Vespers (Evening Prayer)

(These are the First Vespers of tomorrow, 21st Sunday of the year)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 140 (141)
Prayer in time of danger
O Lord, I call on you, hurry to my help: listen to my voice when I call. When I make my prayer, let it rise like incense before you; when I raise my hands, let it be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard on my mouth, Lord, a watch upon my lips. Do not let my heart turn to evil thoughts, to the planning of wicked deeds, to alliance with wrongdoers. Let me not share in their delights. Let the just man strike and rebuke me out of kindness; but sinners shall never anoint me with oil, or I would be an ally in their plans. When they fall into the hands of harsh judges, they will see how kind my words were. Like fragments of spoil after digging, their bones will lie scattered round the mouth of the underworld. To you, Lord, to you my eyes are turned. I take refuge in you – preserve my life. Protect me from the trap they have laid for me, save me from the snares of the wicked. Let them be caught in their own nets, all of them, while I pass by in safety. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 140 (141)

Prayer in time of danger

O Lord, I call on you, hurry to my help: listen to my voice when I call.
When I make my prayer, let it rise like incense before you; when I raise my hands, let it be like the evening sacrifice.

Set a guard on my mouth, Lord, a watch upon my lips.
Do not let my heart turn to evil thoughts, to the planning of wicked deeds,
to alliance with wrongdoers. Let me not share in their delights.
Let the just man strike and rebuke me out of kindness; but sinners shall never anoint me with oil, or I would be an ally in their plans.

When they fall into the hands of harsh judges, they will see how kind my words were.
Like fragments of spoil after digging, their bones will lie scattered round the mouth of the underworld.

To you, Lord, to you my eyes are turned. I take refuge in you – preserve my life.
Protect me from the trap they have laid for me, save me from the snares of the wicked.
Let them be caught in their own nets, all of them, while I pass by in safety.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 141 (142)
You are my refuge
My voice cries out to the Lord; my voice cries out its entreaty. I pour out lamentation in his sight, I proclaim my troubles before him. When my spirit is failing within me, still, Lord, you know my paths. On the road I was travelling, they set up a trap for me. I looked about me and saw there was no-one beside me to help. I have nowhere to flee; and no-one will miss me. I have cried to you Lord, I have said: “you are my refuge, my share in the land of the living. Listen to my call for help, for I am crushed down”. “Lead my spirit from prison, so that I may praise your name. The upright will gather around me, because you have restored me”. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 141 (142)

You are my refuge

My voice cries out to the Lord; my voice cries out its entreaty.
I pour out lamentation in his sight, I proclaim my troubles before him.

When my spirit is failing within me, still, Lord, you know my paths.
On the road I was travelling, they set up a trap for me.
I looked about me and saw there was no-one beside me to help.
I have nowhere to flee; and no-one will miss me.

I have cried to you Lord, I have said: “you are my refuge, my share in the land of the living.
Listen to my call for help, for I am crushed down”.

“Lead my spirit from prison, so that I may praise your name.
The upright will gather around me, because you have restored me”.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Canticle	Philippians 2
Christ, God's servant
Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Philippians 2

Christ, God's servant

Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross.
For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth,
and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Short reading	Romans 11:33 - 36 ©
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayers and Intercessions

?

Let us give glory to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and humbly offer him our prayers: - Lord, be with your people.
Holy Lord, almighty Father, let justice grow across the Earth: and may your people live in peace.
Let all nations enter your kingdom:: bring salvation to all mankind.
May married couples live in peace according to your will,: living together in mutual love.
Lord, reward all who do good to us: and bring them to eternal life.
Take pity on those who die through war and hatred:: in your kindness, give them rest in heaven.

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 that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

O God, through you your faithful are united and of one will.
Grant to your people that they may love what you have taught and desire what you have promised:
in this changeable world may our hearts be fixed on where true joy comes from.

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.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

The Word Among Us

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Meditation
Matthew 23:1-12

What a sad but apt commentary Jesus made about the Pharisees who opposed him: “Their works are performed to be seen” (Matthew 23:5). Earlier in Matthew, Jesus warned against doing good deeds in order to win praise, because those who do so “have already received their reward” (6:1-3). By contrast, those whose deeds are hidden will gain the only reward that matters—the approval of our heavenly Father.

This principle is wonderfully illustrated in the hidden life of Ruth, the Gentile who was King David’s great-grandmother, and thus a direct ancestress of Jesus. Ruth was very loyal to her widowed mother-in-law Naomi, but she did not flaunt this virtue. To help Naomi, she did the lowly work of a poor woman, gleaning grain after the official reapers had finished.

Expecting nothing but daily sustenance, Ruth was grateful when Boaz noticed her. He explained that her generosity in caring for Naomi had caught his attention. Boaz—whose own prayer was fulfilled when he married Ruth—prayed, “May you receive a full reward from the Lord . . . under whose wings you have come for refuge” (Ruth 2:12).

So whom do I more resemble—Ruth or the Pharisees in today’s Gospel? Am I looking to Jesus for direction? Or am I always looking over my shoulder to see what kind of impression I’m making, with the inevitable result that my plow veers away from the straight path set before me? Am I seeking the fleeting acceptance of human beings? Or am I content to let God reward me?

Entrusting my life and its outcome to God is very freeing. Instead of being anxious about keeping up with fickle fashions, I can let the Master clothe me in the garment most suited to the work he’s assigned to me. Sometimes he will even give me gracious glimpses of the fruit borne through my obedience.

Paul once told the Christians in Colossae: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. . . . When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1,4). May this become our motto as well.

“Lord, my true life is hidden with you. Teach me to be concerned with pleasing you above all else!”

Ruth 2:1-3,8-11; 4:13-17; Psalm 128:1-5

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, August 25, 2007 >>

St. Louis
St. Joseph Calasanz

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17

Psalm 128

Matthew 23:1-12

View Readings

REDEEMING QUALITIES

"The field she entered to glean after the harvesters happened to be the section belonging to Boaz." —Ruth 2:3

Boaz was a redeemer. He redeemed Ruth from a present with only poverty and a future with only destitution and loneliness. "Boaz took Ruth" (Ru 4:13), entered into a contract to personally pay the price of her "redemption" (Ru 4:7), and brought her into "a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11). Finally, Boaz didn't simply redeem Ruth and then walk away from her. In redeeming Ruth, Boaz raised her to an intimate relationship with himself (Ru 4:13) and gave her a royal heritage (Ru 4:22; Mt 1:5).

Jesus is our Redeemer. He "sacrificed Himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to cleanse for Himself a people of His own" (Ti 2:14). Like Boaz, Jesus personally paid the price to redeem us (1 Cor 6:20) and offers us an eternal future and royal heritage with Him (see 2 Pt 1:4). In redeeming us, He didn't walk away from us, but instead has raised us to offer us such a level of intimacy with Him that we might live in Him and He in us (Jn 6:56; 17:23).

Boaz the redeemer asked Ruth to stay with him (Ru 2:8). Ruth could have turned him down and headed elsewhere. But she abandoned herself into his care. Jesus our Redeemer likewise asks us to stay with Him (see Mt 26:38), and let Him be our Head (Eph 1:22). Be like Ruth. Stay with your Redeemer. Abandon your life into the hands of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, "my Redeemer" (Ps 19:15), "my lips shall shout for joy as I sing Your praises; my soul also, which You have redeemed" (Ps 71:23).

Promise: "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." —Mt 23:12

Praise: St. Louis, himself a king, served the King of kings by his impartiality in ministering to the poor as well as the rich.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 4
Thanksgiving
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer.
When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness. When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom: now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer. Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy? Why do you seek for vain things? Why do you run after illusions? Know that the Lord has done marvellous things for those he has chosen. When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Be vigorous, but do not sin: speak in the silence of your heart, in your bed, be at rest. Offer righteousness as a sacrifice, and put your trust in the Lord. Many are saying, Who will give us good things? Let your face shine on us, Lord, let the light of your face be a sign. You have given me a greater joy than the others receive from abundance of wheat and of wine. In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest: firm in the hope you have given me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer.

Psalm 133 (134)
Evening prayer in the Temple
Bless the Lord through the night.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand through the night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your arms to the sanctuary and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Sion – the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Bless the Lord through the night.

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ©
Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart. You shall repeat them to your children and say them over to them whether at rest in your house or walking abroad, at your lying down or at your rising.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

Prayer
Let us pray. Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Anointed, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here

Homily of the Day

Fr. Noone

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From Humility Comes Greatness

August 24, 2007

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11;4:13-17 / Ps 128:1-2,3,4,5 / Mt 23:1-12

In today's gospel, Jesus preaches the contradiction of Christianity. To be greatest, you must be the least. To be exulted, you must humble yourself. What the world tells us is wonderful, God tells us is nothing. To be first, you must be the last.

This incongruity is found clearly in the first reading as well. Ruth is a Moabite, a foreigner. In ancient Israel, foreigners were the bottom of the totem pole. There really wasn't any further down you could go in that society. But it is from the bottom of society comes David, the greatest king of Israel. Ruth is the mother of Obed who is the father of Jesse who is the father of David.

Into the dust before Boaz, Ruth throws herself. She is an example of Jesus' teachings. Boaz pulls Ruth out of the dust, marries her, and together they have a son. It is from these humble beginnings that God will raise up David, Israel's greatest king. And since Jesus' lineage is traced to David and from David to Ruth, Jesus, like Adam, will come ultimately from the dust. It is from the bottom of society that God will raise up a savior for the whole world.

Mt 23:1-12
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
1	Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,	tunc Iesus locutus est ad turbas et discipulos suos
2	Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses.	dicens super cathedram Mosi sederunt scribae et Pharisaei
3	All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not. For they say, and do not.	omnia ergo quaecumque dixerint vobis servate et facite secundum opera vero eorum nolite facere dicunt enim et non faciunt
4	For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens and lay them on men's shoulders: but with a finger of their own they will not move them.	alligant autem onera gravia et inportabilia et inponunt in umeros hominum digito autem suo nolunt ea movere
5	And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad and enlarge their fringes.	omnia vero opera sua faciunt ut videantur ab hominibus dilatant enim phylacteria sua et magnificant fimbrias
6	And they love the first places at feasts and the first chairs in the synagogues,	amant autem primos recubitus in cenis et primas cathedras in synagogis
7	And salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi.	et salutationes in foro et vocari ab hominibus rabbi
8	But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master: and all you are brethren.	vos autem nolite vocari rabbi unus enim est magister vester omnes autem vos fratres estis
9	And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.	et patrem nolite vocare vobis super terram unus enim est Pater vester qui in caelis est
10	Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, Christ.	nec vocemini magistri quia magister vester unus est Christus
11	He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant.	qui maior est vestrum erit minister vester
12	And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.	qui autem se exaltaverit humiliabitur et qui se humiliaverit exaltabitur

The Man of Sorrows

Petrus Christus

1444-46
Wood
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham