Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church (Breviary)

Lord, open my lips.

— And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints.

Psalm 100

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing for joy.

Ant. Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.

He made us, we belong to him,

we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Ant. Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints.

Go within his gates, giving thanks.

Enter his courts with songs of praise.

Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Ant. Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,

eternal his merciful love.

He is faithful from age to age.

Ant. Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:

Ordinary: 651

Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 744 (psalms)

Proper of Seasons: 553 (first reading)

Common of Holy Men: 1807 (verse, second reading and concluding prayer)

Christian Prayer:

Does not contain Office of Readings.

Office of Readings for Wednesday in Ordinary Time, the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

God, come to my assistance.

— Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN
Blest are the pure in heart,

for they shall see our God;

the secret of the Lord is theirs,

their soul is Christ's abode.

The Lord, who left the heavens

our life and peace to bring,

to dwell in lowliness with us,

our pattern and our King;

He to the lowly soul

will still himself impart and

for his dwelling and his throne

will choose the pure in heart.

Lord, we thy presence seek;

may ours this blessing be;

give us a pure and lowly heart,

a temple fit for thee.

𝄞"Blest are the Pure in Heart" by Eva Zlatkovic Ristic • Title: The Christian Life; Words: Sts. 1 and 3, John Keble (1792-1866), alt.; sts. 2 and 4, William John Hall (1793-1861), alt.; Music: Franconia, melody Johann Makhasar Konig (1691-1758); Adapt. and harmony: William Henry Havergal (1793-1870); Artist: Eva Zlatkovic Ristic; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 I love you, Lord; you are my strength.

Psalm 18:2-30

Thanksgiving for salvation and victory

At that time there was a violent earthquake (Revelation 11:13).

I

I love you, Lord, my strength,

my rock, my fortress, my savior.

My God is the rock where I take refuge;

my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.

The Lord is worthy of all praise;

when I call I am saved from my foes.

The waves of death rose about me;

the torrents of destruction assailed me;

the snares of the grave entangled me;

the traps of death confronted me.

In my anguish I called to the Lord;

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came to his ears.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I love you, Lord; you are my strength.

Ant. 2 The Lord has saved me; he wanted me for his own.

II

Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the mountains were shaken to their base:

they reeled at his terrible anger.

Smoke came forth from his nostrils

and scorching fire from his mouth:

coals were set ablaze by its heat.

He lowered the heavens and came down,

a black cloud under his feet.

He came enthroned on the cherubim,

he flew on the wings of the wind.

He made the darkness his covering,

the dark waters of the clouds, his tent.

A brightness shone out before him

with hailstones and flashes of fire.

The Lord thundered in the heavens;

the Most High let his voice be heard.

He shot his arrows, scattered the foe,

flashed his lightnings and put them to flight.

The bed of the ocean was revealed;

the foundations of the world were laid bare

at the thunder of your threat, O Lord,

at the blast of the breath of your anger.

From on high he reached down and seized me;

he drew me forth from the mighty waters.

He snatched me from my powerful foe,

from my enemies whose strength I could not match.

They assailed me in the day of my misfortune,

but the Lord was my support.

He brought me forth into freedom,

he saved me because he loved me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord has saved me; he wanted me for his own.

Ant. 3 Lord, kindle a light for my guidance and scatter my darkness.

III

He rewarded me because I was just,

repaid me, for my hands were clean,

for I have kept the way of the Lord

and have not fallen away from my God.

For his judgments are all before me:

I have never neglected his commands.

I have always been upright before him;

I have kept myself from guilt.

He repaid me because I was just

and my hands were clean in his eyes.

You are loving with those who love you:

you show yourself perfect with the perfect.

With the sincere you show yourself sincere,

but the cunning you outdo in cunning.

For you save a humble people

but humble the eyes that are proud.

You, O Lord, are my lamp,

my God who lightens my darkness.

With you I can break through any barrier,

with my God I can scale any wall.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord God, our strength and salvation, put in us the flame of your love and make our love for you grow to a perfect love which reaches to our neighbor.

Ant. Lord, kindle a light for my guidance and scatter my darkness.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

The Lord led this holy man along a sure path.

— He showed him the kingdom of God.

READINGS

First reading

From the second letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians 10:1–11:6

Paul’s defense

I, Paul, exhort you by the meekness and kindness of Christ, I who (you say) when present in your midst am lowly, but when absent am bold toward you. I beg you that when I am there, I may not have to act boldly, with that assurance I might dare to use courageously against certain ones who accuse us of weak human behavior. We do indeed live in the body but we do not wage war with human resources. The weapons of our warfare are not merely human. They possess God’s power for the destruction of strongholds. We demolish sophistries and every proud pretension that raises itself against the knowledge of God; we likewise bring every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ. We are ready to punish disobedience in anyone else once your own obedience is perfect.

You view things superficially. If anyone is convinced that he belongs to Christ, let him reflect on this: he may belong to Christ but just as much do we. If I find I must make a few further claims about the power the Lord has given us for your upbuilding and not for your destruction, this will not embarrass me in the least. At the same time, I do not wish to intimidate you with my letters. His letters, they say, are severe and forceful, but when he is here in person he is unimpressive and his word makes no great impact. Well, let such people give this some thought, that what we are by word, in the letters during our absence, that we mean to be in action when we are present.

We are not so bold, of course, as to classify or compare ourselves with certain people who recommend themselves. Since people like that are their own appraisers, comparing themselves with one another, they only demonstrate their ignorance. When we make claims we will not go over the mark but will stay within the bounds the God of moderation has set for us‚ – leading us to you. We are not overreaching ourselves, as we should be doing if we had not bothered to come to you. But indeed we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. We do not boast immoderately of the work of others; we hope that as your faith grows our influence may also grow among you and overflow. Following the rule laid down for us, we hope to preach the gospel even beyond your borders without having to boast of work already done by another in his allotted territory. “Let him who would boast, boast in the Lord.” It is not the man who recommends himself who is approved but the man whom the Lord recommends.

You must endure a little of my folly. Put up with me, I beg you! I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God himself, since I have given you in marriage to one husband, presenting you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

My fear is that, just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ. I say this because, when someone comes preaching another Jesus than the one we preached, or when you receive a different spirit than the one you have received, or a gospel other than the gospel you accepted, you seem to endure it quite well. I consider myself inferior to the “super-apostles” in nothing. I may be unskilled in speech but I know that I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made this evident to you in every conceivable way.

RESPONSORY 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:16, 17

Though we live in this world,

we do not rely solely on the resources of the world to do battle.

— Our warfare is not waged with the weapons of this world.

We arm ourselves with the shield of faith

and with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

— Our warfare is not waged with the weapons of this world.

Second reading

From a homily on the Acts of the Apostles by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop

The light of a Christian cannot escape notice

There is nothing colder than a Christian who does not seek to save others.

You cannot plead poverty here; the widow putting in her two small coins will be your accuser. Peter said: Silver and gold I have not. Paul was so poor that he was often hungry and went without necessary food.

You cannot plead humble birth, for they were humbly born, of humble stock. You cannot offer the excuse of lack of education, for they were uneducated. You cannot plead ill-health, for Timothy also had poor health, with frequent illnesses.

Each one can help his neighbor, if only he is willing to do what is in his power. Look at the trees that do not bear fruit: have you not noticed how strong and fine they are, upstanding, smooth, and tall? If we had a garden, we would much prefer trees with fruit—pomegranates and olives—to trees that are for pleasure, not for utility, and any utility these have is small.

Such are those men who think only of their own concerns. In fact, they are even worse: the trees are at least useful for building or for protection, whereas the selfish are fit only for punishment. Such were those foolish virgins who were chaste, comely, and self-controlled, but did nothing for anyone. So they are consumed in the fire. Such are those men who refuse to give Christ food.

Notice that none of them is accused of personal sins. They are not accused of committing fornication or perjury or any such sin at all: only of not helping anybody else. The man who buried the talent was like this. His life was blameless, but he was of no service to others.

How can such a person be a Christian? Tell me, if yeast did not make the whole mass like itself, is it really yeast? Again, if perfume failed to pervade all around it with its fragrance, would we call it perfume?

Do not say, “It is impossible for me to influence others.” If you are a Christian, it is impossible for this not to happen. Things found in nature cannot be denied; so it is here, for it is a question of the nature of a Christian.

Do not insult God. If you say that the sun cannot shine, you have insulted Him. If you say that a Christian cannot help others, you have insulted God and called Him a liar. It is easier for the sun not to give warmth or shine than for the Christian not to shed his light. It is easier for light to be darkness than for this to happen.

Do not say then that it is impossible. The opposite is impossible. Do not insult God. If we have put our affairs in order, these things will certainly come to be and will follow as a natural consequence. The light of a Christian cannot escape notice. So bright a lamp cannot be hidden.

RESPONSORY

After Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead,

they gave a dinner for him at Bethany,

— and Martha served at table.

Mary took a pound of costly perfume

and anointed the feet of Jesus.

— And Martha served at table.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Ever-living God,

the signs of your love are manifest

in the honor you give your saints.

May their prayers and their example encourage us

to follow your Son more faithfully.

We ask this 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.

ACCLAMATION (at least in the communal celebration)

Let us praise the Lord.

— And give him thanks.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:

Ordinary: 654

Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 748 (psalms)

Common of Holy Men: 1818 (reading, intercessions, concluding prayer)

Christian Prayer:

Ordinary: 689

Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 738 (psalms)

Common of Holy Men: 1452 (reading, intercessions, concluding prayer)

Morning Prayer for Wednesday in Ordinary Time, the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

God, come to my assistance.

— Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN
Christ our redeemer, wondrous love you show us

Ever inspiring souls to serve the Father,

By strong attraction, varied and impelling,

Gift of the Spirit.

Many are favored with the grace unrivaled,

Making them truly children of the Father,

Few are selected for a bond of union

Even yet closer.

Gently you call them, eagerly they answer,

All things forsaking, swift of foot they follow,

Choosing the pathway, trodden by their Savior

Straight to the Father.

Searcher in earnest all her strength exerting.

Your holy servant never slackened effort,

Model of virtues, seeking for you always,

Surely she found you.

Glory and honor be to the God Almighty,

Praise in the highest, power and dominion,

Who in his wisdom rules and governs all things

His love created. Amen.

𝄞"Christ Our Redeemer, Wondrous Love - for her" by Kathleen Lundquist, Sara Faux • Available for Purchase • Title: Christ Our Redeemer, Wondrous Love; Text: from Latin; Tr. St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK; Tune: Chant, Mode VIII; Liber Hymnarius; Artist: Kathleen Lundquist; Accompaniment: Sara Faux; Recording copyright 2017 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 O Lord, in your light we see light itself.

Psalm 36

The malice of sinners and God’s goodness

No follower of mine wanders in the dark; he shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

Sin speaks to the sinner

in the depths of his heart.

There is no fear of God

before his eyes.

He so flatters himself in his mind

that he knows not his guilt.

In his mouth are mischief and deceit.

All wisdom is gone.

He plots the defeat of goodness

as he lies on his bed.

He has set his foot on evil ways,

he clings to what is evil.

Your love, Lord, reaches to heaven;

your truth to the skies.

Your justice is like God’s mountain,

your judgments like the deep.

To both man and beast you give protection.

O Lord, how precious is your love.

My God, the sons of men

find refuge in the shelter of your wings.

They feast on the riches of your house;

they drink from the stream of your delight.

In you is the source of life

and in your light we see light.

Keep on loving those who know you,

doing justice for upright hearts.

Let the foot of the proud not crush me

nor the hand of the wicked cast me out.

See how the evil-doers fall!

Flung down, they shall never rise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord, you are the source of unfailing light. Give us true knowledge of your mercy so that we may renounce our pride and be filled with the riches of your house.

Ant. O Lord, in your light we see light itself.

Ant. 2 O God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power.

Canticle — Judith 16:2-3a, 13-15

God who created the world takes care of his people

They were singing a new song (Revelation 5:9).

Strike up the instruments,

a song to my God with timbrels,

chant to the Lord with cymbals.

Sing to him a new song,

exalt and acclaim his name.

A new hymn I will sing to my God.

O Lord, great are you and glorious,

wonderful in power and unsurpassable.

Let your every creature serve you;

for you spoke, and they were made,

you sent forth your spirit, and they were created;

no one can resist your word.

The mountains to their bases, and the seas are shaken;

the rocks, like wax, melt before your glance.

But to those who fear you,

you are very merciful.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. O God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power.

Ant. 3 Exult in God’s presence with hymns of praise.

Psalm 47

The Lord Jesus is King of all

He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and his kingdom will have no end.

All peoples, clap your hands,

cry to God with shouts of joy!

For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,

great king over all the earth.

He subdues peoples under us

and nations under our feet.

Our inheritance, our glory, is from him,

given to Jacob out of love.

God goes up with shouts of joy;

the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

Sing praise for God, sing praise,

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

God is king of all the earth.

Sing praise with all your skill.

God is king over the nations;

God reigns on his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples are assembled

with the people of Abraham’s God.

The rulers of the earth belong to God,

to God who reigns over all.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

God, King of all peoples and all ages, it is your victory we celebrate as we sing with all the skill at our command. Help us always to overcome evil by good, that we may rejoice in your triumph for ever.

Ant. Exult in God’s presence with hymns of praise.

READING Romans 12:1-2

Brothers, I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

RESPONSORY

Let the just rejoice in the presence of God.

— Let the just rejoice in the presence of God.

Let them be filled with gladness,

— in the presence of God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

— Let the just rejoice in the presence of God.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. Blessed are the peace makers, and blessed are the pure of heart; they shall see God.

Luke 1:68 – 79

The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Blessed are the peace makers, and blessed are the pure of heart; they shall see God.

INTERCESSIONS

My brothers, let us praise Christ, asking to serve him and to be holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. Let us acclaim him:

Lord, you alone are the holy one.

You desired to experience everything we experience but sin,

— have mercy on us, Lord Jesus.

Lord, you alone are the holy one.

You called us to love perfectly,

— make us holy, Lord Jesus.

Lord, you alone are the holy one.

You commissioned us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world,

— let your light shine on us, Lord Jesus.

Lord, you alone are the holy one.

You desired to serve, not to be served,

— help us, Lord Jesus, to give humble service to you and to our neighbors.

Lord, you alone are the holy one.

You are in the form of God sharing in the splendor of the Father,

— Lord Jesus, let us see the glory of your face.

Lord, you alone are the holy one.

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.

Concluding Prayer

Ever-living God,

the signs of your love are manifest

in the honor you give your saints.

May their prayers and their example encourage us

to follow your Son more faithfully.

We ask this 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.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

— Amen.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:

Ordinary: 659

Complementary Psalmody: 1291 (Midmorning)

Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 757 (Midmorning)

Midmorning Prayer for Wednesday in Ordinary Time using the Complementary Psalmody

God, come to my assistance.

— Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN
1 Christ, whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true and only Light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise,

triumph o'er the shade of night;

Day-spring from on high, be near;

Day-star, in my heart appear.

2 Dark and cheerless is the morn

unaccompanied by thee;

joyless is the day's return

till thy mercy's beams I see,

till they inward light impart,

glad my eyes and warm my heart.

3 Visit, then, this soul of mine,

pierce the gloom of sin and grief;

fill me, Radiancy divine,

scatter all my unbelief;

more and more thyself display,

shining to the perfect day!

𝄞"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies" by Johanna Montealto • Musical Score • Title: Christ Who's Glory Fills the Skies; Text: Charles Wesley, 1740; Tune: RATISBON; J. G. Werner's Choralbuch, 1815; harm. William H. Havergal, 1861; Meter: 77 77 77; Artist: Johanna Montealto; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 I cried out, and the Lord heard me.

Psalm 120

Longing for peace

To the Lord in the hour of my distress

I call and he answers me.

“O Lord, save my soul from lying lips,

from the tongue of the deceitful.”

What shall he pay you in return,

O treacherous tongue?

The warrior’s arrows sharpened

and coals, red-hot, blazing.

Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech,

dwell among the tents of Kedar!

Long enough have I been dwelling

with those who hate peace.

I am for peace, but when I speak,

they are for fighting.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I cried out, and the Lord heard me.

Ant. 2 May the Lord watch over you as you come and as you go.

Psalm 121

Guardian of his people

Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16)

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;

from where shall come my help?

My help shall come from the Lord

who made heaven and earth.

May he never allow you to stumble!

Let him sleep not, your guard.

No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,

Israel’s guard.

The Lord is your guard and your shade;

at your right side he stands.

By day the sun shall not smite you

nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil,

he will guard your soul.

The Lord will guard your going and coming

both now and for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. May the Lord watch over you as you come and as you go.

Ant. 3 I rejoiced in the good news they told me.

Psalm 122

The holy city, Jerusalem

You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)

I rejoiced when I heard them say:

Let us go to God’s house.

And now our feet are standing

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city

strongly compact.

It is there that the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel’s law it is,

there to praise the Lord’s name.

There were set the thrones of judgment

of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:

“Peace be to your homes!

May peace reign in your walls,

in your palaces, peace!”

For love of my brethren and friends

I say: Peace upon you.

For love of the house of the Lord

I will ask for your good.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I rejoiced in the good news they told me.

READING 1 Peter 1:13-14

Gird the loins of your understanding, live soberly, set all your hopes on the gift to be conferred on you when Jesus Christ appears. As obedient sons, do not yield to the desires that once shaped you in your ignorance.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell)

A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

Lord, show me your ways.

— Teach me to walk in your footsteps.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God of truth, Father of all,

you send your Spirit as you promised

to bring together in love

all whom sin has driven apart.

Strengthen us to work for your blessings

of unity and peace in the world.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

— Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.

— And give him thanks.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:

Ordinary: 659

All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 754 (Midday)

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:

Ordinary: 623

All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 718 (Midday)

Christian Prayer:

All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week I, 1008 (Midday)

Midday Prayer for Wednesday in Ordinary Time using the Current Psalmody

God, come to my assistance.

— Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN
You are the way; to you alone

From sin and death we flee;

And he who would the Father seek

Your follower must be.

You are the truth, your Word alone

True wisdom can impart;

You only can inform the mind

And purify the heart.

You are the life; the rending tomb

Proclaims your conquering arm;

And those who put their trust in you

Not death nor hell shall harm.

You are the way, the truth, the life;

Grant us that way to know,

That truth to keep, that life to win,

Whose joys eternal flow.

𝄞"You Are The Way; To You Alone" by Rebecca Hincke • Title: You Are The Way; To You Alone; Author: George W. Doane, 1799-1859; Tune: DUNDEE; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Lord, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

Psalm 119

II (Beth)

How shall the young remain sinless?

By obeying your word.

I have sought you with all my heart:

let me not stray from your commands.

I treasure your promise in my heart

lest I sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes.

With my tongue I have recounted

the decrees of your lips.

I rejoice to do your will

as though all riches were mine.

I will ponder all your precepts

and consider your paths.

I take delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord, may we treasure your commandments as the greatest of all riches; never let us fear that anything will be wanting to us while you are at our side.

Ant. Lord, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

Ant. 2 Lord, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Psalm 17

Save me, Lord, from those who hate you

During his life on earth… Jesus prayed to his Father and was heard (Hebrews 5:7).

I

Lord, hear a cause that is just,

pay heed to my cry.

Turn your ear to my prayer:

no deceit is on my lips.

From you may my judgment come forth.

Your eyes discern the truth.

You search my heart, you visit me by night.

You test me and you find in me no wrong.

My words are not sinful as are men’s words.

I kept from violence because of your word,

I kept my feet in your paths;

there was no faltering in my steps.

I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.

Turn your ear to me; hear my words.

Display your great love, you whose right hand saves

your friends from those who rebel against them.

Guard me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings

from the violent attack of the wicked.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Ant. 3 Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

II

My foes encircle me with deadly intent.

Their hearts tight shut, their mouths speak proudly.

They advance against me, and now they surround me.

Their eyes are watching to strike me to the ground

as though they were lions ready to claw

or like some young lion crouched in hiding.

Lord, arise, confront them, strike them down!

Let your sword rescue my soul from the wicked;

let your hand, O Lord, rescue me from men,

from men whose reward is in this present life.

You give them their fill of your treasures;

they rejoice in abundance of offspring

and leave their wealth to their children.

As for me, in my justice I shall see your face

and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Turn our eyes to see the truth of your judgments, Lord, that, when our spirits are tried by fire, the anticipation of seeing you may make us rejoice in your justice.

Ant. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

READING 1 Peter 1:15-16

Become holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, after the likeness of the holy One who called you; remember, Scripture says, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

May your priests be robed with holiness.

— Let your people dance for joy.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God of mercy,

this midday moment of rest

is your welcome gift.

Bless the work we have begun,

make good its defects

and let us finish it in a way that pleases you.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

— Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.

— And give him thanks.