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Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

Liturgy of the Hours

  • None (Afternoon Prayer)


    INTRODUCTION  
    O God, come to our aid.
      O Lord, make haste to help us.
    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.

    Hymn  
    Eternal Father, loving God,
    Who made us from the dust of earth,
    Transform us by the Spirit’s grace,
    Give value to our little worth.
    Prepare us for that day of days
    When Christ from heaven will come with might
    To call us out of dust again,
    Our bodies glorified in light.
    O Godhead, here untouched, unseen,
    All things created bear your trace;
    The seed of glory sown in man
    Will flower when we see your face.
    Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

    The psalms of the day are shown here. If you are reciting more than one daytime hour (Terce, Sext, None) today, use the psalms of the day at one hour and the complementary psalms at the others.

    PSALMS OF THE DAY


    Psalm 118(119): 57-64

    I have pondered over my ways and returned to your will.
    My part is to follow the Lord:
      I have promised to observe your words.
    With all my heart I implore you to your face:
      take pity on me, as you have promised.
    I have considered my paths
      and turned my footsteps to follow your decrees.
    I have hurried, I have not delayed
      to keep your commandments.
    The wicked have wound ropes around me,
      but still I remember your law.
    In the dark of the night I rise and thank you
      for your just judgements.
    I am one with all who fear you
      and keep your commandments.
    The earth is filled with your loving kindness:
      Lord, teach me your statutes.
    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.
    I have pondered over my ways and returned to your will.

    Psalm 54 (55)
    Against a faithless friend

    Trembling and fear fall upon me: turn to me, Lord, and listen to my cry.
    Open your ears, O God, to my prayer,
      and do not hide when I call on you:
      turn to me and answer me.
    My thoughts are distracted and I am disturbed
      by the voice of my enemy and the oppression of the wicked.
    They let loose their wickedness on me,
      they persecute me in their anger.
    My heart is tied in a knot
      and the terrors of death lie upon me.
    Fear and trembling come over me;
      terror holds me tight.
    I said, “Will no-one give me wings like a dove?
      I shall fly away and rest.
    I shall flee far away
      and remain all alone.
    I shall wait for him who will save me
      from the stormy wind and the tempest.”
    Scatter them, Lord, and separate their tongues,
      for I see violence and conflict in the city.
    By day and by night they circle it
      high on its battlements.
    Within it are oppression and trouble;
      scheming and fraud fill its squares.
    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.
    Trembling and fear fall upon me: turn to me, Lord, and listen to my cry.

    Psalm 54 (55)

    I will cry to God and the Lord will save me.
    For if my enemy had slandered me,
      I think I could have borne it.
    And if the one who hated me had trampled me,
      perhaps I could have hidden.
    But you – a man just like me,
      my companion and my friend!
    We had happy times together,
      we walked together in the house of God.
    Let death break in upon them!
      Let them go down alive to the underworld,
      for wickedness shares their home.
    As for me, I will call upon God,
      and the Lord will rescue me.
    Evening, morning, noon – I shall watch and groan,
      and he will hear my voice.
    He will redeem my soul
      and give it peace from those who attack me –
      for very many are my enemies.
    God will hear and will bring them low,
      God, the eternal.
    They will never reform:
      they do not fear God.
    That man – he stretched out his hand against his allies:
      he corrupted his own covenant.
    His face was smoother than butter,
      but his heart was at war;
    his words were softer than oil,
      but they were sharp as drawn swords.
    Throw all your cares on the Lord
      and he will give you sustenance.
      He will not let the just be buffeted for ever.
    No – but you, Lord, will lead the wicked
      to the gaping mouth of destruction.
    The men of blood and guile
      will not live half their days.
    But I, Lord, will put my trust in you.
    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.
    I will cry to God and the Lord will save me.
    OR:

    At the daytime hours (Terce, Sext, None) when you don’t choose to use the psalms of the day, use the complementary psalms instead.

    COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS


    Psalm 125 (126)
    Gladness and hope in the Lord

    What marvels the Lord worked for us: indeed we are glad.
    When the Lord gave Zion back her captives, we became like dreamers.
    Our mouths were filled with gladness and our voices cried in exultation.
    Among the Gentiles they were saying,
      “By his deeds the Lord has shown himself great.”
    The Lord’s deeds showed forth his greatness,
      and filled us with rejoicing.
    Give us back our captives, O Lord,
      as you renew the dry streams in the desolate South.
    Those who sow in tears will rejoice at the harvest.
    They wept as they went, went with seed for the sowing;
    but with joy they will come, come bearing the sheaves.
    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.
    What marvels the Lord worked for us: indeed we are glad.

    Psalm 126 (127)
    Without the Lord, we labour in vain

    The Lord will build the house for us; he will watch over our city.
    If the Lord does not build the house,
      its builders labour in vain.
    If the Lord does not watch over a city,
      its watchmen guard it in vain.
    It is vain for you to rise before the dawn
      and go late to your rest,
      eating the bread of toil –
      to those he loves, the Lord gives sleep.
    The Lord bestows sons as an heirloom,
      the fruit of the womb as a reward.
    Like arrows in the hand of a warrior –
      so are the sons of one’s youth.
    Happy the man who fills his quiver thus:
      when he disputes with his enemies at the gate,
      he will not be the loser.
    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 will build the house for us; he will watch over our city.

    Psalm 127 (128)
    Peaceful life in the Lord

    O blessed are those who fear the Lord.
    Blessed are all who fear the Lord
      and walk in his ways.
    The food you have worked for, you will eat:
      God’s blessing will bring you good things.
    Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
      on the side of your house.
    Your children will be like olive shoots,
      seated round your table.
    See, this is how the man is blessed
      who fears the Lord.
    May the Lord bless you from Zion:
      may you see the wealth of Jerusalem
      all the days of your life.
    May you see your children’s children.
      Peace be on 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.
    O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

    CONCLUSION


    Short Reading 1 Samuel 16:7 ©
    God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.

    ℣. Search me, O God, and know my heart.
    ℟. Lead me in the path of eternal life.

    Let us pray.
    On the cross, Lord Jesus Christ,
      you stretched out your hands for the salvation of the human race.
    Grant that our life and work may be pleasing to you
      and bear witness to the power of your redeeming love.
    You live and reign for ever and ever.
    Amen.

    Let us praise the Lord.
    – Thanks be to God.