Posted on 12/07/2006 8:01:18 AM PST by Salvation
Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church
Reading 1
Is 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Mt 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
Lovely hymn, thanks for posting.
| Mt 7:21-27 | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
| 21 | Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. | non omnis qui dicit mihi Domine Domine intrabit in regnum caelorum sed qui facit voluntatem Patris mei qui in caelis est ipse intrabit in regnum caelorum |
| 22 | Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? | multi dicent mihi in illa die Domine Domine nonne in nomine tuo prophetavimus et in tuo nomine daemonia eiecimus et in tuo nomine virtutes multas fecimus |
| 23 | And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. | et tunc confitebor illis quia numquam novi vos discedite a me qui operamini iniquitatem |
| 24 | Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, | omnis ergo qui audit verba mea haec et facit ea adsimilabitur viro sapienti qui aedificavit domum suam supra petram |
| 25 | And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. | et descendit pluvia et venerunt flumina et flaverunt venti et inruerunt in domum illam et non cecidit fundata enim erat super petram |
| 26 | And every one that heareth these my words and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, | et omnis qui audit verba mea haec et non facit ea similis erit viro stulto qui aedificavit domum suam supra harenam |
| 27 | And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. | et descendit pluvia et venerunt flumina et flaverunt venti et inruerunt in domum illam et cecidit et fuit ruina eius magna |
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Thursday, December 07, 2006 Meditation Matthew 7:21,24-27 Wood, brick, concrete, steel—no matter what material a builder uses, the structure won’t withstand storms and floods if the foundation is shaky. Driving support piles into shifting sand or placing foundation stones in eroding soil won’t provide a solid base. Jesus was especially familiar with the conditions in Palestine, where extreme winds can appear out of nowhere and a sudden downpour can overflow a dry creek bed to produce raging floods. An ill-chosen building site and faulty foundation quickly lead to disaster. It’s the wise man, Jesus said, who builds his house on rock (Matthew 7:24-25). Jesus wasn’t offering technical advice to architects or construction workers. He was urging—indeed, even challenging—all those who hungered for salvation to build their lives on him, the everlasting rock, and on his word (Isaiah 26:4). His call is still the same for us today. Building with diligence and hard work won’t protect us from unexpected disasters. And no matter what materials we use to construct our lives, we will not be able to withstand life’s storms if our foundation is not solid. If our hope is in our family or job, in our natural talents or physical strength, our spiritual house will be insecure. Our spouse may hurt us or our friends disappoint us. The economy may falter and our savings run out. Our health may fail. Nothing lasts forever but the love and provision of our God. With our hope and trust founded firmly on Jesus, we will be able to stand fast no matter what troubling situations we encounter. So let’s practice believing and trusting in Jesus’ love and care for us. He will honor our resolve and fill it with his own power and grace, especially when we place our faith in him despite storms that seem to threaten our very foundations. Then we’ll rest secure in him, for he keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on him (Isaiah 26:3). As Pope Benedict XVI said, Do not be afraid to lean on Christ! Long for Christ, as the foundation of your life! Enkindle within yourself the desire to build your life on him and for him! Because no one who depends on the crucified love of the Incarnate Word can ever lose. Lord, you alone are my everlasting rock. Help me to stay grounded in you, founded on the solid bedrock of your love for me.
Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27 |
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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 the 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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, Lord, to our dwelling, and drive the snares of the enemy far away from it. Let your holy angels dwell in it and keep us in peace; and may your blessing be with us always. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
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