<< Saturday, September 8, 2007 >>

Birth of Mary

Micah 5:1-4 or
Romans 8:28-30

Psalm 13

Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

I LOVE YOU, MOM

" 'The virgin shall be with Child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call Him Emmanuel,' a name which means 'God is with us.' " —Matthew 1:23

Today is Mom's birthday. We customarily think of birthdays as celebrations of life. Since life begins at conception however, birthdays do not celebrate life so much as relationship. Although it is possible to begin a relationship with a baby in the womb, we develop a far deeper relationship with the baby once the child comes out into our world where we can see, hold, kiss, and care for him or her.

We celebrate Mary's birthday because we rejoice in the opportunity to have a personal relationship with her as our adopted mother. We celebrate our relationship with Mary because it has fostered so profoundly the ultimate personal relationship, our relationship with Christ. Because we have fallen in love with the Bridegroom, Jesus, we appreciate and honor His mother, Mary.

Mary helps us love Jesus, yield to the Spirit, and "let it be done" to us according to God's word (Lk 1:38). Mary tells us to do whatever Jesus tells us (Jn 2:5). Mary will never rest until we rest in her Son. Our relationship with Mary focuses us on Jesus. Because of this, we value our relationship with her and celebrate her birthday. Happy birthday, Mom!

Prayer: Jesus, on Calvary You gave us Mary to be our mother (Jn 19:26-27). Thank You.

Promise: "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His decree." —Rm 8:28

Praise: Praise Jesus, Son of Mary, Who gave us His Mother to help bring us His love.

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.

One Bread, One Body

Compline (Night Prayer)