Daytime Prayer
0524 Dedication of a Church Feast
HYMN
At Midmorning
Now, Holy Spirit, come, descend,*
one with the Father and the Son;
come swiftly in and fill our hearts*
with your full flood of holiness.
In mind and mouth, with heart and tongue,*
with strength and sense, may praise resound,
May charity with ardor blaze*
and kindle others with its flame.
Now through your presence may we know*
and love the Father and the Son,
and you, the Spirit of them both,*
may we profess throughout all time. Amen.
At Midday
O mighty Ruler, God of truth,*
for days and seasons setting bounds,
you clothe with splendor morning light*
and midday skies with brilliant heat.
Extinguish flames of bitter strife,*
all harmful passion take away,
grant health unto our mortal frame,*
and on our hearts bestow true peace.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,*
and you, O Christ coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete*
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
At Midafternoon
O God, our firm and steadfast strength,*
remaining in yourself unmoved,
you rule the span of daily light*
and guide the course of all the hours.
Bestow at eventide a light*
by which our life may never fail;
may endless glory be the crown*
that follows on a holy death.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,*
and you, O Christ, coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete*
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
At Midmorning
Psalm 120
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
Ant.:This is God's holy temple. He lavished care on it; he built it stone by stone.
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 repay you in return, *
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors 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.
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.
Psalm 129
Saepe expugnaverunt
They have pressed me hard from my youth, *
this is Israel's song.
They have pressed me hard from my youth *
but could never destroy me.
They plowed my back like plowmen, *
drawing long furrows.
But the Lord who is just, has destroyed *
the yoke of the wicked."
Let them be shamed and routed, *
those who hate Zion!
Let them be like grass on the roof *
that withers before it flowers.
With that no reaper fill his arms, *
no binder makes his sheaves
and those passing by will not say: +
On you the Lord's blessing! *
We bless you in the name of the Lord.
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.:This is God's holy temple. He lavished care on it; he built it stone by stone.
READING [1 Corinthians 3:16-17]
Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
RESPONSORY
【V】:Lord, I love the beauty of your house.
【R】:The place where your glory dwells
At Midday
Psalm 123
The Lord is the hope of his people
Two blind men cried out: "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us" (Matthew 20:30)
Ant.:Your house, O Lord, must be a holy place for ever and ever.
To you have I lifted up my eyes, *
you who dwell in the heavens;
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves *
on the hand of their lords.
Like the eyes of a servant *
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God *
till he show us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. *
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed all too full is our soul +
with the scorn of the rich, *
with the proud man's disdain.
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 124
Our help is in the name of the Lord
The Lord said to Paul: Fear not...I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10)
If the Lord had not been on our side, *
this is Israel's song.
If the Lord had not been on our side *
when men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive *
when their anger was kindled.
Then would the waters have engulfed us, *
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept *
the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us *
as prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped *
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed the snare has been broken *
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, *
who made heaven and earth.
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 125
The Lord, the guardian of his people
Peace to God's true Israel (Galatians 6:16)
Those who put their trust in the Lord +
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, *
that stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, +
so the Lord surrounds his people *
both now and for ever.
For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest *
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just *
should turn to evil.
Do good, Lord, to those who are good, *
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil,+
drive them away! *
On Israel, 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.:Your house, O Lord, must be a holy place for ever and ever.
READING [2 Corinthians 6:16]
We are the temple of the living God; as God said: "I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.
RESPONSORY
【V】:Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
【R】:May those who love you prosper.
At Midafternoon
Psalm 126
Joyful hope in God
Companions with him in suffering, you will share his over-flowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7)
Ant.:This is the house of the Lord; it is firmly built on solid rock.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, *
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: "What marvels *
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us! *
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage *
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears *
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears, *
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song, *
carrying their sheaves.
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 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9)
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat, *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
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 128
Happiness of family life rooted in God
"May the Lord bless you from Zion," that is, from the Church (Arnobius)
O blessed are those who fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways!
By the labor of your hands you shall eat. *
You will be happy and prosper;
the wife like a fruitful vine *
in the heart of your house;
Your children like shoots of the olive, *
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed *
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion *
all the days of your life!
May you see your children's children +
in a happy Jerusalem! *
On Israel, 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.:This is the house of the Lord; it is firmly built on solid rock.
READING [Jeremiah 7:2b,4-5a,7a]
Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord! Put not your trust in the deceitful words: "This is the temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord!" Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; will I remain with you in this place.
RESPONSORY
【V】:Go within his gates giving thanks.
【R】:Enter his courts with songs of praise.
Concluding Prayer
Lord God, you choose men as living stones to become an eternal dwelling, built to the glory of your name. Increase your gifts of grace to the Church. Through the prayers of our Blessed Father Francis may your faithful people throng in ever greater numbers to form the heavenly Jerusalem: We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
At Midmorning
Now, Holy Spirit, come, descend,*
one with the Father and the Son;
come swiftly in and fill our hearts*
with your full flood of holiness.
In mind and mouth, with heart and tongue,*
with strength and sense, may praise resound,
May charity with ardor blaze*
and kindle others with its flame.
Now through your presence may we know*
and love the Father and the Son,
and you, the Spirit of them both,*
may we profess throughout all time. Amen.
At Midday
O mighty Ruler, God of truth,*
for days and seasons setting bounds,
you clothe with splendor morning light*
and midday skies with brilliant heat.
Extinguish flames of bitter strife,*
all harmful passion take away,
grant health unto our mortal frame,*
and on our hearts bestow true peace.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,*
and you, O Christ coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete*
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
At Midafternoon
O God, our firm and steadfast strength,*
remaining in yourself unmoved,
you rule the span of daily light*
and guide the course of all the hours.
Bestow at eventide a light*
by which our life may never fail;
may endless glory be the crown*
that follows on a holy death.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,*
and you, O Christ, coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete*
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
At Midmorning
Psalm 120
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
Ant.:This is God's holy temple. He lavished care on it; he built it stone by stone.
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 repay you in return, *
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors 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.
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.
Psalm 129
Saepe expugnaverunt
They have pressed me hard from my youth, *
this is Israel's song.
They have pressed me hard from my youth *
but could never destroy me.
They plowed my back like plowmen, *
drawing long furrows.
But the Lord who is just, has destroyed *
the yoke of the wicked."
Let them be shamed and routed, *
those who hate Zion!
Let them be like grass on the roof *
that withers before it flowers.
With that no reaper fill his arms, *
no binder makes his sheaves
and those passing by will not say: +
On you the Lord's blessing! *
We bless you in the name of the Lord.
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.:This is God's holy temple. He lavished care on it; he built it stone by stone.
READING [1 Corinthians 3:16-17]
Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
RESPONSORY
【V】:Lord, I love the beauty of your house.
【R】:The place where your glory dwells
At Midday
Psalm 123
The Lord is the hope of his people
Two blind men cried out: "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us" (Matthew 20:30)
Ant.:Your house, O Lord, must be a holy place for ever and ever.
To you have I lifted up my eyes, *
you who dwell in the heavens;
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves *
on the hand of their lords.
Like the eyes of a servant *
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God *
till he show us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. *
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed all too full is our soul +
with the scorn of the rich, *
with the proud man's disdain.
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 124
Our help is in the name of the Lord
The Lord said to Paul: Fear not...I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10)
If the Lord had not been on our side, *
this is Israel's song.
If the Lord had not been on our side *
when men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive *
when their anger was kindled.
Then would the waters have engulfed us, *
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept *
the raging waters.
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us *
as prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped *
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed the snare has been broken *
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, *
who made heaven and earth.
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 125
The Lord, the guardian of his people
Peace to God's true Israel (Galatians 6:16)
Those who put their trust in the Lord +
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, *
that stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, +
so the Lord surrounds his people *
both now and for ever.
For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest *
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just *
should turn to evil.
Do good, Lord, to those who are good, *
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil,+
drive them away! *
On Israel, 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.:Your house, O Lord, must be a holy place for ever and ever.
READING [2 Corinthians 6:16]
We are the temple of the living God; as God said: "I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.
RESPONSORY
【V】:Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
【R】:May those who love you prosper.
At Midafternoon
Psalm 126
Joyful hope in God
Companions with him in suffering, you will share his over-flowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7)
Ant.:This is the house of the Lord; it is firmly built on solid rock.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, *
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: "What marvels *
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us! *
Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage *
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears *
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears, *
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song, *
carrying their sheaves.
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 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9)
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat, *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
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 128
Happiness of family life rooted in God
"May the Lord bless you from Zion," that is, from the Church (Arnobius)
O blessed are those who fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways!
By the labor of your hands you shall eat. *
You will be happy and prosper;
the wife like a fruitful vine *
in the heart of your house;
Your children like shoots of the olive, *
around your table.
Indeed thus shall be blessed *
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion *
all the days of your life!
May you see your children's children +
in a happy Jerusalem! *
On Israel, 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.:This is the house of the Lord; it is firmly built on solid rock.
READING [Jeremiah 7:2b,4-5a,7a]
Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord! Put not your trust in the deceitful words: "This is the temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord!" Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; will I remain with you in this place.
RESPONSORY
【V】:Go within his gates giving thanks.
【R】:Enter his courts with songs of praise.
Concluding Prayer
Lord God, you choose men as living stones to become an eternal dwelling, built to the glory of your name. Increase your gifts of grace to the Church. Through the prayers of our Blessed Father Francis may your faithful people throng in ever greater numbers to form the heavenly Jerusalem: We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.