Morning Prayer
INVITATORY
The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.
Go to the Hymn
Go to the Psalmody
Lord, + open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
The antiphon is repeated. In individual recitation, the antiphon may be said only at the beginning of the psalm; it need not be repeated after each strophe.
Go to Psalm 24
Go to Psalm 67
Go to Psalm 100
Psalm 95
A call to praise God
Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).
Come, let us sing to the Lord *
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
the flock he shepherds.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
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 before the Lord, our maker.
Go to the Hymn
Psalm 24
The Lord’s entry into his temple
Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (Saint Irenaeus).
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, *
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas; *
on the waters he made it firm.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? *
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart, †
who desires not worthless things, *
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord *
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, *
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
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 before the Lord, our maker.
Go to the Hymn
Psalm 67
People of all nations will worship the Lord
You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world (Acts 28:28).
O God, be gracious and bless us *
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth *
and all nations learn your saving help.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Let the nations be glad and exult *
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples, *
you guide the nations on earth.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
The earth has yielded its fruit *
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing *
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
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 before the Lord, our maker.
Go to the Hymn
Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple
The Lord calls his ransomed people to sing songs of victory (Saint Athanasius).
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 before the Lord, our maker.
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 before the Lord, our maker.
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 before the Lord, our maker.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.
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 before the Lord, our maker.
If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:
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
When breaks the day, and dawn grows bright,
Christ nearer seems, the Light of Light:
From us, like shades that nighttime brings,
Drive forth, O Lord, all darksome things.
Earth’s dusky veil is torn away,
Pierced by the sparkling beams of day;
Our life resumes its hues apace,
Soon as the Daystar shows his face.
So thee, O Christ, alone we seek,
With conscience pure and temper meek:
With tears and chants we humbly pray
That thou wouldst guide us through each day.
For many’a shade obscures each sense
Which needs thy beams to purge it thence;
Light of the Morning Star, thy grace
Shed on us from thy cloudless face.
All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.
Tune: Te lucis ante terminum L.M.
Music: Anonymous, Gregorian
Text: Cæli Deus sanctissime, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604
Translation: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Give joy to your servant, Lord; to you I lift up my heart.
Psalm 86
The prayer of the poor man in distress
Blessed be God who comforts us in all our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).
Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer *
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am faithful: *
save the servant who trusts in you.
You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord, *
for I cry to you all the day long.
Give joy to your servant, O Lord, *
for to you I lift up my soul.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving, *
full of love to all who call.
Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer *
and attend to the sound of my voice.
In the day of distress I will call *
and surely you will reply.
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; *
nor work to compare with yours.
All the nations shall come to adore you *
and glorify your name, O Lord:
for you are great and do marvellous deeds, *
you who alone are God.
Show me, Lord, your way †
so that I may walk in your truth. *
Guide my heart to fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart *
and glorify your name for ever;
for your love to me has been great: *
you have saved me from the depths of the grave.
The proud have risen against me; †
ruthless men seek my life: *
to you they pay no heed.
But you, God of mercy and compassion, *
slow to anger, O Lord,
abounding in love and truth, *
turn and take pity on me.
O give your strength to your servant *
and save your handmaid’s son.
Show me a sign of your favor †
that my foes may see to their shame *
that you console me and give me your help.
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 of mercy and goodness, when Christ called out to you in torment, you heard him and gave him victory over death because of his love for you. We already know the affection you have for us; fill us with a greater love of your name and we will proclaim you more boldly before men and happily lead them to celebrate your glory.
Ant. Give joy to your servant, Lord; to you I lift up my heart.
Ant. 2 Blessed is the upright man, who speaks the truth.
Canticle: Isaiah 33:13-16
God’s flawless judgment
What God has promised is for you, for your children, and for those still far away (Acts 2:39).
Hear, you who are far off, *
what I have done;
you who are near, *
acknowledge my might.
On Zion sinners are in dread, *
trembling grips the impious;
“Who of us can live with the consuming fire? *
Who of us can live with the everlasting flames?”
He who practices virtue and speaks honestly, *
who spurns what is gained by oppression,
brushing his hands *
free of contact with a bribe,
stopping his ears lest he hear of bloodshed, *
closing his eyes lest he look on evil.
He shall dwell on the heights, *
his stronghold shall be the rocky fastness,
his food and drink *
in steady supply.
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 is the upright man, who speaks the truth.
Ant. 3 Let us celebrate with joy in the presence of our Lord and King.
Psalm 98
The Lord triumphs in his judgment
This psalm tells of the Lord’s first coming and that people of all nations will believe in him (Saint Athanasius).
Sing a new song to the Lord *
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm *
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation; *
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love *
for the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen *
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, *
ring out your joy.
Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp *
with the sound of music.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
acclaim the King, the Lord.
Let the sea and all within it thunder; *
the world, and all its peoples.
Let the rivers clap their hands *
and the hills ring out their joy.
Rejoice at the presence of the Lord, *
for he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the world with justice *
and the peoples with fairness.
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 Jesus, you have revealed your justice to all nations. We stood condemned, and you came to be judged in our place. Send your saving power on us and, when you come in glory, bring your mercy to those for whom you were condemned.
Ant. Let us celebrate with joy in the presence of our Lord and King.
READING
Job 1:21; 2:10b
Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked I shall go back again.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord!
We accept good things from God;
and should we not accept evil?
RESPONSORY
Incline my heart according to your will, O God.
– Incline my heart according to your will, O God.
Speed my steps along your path,
– according to your will, O God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Incline my heart according to your will, O God.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Show us your mercy, Lord; remember your holy covenant.
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. Show us your mercy, Lord; remember your holy covenant.
INTERCESSIONS
Christ nourishes and supports the Church for which he gave himself up to death. Let us ask him:
Remember your Church, Lord.
You are the Good Shepherd who has given life and light today,
– make us grateful for these gifts.
Remember your Church, Lord.
Look with mercy on the flock you have gathered together in your name,
– let no one whom the Father has given you perish.
Remember your Church, Lord.
Lead your Church in the way of your commandments,
– may your Holy Spirit keep her faithful.
Remember your Church, Lord.
Nourish the Church at the banquet of your Word and Bread,
– strengthened by this food may she follow you in joy.
Remember your Church, Lord.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Let us make our prayers and praise complete by offering the Lord’s prayer:)
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
Lord,
as daylight fills the sky,
fill us with your holy light.
May our lives mirror our love for you
whose wisdom has brought us into being,
and whose care guides us on our way.
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.
DISMISSAL
If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:
The Lord be with you.
– And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
– Amen.
Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.
Then he adds:
Go in peace.
– Thanks be to God.
In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Morning Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.
******
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