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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Tuesday 27 April 2021

    Tuesday of the 4th week of Eastertide 


    Vespers (Evening Prayer)

    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

    O Christ, the heavens’ eternal King,
    Creator, unto thee we sing,
    With God the Father ever One,
    Co-equal, co-eternal Son.

    Thy hand, when first the world began,
    Made in thine own pure image man,
    And linked to fleshly form of earth
    A living soul of heavenly birth.

    And when the envious crafty foe
    Had marred thy noblest work below,
    Thou didst our ruined state repair
    By deigning flesh thyself to wear.

    Once of a virgin born to save,
    And now new born from death’s dark grave,
    O Christ, thou bidd’st us rise with thee
    From death to immortality.

    Eternal Shepherd, thou art wont
    To cleanse Thy sheep within the font,
    That mystic bath, that grave of sin,
    Where ransomed souls new life begin.

    Divine Redeemer, thou didst deign
    To bear for us the cross of pain,
    And freely pay the precious price
    Of all thy blood in sacrifice.

    Jesu, do thou to every heart
    Unceasing Paschal joy impart;
    From death of sin and guilty strife
    Set free the new born sons of life.

    All praise be thine, O risen Lord,
    From death to endless life restored;
    All praise to God the Father be
    And Holy Ghost eternally.


    ________

    Psalm 136 (137)
    By the rivers of Babylon


    “This bodily captivity of the people must be understood as pointing to their spiritual captivity” (St Hilary).

    Sing us one of the songs of Sion. Alleluia.

    By the rivers of Babylon
    there we sat and wept,
    remembering Sion;
    on the poplars that grew there
    we hung up our harps.

    For it was there that they asked us,
    our captors, for songs,
    our oppressors, for joy.
    ‘Sing to us,’ they said,
    ‘one of Sion’s songs.’

    O how could we sing
    the song of the Lord
    on alien soil?
    If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    let my right hand wither!

    O let my tongue
    cleave to my mouth
    if I remember you not,
    if I prize not Jerusalem
    above all my joys!

    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.

    Sing us one of the songs of Sion. Alleluia.


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord, remember your pilgrim Church. We sit weeping at the streams of Babylon. Do not let us be drawn into the current of the passing world, but free us from every evil and raise our thoughts to the heavenly Jerusalem.


    Or:

    Our Father in heaven, you willed to make us citizens of your country and singers of your kind mercy. Do not abandon us in the land of exile to weep at the streams of an earthly Babylon, but bring us to the heavenly Jerusalem chanting your songs.


    ________

    Psalm 137 (138)
    Thanksgiving


    “The kings of the earth will bring glory and honour to the holy city” (cf Rev 21:24).

    In the midst of affliction you have given me life. Alleluia.

    I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
    you have heard the words of my mouth.
    In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
    I will adore before your holy temple.

    I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
    which excel all we ever knew of you.
    On the day I called, you answered;
    you increased the strength of my soul.

    All earth’s kings shall thank you
    when they hear the words of your mouth.
    They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:
    ‘How great is the glory of the Lord!’

    The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
    and the haughty he knows from afar.
    Though I walk in the midst of affliction
    you give me life and frustrate my foes.

    You stretch out your hand and save me,
    your hand will do all things for me.
    Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
    discard not the work of your hands.

    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.

    In the midst of affliction you have given me life. Alleluia.


    Psalm-prayer

    Look down from your holy temple, Lord, and we will proclaim you with all our heart. Listen to the words of our lips and pardon the sins of your people.


    Or:

    Listen to the prayers of your Church, Lord God; in the presence of the angels we praise your name. You keep the proud at a distance and look upon the lowly with favour. Stretch out your hand to us in our suffering, perfect in us the work of your love and bring us to life.


    ________

    Canticle
    Apocalypse 4,5
    The song of the redeemed

    Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power, the glory and the victory. Alleluia.

    Worthy are you, 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.

    Worthy are you, O Lord,
    to take the scroll and to open its seals,
    for you were slain,
    and by your blood you ransomed men for God
    from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

    You have made us a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and we shall reign on earth.

    Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
    to receive power and wealth
    and wisdom and might
    and honour and glory and blessing.

    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.

    Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power, the glory and the victory. Alleluia.


    ________

    Short Reading
    1 Peter 2:4-5

    The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.
    – The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.
    They saw the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.
    – The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.


    ________

    Canticle
    Magnificat
    My soul rejoices in the Lord

    I know my sheep and they follow me. I give them eternal life. Alleluia.

    My soul glorifies the Lord,
    my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
    He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
    henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

    The Almighty works marvels for me.
    Holy his name!
    His mercy is from age to age,
    on those who fear him.

    He puts forth his arm in strength
    and scatters the proud-hearted.
    He casts the mighty from their thrones
    and raises the lowly.

    He fills the starving with good things,
    sends the rich away empty.

    He protects Israel, his servant,
    remembering his mercy,
    the mercy promised to our fathers,
    to Abraham and his sons 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.

    I know my sheep and they follow me. I give them eternal life. Alleluia.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    Let us pray to Christ, who by his resurrection strengthens his people in hope.
    – Ever-living Christ, hear us.

    Lord Jesus, from your opened side there poured out blood and water;
    cleanse the Church, your bride, from every stain of sin.
    – Ever-living Christ, hear us.

    Good shepherd, risen from the dead, you gave to the apostle Peter the care of your flock;
    may Pope N., be ever strengthened in charity and zeal.
    – Ever-living Christ, hear us.

    Beside the lake of Galilee, you directed your disciples to a great catch of fish;
    direct the work of your disciples today, and give them your abundant blessing.
    – Ever-living Christ, hear us.

    On the shore of the lake you prepared food for your disciples;
    help us to find your joy in caring for others.
    – Ever-living Christ, hear us.

    Jesus, the last Adam, life-giving Spirit, conform the dead to your likeness;
    make their joy complete.
    – Ever-living Christ, hear us.


    ________

    Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name.
    Thy kingdom come.
    Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread,
    and forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us,
    and lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.


    ________


    Grant, we pray, almighty God,
    that we who celebrate the mystery of our Lord’s resurrection
    may enter upon the joy of our redemption.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
    who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
    God, for ever and ever.
    Amen.


    ________

    The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
    Amen.


    Copyright © 1996-2021 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.