How can I possibly give back to you, Lord, for all the miracles you have performed in my life, all the grace you have poured upon me, all the mercy you have had on me?

Perhaps I should start by recalling all that you have done for me. You have given me the gift of life, and you sustain me moment by moment. You have brought people into my life to love me, and you have given me people to love. You have revealed yourself to me through your word and the teaching of the church. I have encountered you in the sacraments. You have forgiven all my sins and offered me a new beginning. You have directed my steps and have shown me how to please you. No matter how many missteps I make, you are there to meet me and redirect me as soon as I turn back to you.

Why have you done all this for me? Surely I don’t deserve such kindness and patient generosity. No, you have done it all out of nothing but love, pure and simple affection for me—and for all your children. You simply delight in giving and forgiving, because you see not only what I am right now but also what I can become as I learn to surrender to your love.

So how can I repay you for all you have done for me? All you want is for me to ask you to do more of the same. You want me to lift up the cup of your grace and call on your name again and again and again. I am grateful for what you have already done, but I know full well that your work isn’t finished. I still stand in need of your salvation. So please give me more, Lord!

Father, you want to be in constant communion with me. That’s why it pleases you so much when I call on your name, asking what you are up to and how I can cooperate with you. Lord, you have been so good to me, may I never cease to praise you and to follow you!

“Lord, I am your servant; you have loosed my bonds. I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on your name.”

Exodus 11:10-12,14; Matthew 12:1-8

22 posted on 07/17/2009 8:00:53 PM PDT by Salvation (With God all things are possible.)

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening 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.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 134 (135)
Praise the Lord, the wonder-worker
The Lord is great: our God is great above all gods.
Praise the name of the Lord: praise it, servants of the Lord, you who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it brings happiness. For the Lord chose Jacob for his own, he chose Israel for his possession. I know how great is the Lord, how great is our God above all gods. The Lord accomplishes all that he wills, in the heavens and on the earth, in the sea and the depths of the oceans. He brings in clouds from the ends of the earth, makes lightning for the rain-clouds, from his storehouse he calls forth the winds. He struck down the first-born of Egypt, of man and of beast alike. He sent signs and wonders among them, to Pharaoh and all his servants. He shattered nation after nation, killed powerful kings: Sihon, king of the Amorites, Og, the king of Bashan, all the kingdoms of Canaan. He gave their lands as a birthright, as a birthright for Israel his people. 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.
The Lord is great: our God is great above all gods.

Psalm 134 (135)
House of Israel, bless the Lord, sing psalms to his name.
Lord, your name is for ever; Lord, your name will be remembered by generation after generation. For the Lord will give judgement for his people, he will look with kindness upon his servants. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of the hands of men. They have mouths but will not speak, they have eyes and will not see. They have ears and will not hear, there is no breath in their mouths. They will be like them, those who make them; and all who put their trust in them. House of Israel, bless the Lord; house of Aaron, bless the Lord; house of Levi, bless the Lord; you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord. Blessed be the Lord from Zion, whose abode is Jerusalem. 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.
House of Israel, bless the Lord, sing psalms to his name.

Canticle	Apocalypse 15
A hymn of adoration
All nations will come and worship in your presence, O Lord.
Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, King of all nations! Who, Lord, will not revere and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship in your presence, for your judgements have been seen by all. 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.
All nations will come and worship in your presence, O Lord.

Short reading	James 1:2-4 ©
My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully-developed, complete, with nothing missing.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
He has come to help us, his servants: he has remembered his mercy.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. 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.
He has come to help us, his servants: he has remembered his mercy.

Prayers and Intercessions	?
Let us pray to our Lord Jesus, whom the Father handed over for our transgressions but raised up for our redemption: – Lord, take pity on your people. Lord, we ask you to listen to our prayers and forget the sins we confess, and in your kindness to give us pardon and peace. – Lord, take pity on your people. Through you St Paul said “where sin has abounded, grace abounds still more”: be generous in forgiving our many debts. – Lord, take pity on your people. Lord, our sins are great but we trust that your mercy is infinite: change our hearts and we will change our lives. – Lord, take pity on your people. Lord, save your people from their sins and restore them to your favour. – Lord, take pity on your people. The thief called you Saviour and you opened to him the gates of paradise: do not close them against our deceased brethren. – Lord, take pity on your people.

Prayers and Intercessions

Let us pray to our Lord Jesus, whom the Father handed over for our transgressions but raised up for our redemption: