SEC Daily Prayer

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.

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 119
Aleph
Happy are they whose way is blameless,*
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Happy are they who observe his decrees*
and seek him with all their hearts!
Who never do any wrong,*
but always walk in his ways.
You laid down your commandments,*
that we should fully keep them.
Oh, that my ways were made so direct*
that I might keep your statutes!
Then I should not be put to shame,*
when I regard all your commandments.
I will thank you with an unfeigned heart,*
when I have learned your righteous judgements.
I will keep your statutes;*
do not utterly forsake me.
Beth
How shall a young man cleanse his way?*
By keeping to your words.
With my whole heart I seek you;*
let me not stray from your commandments.
I treasure your promise in my heart,*
that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;*
instruct me in your statutes.
With my lips will I recite*
all the judgements of your mouth.
I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees*
than in all manner of riches.
I will meditate on your commandments*
and give attention to your ways.
My delight is in your statutes;*
I will not forget your word.
Gimel
Deal bountifully with your servant,*
that I may live and keep your word.
Open my eyes, that I may see*
the wonders of your law.
I am a stranger here on earth;*
do not hide your commandments from me.
My soul is consumed at all times*
with longing for your judgements.
You have rebuked the insolent;*
cursed are they who stray from your commandments!
Turn from me shame and rebuke,*
for I have kept your decrees.
Even though rulers sit and plot against me,*
I will meditate on your statutes.
For your decrees are my delight,*
and they are my counsellors.

God, as your only Son revealed you still at work in your creation, so through Christ your living Word enable us to know your love and to share it with others. We ask this in his name.

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 43: 16-34
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, ‘Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.’ The man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, ‘It is because of the money, replaced in our sacks the first time, that we have been brought in, so that he may have an opportunity to fall upon us, to make slaves of us and take our donkeys.’ So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the entrance to the house. They said, ‘Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food; and when we came to the lodging-place we opened our sacks, and there was each one’s money in the top of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it back with us. Moreover, we have brought down with us additional money to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.’ He replied, ‘Rest assured, do not be afraid; your God and the God of your father must have put treasure in your sacks for you; I received your money.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them. When the steward had brought the men into Joseph’s house, and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they had heard that they would dine there.

When Joseph came home, they brought him the present that they had carried into the house, and bowed to the ground before him. He inquired about their welfare, and said, ‘Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?’ They said, ‘Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.’ And they bowed their heads and did obeisance. Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!’ With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, ‘Serve the meal.’ They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

1 Corinthians 7: 10-24
To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.

However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.

Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with 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: If you hear his voice,* harden not your

hearts.

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
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.

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 130
Out of the depths have I called you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice;*
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,*
O Lord, who could stand?
For there is forgiveness with you;*
therefore you shall be feared.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him;*
in his word is my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning,*
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the Lord,*
for with the Lord there is mercy;
With him there is plenteous redemption,*
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Rescue us, O God for whom we wait, from the depths of depression and despair. May we trust in your mercy, know the fullness of your redemption, and share in the glory of your kingdom; through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Psalm 131
O Lord, I am not proud;*
I have no haughty looks.
I do not occupy myself with great matters,*
or with things that are too hard for me.
But I still my soul and make it quiet,
like a child upon its mother’s breast;*
my soul is quieted within me.
O Israel, wait upon the Lord,*
from this time forth for evermore.
God of earthquake, wind, and fire, may we know you also in the voice of silence. Teach us the way of quiet, that we may find our peace in your presence, in the pattern of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

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 4: 35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

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.

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 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
loving-kindness;*
in your great compassion blot out my offences.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness*
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,*
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned*
and done what is evil in your sight.
And so you are justified when you speak*
and upright in your judgement.
Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth,*
a sinner from my mother’s womb.
For behold, you look for truth deep within me,*
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure;*
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
Make me hear of joy and gladness,*
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins*
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,*
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence*
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again*
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
I shall teach your ways to the wicked,*
and sinners shall return to you.
Deliver me from death, O God,*
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,
O God of my salvation.
Open my lips, O Lord,*
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice,*
but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit;*
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Be favourable and gracious to Zion,*
and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,
with burnt-offerings and oblations;*
then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our 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 43: 1-15
Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten up the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, ‘Go again, buy us a little more food.’ But Judah said to him, ‘The man solemnly warned us, saying, “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.” If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food; but if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, “You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.” ’ Israel said, ‘Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?’ They replied, ‘The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, “Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?” What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, “Bring your brother down”?’ Then Judah said to his father Israel, ‘Send the boy with me, and let us be on our way, so that we may live and not die—you and we and also our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; you can hold me accountable for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame for ever. If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.’

Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry them down as a present to the man—a little balm and a little honey, gum, resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the top of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and be on your way again to the man; may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he may send back your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ So the men took the present, and they took double the money with them, as well as Benjamin. Then they went on their way down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

1 Corinthians 7: 1-9
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman.’ But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. But if they are not practising self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.

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: If you hear his voice,* harden not your

hearts.

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
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.

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 78.40-72
Part II
How often the people disobeyed him in the wilderness*
and offended him in the desert!
Again and again they tempted God*
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
They did not remember his power*
in the day when he ransomed them from the enemy;
How he wrought his signs in Egypt*
and his omens in the field of Zoan.
He turned their rivers into blood,*
so that they could not drink of their streams.
He sent swarms of flies among them, which ate them up,*
and frogs, which destroyed them.
He gave their crops to the caterpillar,*
the fruit of their toil to the locust.
He killed their vines with hail*
and their sycamores with frost.
He delivered their cattle to hailstones*
and their livestock to hot thunderbolts.
He poured out upon them his blazing anger:*
fury, indignation, and distress,
a troop of destroying angels.
He gave full rein to his anger;
he did not spare their souls from death;*
but delivered their lives to the plague.
He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,*
the flower of manhood in the dwellings of Ham.
He led out his people like sheep*
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
He led them to safety, and they were not afraid;*
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
He brought them to his holy land,*
the mountain his right hand had won.
He drove out the Canaanites before them
and apportioned an inheritance to them by lot;*
he made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
But they tested the Most High God, and defied him,*
and did not keep his commandments.
They turned away and were disloyal like their fathers;*
they were undependable like a warped bow.
They grieved him with their hill-altars*
and provoked his displeasure with their idols.
When God heard this, he was angry*
and utterly rejected Israel.
He forsook the shrine at Shiloh,*
the tabernacle where he had lived among his people.
He delivered the ark into captivity,*
his glory into the adversary’s hand.
He gave his people to the sword*
and was angered against his inheritance.
The fire consumed their young men;*
there were no wedding songs for their maidens.
Their priests fell by the sword,*
and their widows made no lamentation.
Then the Lord woke as though from sleep,*
like a warrior refreshed with wine.
He struck his enemies on the backside*
and put them to perpetual shame.
He rejected the tent of Joseph*
and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
He chose instead the tribe of Judah*
and Mount Zion, which he loved.
He built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven,*
like the earth which he founded for ever.
He chose David his servant,*
and took him away from the sheepfolds.
He brought him from following the ewes,*
to be a shepherd over Jacob his people
and over Israel his inheritance.
So he shepherded them with a faithful and true heart*
and guided them with the skilfulness of his hands.
God of pilgrims, strengthen our faith, we pray. Guide us through the uncertainties of our journey, and hold before us the vision of your eternal kingdom, made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

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 4: 21-34
He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

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.

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 42: 29-38
When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, ‘The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly to us, and charged us with spying on the land. But we said to him, “We are honest men, we are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.” Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, “By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Bring your youngest brother to me, and I shall know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will release your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.” ’

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each one’s sack was his bag of money. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. And their father Jacob said to them, ‘I am the one you have bereaved of children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has happened to me!’Then Reuben said to his father, ‘You may kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.’ But he said, ‘My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should come to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’

1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
‘All things are lawful for me’, but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me’, but I will not be dominated by anything. ‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’, and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, ‘The two shall be one flesh.’ But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

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: If you hear his voice,* harden not your

hearts.

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
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.

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 4: 1-20
Again he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the lake on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that
“they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” ’

And he said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’

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.

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 42: 18-28
On the third day Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here where you are imprisoned. The rest of you shall go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. Thus your words will be verified, and you shall not die.’ And they agreed to do so. They said to one another, ‘Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come upon us.’ Then Reuben answered them, ‘Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.’ They did not know that Joseph understood them, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. He turned away from them and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. And he picked out Simeon and had him bound before their eyes. Joseph then gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This was done for them.

They loaded their donkeys with their grain, and departed. When one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging-place, he saw his money at the top of the sack. He said to his brothers, ‘My money has been put back; here it is in my sack!’ At this they lost heart and turned trembling to one another, saying, ‘What is this that God has done to us?’

1 Corinthians 5: 9-6: 8
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. ‘Drive out the wicked person from among you.’

When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that?

In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that.

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: If you hear his voice,* harden not your

hearts.

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
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.

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.