<< Saturday, May 13, 2006 >>

Our Lady of Fatima

Acts 13:44-52

Psalm 98

John 14:7-14

PHIL

Jesus said: "If you really knew Me..." —John 14:7

In the early Church, there were two followers of Jesus named Philip. One was an apostle (Lk 6:14), the other among the first deacons (Acts 6:5).

Philip the apostle knew all about Jesus, but didn't know Jesus. Jesus said to Philip, "After I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me?" (Jn 14:9) Philip the apostle saw Jesus work many signs and wonders, but these did not lead Philip to believe Jesus was in the Father (Jn 14:7-8). Jesus commanded him: "Believe because of the works I do" (Jn 14:11). Jesus promised Philip that he would do works greater by far than Jesus (Jn 14:12). Philip, however, didn't believe Him. Later, Philip came to know Jesus personally and believe in Him. Yet before Pentecost Philip had no such relationship.

We meet Philip the deacon after Pentecost. He knew Jesus personally. In Samaria, he performed works greater by far than Jesus. "There were many who had unclean spirits, which came out shrieking loudly. Many others were paralytics or cripples, and these were cured. The rejoicing in that town rose to fever pitch" (Acts 8:7-8). Philip the deacon was led by the Spirit to convert the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:35ff), thereby being Jesus' witness "even to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Although Philip the apostle touched, saw, embraced, and worked with Jesus, he did not know Him. Philip the deacon may have never seen Jesus in his physical presence, but he had a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. "Blest are they who have not seen and have believed" (Jn 20:29).

Prayer: Risen Jesus, "the greatest thing in all my life is loving You."

Promise: "The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." —Acts 13:52

Praise: Our Lady of Fatima gave a message to the world through three young children. Many conversions have occurred as a result.

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
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
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.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Psalm 133 (134)
Evening prayer in the Temple
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
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.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. These words that I teach you today will remain in your hearts. You will teach them to your children; you will speak them as you sit at home and as you go on your journeys; you will speak them when you lie down and when you rise up.

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

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. 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

Final Antiphon
Queen of Heaven, be joyful, Alleluia. You who were worthy to bear him. Alleluia. He has risen, as he promised. Alleluia. Pray for us to God. Alleluia.

One Bread, One Body

Compline (Night Prayer)