evermore?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?*
has he, in his anger, withheld his compassion?
And I said, ‘My grief is this:*
the right hand of the Most High has lost its power.’
I will remember the works of the Lord,*
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
I will meditate on all your acts*
and ponder your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy;*
who is so great a god as our God?
You are the God who works wonders*
and have declared your power among the peoples.
By your strength you have redeemed your people,*
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and trembled;*
the very depths were shaken.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered;*
your arrows flashed to and fro;
The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world;*
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was in the sea,
and your paths in the great waters,*
yet your footsteps were not seen.
You led your people like a flock*
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
God of saving power, remember us in times of sorrow and despair. Redeem us with your strength and guide us through the wilderness. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion (from Ezekiel 36)
I will gather you from every country,*
and bring you home to your own land.
I will pour clean water over you,*
and cleanse you from your idols.
A new heart I will give you,*
and put a new spirit within you.
I will take from your body the heart of stone.*
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my spirit within you.*
and make you walk in my ways and observe my decrees.
You will live in the land that I gave to your forebears;*
you will be my people and I will be your God.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

READINGS

Genesis 46: 1-7, 28-34
When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.’

Then Jacob set out from Beer-sheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

Israel sent Judah ahead to Joseph to lead the way before him into Goshen. When they came to the land of Goshen, Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to meet his father Israel in Goshen. He presented himself to him, fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, ‘I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive.’ Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, ‘I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and will say to him, “My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.”When Pharaoh calls you, and says, “What is your occupation?” you shall say, “Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our ancestors”—in order that you may settle in the land of Goshen, because all shepherds are abhorrent to the Egyptians.’

1 Corinthians 9: 1-15
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defence to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who at any time pays the expenses for doing military service? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not get any of its milk?

Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law also say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever ploughs should plough in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that—no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting!

Silence

Response (Ps. 6.4)
V. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
V. Save me for your mercy’s sake.
R. And deliver me.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.

BENEDICTUS

Benedictus Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the

world.* Give us living water, that we may

not thirst.

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*
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 that hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*
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 all 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 be to the Father.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

V. O God, make speed to save us;
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

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

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.

Opening (from Psalm 25)
You are the God of my salvation;*
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,*
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;*
remember me according to your love.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 78.1-39
Part I
Hear my teaching, O my people;*
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;*
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us,*
we will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord,*
and the wonderful works he has done.
He gave his decrees to Jacob and established a law for Israel,*
which he commanded them to teach their children;
That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn;*
that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
So that they might put their trust in God,*
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments;
And not be like their forefathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,*
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow,*
turned back in the day of battle;
They did not keep the covenant of God,*
and refused to walk in his law;
They forgot what he had done,*
and the wonders he had shown them.
He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers,*
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
He split open the sea and let them pass through;*
he made the waters stand up like walls.
He led them with a cloud by day,*
and all the night through with a glow of fire.
He split the hard rocks in the wilderness*
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
He brought streams out of the cliff,*
and the waters gushed out like rivers.
But they went on sinning against him,*
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
They tested God in their hearts,*
demanding food for their craving.
They railed against God and said,*
‘Can God set a table in the wilderness?
True, he struck the rock, the waters gushed out, and the
gullies overflowed;*
but is he able to give bread
or to provide meat for his people?’

When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath;*
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
and his anger mounted against Israel;
For they had no faith in God,*
nor did they put their trust in his saving power.
So he commanded the clouds above*
and opened the doors of heaven.
He rained down manna upon them to eat*
and gave them grain from heaven.
So mortals ate the bread of angels;*
he provided for them food enough.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens*
and led out the south wind by his might.
He rained down flesh upon them like dust*
and wingèd birds like the sand of the sea.
He let it fall in the midst of their camp*
and round about their dwellings.
So they ate and were well filled,*
for he gave them what they craved.
But they did not stop their craving,*
though the food was still in their mouths.
So God’s anger mounted against them;*
he slew their strongest men
and laid low the youth of Israel.
In spite of all this, they went on sinning*
and had no faith in his wonderful works.
So he brought their days to an end like a breath*
and their years in sudden terror.
Whenever he slew them, they would seek him,*
and repent, and diligently search for God.

They would remember that God was their rock,*
and the Most High God their redeemer.
But they flattered him with their mouths*
and lied to him with their tongues.
Their heart was not steadfast toward him,*
and they were not faithful to his covenant.
But he was so merciful that he forgave their sins
and did not destroy them;*
many times he held back his anger
and did not permit his wrath to be roused.
For he remembered that they were but flesh,*
a breath that goes forth and does not return.

Conclusion (from Matthew 5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,*
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,*
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,*
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,*
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,*
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,*
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,*

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.

READING

Mark 6: 13-29
They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Silence

Response (Psalm 86.15)
V. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
V. Slow to anger, full of kindness and truth.
R. Full of compassion.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

Opening - From Psalm 63
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,*
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself;*
my lips shall give you praise.
For you have been my helper,*
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you;*
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you;*
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Let none who look to you be put to shame;*
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,*
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,*
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;*
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
Gracious and upright is the Lord;*
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
He guides the humble in doing right*
and teaches his way to the lowly.
All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness*
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For your name’s sake, O Lord,*
forgive my sin, for it is great.
Who are they who fear the Lord?*
he will teach them the way that they should choose.
They shall dwell in prosperity,*
and their offspring shall inherit the land.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him*
and will show them his covenant.
My eyes are ever looking to the Lord,*
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me and have pity on me,*
for I am left alone and in misery.
The sorrows of my heart have increased;*
bring me out of my troubles.
Look upon my adversity and misery*
and forgive me all my sin.
Look upon my enemies, for they are many,*
and they bear a violent hatred against me.
Protect my life and deliver me;*
let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
Deliver Israel, O God,*
out of all his troubles.

God of compassion and love, forgive our sins, relieve our misery, satisfy our longing, and fulfil all our hopes for peace; through your Son Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

Conclusion (from Ezekiel 36)
I will gather you from every country,*
and bring you home to your own land.
I will pour clean water over you,*
and cleanse you from your idols.
A new heart I will give you,*
and put a new spirit within you.
I will take from your body the heart of stone.*
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my spirit within you.*
and make you walk in my ways and observe my decrees.
You will live in the land that I gave to your forebears;*
you will be my people and I will be your God.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

READINGS

Genesis 45: 1-15
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘no idol in the world really exists’, and that ‘there is no God but one.’ Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ‘Food will not bring us close to God.’ We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Silence

Response (Ps. 6.4)
V. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
V. Save me for your mercy’s sake.
R. And deliver me.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.

BENEDICTUS

Benedictus Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the

world.* Give us living water, that we may

not thirst.

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*
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 that hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*
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 all 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 be to the Father.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

V. O God, make speed to save us;
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

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

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.

Opening (from Psalm 25)
You are the God of my salvation;*
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,*
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;*
remember me according to your love.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house,*
their labour is in vain who build it.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,*
in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.
It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late;*
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Children are a heritage from the Lord,*
and the fruit of the womb is a gift.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior*
are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them!*
he shall not be put to shame
when he contends with his enemies in the gate.
Gracious Father, watch over the Church, built on the foundation of your love. Help us so to live and proclaim the gospel that many may find life in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 128
Happy are they all who fear the Lord,*
and who follow in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of your labour;*
happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house,*
your children like olive shoots round about your table.
The man who fears the Lord*
shall thus indeed be blessed.
The Lord bless you from Zion,*
and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of
your life.
May you live to see your children’s children;*
may peace be upon Israel.
Gracious God, giver of life in its fullness, you take no pleasure in human want but intend your bounty to be shared among your children. Lead us in the ways of justice and peace, for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Conclusion (from Matthew 5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,*
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,*
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,*
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,*
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,*

for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,*
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,*

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.

READING

Mark 6: 1-13
He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Silence

Response (Psalm 86.15)
V. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
V. Slow to anger, full of kindness and truth.
R. Full of compassion.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

Opening - From Psalm 63
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,*
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself;*
my lips shall give you praise.
For you have been my helper,*
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you;*
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 61
Hear my cry, O God,*
and listen to my prayer.
I call upon you from the ends of the earth
with heaviness in my heart;*
set me upon the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,*
a strong tower against the enemy.
I will dwell in your house for ever;*
I will take refuge under the cover of your wings.
For you, O God, have heard my vows;*
you have granted me the heritage of those
who fear your name.
Add length of days to the king’s life;*
let his years extend over many generations.

Let him sit enthroned before God for ever;*
bid love and faithfulness watch over him.
So will I always sing the praise of your name,*
and day by day I will fulfil my vows.
God of our salvation, when we are depressed and fearful, teach us the way of quiet confidence and hope. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Conclusion (from Ezekiel 36)
I will gather you from every country,*
and bring you home to your own land.
I will pour clean water over you,*
and cleanse you from your idols.
A new heart I will give you,*
and put a new spirit within you.
I will take from your body the heart of stone.*
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my spirit within you.*
and make you walk in my ways and observe my decrees.
You will live in the land that I gave to your forebears;*
you will be my people and I will be your God.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

READINGS

Genesis 44: 18-34
Then Judah stepped up to him and said, ‘O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, saying, “Have you a father or a brother?” And we said to my lord, “We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.” Then you said to your servants, “Bring him down to me, so that I may set my eyes on him.” We said to my lord, “The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.” Then you said to your servants, “Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.” When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. And when our father said, “Go again, buy us a little food”, we said, “We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.” Then your servant my father said to us, “You know that my wife bore me two sons; one left me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my grey hairs in sorrow to Sheol.” Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy’s life, when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die; and your servants will bring down the grey hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, “If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life.” Now therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord in place of the boy; and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.’

1 Corinthians 7: 32-40
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly towards his fiancée, if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. But if someone stands firm in his resolve, being under no necessity but having his own desire under control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée, he will do well. So then, he who marries his fiancée does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.

A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my judgement she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Silence

Response (Ps. 6.4)
V. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
V. Save me for your mercy’s sake.
R. And deliver me.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.

BENEDICTUS

Benedictus Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the

world.* Give us living water, that we may

not thirst.

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*
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 that hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*
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 all 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 be to the Father.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

V. O God, make speed to save us;
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

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

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.

Opening (from Psalm 25)
You are the God of my salvation;*
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,*
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;*
remember me according to your love.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?*
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh,*
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who
stumbled and fell.
Though an army should encamp against me,*
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
And though war should rise up against me,*
yet will I put my trust in him.
One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek;*
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days
of my life;
To behold the fair beauty of the Lord*
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter;*
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.

Even now he lifts up my head*
above my enemies round about me.
Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness;*
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call;*
have mercy on me and answer me.
You speak in my heart and say, ‘Seek my face.’*
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
Hide not your face from me,*
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
You have been my helper;
cast me not away;*
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Though my father and my mother forsake me,*
the Lord will sustain me.
Show me your way, O Lord;*
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries,*
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord*
in the land of the living!
O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure;*
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart;
wait patiently for the Lord.
Glory to the Father . . .

Faithful God, the shelter of all who hope in you, may those who seek your face be set free from fear and distress, and come to see your goodness in the land of the living; through Jesus Christ, our Light and our Salvation. Amen

Conclusion (from Matthew 5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,*
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,*
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,*
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,*
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,*
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,*
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.

READING

Mark 5: 21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Silence

Response (Psalm 86.15)
V. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
V. Slow to anger, full of kindness and truth.
R. Full of compassion.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

Opening - From Psalm 63
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,*
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself;*
my lips shall give you praise.
For you have been my helper,*
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you;*
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 32
Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven,*
and whose sin is put away!
Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,*
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
While I held my tongue, my bones withered away,*
because of my groaning all day long.
For your hand was heavy upon me day and night;*
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,*
and did not conceal my guilt.
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’*
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble;*
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble;*
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you
should go;*
I will guide you with my eye.
Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;*
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.’
Great are the tribulations of the wicked;*
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord;*
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
Watch over us, loving God, and when we fall into sin teach us to acknowledge our guilt. May we forgive and be forgiven, for the sake of the one who was wounded for our transgressions, Jesus Christ your Son our Saviour.

Conclusion (from Ezekiel 36)
I will gather you from every country,*
and bring you home to your own land.
I will pour clean water over you,*
and cleanse you from your idols.
A new heart I will give you,*
and put a new spirit within you.
I will take from your body the heart of stone.*
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my spirit within you.*
and make you walk in my ways and observe my decrees.
You will live in the land that I gave to your forebears;*
you will be my people and I will be your God.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

READINGS

Genesis 44: 1-17
Then he commanded the steward of his house, ‘Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the top of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the top of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.’ And he did as Joseph told him.As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to his steward, ‘Go, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, “Why have you returned evil for good? Why have you stolen my silver cup? Is it not from this that my lord drinks? Does he not indeed use it for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.” ’

When he overtook them, he repeated these words to them. They said to him, ‘Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing! Look, the money that we found at the top of our sacks, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan; why then would we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? Should it be found with any one of your servants, let him die; moreover, the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.’ He said, ‘Even so; in accordance with your words, let it be: he with whom it is found shall become my slave, but the rest of you shall go free.’ Then each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. He searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this they tore their clothes. Then each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house while he was still there; and they fell to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, ‘What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that one such as I can practise divination?’ And Judah said, ‘What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; here we are then, my lord’s slaves, both we and also the one in whose possession the cup has been found.’ But he said, ‘Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the one in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.’

1 Corinthians 7: 25-31
Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that, in view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that. I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Silence

Response (Ps. 6.4)
V. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
V. Save me for your mercy’s sake.
R. And deliver me.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.

BENEDICTUS

Benedictus Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the

world.* Give us living water, that we may

not thirst.

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*
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 that hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*
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 all 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 be to the Father.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

V. O God, make speed to save us;
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

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

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.

Opening (from Psalm 25)
You are the God of my salvation;*
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,*
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;*
remember me according to your love.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 31
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;*
deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me;*
make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold;*
for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me,*
for you are my tower of strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit,*
for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
I hate those who cling to worthless idols,*
and I put my trust in the Lord.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy;*
for you have seen my affliction;
you know my distress.
You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy;*
you have set my feet in an open place.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble;*
my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.
For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing;*
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
even to my neighbours,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance;*
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;*
I am as useless as a broken pot.
For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around;*
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord.*
I have said, ‘You are my God.
My times are in your hand;*
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
Make your face to shine upon your servant,*
and in your loving-kindness save me.’
Lord, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you;*
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.
Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against
the righteous,*
haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.
How great is your goodness, O Lord!
which you have laid up for those who fear you;*
which you have done in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.
You hide them in the covert of your presence from those
who slander them;*
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord!*
for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a
besieged city.
Yet I said in my alarm,
‘I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.’*
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty
when I cried out to you.
Love the Lord, all you who worship him;*
the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.
Be strong and let your heart take courage,*
all you who wait for the Lord.
Helper of the helpless, comfort of the afflicted, may your servants who stand in the midst of evil find strength in the knowledge of your presence, and praise you for the wonders of your love; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

Conclusion (from Matthew 5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,*
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,*
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,*
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,*
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,*
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,*
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.

READING

Matthew 10: 16-22
‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Silence

Response (Psalm 86.15)
V. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
V. Slow to anger, full of kindness and truth.
R. Full of compassion.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father

Magnificat Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world.*

Give us living water, that we may not thirst.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

Opening - From Psalm 63
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,*
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself;*
my lips shall give you praise.
For you have been my helper,*
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you;*
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;*
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
I will glory in the Lord;*
let the humble hear and rejoice.
Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;*
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me*
and delivered me out of all my terror.
Look upon him and be radiant,*
and let not your faces be ashamed.
I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me*
and saved me from all my troubles.
The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him,*
and he will deliver them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;*
happy are they who trust in him!
Fear the Lord, you that are his saints,*
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger,*
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
Come, children, and listen to me;*
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who among you loves life*
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
Keep your tongue from evil-speaking*
and your lips from lying words.
Turn from evil and do good;*
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,*
and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,*
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them*
and delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted*
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
Many are the troubles of the righteous,*
but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.
He will keep safe all his bones;*
not one of them shall be broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,*
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
The Lord ransoms the life of his servants,*
and none will be punished who trust in him.
Glory be to the Father . . .
Hear us, Lord, when we cry to you. Calm our bodies and minds with the peace which passes understanding, and make us radiant with the knowledge of your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen

Conclusion (from Ezekiel 36)
I will gather you from every country,*
and bring you home to your own land.
I will pour clean water over you,*
and cleanse you from your idols.
A new heart I will give you,*
and put a new spirit within you.
I will take from your body the heart of stone.*
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my spirit within you.*
and make you walk in my ways and observe my decrees.
You will live in the land that I gave to your forebears;*
you will be my people and I will be your God.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: O God, you are my God;*
eagerly I seek you.

READINGS

Exodus 5: 1-6: 1
Afterwards Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.” ’ But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.’ Then they said, ‘The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword.’ But the king of Egypt said to them, ‘Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labours!’ Pharaoh continued, ‘Now they are more numerous than the people of the land and yet you want them to stop working!’ That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, ‘You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, “Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.” Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labour at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.’

So the taskmasters and the supervisors of the people went out and said to the people, ‘Thus says Pharaoh, “I will not give you straw. Go and get straw yourselves, wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.” ’ So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw. The taskmasters were urgent, saying, ‘Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw.’ And the supervisors of the Israelites, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, ‘Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?’

Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, ‘Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, “Make bricks!” Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people.’ He said, ‘You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, “Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.” Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks.’ The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, ‘You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks.’ As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them. They said to them, ‘The Lord look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odour with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.’

Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.’

Philippians 3: 4b-14
even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Silence

Response (Ps. 6.4)
V. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.
V. Save me for your mercy’s sake.
R. And deliver me.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Turn, O Lord, and deliver me.

BENEDICTUS

Benedictus Antiphon: Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the

world.* Give us living water, that we may

not thirst.

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*
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 that hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*
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 all 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 be to the Father.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Collects
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil;
and bring us to life eternal. Amen.

RETURNING TO GOD

V. O God, make speed to save us;
R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

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

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,*
and teach me your paths.

Opening (from Psalm 25)
You are the God of my salvation;*
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,*
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;*
remember me according to your love.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for my hope has been in you.
Glory to the Father…

Psalm 42
As the deer longs for the water-brooks,*
so longs my soul for you, O God.
My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;*
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,*
while all day long they say to me,
‘Where now is your God?’
I pour out my soul when I think on these things:*
how I went with the multitude and led them into the
house of God,
With the voice of praise and thanksgiving,*
among those who keep holy-day.
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?*
and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God;*
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
My soul is heavy within me;*
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.
One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts;*
all your rapids and floods have gone over me.
The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime;*
in the night season his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to the God of my strength,
‘Why have you forgotten me?*
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy
oppresses me?’
While my bones are being broken,*
my enemies mock me to my face;
All day long they mock me*
and say to me, ‘Where now is your God?’
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?*
and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God;*
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Glory to the Father . . .

Gracious God, in the night of distress we forget the days of sun and joy. Even when we do not know your presence, preserve us from the dark torrent of despair. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Psalm 43
Give judgement for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people;*
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you?*
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy
oppresses me?
Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me,*
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;
That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness;*
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?*
and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God;*
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Glory to the Father . . .

God of mercy, deliver those who are weighed down by fear and depression, and give them joy and gladness in your presence. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen

Conclusion (from Matthew 5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,*
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,*
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,*
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,*
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,*
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,*
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,*
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.

READING

Mark 5: 1-20
They came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ For he had said to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us into the swine; let us enter them.’ So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned in the lake.

The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

Silence

Response (Psalm 86.15)
V. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.
V. Slow to anger, full of kindness and truth.
R. Full of compassion.
V. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion.

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat Antiphon: If you hear his voice,* harden not your hearts.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father

Magnificat Antiphon: If you hear his voice,* harden not your hearts.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Collects
God of patience and humility, in your love you gave your Son to be rejected and raised up on a cross. Gather us under its shadow and open our eyes to its mystery, that we may share even now in the life that is from above; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.