Morning Prayer

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Look, O Lord, and see my suffering. Come quickly to my aid.

Psalm 80
Lord, come, take care of your vineyard

Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

O shepherd of Israel, hear us, *
you who lead Joseph’s flock,
shine forth from your cherubim throne *
upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh.
O Lord, rouse up your might, *
O Lord, come to our help.

God of hosts, bring us back; *
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Lord God of hosts, how long *
will you frown on your people’s plea?
You have fed them with tears for their bread, *
an abundance of tears for their drink.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, *
our enemies laugh us to scorn.

God of hosts, bring us back; *
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

You brought a vine out of Egypt; *
to plant it you drove out the nations.
Before it you cleared the ground; *
it took root and spread through the land.

The mountains were covered with its shadow, *
the cedars of God with its boughs.
It stretched out its branches to the sea, *
to the Great River it stretched out its shoots.

Then why have you broken down its walls? *
It is plucked by all who pass by.
It is ravaged by the boar of the forest, *
devoured by the beasts of the field.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore, *
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it, *
the vine your right hand has planted.
Men have burnt it with fire and destroyed it. *
May they perish at the frown of your face.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen, *
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again: *
give us life that we may call upon your name.

God of hosts, bring us back; *
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

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, eternal shepherd, you so tend the vineyard you planted that now it extends its branches even to the farthest coast. Look down on your Church and come to us. Help us remain in your Son as branches on the vine, that, planted firmly in your love, we may testify before the whole world to your great power working everywhere.

Ant. Look, O Lord, and see my suffering. Come quickly to my aid.

Ant. 2 God is my savior; I trust in him and shall not fear.

Canticle: Isaiah 12:1-6
Joy of God’s ransomed people

If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink (John 7:37).

I give you thanks, O Lord; †
though you have been angry with me, *
your anger has abated, and you have consoled me.

God indeed is my savior; *
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord, *
and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water *
at the fountain of salvation, and say on that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; †
among the nations make known his deeds, *
proclaim how exalted is his name.

Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; *
let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, †
for great in your midst *
is the Holy One of Israel!

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. God is my savior; I trust in him and shall not fear.

Ant. 3 The Lord has fed us with the finest wheat; he has filled us with honey from the rock.

Psalm 81
Solemn renewal of the Covenant

See that no one among you has a faithless heart (Hebrews 3:12).

Ring out your joy to God our strength, *
shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.

Raise a song and sound the timbrel, *
the sweet-sounding harp and the lute,
blow the trumpet at the new moon, *
when the moon is full, on our feast.

For this is Israel’s law, *
a command of the God of Jacob.
He imposed it as a rule on Joseph, *
when he went out against the land of Egypt.

A voice I did not know said to me: *
“I freed your shoulder from the burden;
your hands were freed from the load. *
You called in distress and I saved you.

I answered, concealed in the storm cloud, *
at the waters of Meribah I tested you.
Listen, my people, to my warning, *
O Israel, if only you would heed!

Let there be no foreign god among you, *
no worship of an alien god.
I am the Lord your God, †
who brought you from the land of Egypt. *
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

But my people did not heed my voice *
and Israel would not obey,
so I left them in their stubbornness of heart *
to follow their own designs.

O that my people would heed me, *
that Israel would walk in my ways!
At once I would subdue their foes, *
turn my hand against their enemies.

The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet *
and their subjection would last for ever.
But Israel I would feed with finest wheat *
and fill them with honey from the rock.”

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, open our mouths to proclaim your glory. Help us to leave sin behind and to rejoice in professing your name.

Ant. The Lord has fed us with the finest wheat; he has filled us with honey from the rock.

READING
Hebrews 2:9-10

We see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, that through God’s gracious will he might taste death for the sake of all men. Indeed, it was fitting that when bringing many sons to glory God, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make their leader in the work of salvation perfect through suffering.

RESPONSORY

By your own blood, Lord, you brought us back to God.
– By your own blood, Lord, you brought us back to God.

From every tribe, and tongue, and people and nation,
– you brought us back to God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– By your own blood, Lord, you brought us back to God.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. I have longed to eat this meal with you before I suffer.

Canticle of Zechariah
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. I have longed to eat this meal with you before I suffer.

INTERCESSIONS

The Father anointed Christ with the Holy Spirit to proclaim forgiveness to those in bondage. Let us humbly call upon the eternal priest:
Lord, have mercy on us.

You went up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory,
– bring your Church to the Passover feast of heaven.
Lord, have mercy on us.

You were lifted high on the cross and pierced by the soldier’s lance,
– heal our wounds.
Lord, have mercy on us.

You made the cross the tree of life,
– give its fruit to those reborn in baptism.
Lord, have mercy on us.

On the cross you forgave the repentant thief,
– forgive us our sins.
Lord, have mercy on us.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught 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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God of infinite compassion,
to love you is to be made holy;
fill our hearts with your love.
By the death of your Son
you have given us hope, born of faith;
by his rising again
fulfill this hope
in the perfect love of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to suffer for our sake.

Psalm 51
O God, have mercy on me

Your inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man (Ephesians 4:23-24).

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. *
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt *
and cleanse me from my sin.

My offenses truly I know them; *
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned; *
what is evil in your sight I have done.

That you may be justified when you give sentence *
and be without reproach when you judge.
O see, in guilt I was born, *
a sinner was I conceived.

Indeed you love truth in the heart; *
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean; *
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, *
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face *
and blot out all my guilt.

A pure heart create for me, O God, *
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, *
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

Give me again the joy of your help; *
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways *
and sinners may return to you.

O rescue me, God, my helper, *
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. 
O Lord, open my lips *
and my mouth shall declare your praise.

For in sacrifice you take no delight, *
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.*
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

In your goodness, show favor to Zion: *
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
Holocausts offered on your altar.

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

Father, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations.

Ant. God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to suffer for our sake.

Ant. 2 Jesus Christ loved us, and poured out his own blood for us to wash away our sins.

Canticle: Habakkuk 3:2-4, 13a, 15-19
God comes to judge

Lift up your heads for your redemption is at hand (Luke 21:28).

O Lord, I have heard your renown, *
and feared, O Lord, your work.
In the course of the years revive it, †
in the course of the years make it known; *
in your wrath remember compassion!

God comes from Teman, *
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
Covered are the heavens with his glory, *
and with his praise the earth is filled.

His splendor spreads like the light; †
rays shine forth from beside him, *
where his power is concealed.
You come forth to save your people, *
to save your anointed one.

You tread the sea with your steeds *
amid the churning of the deep waters.
I hear, and my body trembles; *
at the sound, my lips quiver.

Decay invades my bones, *
my legs tremble beneath me.
I await the day of distress *
that will come upon the people who attack us.

For though the fig tree blossom not *
nor fruit be on the vines,
though the yield of the olive fail *
and the terraces produce no nourishment,

though the flocks disappear from the fold *
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet will I rejoice in the Lord *
and exult in my saving God.

God, my Lord, is my strength; †
he makes my feet swift as those of hinds *
and enables me to go upon the heights.

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. Jesus Christ loved us, and poured out his own blood for us to wash away our sins.

Ant. 3 We worship your cross, O Lord, and we praise and glorify your holy resurrection, for the wood of the cross has brought joy to the world.

Psalm 147:12-20
The restoration of Jerusalem

Come, I will show you the bride of the Lamb(Revelation 21:9).

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! *
Zion, praise your God!

He has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders, *
he feeds you with finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth *
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool, *
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.

He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. *
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them: *
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

He makes his word known to Jacob, *
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations; *
he has not taught them his decrees.

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 established peace within the borders of Jerusalem. Give the fullness of peace to your faithful people. May peace rule us in this life and possess us in eternal life. You are about to fill us with the best of wheat; grant that what we see dimly now as in a mirror, we may come to perceive clearly in the brightness of your truth.

Ant. We worship your cross, O Lord, and we praise and glorify your holy resurrection, for the wood of the cross has brought joy to the world.

READING
Isaiah 52:13-15

See, my servant shall prosper,
   he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.
Even as many were amazed at him—
   so marred was his look beyond that of man,
   and his appearance beyond that of mortals—
So shall he startle many nations,
   because of him kings shall stand speechless;
For those who have not been told shall see,
   those who have not heard shall ponder it.

In place of the responsory the following is said:

Ant. For our sake Christ was obedient, accepting even death, death on a cross.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. Over his head they hung their accusation: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

Canticle of Zechariah
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. Over his head they hung their accusation: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

INTERCESSIONS

For our sake our Redeemer suffered death and was buried, and rose again. With heartfelt love let us adore him, and pray:
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our teacher, for our sake you were obedient even to accepting death,
– teach us to obey the Father’s will in all things.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our life, by your death on the cross you destroyed the power of evil and death,
– may we die with you, to rise with you in glory.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our King, you became an outcast among us, a worm and no man,
– teach us the humility by which you saved the world.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our salvation, you gave yourself up to death out of love for us,
– help us to show your love to one another.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our Savior, on the cross you embraced all time with your outstretched arms,
unite God’s scattered children in your kingdom of salvation.
Lord, have mercy on us.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Remember us, Lord, when you come to your kingdom and teach us how to pray:)

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

Father,
look with love upon your people,
the love which our Lord Jesus Christ showed us
when he delivered himself to evil men
and suffered the agony of the cross,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen

PSALMODY

Ant 1 Though sinless, the Lord has been put to death. The world is in mourning as for an only son.

Psalm 64
Prayer for help against enemies

This psalm commemorates most particularly our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain, *
guard my life from dread of the foe.
Hide me from the band of the wicked, *
from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords; *
they aim bitter words like arrows
to shoot at the innocent from ambush, *
shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course; *
they conspire to lay secret snares.
They say: “Who will see us? *
Who can search out our crimes?”

He will search who searches the mind *
and knows the depth of the heart.
God has shot them with his arrow *
and dealt them sudden wounds.
Their own tongue has brought them to ruin *
and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear; *
they will tell what God has done.
They will understand God’s deeds. *
The just will rejoice in the Lord
and fly to him for refuge. *
All the upright hearts will 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

Father, you gave your Son victory over the men who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony, you delivered him from fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.

Ant. Though sinless, the Lord has been put to death. The world is in mourning as for an only son.

Ant. 2 From the jaws of hell, Lord, rescue my soul.

Canticle: Isaiah 38:10-14, 17b-20
Anguish of a dying man and joy in his restoration

I was living, I was dead . . . and I hold the keys of death (Revelation 1:17-18).

Once I said, *
“In the noontime of life I must depart!
To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned *
for the rest of my years.”

I said, “I shall see the Lord no more *
in the land of the living.
No longer shall I behold my fellow men *
among those who dwell in the world.”

My dwelling, like a shepherd’s tent, *
is struck down and borne away from me;
you have folded up my life, like a weaver *
who severs the last thread.

Day and night you give me over to torment; *
I cry out until the dawn.
Like a lion he breaks all my bones; *
day and night you give me over to torment.

Like a swallow I utter shrill cries; *
I moan like a dove.
My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward: *
O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety!

You have preserved my life *
from the pit of destruction,
When you cast behind your back *
all my sins.

For it is not the nether world that gives you thanks, *
nor death that praises you;
Neither do those who go down into the pit *
await your kindness.

The living, the living give you thanks, *
as I do today.
Fathers declare to their sons, *
O God, your faithfulness.

The Lord is our savior; *
we shall sing to stringed instruments
In the house of the Lord *
all the days of our life.

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. From the jaws of hell, Lord, rescue my soul.

Ant 3. I was dead, but now I live for ever, and I hold the keys of death and of hell.

Psalm 150
Praise the Lord

Let mind and heart be in your song: this is to glorify God with your whole self(Hesychius).

Praise God in his holy place, *
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his powerful deeds, *
praise his surpassing greatness.

O praise him with sound of trumpet, *
praise him with lute and harp.
Praise him with timbrel and dance, *
praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals, *
praise him with clashing of cymbals.
Let everything that lives and that breathes *
give praise to 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.

Psalm Prayer

Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and of all created things, you make your just ones holy and you justify sinners who confess your name. Hear us as we humbly pray to you: give us eternal joy with your saints.

Ant. I was dead, but now I live for ever, and I hold the keys of death and of hell.

READING
Hosea 5:15b-16:2

   Thus says the Lord,
In their affliction, they shall look for me:
   “Come, let us return to the Lord,
For it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
   he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
   on the third day he will raise us up,
   to live in his presence.”

In place of the Responory the following is said:

Ant. For our sake Christ was obedient, accepting even death, death on a cross. Therefore God raised him on high and gave him the name above all other names.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. Save us, O Savior of the world. On the cross you redeemed us by the shedding of your blood; we cry out for your help, O God.

Canticle of Zechariah
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. Save us, O Savior of the world. On the cross you redeemed us by the shedding of your blood; we cry out for your help, O God.

INTERCESSIONS

Our Redeemer suffered and was buried for us in order to rise again. With sincere love we adore him, and aware of our needs we cry out:
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our Savior, your sorrowing Mother stood by you at your death and burial,
– in our sorrows may we share your suffering.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ our Lord, like the seed buried in the ground, you brought forth for us the harvest of grace,
– may we die to sin and live for God.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ the Good Shepherd, in death you lay hidden from the world,
– teach us to love a life hidden with you in the Father.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, the new Adam, you entered the kingdom of death to release all the just since the beginning of the world,
– may all who lie dead in sin hear your voice and rise to life.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ Son of the living God, through baptism we were buried with you,
– risen also in baptism, may we walk in newness of life.
Lord, have mercy on us.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer that Christ himself taught 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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

All-powerful and ever-living God,
your only Son went down among the dead
and rose again in glory.
In your goodness
raise up your faithful people,
buried with him in baptism,
to be one with him
in the everlasting life of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.