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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Wednesday 18 March 2020

    Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent


    Afternoon Prayer (None)


    Introduction (without Invitatory)

    If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, use the version with the Invitatory Psalm instead.


    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.


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    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

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    PSALMS OF THE DAY

    The psalms of the day are shown here, because the complementary psalms cannot be used today at this hour.


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    Psalm 118 (119): 105-112
    Meditating the word of the Lord in the Law


    “This is my commandment, that you love one another” (Jn 15:12).

    Armed with the justice which is the power of God, let us prove ourselves with great patience.

    Your word is a lamp for my steps
        and a light for my path.
    I have sworn and have made up my mind
        to obey your decrees.

    Lord, I am deeply afflicted;
        by your word give me life.
    Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips
        and teach me your decrees.

    Though I carry my life in my hands,
        I remember your law.
    Though the wicked try to ensnare me,
        I do not stray from your precepts.

    Your will is my heritage for ever,
        the joy of my heart.
    I set myself to carry out your statutes
        in fullness, 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.


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    Psalm 69 (70)
    God, come to my aid


    “Lord, save us, for we are in peril” (Mt 8:23).

    O God, make haste to my rescue,
        Lord, come to my aid!
    Let there be shame and confusion
        on those who seek my life.

    O let them turn back in confusion,
        who delight in my harm,
    let them retreat, covered with shame,
        who jeer at my lot.

    Let there be rejoicing and gladness
        for all who seek you.
    Let them say for ever: ‘God is great,’
        who love your saving help.

    As for me, wretched and poor,
        come to me, O God.
    You are my rescuer, my help,
        O Lord, do not delay.

    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.


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    Psalm 74 (75)
    The Lord, judge over all


    “He put down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly” (Lk 1:52).

    We give thanks to you, O God,
        we give thanks and call upon your name.
        We recount your wonderful deeds.

    ‘When I reach the appointed time,
        then I will judge with justice.
    Though the earth and all who dwell in it may rock,
        it is I who uphold its pillars.

    ‘To the boastful I say: “Do not boast,”
        to the wicked: “Do not flaunt your strength,
    do not flaunt your strength on high.
        Do not speak with insolent pride.”’

    For neither from the east nor from the west,
        nor from desert or mountains comes judgement,
    but God himself is the judge.
        One he humbles, another he exalts.

    The Lord holds a cup in his hand,
        full of wine, foaming and spiced.
    He pours it; they drink it to the dregs:
        all the wicked on the earth must drain it.

    As for me, I will rejoice for ever
        and sing psalms to Jacob’s God.
    He shall break the power of the wicked,
        while the strength of the just shall be exalted.

    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.

    Armed with the justice which is the power of God, let us prove ourselves with great patience.


    Psalm-prayer

    Father, by the passion of your Son you proclaimed the final judgement of the world; when you raised Christ upon the cross, you deposed the prince of darkness. Strike down the pride that rules our hearts and raise us to the glory of the resurrection.


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    Short Reading
    Daniel 4:24

    By virtuous actions break with your sins, break with your crimes by showing mercy to the poor, and so live long and peacefully.


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    ℣. My sacrifice is a contrite spirit.
    ℟. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn, O God.


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    Let us pray.

    Schooled by our Lenten observance, Lord,
        and nourished on your word,
    may we give you whole-hearted service through our self-denial,
        and through our prayer become one in heart and mind.
    Through Christ our Lord.
    Amen.


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


    Copyright © 1996-2020 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd.  All rights reserved.