Vespers (Evening 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.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 124 (125)
The Lord guards his people
Those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Sion: it cannot be shaken, it will stand firm for ever. Jerusalem – the mountains stand guard over it, and the Lord stands guard over his people, both now and for ever. The sceptre of the wicked shall not rest upon the inheritance of the just; lest the just themselves stretch out their hands and turn to wickedness. Be good, O Lord, to the good and the upright of heart. As for those who turn away to crooked paths, the Lord shall treat them like the doers of evil. Peace be on 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.

Psalm 124 (125)

The Lord guards his people

Those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Sion:
it cannot be shaken, it will stand firm for ever.

Jerusalem – the mountains stand guard over it,
and the Lord stands guard over his people,
both now and for ever.
The sceptre of the wicked shall not rest
upon the inheritance of the just;
lest the just themselves stretch out their hands
and turn to wickedness.

Be good, O Lord, to the good
and the upright of heart.
As for those who turn away to crooked paths,
the Lord shall treat them like the doers of evil.
Peace be on 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.

Psalm 130 (131)
Childlike trust in God
Lord, I do not puff myself up or stare about, or walk among the great or seek wonders beyond me. Truly calm and quiet I have made my spirit: quiet as a weaned child in its mother’s arms – like an infant is my soul. Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and for all time. 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 130 (131)

Childlike trust in God

Lord, I do not puff myself up or stare about,
or walk among the great or seek wonders beyond me.

Truly calm and quiet I have made my spirit:
quiet as a weaned child in its mother’s arms –
like an infant is my soul.

Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and for all time.

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	Apocalypse 4,5
The song of the redeemed
You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for you made all things, and it is by your will that they existed and were created. You are worthy, Lord, to receive the book and open its seals, for you were killed, and with your blood you have ransomed people from every tribe and language and people and nation, and made them rulers and priests for God; and they will rule over the earth. The Lamb is worthy, who was killed, to receive power and riches and wisdom, strength and honour, glory and blessing. 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

Apocalypse 4,5

The song of the redeemed

You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power;
for you made all things, and it is by your will that they existed and were created.

You are worthy, Lord, to receive the book and open its seals,
for you were killed, and with your blood you have ransomed people from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and made them rulers and priests for God; and they will rule over the earth.

The Lamb is worthy, who was killed, to receive power and riches and wisdom, strength and honour, glory and blessing.

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 12:9 - 12 ©
Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying.

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

God has established his people in hope, and so with joy we acclaim him: - Lord, you are the hope of your people.
We give you thanks, Lord, that in Christ we have been made rich: in word and in knowledge.
O God, you know the hearts of rulers:in your wisdom guide those who guide the state.: Let them draw from your well of good counsel and be pleasing to you in both what they plan and what they do.
You give artists the gift of reflecting your splendour in their work:: through the things they make, make the world bright with hope and joy.
You do not send us trials greater than we can bear:: strengthen the weak and raise the fallen.
Through your Son you have promised mankind resurrection on the last day:: remember those who have already left behind their mortal bodies.

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.

Most gentle Lord, may our evening prayer rise up to you and may your blessing come down upon us,
so that with your help here and in the next life
we may deserve salvation.

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

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Meditation
Colossians 2:6-15

Our world abounds with “empty, seductive” philosophies based on “human tradition” and subject to the “elemental powers of the world” (Colossians 2:8). The tragedy that scarred the United States six years ago today is just one staggering demonstration of where such philosophies can lead. They captivate people with promises of glory, revenge, wealth, or personal fulfillment, but their misleading wisdom and empty deceit invariably end in heartbreak or catastrophe. The only real alternative, according to St. Paul, is to live “according to” Christ (Colossians 2:8).

So what is according to Christ? It is a life modeled upon the example he left, a life shaped and informed by God’s love, forgiveness, compassion, and mercy. It is a life steeped in thanksgiving, joy, trust, and confidence in the power of the all-powerful God. This isn’t some passing philosophy; it’s truth that can be experienced—even today. In Christ, we are free from slavery to sin (Romans 6:3-5). In Christ, we are a new creation—the old ways have died and new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

What new things? Forgiveness of all sins (Colossians 2:13). Release from all claims of the law against us (2:14). Triumph over Satan, who constantly lies to us about his true, eternal position as despoiled, defeated, and overruled (2:15). Hearing from the Holy Spirit, who fills us with the life and presence of God; reminds us of the truth we read in Scripture or hear in prayer and at Mass; and gives us wisdom, understanding, strength, right judgment, and everything else we need to follow Jesus (2:9-10).

This is life according to Christ. In him, we can live confidently, secure in the truth and unmoved by passing philosophies and teachings. In him, we can build up the church and use the gifts the Holy Spirit gives us to establish the kingdom of God here on earth. So live it today! Give no place to anything that says it’s too hard, that some things are too deep and painful to forgive, that we are too weak or sin is too deeply entrenched. We live according to Christ!

“Jesus, I want to live according to you today. I accept your forgiveness for all my sins and embrace the new life you offer. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and show me where and how I can build your body.”

Psalm 145:1-2,8-11; Luke 6:12-19