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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Tuesday, June 17, 2008 >>
Saint of the Day
 
1 Kings 21:17-29
View Readings
Psalm 51 Matthew 5:43-48
 

MERCY ON THE MERCILESS

 
"Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the Lord as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel." —1 Kings 21:25
 

Ahab held the world record for sin, and he and his wife, Jezebel, held the world record in doubles for sin. "He became completely abominable" (1 Kgs 21:26). However, when Ahab heard Elijah's prophetic words, "he fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. Then the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me?' " (1 Kgs 21:27-29) The Lord didn't bring up Ahab's years of sin, but Ahab's moment of repentance. We see this same pattern with the good thief who was crucified next to Jesus. Jesus didn't focus on the man's crimes. He focused on the moment the man repented of blaspheming Him (see Mt 27:44) and prayed: "Jesus, remember me when You enter upon Your reign" (Lk 23:42).

Most of us do the opposite of what the Lord does. We ignore hundreds of acts of faith and love while bringing up the few evil things a person has done. If we were God, we wouldn't rain on the just and the unjust (see Mt 5:45) and let the Ahabs and Jezebels of the world literally get away with murder, at least for a while. We don't see the point of loving our enemies (Mt 5:44). However, if the Lord didn't love His enemies, all of us would be condemned because of our sins.

We have all received the Lord's mercy, bought at the price of His blood. Now the Lord asks us the question: "Should you not have dealt mercifully with your fellow servant, as I dealt with you?" (Mt 18:33)

 
Prayer: Father, may several of the worst sinners in the world repent this summer.
Promise: "In a word, you must be made perfect as Your heavenly Father is perfect." —Mt 5:48
Praise: For decades, Sister Nancy has risen before dawn each day to praise God and intercede for a long list of needs. Her prayers have borne great fruit in the lives of many.
 
 

20 posted on 06/17/2008 5:36:12 PM PDT 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 142 (143)
A prayer in time of trouble
Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me.
Lord, listen to my prayer:
 in your faithfulness turn your ear to my pleading;
 in your justice, hear me.
Do not judge your servant:
 nothing that lives can justify itself before you.

The enemy has hounded my spirit,
 he has crushed my life to the ground,
 he has shut me in darkness, like the dead of long ago.
So my spirit trembles within me,
 my heart turns to stone.
I remind myself of the days of old,
 I reflect on all your works,
 I meditate once more on the work of your hands.
I stretch out my arms to you,
 I stretch out my soul, like a land without water.

Come quickly and hear me, O Lord,
 for my spirit is weakening.
Do not hide your face from me,
 do not let me be like the dead,
 who go down to the underworld.
Show me your mercy at daybreak,
 because of my trust in you.
Tell me the way I should follow,
 for I lift up my soul towards you.
Rescue me from my enemies:
 Lord, I flee to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
 for you are my God.

Your good spirit will lead me to the land of justice;
 for your name’s sake, Lord, you will give me life.
In your righteousness you will lead my soul
 away from all tribulation.

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.
Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me.

Reading 1 Peter 5:8-9
Be calm and keep watch. The Devil, your enemy, is circling you like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, strong in faith.

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.
Of your kindness, Lord, dispel the darkness of this night, so that we your servants may go to sleep in peace and wake to the light of the new day, rejoicing in your name.
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.

21 posted on 06/17/2008 5:37:49 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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