Good Evening Dear Ones!
Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! I hope all is well and that you are ready to ponder today's #AdventWord #Bless and enter into today's #OAntiphon #ORadixJesse. Today and throughout the next week let us take time to count our blessings no matter how large, no matter how small. Let us begin our time together with our mindfulness work and then meditate on the word bless.
So let us begin.
Inhale.
Hold.
Exhale.
Pause.
Peace be still
Peace be.
Peace.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Inhale.
Hold.
Exhale.
Pause.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Inhale.
Hold.
Exhale.
Pause.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Inhale.
Hold.
Exhale.
Pause.
Let us ponder today's #AdventWord #Bless by meditating upon these quotes!
"God doesn't bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing." ~ Warren W. Wiersbe
"Love and kindness are never wasted." ~ Barbara De Angelis
"God sometimes does try to the uttermost those whom he wishes to bless." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"God bless the roots! Body and soul are one." ~ Theodore Roethke
"God bless the child that's got his own." ~ Billie Holiday
"If I choose to bless another person, I will always end up feeling more blessed." ~ Marianne Williamson
"No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy today, mix good cheer with friends today enjoy it and bless God for it." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
"God cannot bless who you pretend to be" ~ Steven Furtick
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Opening sentence for today:
"COMMEMORATION Blessed art Thou, O Lord who didst bring forth of water moving creatures that have life, and whales, and winged fowls: and didst bless them, so as to increase and multiply. The things concerning the Ascension: Set up Thyself, O God, above the heavens and Thy glory above all the earth. By thine Ascension draw us withal unto Thee, O Lord, so as to set our affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. By the awful mystery of Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood in the evening of this day: Lord, have mercy." ~ Lancelot Andrewes
"To you who hear I say, love your enemies,do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,pray for those who mistreat you.To the person who strikes you on one cheek,offer the other one as well,and from the person who takes your cloak,do not withhold even your tunic.Give to everyone who asks of you,and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.Do to others as you would have them do to you." ~ Luke the Evangelist
"If you want your ministry to have ‘it’, more important than anything else we’ve discussed, you must have ‘it’. When it has filtered through your heart - the rare combination of passion, integrity, focus, faith, expectation, drive, hunger, and God’s anointing - God tends to infuse your ministry with ‘it’. He blesses your work. People are changed. Leaders grow. Resources flow. The ministry seems to take on a life of its own." ~ Craig Groeschel
"Was not Jesus an extremist in love? - "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you."" ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
"And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a favor of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop." ~ Pope Francis
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Come let us worship with these opening sentences of the Great O Antiphons!
December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
—From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers
We will pray and add one each day.
O Sapientia
O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
O Adonai
O Adonai, Leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the law in Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
O Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom kings shall stop their mouths, whom the Gentiles shall seek: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.O Radix Jesse
Veni, Veni Emmanuel
We will be singing and praying with Veni Emannuel each of the days of the Great O Antiphons!
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Great O Antiphon's - O Sapientia
O Sapientia
We pray these prayers based on O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Praying to God who is Love!
God of Love help us to be loving to all of our family of love. We pray that we may lovingly respond to each other's needs and concerns.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy! May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all who are traveling the next few days to visit loved ones. We pray for all of our loved ones whom we haven't seen for awhile.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all of our family members who are ill. Heal them O God of Love and Send you Son Jesus who is the Great Physician to heal, comfort, and guide them through their illnesses and trials.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray that love may be the key to peace in your fragile and broken world. We pray for the courage and strength to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray that as we grieve the loss of loved ones this time of year that the bonds of love are never broken in this life and in the next. Help us we pray to realize that Love means never having to say goodbye.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for those who are dying and have died today that they are feeling your loving presences as they transition into the Thin Places.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all those who longing for justice and universal human rights. May we continue to pray for a loving spirit of justice, mercy, and that peace may reign in all our hearts.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all the children of the world that they may be loved and protected from harm.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all the least of these who may be without food or shelter tonight. We pray for their safety. Help us to love the least of these and as we do this may we know that we are loving you in return.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love help us to lovingly care for your Cathedral of Life and protect all living things.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love surround and protect all refugees, immigrants captives, prisoners, victims of violence and terror, abuse,bullying, and victims of modern day slavery and human trafficking.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love may we lovingly respond to those who ask us for prayer especially______
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love plant in our hearts this night seeds of love, hope, peace, and joy. May we walk with you and carry love and light to others. Help us to continue to Follow the Star and meet Jesus again in the manger and in our lives.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we lift up these prayers in the name of your son Jesus our Promised Messiah. Amen.
Let us confess our need for God’s healing grace.
Silence
Compassionate God,
we confess our weaknesses and our need for your
strengthening touch.
We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,
while others are beyond our control.
We turn to you, source of life,
and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ
for the gifts of true healing and life in you. Amen.
May the God of love visit us in our times of trial and weakness,
and raise us to newness of life, through Jesus Christ, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today's Great O Antiphon is O Adonai!
Latin:
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
English:
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
Great O Antiphons - O Adonai
Spend time in the presence of God. As Moses did when he was in God's presence while seeing the burning bush.
Great O Antiphons - O Adonai
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
Advent
Come and save us, * O Lord God of hosts.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved:
O Lord God of hosts.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord:
R. And grant us your salvation.
Latin:
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
English:
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
Great O Antiphons - O Adonai
Spend time in the presence of God. As Moses did when he was in God's presence while seeing the burning bush.
Great O Antiphons - O Adonai
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
Advent
Come and save us, * O Lord God of hosts.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved:
O Lord God of hosts.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord:
R. And grant us your salvation.
Our Great O Antiphon of the day
O Radix Jesse
Tree of Jesse
Latin:
O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
English:
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
O Radix Jesse
Veni, veni, Emmanuel -Taize
Now let us Light Additional Candles and be at prayer.A Prayer When Lighting A Candle
O Blessed Lord, accept this burning candle as a sign of my faith and love for you.
Like this candle, I am ready to be used in your service, without asking why and to what purpose.
Even as this candle, I wish to stand in your presence to be consumed in the light and warmth of
your love.
Please hear my prayer and, if it be your will, grant my petition.
Above all, make me loyal and faithful to you in all circumstances of my life.
Amen.
(www.stanthonysparish.com)
O Blessed Lord, accept this burning candle as a sign of my faith and love for you.
Like this candle, I am ready to be used in your service, without asking why and to what purpose.
Even as this candle, I wish to stand in your presence to be consumed in the light and warmth of
your love.
Please hear my prayer and, if it be your will, grant my petition.
Above all, make me loyal and faithful to you in all circumstances of my life.
Amen.
(www.stanthonysparish.com)
The Light of Christ in me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!"
I hold holy space for you during this time of prayer, vigil, and meditation.
Light of the World Phos hilaron
Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.
Psalm 134 Ecce nunc
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
Psalm 141:1-3,8ab Domine, clamavi
O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
My eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge.
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Prayer Over The Advent Candle
O God, as light comes from this candle,
May the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,
Warming our hearts and brightening our way.
May Christ our Savior
Bring life into the darkness of this world,
And to us, as we wait for his coming.
Amen.
(www.catholicnewsagency.com)
O God, as light comes from this candle,
May the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,
Warming our hearts and brightening our way.
May Christ our Savior
Bring life into the darkness of this world,
And to us, as we wait for his coming.
Amen.
(www.catholicnewsagency.com)
Smudging Prayer
Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.
God and Creator of us all we pray and light our candles this night at a time where we are finding ourselves sorely divided one from another by a myriad of circumstances. We pray that we may start to learn from each other and place our egos and the need to be right at the door. We pray that we may use gentle speech and kind actions when we meet someone who differs from us. We pray that we may lovingly enfold them in our arms and extend to them radical hospitality and welcome. We pray that we may continually beat the weaponry of hate into ploughshares and turn the spears of division into pruning hooks and that we may grow into a peace-filled and loving world. We pray this night for all who are enduring any kind of pain that they may be comforted and that we may lovingly respond to their needs. We pray and ask this night for forgiveness of any action or word we have done or spoken this day and that we may turn away and repent of the wrongs we have done. We pray that we may spread God's light of love, peace, and learning to this world and that we may be beacons of hope, joy, love, and peace. We pray that we may follow Jesus and imitate him by being CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) and show the world that we are carried aloft by the Holy Spirit's Love Energy and that our Hearts and heart homes may be enlarged and that truly we may become one family of God and Love and brothers and sisters one to another. Amen.
Everything Has Its Time
From Ecclesiastes 33 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
59 Eripe me de inimicis
1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God; *
protect me from those who rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from evildoers *
and save me from those who thirst for my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for my life,
how the mighty gather together against me; *
not for any offense or fault of mine, O Lord.
4 Not because of any guilt of mine *
they run and prepare themselves for battle.
5 Rouse yourself, come to my side, and see; *
for you, Lord God of hosts, are Israel's God.
6 Awake, and punish all the ungodly; *
show no mercy to those who are faithless and evil.
7 They go to and fro in the evening; *
they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
8 Behold, they boast with their mouths,
and taunts are on their lips; *
"For who," they say, "will hear us?"
9 But you, O Lord, you laugh at them; *
you laugh all the ungodly to scorn.
10 My eyes are fixed on you, O my Strength; *
for you, O God, are my stronghold.
11 My merciful God comes to meet me; *
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
12 Slay them, O God, lest my people forget; *
send them reeling by your might and put them down, O Lord our shield.
13 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,
for the cursing and lies that they utter, *
let them be caught in their pride.
14 Make an end of them in your wrath; *
make an end of them, and they shall be no more.
15 Let everyone know that God rules in Jacob, *
and to the ends of the earth.
16 They go to and fro in the evening; *
they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
17 They forage for food, *
and if they are not filled, they howl.
18 For my part, I will sing of your strength; *
I will celebrate your love in the morning;
19 For you have become my stronghold, *
a refuge in the day of my trouble.
20 To you, O my Strength, will I sing; *
for you, O God, are my stronghold and my merciful God.
60 Deus, repulisti nos
1 O God, you have cast us off and broken us; *
you have been angry;
oh, take us back to you again.
2 You have shaken the earth and split it open; *
repair the cracks in it, for it totters.
3 You have made your people know hardship; *
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, *
to be a refuge from the power of the bow.
5 Save us by your right hand and answer us, *
that those who are dear to you may be delivered.
6 God spoke from his holy place and said: *
"I will exult and parcel out Shechem;
I will divide the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.
8 Moab is my wash-basin,
on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, *
and over Philistia will I shout in triumph."
9 Who will lead me into the strong city? *
who will bring me into Edom?
10 Have you not cast us off, O God? *
you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
11 Grant us your help against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of man.
12 With God we will do valiant deeds, *
and he shall tread our enemies under foot.
33 Exultate, justi
1 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp; *
play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3 Sing for him a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4 For the word of the Lord is right, *
and all his works are sure.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the Lord fills the whole earth.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, *
by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7 He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
and stores up the depths of the sea.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; *
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to pass; *
he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord brings the will of the nations to naught; *
he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
11 But the Lord's will stands fast for ever, *
and the designs of his heart from age to age.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord! *
happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13 The Lord looks down from heaven, *
and beholds all the people in the world.
14 From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *
on all who dwell on the earth.
15 He fashions all the hearts of them *
and understands all their works.
16 There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; *
a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
for all its strength it cannot save.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, *
on those who wait upon his love,
19 To pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; *
he is our help and our shield.
21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22 Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, *
as we have put our trust in you.
Zechariah 4:1-14
Fifth Vision: The Lampstand and Olive Trees
4The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as one is wakened from sleep. 2He said to me, ‘What do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it; there are seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’ 4I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’ 5Then the angel who talked with me answered me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 6He said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’
8 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.
‘These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.’ 11Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’ 12And a second time I said to him, ‘What are these two branches of the olive trees, which pour out the oil* through the two golden pipes?’ 13He said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ I said, ‘No, my lord.’ 14Then he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.’
A Song of the Wilderness
Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Revelation 4:9-5:5
9And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
11 ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.’
The Scroll and the Lamb
5Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed* with seven seals; 2and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’
A Song of the Spirit
Revelation 22:12-17
“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me, *
to give to everyone according to their deeds.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, *
and may enter the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *
with this testimony for all the churches.
“I am the root and the offspring of David, *
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *
“Come!” let each hearer reply!
Come forward, you who are thirsty, *
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.
Revelation 22:12-17
“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me, *
to give to everyone according to their deeds.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, *
and may enter the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *
with this testimony for all the churches.
“I am the root and the offspring of David, *
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *
“Come!” let each hearer reply!
Come forward, you who are thirsty, *
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.
Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
25‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids* took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.* 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” 7Then all those bridesmaids* got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” 9But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids* came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” 12But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.*
The Song of Mary Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
O God, who opens the eyes of the blind and sets the captives free; Open our eyes that we may ever discern your way and guide our feet that we may walk in it, to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
IN LAK’ECH
Tú eres mi otro yo.
You are my other me.
Si te hago daño a ti,
If I do harm to you,
Me hago daño a mi mismo.
I do harm to myself.
Si te amo y respeto,
If I love and respect you,
Me amo y respeto yo.
I love and respect myself.
Luis Valdez
The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in
believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Romans 15:13
beside us to guard,
before us to lead,
behind us to protect,
beneath us to support,
above us to bless.
This Rite of Compline From the Northumbria Community may be added.
Ebba was the sister of Oswald and Oswy, who were both kings of Northumbria. She was consecrated a nun by Aidan and founded the ‘double’ (i.e. there were both men and women there) monastery at Coldingham, situated on St Abbs’s Head (which was subsequently named after her). Ebba died in the year 683. Bede described her as a ‘pious woman and a handmaid of Christ.’
Today’s Meditation
Listen to your life.
See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.
In the boredom and pain of it
no less than in the excitement and gladness:
touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it
because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,
and life itself is grace.
Frederick Buechner
If this Compline is being used in a group setting the * notation indicates a change of reader; words in bold are said all together; words in bold italic are said by each person in turn; and + indicates where you might make the sign of the cross.
+ (silently)
* Find rest, O my soul, in God alone:
my hope comes from Him.
my hope comes from Him.
Come I this night to the Father,
come I this night to the Son,
come I to the Holy Spirit powerful:
come I this night to God.
Come I this night with Christ,
come I with the Spirit of kindness.
Come I to Thee, Jesus.
Jesus, shelter me.
come I this night to the Son,
come I to the Holy Spirit powerful:
come I this night to God.
Come I this night with Christ,
come I with the Spirit of kindness.
Come I to Thee, Jesus.
Jesus, shelter me.
* I will lie down and sleep.
I wake again,
because the Lord sustains me.
I wake again,
because the Lord sustains me.
* By day the Lord directs His love;
at night His song is with me –
a prayer to the God of my life.
at night His song is with me –
a prayer to the God of my life.
* Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
all you who hope in the Lord.
* This dwelling, O God, by Thee be blest;
and each one who here this night does rest.
and each one who here this night does rest.
* May God be in my sleep;
may Christ be in my dreams.
May the Spirit be in my repose,
in my thoughts, in my heart.
In my soul always
may the Sacred Three dwell.
may Christ be in my dreams.
May the Spirit be in my repose,
in my thoughts, in my heart.
In my soul always
may the Sacred Three dwell.
May the Father of heaven
have care of my soul,
His loving arm about my body,
through each slumber
and sleep of my life.
have care of my soul,
His loving arm about my body,
through each slumber
and sleep of my life.
The Son of God be shielding me from harm,
the Son of God be shielding me from ill,
the Son of God be shielding me with power.
The Son of God be shielding me this night.
the Son of God be shielding me from ill,
the Son of God be shielding me with power.
The Son of God be shielding me this night.
* Sleep, O sleep in the calm of each calm.
Sleep, O sleep in the guidance of all guidance.
Sleep, O sleep in the love of all loves.
Sleep, O beloved, in the Lord of life.
Sleep, O beloved, in the God of life.
Sleep, O sleep in the guidance of all guidance.
Sleep, O sleep in the love of all loves.
Sleep, O beloved, in the Lord of life.
Sleep, O beloved, in the God of life.
The peace of all peace
be mine this night
+ in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
be mine this night
+ in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Today’s Meditation
Listen to your life.
See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.
In the boredom and pain of it
no less than in the excitement and gladness:
touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it
because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,
and life itself is grace.
Frederick Buechner
Bonus prayers!
God we pray the words of the Ancient Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel! May Emmanuel come soon.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave. Refrain
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call. Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid thou our sad divisions cease,
and be thyself our King of Peace. Refrain
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear. Refrain
God we pray these our prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
We light this final candle for our peace, hope, love, and joy in the world and within ourselves:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave. Refrain
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call. Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid thou our sad divisions cease,
and be thyself our King of Peace. Refrain
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear. Refrain
God we pray these our prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
We light this final candle for our peace, hope, love, and joy in the world and within ourselves:
God of Love help us to be loving to all of our family of love. We pray that we may lovingly respond to each other's needs and concerns.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy! May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all who are traveling the next few days to visit loved ones. We pray for all of our loved ones whom we haven't seen for awhile.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all of our family members who are ill. Heal them O God of Love and Send you Son Jesus who is the Great Physician to heal, comfort, and guide them through their illnesses and trials.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray that love may be the key to peace in your fragile and broken world. We pray for the courage and strength to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray that as we grieve the loss of loved ones this time of year that the bonds of love are never broken in this life and in the next. Help us we pray to realize that Love means never having to say goodbye.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for those who are dying and have died today that they are feeling your loving presences as they transition into the Thin Places.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all those who longing for justice and universal human rights. May we continue to pray for a loving spirit of justice, mercy, and that peace may reign in all our hearts.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all the children of the world that they may be loved and protected from harm.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we pray for all the least of these who may be without food or shelter tonight. We pray for their safety. Help us to love the least of these and as we do this may we know that we are loving you in return.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love help us to lovingly care for your Cathedral of Life and protect all living things.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love surround and protect all refugees, immigrants captives, prisoners, victims of violence and terror, abuse,bullying, and victims of modern day slavery and human trafficking.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love may we lovingly respond to those who ask us for prayer especially______
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love plant in our hearts this night seeds of love, hope, peace, and joy. May we walk with you and carry love and light to others. Help us to continue to Follow the Star and meet Jesus again in the manger and in our lives.
O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy!May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.
God of Love we lift up these prayers in the name of your son Jesus our Promised Messiah. Amen.
++++
With Joy,Hope, Peace, and Love,
Sara
Good Night Beloved Ones! Here are your action items for today and tomorrow:Today- Root of Jesse (Isa 11:10) Write memories of God’s faithfulness in your life on paper ornaments & hang them on the tree. Tomorrow:Key of David (Rev. 3:7) What door of your life do you need God to open & bring grace? God has the key to every door.Our continual additional tasks are this: to pay it forward and practice radical love, hospitality, and random acts of kindness! I love you and give God thanks for you this day and always
With Joy,Hope, Peace, and Love,
Sara
Resources
A to Z Quotes
Satucket Lectionary Page -
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship 1 and 2
Quote sites for prayers
Northumbria Community
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Walk With Me On Our Journey
YouTube
Contemplative Cottage
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