Welcome to the ULC Minister's Network

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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Wednesday 9 December 2020

    Wednesday of the 2nd week of Advent


    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. 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

    ________


    PSALMS OF THE DAY

    ________

    Psalm 118(119): 57-64
    Meditating the word of the Lord in the Law


    “You are a letter from Christ, written not on stone tablets but on the tablets of your living hearts” (2 Cor 3:3)

    Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’

    My part, I have resolved, O Lord,
    is to obey your word.
    With all my heart I implore your favour;
    show the mercy of your promise.

    I have pondered over my ways
    and returned to your will.
    I made haste and did not delay
    to obey your commands.

    Though the nets of the wicked ensnared me
    I remembered your law.
    At midnight I will rise and thank you
    for your just decrees.

    I am a friend of all who revere you,
    who obey your precepts.
    Lord, your love fills the earth.
    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.


    ________

    Psalm 54 (55)
    Against a faithless friend


    “Jesus began to feel a sudden fear and great distress” (Mk 14:33).

    O God, listen to my prayer,
    do not hide from my pleading,
    attend to me and reply;
    with my cares, I cannot rest.

    I tremble at the shouts of the foe,
    at the cries of the wicked;
    for they bring down evil upon me.
    They assail me with fury.

    My heart is stricken within me,
    death’s terror is on me,
    trembling and fear fall upon me
    and horror overwhelms me.

    O that I had wings like a dove
    to fly away and be at rest.
    So I would escape far away
    and take refuge in the desert.

    I would hasten to find a shelter
    from the raging wind,
    from the destructive storm, O Lord,
    and from their plotting tongues.

    For I can see nothing but violence
    and strife in the city.
    Night and day they patrol
    high on the city walls.

    It is full of wickedness and evil;
    it is full of sin.
    Its streets are never free
    from tyranny and deceit.

    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.


    ________

    Psalm 54 (55)

    If this had been done by an enemy
    I could bear his taunts.
    If a rival had risen against me,
    I could hide from him.

    But it is you, my own companion,
    my intimate friend!
    How close was the friendship between us.
    We walked together in harmony
    in the house of God.

    As for me, I will cry to God
    and the Lord will save me.
    Evening, morning and at noon
    I will cry and lament.

    He will deliver my soul in peace
    in the attack against me;
    for those who fight me are many,
    but he hears my voice.

    God will hear and will humble them,
    the eternal judge:
    for they will not amend their ways.
    They have no fear of God.

    The traitor has turned against his friends;
    he has broken his word.
    His speech is softer than butter,
    but war is in his heart.
    His words are smoother than oil,
    but they are naked swords.

    Entrust your cares to the Lord
    and he will support you.
    He will never allow
    the just man to stumble.

    But you, O God, will bring them down
    to the pit of death.
    Deceitful and bloodthirsty men
    shall not live half their days.
    O Lord, I will 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.

    Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord Jesus, you were rejected by your people, betrayed by the kiss of a friend, and deserted by your disciples. Give us the confidence that you had in the Father, and our salvation will be assured.


    ________

    Short Reading
    Daniel 9:19

    Listen, Lord! Lord, forgive! Hear, Lord, and act! For your own sake, my God, do not delay, because they bear your name, this is your city, this is your people.


    ________

    ℣. Come, Lord, and make no delay.
    ℟. Release your people from their sin.


    ________

    Let us pray.

    At your bidding, Lord,
    we are preparing the way for Christ, your Son.
    May we not grow faint on the journey
    as we wait for his healing presence.
    Through Christ our Lord.
    Amen.


    ________

    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.