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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Thursday 26 May 2022

    Thursday before Ascension Sunday


    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

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    PSALMS OF THE DAY

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    Psalm 118(119): 65-72
    Meditating the word of the Lord in the Law


    “His commands mean eternal life” (John 12:50)

    Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

    Lord, you have been good to your servant
    according to your word.
    Teach me discernment and knowledge
    for I trust in your commands.

    Before I was afflicted I strayed
    but now I keep your word.
    You are good and your deeds are good;
    teach me your commandments.

    Though proud men smear me with lies
    yet I keep your precepts.
    Their minds are closed to good
    but your law is my delight.

    It was good for me to be afflicted,
    to learn your will.
    The law from your mouth means more to me
    than silver and gold.

    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 55 (56)
    Trusting in the word of the Lord


    “Christ is shown suffering” (St Jerome).

    Have mercy on me, God, men crush me;
    they fight me all day long and oppress me.
    My foes crush me all day long,
    for many fight proudly against me.

    When I fear, I will trust in you,
    in God, whose word I praise.
    In God I trust, I shall not fear:
    what can mortal man do to me?

    All day long they distort my words,
    all their thought is to harm me.
    They band together in ambush,
    track me down and seek my life.

    You have kept an account of my wanderings;
    you have kept a record of my tears;
    are they not written in your book?
    Then my foes will be put to flight
    on the day that I call to you.

    This I know, that God is on my side.
    In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not fear;
    what can mortal man do to me?

    I am bound by the vows I have made you.
    O God, I will offer you praise
    for you have rescued my soul from death,
    you kept my feet from stumbling
    that I may walk in the presence of God
    and enjoy the light of the living.

    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 56 (57)
    Morning prayer in time of affliction


    “This psalm celebrates the passion of Christ” (St Augustine).

    Have mercy on me, God, have mercy
    for in you my soul has taken refuge.
    In the shadow of your wings I take refuge
    till the storms of destruction pass by.

    I call to God the Most High,
    to God who has always been my help.
    May he send from heaven and save me
    and shame those who assail me.
    May God send his truth and his love.

    My soul lies down among lions,
    who would devour the sons of men.
    Their teeth are spears and arrows,
    their tongue a sharpened sword.

    O God, arise above the heavens;
    may your glory shine on earth!

    They laid a snare for my steps,
    my soul was bowed down.
    They dug a pit in my path
    but fell in it themselves.

    My heart is ready, O God,
    my heart is ready.
    I will sing, I will sing your praise.
    Awake, my soul,
    awake, lyre and harp,
    I will awake the dawn.

    I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,
    among the nations I will praise you
    for your love reaches to the heavens
    and your truth to the skies.

    O God, arise above the heavens;
    may your glory shine on earth!

    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. Alleluia. Alleluia.


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son.


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    Short Reading
    (Colossians 1:12-14)

    We thank the Father who has made it possible for us to share in the saints’ inheritance of light. He has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves. In him, we gain our freedom and the forgiveness of our sins.


    ________

    ℣. Stay with us, Lord, alleluia.
    ℟. It is nearly evening and the day is drawing to a close, alleluia.


    ________

    Let us pray.

    God the Father,
    you have given a saviour to your people:
    fill our hearts with constant thanks and praise
    that Christ the Lord is risen from the dead.
    Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
    Amen.


    ________

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


    Copyright © 1996-2022 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.