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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Thursday, February 2, 2006 >> Presentation of Jesus
 
Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Psalm 24
Luke 2:22-40
View Readings
 
YOUR PRESENT TO GOD
 
"Be presented to the Lord." —Luke 2:22
 

I recently saw an advertisement for a bride's camp. This was a service for brides who had only a few months left before their wedding day. The "camp" involved a feverish workout, nutrition, and beauty regimen designed to put the bride in the best possible shape for her wedding day. The idea is to make her "presentable" in the best possible way.

Our presentation of ourselves to God involves much more than the above example. It's true that God loves us "just as we are." We don't need to make ourselves presentable since He never rejects anyone who comes to Him (Jn 6:37). Jesus says: "Come to me" (Mt 11:28). Even if we come to Him at the most disgusting low point of our life (see Lk 15:16ff), Jesus loves us completely.

Yet, out of sheer love for the Lord, we want to "look our best" for Him "to present to [Him] a glorious church, holy and immaculate" (Eph 5:27). He Himself helps us by making us holy and beautiful through His abundant grace. Catholic families teach their children this concept by dressing up in their Sunday best for Mass. We want to love the Lord so much more than a bride loves her husband. We will fast, pray, read and obey His word, sacrifice, evangelize, and bear fruit — simply to bring joy to the Lord. We want Him to rejoice because of us (Zep 3:17). We want to present ourselves to Him "beautiful as a bride prepared to meet her husband" (Rv 21:2). Give Jesus the present of your presentation to Him today.

 
Prayer: Jesus, I present to You my body as a living sacrifice (Rm 12:1) and a weapon for justice (Rm 6:13).
Promise: "Since He was Himself tested through what He suffered, He is able to help those who are tempted." —Heb 2:18
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who humbled Himself to the point of becoming a small Child for our sake and the sake of the whole world.
 

26 posted on 02/02/2006 8:57:13 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
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 15 (16)
The Lord, my inheritance
My body will rest in calm and hope. Alleluia.
Preserve me, Lord, I put my hope in you.

I have said to the Lord “You are my Lord, in you alone is all my good”.
As for the holy and noble men of the land, in them is all my delight.
But for those who run to alien gods, their sorrows are many.
I will not share in their libations of blood. I will not speak their names.

You, Lord, are my inheritance and my cup. You control my destiny,
the lot marked out for me is of the best, my inheritance is all I could ask for.
I will bless the Lord who gave me understanding; even in the night my heart will teach me wisdom.
I will hold the Lord for ever in my sight: with him at my side I can never be shaken.
Thus it is that my heart rejoices, heart and soul together; while my body rests in calm hope.

You will not leave my soul in the underworld. You will not let your chosen one see decay.
You will show me the paths of life, the fullness of joy before your face, and delights at your right hand until the end of 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.
My body will rest in calm and hope. Alleluia.

Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you in every way and preserve your life and your soul and your body without blemish, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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. Alleluia.
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. Alleluia.

Prayer
Let us pray.
Lord our God, we are tired by the work of the day. Refresh us with peaceful sleep and, forever renewed by the help you give, let us always be dedicated to you in body and mind.
Through Christ our Lord, 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.

27 posted on 02/02/2006 8:59:53 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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