March 21, 2022 – vespers

monk INTRODUCTION
HYMN—Forty Days
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. Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Ant. 1. The Lord will be your light for ever; your God will be your glory, alleluia.
Psalm 123
To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.

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

Father in heaven, we lift our eyes to you and pray: confound the scorn of the proud and graciously show us your mercy.
Ant. 1. The Lord will be your light for ever; your God will be your glory, alleluia.
Ant. 2. The snare was broken and we were set free, alleluia.
Psalm 124
If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of 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 forever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord Jesus, you foretold that your disciples would be despised on account of your name, but that not a hair of their heads is ever forgotten. In times of persecution, defend and revive us by the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be freed from our enemies and praise your saving help.
Ant. 2. The snare was broken and we were set free, alleluia.
Ant. 3. When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself, alleluia.
Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
Blessed are you,
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
for you have blest us in Christ Jesus
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

You chose us to be yours in Christ
before the foundation of the world,

That we should be holy and blameless before you.
in love you destined us for adoption as your children,
through Jesus Christ,

According to the purpose of your will,
to the praise of your glorious grace,

Which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
in you, we have redemption
through the blood of Christ,

The forgiveness of our sins,
according to the riches of your grace,

Which you have lavished upon us.
you have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight,

The mystery of your will,
according to your purpose
which you set forth in Christ,

As a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in Christ,
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. 3. When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself, alleluia.
READING
Romans 12:1-2
Brothers, I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. 4. This is what God asks of you: trust in the one whom he has sent, alleluia.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants 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. This is what God asks of you: trust in the one whom he has sent, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
Christ desires to lead all men to salvation. Let us implore him with all our heart:
Draw all things to yourself, Lord.

Through your precious blood, Lord, you redeemed us from the slavery of sin,
– grant us the freedom of the sons of God.
Draw all things to yourself, Lord.

Bestow your grace upon our bishop N., and upon all bishops,
– may they administer your sacraments with fervent joy.
Draw all things to yourself, Lord.

Grant that all who seek the truth may find it,
– and in finding it may they desire it all the more.
Draw all things to yourself, Lord.

Be present to comfort widows, orphans and all the abandoned, Lord,
– may they feel close to you and cling to you.
Draw all things to yourself, Lord.

Receive our departed brethren into the heavenly kingdom,
– where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you will be all in all.
Draw all things to yourself, Lord.
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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