March 19, 2019 – vespers

monk INTRODUCTION
HYMN—Stabat Mater
PSALMODY
pope INCENSE PSALM
Ant. Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Psalm 141
O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
Let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers, *
nor eat of their choice foods.
Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;
let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; *
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places, *
that they may know my words are true.
As when a plowman turns over the earth in furrows, *
let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the grave.
But my eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge;
do not strip me of my life.
Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me *
and from the traps of the evildoers.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, *
while I myself escape.

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. 1. His parents found Jesus in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.
Psalm 15
LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
who may abide upon your holy hill?
Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.
There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the LORD.
He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.
He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.

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

Make our lives blameless, Lord. Help us to do what is right and to speak what is true, that we may dwell in your tent and find rest on your holy mountain.
Ant. 1. His parents found Jesus in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.
Ant. 2. The mother of Jesus said to him: Son, why have you done this to us? See how your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.
Psalm 112
Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in his commandments!
Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.
Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.
For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.
Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.
The wicked will see it and be angry;
they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *
the desires of the wicked will perish.

Psalm Prayer

Lord God, you are the eternal light which illumines the hearts of good people. Help us to love you, to rejoice in your glory, and so to live in this world as to avoid harsh judgment in the next. May we come to see the light of your countenance.
Ant. 2. The mother of Jesus said to him: Son, why have you done this to us? See how your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.
Ant. 3. Jesus returned with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth; there he lived and was obedient to them.
Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
Great and wonderful are your deeds, •
Lord God the Almighty.

Just and true are your ways, •
O ruler of the nations.

Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord? •
for you alone are holy.

All nations shall come and worship in your presence: •
for your just dealings have been revealed.
Ant. 3. Jesus returned with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth; there he lived and was obedient to them.
READING
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as for the Lord, and not for men. For you know that you will receive from the Lord the repayment of an inheritance. Serve Christ the Lord.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. 4. When Jesus began his ministry, he was about thirty years old, and was thought to be the son of Joseph.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
In every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
For he has remembered the promise of mercy.
The promise he made to our fathers,
To Abraham and his children 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. 4. When Jesus began his ministry, he was about thirty years old, and was thought to be the son of Joseph.
INTERCESSIONS
All fatherhood in heaven and on earth has its origin in God. Let us turn to him and pray:
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

All-holy Father, you revealed to Saint Joseph your eternal plan of salvation in Christ,
– deepen our understanding of your Son, true God and true man.
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

Father in heaven, you feed the birds of the air, and clothe the fields with the fruit of the earth,
– give all your children their daily bread, to sustain soul and body.
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

Maker of the universe, you have entrusted your creation to our safekeeping,
– may all who work receive a just reward for their labors.
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

God of all righteousness, you want us all to be like you,
– may Saint Joseph inspire us to walk always in your way of holiness.
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

Look kindly on the dying and the dead, and grant them your mercy,
– through the intercession of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.
.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(And now let us pray as the Lord told 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
Lord our God, help us to prepare for the coming of Christ your Son.
May he find us waiting, eager in joyful prayer.
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
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.
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