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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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
Sing with all the sons of glory,
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God’s likeness, man awaking,
Knows the everlasting peace.
O what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts for ages pleading,
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
There on high our welcome waits;
Every humble spirit shares it,
Christ has passed the eternal gates.
Life eternal! heaven rejoices:
Jesus lives who once was dead;
Join, O man, the deathless voices;
Child of God, lift up thy head!
Patriarchs from the distant ages,
Saints all longing for their heaven,
Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
All await the glory given.
Life eternal! O what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When, amidst earth’s closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!
O to enter that bright portal,
See that glowing firmament
Know with thee O God immortal,
“Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”
Tune: Hymn to Joy 87.87 D
Music: Arranged from Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827 by Edward Hodges, 1796-1867
Text: William J. Irons, 1812-1883
Go to the Psalmody
Or:
Lo! the dim shadows of the night are waning;
Radiantly glowing, dawn of day returns now;
Fervent in spirit, to the mighty Father
Pray we devoutly.
So shall our Maker of his great compassion,
Banish all sickness, kindly health bestowing;
And may he grant us, of a Father’s goodness,
Mansions in heaven.
This may he grant us, God for ever blessed
Father eternal, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Whose is the glory which through all creation
Echoes for ever. Amen.
Tune: Lobet Den Herren, Alle 11.11.11.5
Music: Johann Crüger, 1598-1662
Text: Ecce iam noctis, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604 or Alcuin, 732-804
Translation: Maxwell Julius Blacker, 1822-1888 alt.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Praise the Lord, for his loving kindness will never fail, alleluia.
Psalm 118
Song of joy for salvation
This Jesus is the stone which, rejected by you builders, has become the chief stone supporting all the rest (Acts 4:11).
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, *
for his love endures forever.
Let the sons of Israel say: *
“His love endures for ever.”
Let the sons of Aaron say: *
“His love endures for ever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say: *
“His love endures for ever.”
I called to the Lord in my distress; *
he answered and freed me.
The Lord is at my side; I do not fear. *
what can man do against me?
The Lord is at my side as my helper:*
I shall look down on my foes.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord *
than to trust in men;
it is better to take refuge in the Lord *
than to trust in princes.
The nations all encompassed me; *
in the Lord’s name I crushed them.
They compassed me, compassed me about; *
in the Lord’s name I crushed them.
They compassed me about like bees; †
they blazed like a fire among thorns. *
In the Lord’s name I crushed them.
I was hard-pressed and was falling, *
but the Lord came to help me.
The Lord is my strength and my song; *
he is my savior.
There are shouts of joy and victory *
in the tents of the just.
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; *
his right hand raised me.
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; †
I shall not die, I shall live *
and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, *
but not doomed to die.
Open to me the gates of holiness: *
I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord’s own gate *
where the just may enter.
I will thank you for you have answered *
and you are my savior.
The stone which the builders rejected *
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord, *
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord; *
we rejoice and are glad.
O Lord, grant us salvation; *
O Lord, grant success.
Blessed in the name of the Lord *
is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord; *
the Lord God is our light.
Go forward in procession with branches *
even to the altar.
You are my God, I thank you. *
My God, I praise you.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; *
for his love endures 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 forever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord God, you have given us the great day of rejoicing: Jesus Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone of the Church, our spiritual home. Shed upon your Church the rays of your glory, that it may be seen as the gate of salvation open to all nations. Let cries of joy and exultation ring out from its tents, to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection.
Ant. Praise the Lord, for his loving kindness will never fail, alleluia.
Ant. 2 Alleluia! Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, alleluia!
Canticle: Daniel 3:52-57
Let all creatures praise the Lord
The Creator . . . is blessed for ever (Romans 1:25).
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, *
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name, *
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, *
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, *
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
Blessed are you who look into the depths †
from your throne upon the cherubim, *
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, *
praiseworthy and glorious forever.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,*
and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Alleluia! Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, alleluia!
Ant. 3 Let everything that breathes give praise to the Lord, alleluia.
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 forever. 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. Let everything that breathes give praise to the Lord, alleluia.
READING
2 Timothy 2:8, 11-13
Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead. You can depend on this:
If we have died with him,
we shall also live with him;
If we hold out to the end,
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he will still remain faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
RESPONSORY
We give thanks to you, O God, as we call upon your name.
– We give thanks to you, O God, as we call upon your name.
We cry aloud how marvelous you are,
– as we call upon your name.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– We give thanks to you, O God, as we call upon your name.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. I am the living bread come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever, alleluia.
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 am the living bread come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
Open your hearts to praise the God of power and goodness, for he loves us and knows our needs:
We praise you, Lord, and trust in you.
We bless you, almighty God, King of the universe, because you called us while we were yet sinners,
– to acknowledge your truth and to serve your majesty.
We praise you, Lord, and trust in you.
O God, you opened the gates of mercy for us,
– let us never turn aside from the path of life.
We praise you, Lord, and trust in you.
As we celebrate the resurrection of your beloved Son,
– help us to spend this day in the spirit of joy.
We praise you, Lord, and trust in you.
Give to your faithful, O Lord, a prayerful spirit of gratitude,
– that we may thank you for all your gifts.
We praise you, Lord, and trust in you.
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 our Father,
may we love you in all things and above all things
and reach the joy you have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
Or:
O God, who have prepared for those who love you
good things which no eye can see,
fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love,
so that, loving you in all things and above all things,
we may attain your promises,
which surpass every human desire.
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
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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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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
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, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock he shepherds, alleluia.
Go to the Hymn