Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Thursday after the Epiphany of the Lord

Thursday · Weekday · Psalter Week 2

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The Hours

Invitatorium

Now

Invitatory

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Lord, open my lips.

And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Christ has appeared to us; come, let us adore him.

Come, let us sing to the Lord

and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.

Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving

and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

The Lord is God, the mighty God,

the great king over all the gods.

He holds in his hands the depths of the earth

and the highest mountains as well.

He made the sea; it belongs to him,

the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship,

bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.

For he is our God and we are his people,

the flock he shepherds.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:

Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did

in the wilderness,

when at Meriba and Massah

they challenged me and provoked me,

Although they had seen all of my works.

Forty years I endured that generation.

I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray

and they do not know my ways.”

So I swore in my anger,

“They shall not enter into my rest.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Christ has appeared to us; come, let us adore him.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings

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God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

The Magi, when they see the child,

draw forth their gifts from Eastern lands,

and falling down they worship him

with incense, myrrh and royal gold.

Receive and own, O holy Child,

clear tokens of your kingly pow’r,

for which the Father preordained

a threefold nature, type, and plan.

From Saba perfumed frankincense

and gold proclaim you God and King,

and fragrant dust of bitter myrrh

foretells the tomb where you will lie.

You stand alone, O Bethlehem,

more noble than the greatest towns,

for you brought forth in human flesh

the heav’nly leader sent to save.

His Father, by the testament

that prophets witnessed, sealed, and signed,

now bids him to assume his reign,

receiving his inheritance:

A kingdom that extends to all,

embracing earth and sea and sky,

from rising sun to evening star,

from nether world to heav’n above.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

revealed to nations on this day,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 44

Ant. Lord, you are our savior; we will praise you for ever.

We heard with our own ears, O God,

our fathers have told us the story

of the things you did in their days,

you yourself, in days long ago.

To plant them you uprooted the nations:

to let them spread you laid peoples low.

No sword of their own won the land;

no arm of their own brought them victory.

It was your right hand, your arm

and the light of your face: for you loved them.

It is you, my king, my God,

who granted victories to Jacob.

Through you we beat down our foes;

in your name we trampled down our aggressors.

For it was not in my bow that I trusted

nor yet was I saved by my sword:

it was you who saved us from our foes,

it was you who put our foes to shame.

All day long our boast was in God

and we praised your name without ceasing.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, you are our savior; we will praise you for ever.

Ant. Spare us, O Lord; do not bring your own people into contempt.

Yet now you have rejected us, disgraced us:

you no longer go forth with our armies.

You make us retreat from the foe

and our enemies plunder us at will.

You make us like sheep for the slaughter

and scatter us among the nations.

You sell your own people for nothing

and make no profit by the sale.

You make us the taunt of our neighbors,

the laughing stock of all who are near.

Among the nations, you make us a byword,

among the peoples a thing of derision.

All day long my disgrace is before me:

my face is covered with shame

at the voice of the taunter, the scoffer,

at the sight of the foe and avenger.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Spare us, O Lord; do not bring your own people into contempt.

Ant. Rise up, O Lord, and save us, for you are merciful.

This befell us though we had not forgotten you;

though we had not been false to your covenant,

though we had not withdrawn our hearts;

though our feet had not strayed from your path.

Yet you have crushed us in a place of sorrows

and covered us with the shadow of death.

Had we forgotten the name of our God

or stretched out our hands to another god

would not God have found this out,

he who knows the secrets of the heart?

It is for you that we face death all day long

and are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Awake, O Lord, why do you sleep?

Arise, do not reject us for ever!

Why do you hide your face from us

and forget our oppression and misery?

For we are brought down low to the dust;

our body lies prostrate on the earth.

Stand up and come to our help!

Redeem us because of your love!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Rise up, O Lord, and save us, for you are merciful.

The Son of God has come to give us understanding.

That we might know the true God.

From the book of the prophet Isaiah

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,

with the mountains quaking before you,

As when brushwood is set ablaze,

or fire makes the water boil!

Thus your name would be made known to your enemies

and the nations would tremble before you,

While you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,

such as they had not heard of from of old.

No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen,

any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.

Would that you might meet us doing right,

that we were mindful of you in our ways!

Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;

all of us have become like unclean men,

all our good deeds are like polluted rags;

We have all withered like leaves,

and our guilt carries us away like the wind.

There is none who calls upon your name,

who rouses himself to cling to you;

For you have hidden your face from us

and have delivered us up to our guilt.

Yet, O Lord, you are our father;

we are the clay and you the potter:

we are all the work of your hands.

Be not so very angry, Lord,

keep not our guilt forever in mind;

look upon us, who are all your people.

Your holy cities have become a desert,

Zion is a desert, Jerusalem a waste.

Our holy and glorious temple

in which our fathers praised you

Has been burned with fire;

all that was dear to us is laid waste.

Can you hold back, O Lord, after all this?

Can you remain silent, and afflict us so severely?

See Isaiah 56:1; Micah 4:9; Isaiah 43:3

Jerusalem, your salvation comes quickly:

why are you consumed by sorrow?

Has your pain returned since you have no counselors?

I will save and deliver you, have no fear.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer.

I will save and deliver you, have no fear.

From a commentary on the Gospel of John by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop

In a plan of surpassing beauty the Creator of the universe decreed the renewal of all things in Christ. In his design for restoring human nature to its original condition, he gave a promise that he would pour out on it the Holy Spirit along with his other gifts, for otherwise our nature could not enter once more into the peaceful and secure possession of those gifts.

He therefore appointed a time for the Holy Spirit to come upon us: this was the time of Christ’s coming. He gave this promise when he said:

In those days, that is, the days of the Savior,

I will pour out a share of my Spirit on all mankind.

When the time came for this great act of unforced generosity, which revealed in our midst the only-begotten Son, clothed with flesh on this earth, a man born of woman, in accordance with Holy Scripture, God the Father gave the Spirit once again. Christ, as the first fruits of our restored nature, was the first to receive the Spirit. John the Baptist bore witness to this when he said:

I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven, and it rested on him.

Christ “received the Spirit” in so far as he was man, and in so far as man could receive the Spirit. He did so in such a way that, though he is the Son of God the Father, begotten of his substance, even before the incarnation, indeed before all ages, yet he was not offended at hearing the Father say to him after he had become man: You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

The Father says of Christ, who was God, begotten of him before the ages, that he has been “begotten today,” for the Father is to accept us in Christ as his adopted children. The whole of our nature is present in Christ, in so far as he is man. So the Father can be said to give the Spirit again to the Son, though the Son possesses the Spirit as his own, in order that we may receive the Spirit in Christ. The Son therefore took to himself the seed of Abraham, as Scripture says, and became like his brothers in all things.

The only-begotten Son received the Spirit, but not for his own advantage, for the Spirit is his, and is given in him and through him, as we have already said. He receives it to renew our nature in its entirety and to make it whole again, for in becoming man he took our entire nature to himself. If we reason correctly, and use also the testimony of Scripture, we can see that Christ did not receive the Spirit for himself, but rather for us in him; for it is also through Christ that all gifts come down to us.

Ezekiel 37:27-28; Hebrews 8:8

I will be their God and they shall be my people.

The nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Sanctifier of Israel,

when my holiness will be established in their midst for all eternity.

I shall bring to fulfillment my new convenant

with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

The nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Sanctifier of Israel,

when my holiness will be established in their midst for all eternity.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, who through your Son raised up your eternal light for all nations,

grant that your people may come to acknowledge

the full splendor of their Redeemer,

that, bathed ever more in his radiance,

they may reach everlasting glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Lauds

Now

Morning Prayer

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God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

All you who long to see the Christ,

lift up your eyes to heaven’s height,

for there you will behold the sign

of his eternal majesty.

This star in light and beauty bright

outshines the circle of the sun.

It brings glad tidings to the earth,

that God in mortal flesh has come.

Lo, Persian Magi from the East,

the gateway of the rising sun,

discern with wise and learned skill

the royal standard of the King.

“This great one, who is he?,” they ask.

“The sov’reign ruler of the stars;

celestial hosts before him quake,

the light and skies obey his will.

“Some noble wonder we behold

that knows no limit, end, or death,

sublime, exalted, boundless One,

more ancient than the heights and depths.

“The King of nations, this is he,

and sov’reign King of Israel,

pledged to their father Abraham

and his descendants evermore.”

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

revealed to nations on this day,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 80

Ant. Stir up your mighty power, Lord; come to our aid.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us,

you who lead Joseph’s flock,

shine forth from your cherubim throne

upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh.

O Lord, rouse up your might,

O Lord, come to our help.

God of hosts, bring us back;

let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Lord God of hosts, how long

will you frown on your people’s plea?

You have fed them with tears for their bread,

an abundance of tears for their drink.

You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,

our enemies laugh us to scorn.

God of hosts, bring us back;

let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

You brought a vine out of Egypt;

to plant it you drove out the nations.

Before it you cleared the ground;

it took root and spread through the land.

The mountains were covered with its shadow,

the cedars of God with its boughs.

It stretched out its branches to the sea,

to the Great River it stretched out its shoots.

Then why have you broken down its walls?

It is plucked by all who pass by.

It is ravaged by the boar of the forest,

devoured by the beasts of the field.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore,

look down from heaven and see.

Visit this vine and protect it,

the vine your right hand has planted.

Men have burnt it with fire and destroyed it.

May they perish at the frown of your face.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen,

the man you have given your strength.

And we shall never forsake you again:

give us life that we may call upon your name.

God of hosts, bring us back;

let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Stir up your mighty power, Lord; come to our aid.

Isaiah 12:1-6

Ant. The Lord has worked marvels for us; make it known to the ends of the world.

I give you thanks, O Lord;

though you have been angry with me,

your anger has abated, and you have consoled me.

God indeed is my savior;

I am confident and unafraid.

My strength and my courage is the Lord,

and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water

at the fountain of salvation, and say on that day:

Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name;

among the nations make known his deeds,

proclaim how exalted is his name.

Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement;

let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,

for great in your midst

is the Holy One of Israel!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord has worked marvels for us; make it known to the ends of the world.

Psalm 81

Ant. Ring out your joy to God our strength.

Ring out your joy to God our strength,

shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.

Raise a song and sound the timbrel,

the sweet-sounding harp and the lute,

blow the trumpet at the new moon,

when the moon is full, on our feast.

For this is Israel’s law,

a command of the God of Jacob.

He imposed it as a rule on Joseph,

when he went out against the land of Egypt.

A voice I did not know said to me:

“I freed your shoulder from the burden;

your hands were freed from the load.

You called in distress and I saved you.

I answered, concealed in the storm cloud,

at the waters of Meribah I tested you.

Listen, my people, to my warning,

O Israel, if only you would heed!

Let there be no foreign god among you,

no worship of an alien god.

I am the Lord your God,

who brought you from the land of Egypt.

Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

But my people did not heed my voice

and Israel would not obey,

so I left them in their stubbornness of heart

to follow their own designs.

O that my people would heed me,

that Israel would walk in my ways!

At once I would subdue their foes,

turn my hand against their enemies.

The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet

and their subjection would last for ever.

But Israel I would feed with finest wheat

and fill them with honey from the rock.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Ring out your joy to God our strength.

Isaiah 62:11-12

Say to daughter Zion,

your savior comes!

Here is his reward with him,

his recompense before him.

They shall be called the holy people,

the redeemed of the Lord.

RESPONSORY

All the kings of the earth will bow down in worship.

Men and women of every nation will serve him.

They will bow down in worship.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

All the kings of the earth will bow down in worship.

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

All nations will acclaim his glory.

Men and women of every race.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. All peoples, bearing gifts, will come from afar, alleluia.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. All peoples, bearing gifts, will come from afar, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Rejoice in the wonderful works of the Lord for he has given us hope through the birth of his Son. Let us all cry out with great joy:

Glory to God in the highest.

With the angels and patriarchs and prophets,

we praise you, Lord.

Glory to God in the highest.

With Mary, the Virgin Mother of God,

our whole being proclaims your greatness, Lord.

Glory to God in the highest.

With the apostles and evangelists,

we give you thanks, Lord.

Glory to God in the highest.

With all the holy martyrs,

we offer our bodies to you as consecrated victims.

Glory to God in the highest.

With all your holy witnesses in the Church,

we dedicate our lives to you in deepest faith.

Glory to God in the highest.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us make our prayers and praise complete by offering the Lord’s prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

O God, who through your Son raised up your eternal light for all nations,

grant that your people may come to acknowledge

the full splendor of their Redeemer,

that, bathed ever more in his radiance,

they may reach everlasting glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Terce

Now

Midmorning Prayer · 9 AM

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INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Now, Holy Spirit, come, descend,

one with the Father and the Son;

come swiftly in and fill our hearts

with your full flood of holiness.

In mind and mouth, with heart and tongue,

with strength and sense, may praise resound,

May charity with ardor blaze

and kindle others with its flame.

Now through your presence may we know

and love the Father and the Son,

and you, the Spirit of them both,

may we profess throughout all time. Amen.

Psalm 119:65-72

Ant. This mystery, which has been hidden through all ages and from all generations, is revealed to us today.

Lord, you have been good to your servant

according to your word.

Teach me discernment and knowledge

for I trust in your commands.

Before I was afflicted I strayed

but now I keep your word.

You are good and your deeds are good;

teach me your commandments.

Though the proud smear me with lies

yet I keep your precepts.

Their minds are closed to good

but your law is my delight.

It was good for me to be afflicted,

to learn your will.

The law from your mouth means more to me

than silver and gold.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 56:2-7

Have mercy on me, God, men crush me;

they fight me all day long and oppress me.

My foes crush me all day long,

for many fight proudly against me.

When I fear, I trust in you,

in God, whose word I praise.

In God I trust, I shall not fear:

what can mortal man do to me?

All day long they distort my words,

all their thought is to harm me.

They band together in ambush,

track me down and seek my life.

You have kept an account of my wanderings;

you have kept a record of my tears;

are they not written in your book?

Then my foes will be put to flight

on the day that I call to you.

This I know, that God is on my side.

In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise

in God I trust; I shall not fear;

what can mortal man do to me?

I am bound by the vows I made you.

O God, I will offer you praise

for you have rescued my soul from death,

you kept my feet from stumbling

that I may walk in the presence of God

and enjoy the light of the living.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 57

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy

for in you my soul has taken refuge.

In the shadow of your wings I take refuge

till the storms of destruction pass by.

I call to God the Most High,

to God who has always been my help.

May he send from heaven and save me

and shame those who assail me.

May God send his truth and love.

My soul lies down among lions,

who would devour the sons of men.

Their teeth are spears and arrows,

their tongue a sharpened sword.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

They laid a snare for my steps

my soul was bowed down.

They dug a pit in my path

but fell in it themselves.

My heart is ready, O God,

my heart is ready.

I will sing, I will sing your praise.

Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp.

I will awake the dawn.

I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,

I will praise you among the nations

for your love reaches to the heavens

and your truth to the skies.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. This mystery, which has been hidden through all ages and from all generations, is revealed to us today.

Isaiah 2:3-4

From Zion shall go forth instruction,

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations,

and impose terms on many peoples.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks;

One nation shall not raise the sword against another,

nor shall they train for war again.

He was seen on the earth.

&mbsp;He was a man among men.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, who bestow light on all the nations,

grant your peoples the gladness of lasting peace

and pour into our hearts that brilliant light

by which you purified the minds of our fathers in faith.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Sext

Now

Midday Prayer · 12 PM

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INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O mighty Ruler, God of truth,

for days and seasons setting bounds,

you clothe with splendor morning light

and midday skies with brilliant heat.

Extinguish flames of bitter strife,

all harmful passion take away,

grant health unto our mortal frame,

and on our hearts bestow true peace.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 119:65-72

Ant. Christ Jesus has come, bringing the joyful news: peace to those who were far off; peace to those who are near.

Lord, you have been good to your servant

according to your word.

Teach me discernment and knowledge

for I trust in your commands.

Before I was afflicted I strayed

but now I keep your word.

You are good and your deeds are good;

teach me your commandments.

Though the proud smear me with lies

yet I keep your precepts.

Their minds are closed to good

but your law is my delight.

It was good for me to be afflicted,

to learn your will.

The law from your mouth means more to me

than silver and gold.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 56:2-7

Have mercy on me, God, men crush me;

they fight me all day long and oppress me.

My foes crush me all day long,

for many fight proudly against me.

When I fear, I trust in you,

in God, whose word I praise.

In God I trust, I shall not fear:

what can mortal man do to me?

All day long they distort my words,

all their thought is to harm me.

They band together in ambush,

track me down and seek my life.

You have kept an account of my wanderings;

you have kept a record of my tears;

are they not written in your book?

Then my foes will be put to flight

on the day that I call to you.

This I know, that God is on my side.

In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise

in God I trust; I shall not fear;

what can mortal man do to me?

I am bound by the vows I made you.

O God, I will offer you praise

for you have rescued my soul from death,

you kept my feet from stumbling

that I may walk in the presence of God

and enjoy the light of the living.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 57

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy

for in you my soul has taken refuge.

In the shadow of your wings I take refuge

till the storms of destruction pass by.

I call to God the Most High,

to God who has always been my help.

May he send from heaven and save me

and shame those who assail me.

May God send his truth and love.

My soul lies down among lions,

who would devour the sons of men.

Their teeth are spears and arrows,

their tongue a sharpened sword.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

They laid a snare for my steps

my soul was bowed down.

They dug a pit in my path

but fell in it themselves.

My heart is ready, O God,

my heart is ready.

I will sing, I will sing your praise.

Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp.

I will awake the dawn.

I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,

I will praise you among the nations

for your love reaches to the heavens

and your truth to the skies.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Christ Jesus has come, bringing the joyful news: peace to those who were far off; peace to those who are near.

Isaiah 9:1

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom

a light has shone.

All nations will see the glory of your holy One.

All the kings of the earth will acknowledge your majesty.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, who bestow light on all the nations,

grant your peoples the gladness of lasting peace

and pour into our hearts that brilliant light

by which you purified the minds of our fathers in faith.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O God, our firm and steadfast strength,

remaining in yourself unmoved,

you rule the span of daily light

and guide the course of all the hours.

Bestow at eventide a light

by which our life may never fail;

may endless glory be the crown

that follows on a holy death.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ, coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 119:65-72

Ant. I have raised you up as a light for all the nations; through you my salvation will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Lord, you have been good to your servant

according to your word.

Teach me discernment and knowledge

for I trust in your commands.

Before I was afflicted I strayed

but now I keep your word.

You are good and your deeds are good;

teach me your commandments.

Though the proud smear me with lies

yet I keep your precepts.

Their minds are closed to good

but your law is my delight.

It was good for me to be afflicted,

to learn your will.

The law from your mouth means more to me

than silver and gold.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 56:2-7

Have mercy on me, God, men crush me;

they fight me all day long and oppress me.

My foes crush me all day long,

for many fight proudly against me.

When I fear, I trust in you,

in God, whose word I praise.

In God I trust, I shall not fear:

what can mortal man do to me?

All day long they distort my words,

all their thought is to harm me.

They band together in ambush,

track me down and seek my life.

You have kept an account of my wanderings;

you have kept a record of my tears;

are they not written in your book?

Then my foes will be put to flight

on the day that I call to you.

This I know, that God is on my side.

In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise

in God I trust; I shall not fear;

what can mortal man do to me?

I am bound by the vows I made you.

O God, I will offer you praise

for you have rescued my soul from death,

you kept my feet from stumbling

that I may walk in the presence of God

and enjoy the light of the living.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 57

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy

for in you my soul has taken refuge.

In the shadow of your wings I take refuge

till the storms of destruction pass by.

I call to God the Most High,

to God who has always been my help.

May he send from heaven and save me

and shame those who assail me.

May God send his truth and love.

My soul lies down among lions,

who would devour the sons of men.

Their teeth are spears and arrows,

their tongue a sharpened sword.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

They laid a snare for my steps

my soul was bowed down.

They dug a pit in my path

but fell in it themselves.

My heart is ready, O God,

my heart is ready.

I will sing, I will sing your praise.

Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp.

I will awake the dawn.

I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,

I will praise you among the nations

for your love reaches to the heavens

and your truth to the skies.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I have raised you up as a light for all the nations; through you my salvation will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 60:4-5

Your sons come from afar,

and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

your heart shall throb and overflow,

For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,

the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

All you peoples, praise our God.

Sing to the glory of his name.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, who bestow light on all the nations,

grant your peoples the gladness of lasting peace

and pour into our hearts that brilliant light

by which you purified the minds of our fathers in faith.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer

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INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Why, wicked Herod, should you fear

with hostile dread the Christ who comes?

He gives us heaven, his own realm,

and lays no claim to earthly rule.

The Magi came, led by a star

sent forth by God to show the way.

By light they sought their way to Light;

with incense they confessed him God.

The Lamb of God came forth and touched

the River Jordan’s cleansing stream;

to wash us clean he took away

the sins for which he bore no guilt.

At Cana, power fresh and new

once made the jars of water blush;

by his command new wine was poured,

transformed from water at its source.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

revealed to nations on this day,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 72

Ant. I have made you the light of all nations to carry my salvation to the ends of the earth.

O God, give your judgment to the king,

to a king’s son your justice,

that he may judge your people in justice

and your poor in right judgment.

May the mountains bring forth peace for the people

and the hills, justice.

May he defend the poor of the people

and save the children of the needy

and crush the oppressor.

He shall endure like the sun and the moon

from age to age.

He shall descend like rain on the meadow,

like raindrops on the earth.

In his days justice shall flourish

and peace till the moon fails.

He shall rule from sea to sea,

from the Great River to earth’s bounds.

Before him his enemies shall fall,

his foes lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts

shall pay him tribute.

The kings of Sheba and Seba

shall bring him gifts.

Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,

all nations shall serve him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I have made you the light of all nations to carry my salvation to the ends of the earth.

Ant. The Lord will save the children of the poor and rescue them from slavery.

For he shall save the poor when they cry

and the needy who are helpless.

He will have pity on the weak

and save the lives of the poor.

From oppression he will rescue their lives,

to him their blood is dear.

Long may he live,

may the gold of Sheba be given him.

They shall pray for him without ceasing

and bless him all the day.

May corn be abundant in the land

to the peaks of the mountains.

May its fruit rustle like Lebanon;

may men flourish in the cities

like grass on the earth.

May his name be blessed for ever

and endure like the sun.

Every tribe shall be blessed in him,

all nations bless his name.

Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,

who alone works wonders,

ever blessed his glorious name.

Let his glory fill the earth.

Amen! Amen!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord will save the children of the poor and rescue them from slavery.

Revelation 11:17-18

Ant. Now the victorious reign of our God has begun.

We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,

who is and who was.

You have assumed your great power,

you have begun your reign.

The nations have raged in anger,

but then came your day of wrath

and the moment to judge the dead:

the time to reward your servants the prophets

and the holy ones who revere you,

the great and the small alike.

Now have salvation and power come,

the reign of our God and the authority

of his Anointed One.

For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,

who night and day accused them before God.

They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

love for life did not deter them from death.

So rejoice, you heavens,

and you that dwell therein!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Now the victorious reign of our God has begun.

1 John 1:5b, 7

God is light; in him there is no darkness.

If we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all our sin.

RESPONSORY

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

All nations will acclaim his glory.

Men and women of every race.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. The people of Saba shall come bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor 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 fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The people of Saba shall come bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

United in prayer with all of our brothers and sisters, we bless God and invoke his name:

Lord, show us your compassion.

Holy Father, we pray for those who know you only by the light of human reason,

may they be enriched by the light of the Gospel as well.

Lord, show us your compassion.

Look with favor on all who live outside the Church as they seek liberation from the harsh constraints of human existence,

may they discover Christ as the way, the truth and the life.

Lord, show us your compassion.

Help all who practice their faith in sincerity,

may they attain to the marvelous light of your anointed one.

Lord, show us your compassion.

Keep pure the hearts of believers,

may they see you more clearly at every moment.

Lord, show us your compassion.

Let your compassion be visible to those who have died,

clothe them in the glory of your chosen people.

Lord, show us your compassion.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

O God, who through your Son raised up your eternal light for all nations,

grant that your people may come to acknowledge

the full splendor of their Redeemer,

that, bathed ever more in his radiance,

they may reach everlasting glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Sprit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Compline

Now

Night Prayer

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

Examination of conscience

An examination of conscience is a traditional, optional part of Night Prayer, commended in the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (86), and the Church leaves its form free: a quiet review of the day, a familiar prayer of sorrow, or something longer. If you would like to be led, here are two to listen to and pray along with. Afterwards, return to Night Prayer.

Coptic act of contrition

11th Hour

If the righteous one is hardly saved, where shall I, a sinner, appear?! The burden and the heat of the day I could not bear because of the weakness of my human nature. But, O merciful God, count me among the laborers of the eleventh hour. For behold, I was brought forth in iniquities, and in sin my mother conceived me. Therefore, I dare not lift my eyes unto heaven. But rather I rely on the abundance of Your mercy and love-of-mankind, crying to You and saying, “Lord, forgive me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O my Savior, hasten to open Your fatherly bosom to me. For I have wasted my life in worldly desires and pleasures, whereas the day has been consumed and far spent. Therefore, now I rely on the abundance of Your infinite compassion. So, then, do not disregard my revering heart which is exceedingly in need of Your mercy. For I cry out to You, O Lord, with reverence, saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called Your son, make me like one of Your hired servants.”

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

With full awareness and enthusiasm did I pursue every transgression, with all eagerness and diligence did I commit every sin, and of all judgment and torment I deserve. Hence, I beseech you, our Lady the Virgin, to lead me to repentance. For to you I plead and through you I seek intercession, and upon you I call to help me that I should not be put to shame. And when my soul departs from my body, please be present and attend to me, and defeat the conspiracies of the enemies, and shut the gates of Hades, lest they might swallow my soul. O you bride without blemish of the true Bridegroom.

12th Hour

Behold, I am about to stand before the just and righteous Judge, terrified and trembling because of my numerous sins. For a life wasted in worldly pleasures deserves condemnation. So repent therefore, O my soul, as long as you dwell on this earth. For the dust in the grave cannot offer any praise, and among the dead no one can remember, nor can anyone in Hades give thanks. Therefore, arise O my soul from the slumber of your laziness, and implore the Savior in repentance saying, “O God have mercy on me and save me.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Were this life on earth everlasting, and this world ever-existing, you would have had an excuse, O my soul. But now, if your wicked deeds and repulsive evils were to be exposed before the righteous Judge, what answer would you be giving while you are lying on the bed of sins and negligent in disciplining your body?! O Christ our God, before Your awesome seat of judgment I am terrified, and before Your counsel of judgment I am dreadful, and from the radiant light of Your divinity I tremble. For I am a wretched and defiled person who lies in bed, careless of the ways of my life. Yet, I take example of the tax collector’s penance, beating my chest and saying, “O God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O pure Virgin, overshadow your servant speedily with your help, keep the waves of evil thoughts away from me, and raise my ailing soul to pray and watch, for it has gone into deep slumber. For you are a capable and compassionate helper, the Mother of the Fountain of life, my King and my God, Jesus Christ my hope.

The Prayer of the Veil

O Lord, You know the alertness of my enemies, and You understand the weakness of my nature, O my Creator. For behold, into Your hands I place my spirit that You may shield me under the wings of Your goodness, lest I sleep unto death. Enlighten my eyes with the greatness of Your sayings, and raise me up to glorify You at all times, for You alone are the Good One and Lover of Mankind.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lord, Your judgment is fearful, when people shall be gathered, the angels standing, the books opened, the deeds revealed, and thoughts examined. What will be my judgment, I who am entangled by sin?! Who will quench the flames of fire around me?! Who will enlighten my darkness except You, O Lord?! Have mercy on me, for You are kind towards mankind.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O Theotokos, because we have put our trust in you, we shall not be put to shame; And because we have attained your help and intercessions, O holy and perfect one, we shall not fear, but shall drive out our enemies and disperse them. And, in everything, we take your great help to protect us as if with a shield. We ask and entreat you, proclaiming “O Theotokos” to save us by your intercessions, and raise us up from the darkness of sleep, in order to glorify through the power of God who was incarnate from you.

The Absolution

O Lord, all our sins we have committed against You in this day, whether in deed or in words or in thoughts or through any of our senses, please do forgive and pardon us, for the sake of Your holy name, O good Lord, Lover of Mankind.

Grant us a peaceful night and a sleep free of all worry and anxiety. Send us the guardian angel to protect us from all evil and every affliction and temptation of the enemy.

Through the grace, compassion and love-of-mankind, of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, O Father, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

The Thanksgiving Prayer

Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Him, had compassion on us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.

O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, we thank You for every condition, concerning every condition, and in every condition. For You have covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to You, had compassion on us, supported us, and brought us to this hour.

Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind. Grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life, in all peace in Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the counsel of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us and from all Your people and from this holy place that is Yours. But those things which are good and profitable do provide for us. For it is You who have given us the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, by the grace, compassion and love-of-mankind, of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

From the Agpeya, the Coptic Orthodox Book of Hours (St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Jersey City; text as published on copticchurch.net).

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief moment of silent reflection is made to examine one’s conscience and recall God’s mercy throughout the day.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

HYMN

To you before the close of light,

Creator of all things, we pray:

Be our protector, keep us safe

in your unfailing clemency.

Incline our hearts to dream of you,

to sense your presence as we sleep;

as light returns, so let us sing

your praise and glory evermore.

Grant us the grace of health and strength,

renew our warmth and joy of life;

and let your radiant light dispel

the dreaded darkness of the night.

Almighty Father, grant our prayer

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who reigns with you from age to age,

one with the Spirit, ever blest. Amen.

Psalm 16

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: “You are my God.

My happiness lies in you alone.”

He has put into my heart a marvelous love

for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.

Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.

Never will I offer their offerings of blood.

Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.

The lot marked out for me is my delight:

welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,

the fullness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand happiness for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness. May he preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle of Simeon

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord God, send peaceful sleep

to refresh our tired bodies.

May your help always renew us

and keep us strong in your service.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

MARIAN ANTIPHON

Loving mother of the Redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea,

assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,

yet remained a virgin after as before.

You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,

have pity on us poor sinners.

A lma Redemptoris Mater, quæ pervia cæli

porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

surgere qui curat, populo: tu quæ genuisti,

natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem,

Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore

sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

Devotional Prayers

The words of the prayers

Prayer Before the Office

Lord, open my lips, to praise Your Holy Name. Cleanse my heart of any worthless, evil, or distracting thoughts. Give me the wisdom and love necessary to pray this Office with attention, reverence, and devotion. Father, let this prayer be heard in Your Presence, for it is offered through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, in union with that intention with which you offered praises to God when on earth, I offer this Hour to You.

I offer this Hour in union with all of the Masses being said throughout the world, and I offer it for the following intention: ____.

Prayer After the Office

Blessed be forever the most loving Hearts and the sweet Names of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother.

O most merciful Jesus, I thank you with all my heart. Be merciful to me, a miserable sinner. I offer this action to your Divine Heart to be amended and perfected, to the praise and glory of your most holy Name and of your most blessed Mother, and for the salvation of my soul and of your whole Church. Amen.

To the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, to the Manhood of Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified, to the Fruitful Virginity of the Most Blessed and Most Glorious Mary, Ever Virgin, and to the Congregation of all the Saints be ascribed everlasting praise, honor, power and glory by every creature, and to us be granted the forgiveness of all our sins, world without end. Amen.

Blessed be the Womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.

And blessed be the Breasts which gave suck to Christ our Lord.

Our Father

Hail Mary