Podcast: Play in new window | Download
December 4th St. John of Damascus
We light one Candle on the Advent Wreath. Signing our lips with a small sign of the Cross we say or sing:
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Blest is the One who comes in the NAME of our God
~Hosanna in the highest!
ADVENT MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of an Advent Morning Hymn—such as
When Our God Shall Come Again.
When our God shall come again All Love’s pow’r revealing,
Splendor shall announce the reign, Life and joy and healing;
Earth no longer in decay, Hope no more frustrated;
This is God’s redemption day Longingly awaited.
In the desert trees take root, Fresh, the new creation;
Plants and flow’rs and sweetest fruit Join the celebration;
Rivers spring up from the earth, Barren lands adorning;
Valleys, this is your new birth, Mountains, greet your morning!
Strengthen feeble hands and knees, Fainting hearts, be cheerful!
God who comes for such as these Seeks and saves the fearful;
Deaf ears, hear the silent tongues Sing away their weeping;
Blind eyes, see the lifeless ones Walking, running, leaping.
There God’s highway shall be seen Where no roaring lion,
Nothing evil or unclean Walks the roads to Zion:
Ransomed people homeward bound All your praises voicing
See your Love with glory crowned, Share in such rejoicing!
PSALMODY
Psalm 50/51 is often sung on Fridays throughout the year. Please join in singing the refrain as you are able.
Antiphon
The sacrifice you accept O God, is a humble spirit
Psalm 50/51
Have mercy on me, O God, in your loving kindness;
in your compassion blot out my offenses.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. (Antiphon)
I know full well my misdeeds,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, against you have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight. (Antiphon)
Yet you look for truth in my in most being,
and teach me wisdom in my heart.
Purify me that I may be clean,
wash me, make me brighter than snow. (Antiphon)
Create in me a pure heart O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your holy Spirit from me. (Antiphon)
Deliver me from death, O God my Savior,
that my tongue may sing of your justice.
O Love, open my lips,
and my mouth will proclaim your praise. (Antiphon)
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love;
as it was in the beginning, is now
and will be forever. Amen (Antiphon)
READING Isaiah 29: 18-21
On that day the deaf will hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will obtain fresh joy in Adonai, and those poor of the Earth will exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone.
Responsory
R. This you shall see and be glad at heart: * as a mother comforts her child, so I myself comfort you. V. You shall be carried in my arms and fondled on my knees. * as a mother comforts her child, so I myself comfort you.
Gospel Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
Canticle may be preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast celebrated that day.
Gospel Antiphon:
Anyone who receives these little ones in my name receives me;
any one who receives me receives the ONE who sent me.
It is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle.
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun has shown upon us
Illumines the darkness and dispels death’s shadow
To Guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE through the WORD
In the BREATH of Love!
As always before, so now and evermore. Amen
Anyone who receives these little ones in my name receives me;
any one who receives me receives the ONE who sent me.
Intercessory Prayer
In ancient times you freed those enslaved in Pharaoh’s empire;
Liberate us today, from our slavery to self-centeredness and greed.
In ancient times you fed people in the desert with manna from heaven;
Use us today to feed migrants and refugees fleeing from poverty and war.
In ancient times you gave thirsty people water springing from a rock;
Quench our thirst today, as we join the struggle for justice.
In ancient times you revealed your truth at Sinai with the precepts of the covenant;
Give us the strength this day, to fulfill the whole law with your Love.
Gathering our prayers and praise into one, we pray as Jesus taught the disciples:
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
O Wondrous Love, Holy Source of all that is, we praise you on this special feastday remembering the life and teachings of St. John of Damascus. May his example of love for the poor inspire us to share the gifts we receive with any who are in need. For yours is the glory and power of Love, now and forever. Amen.
May the peace of the Holy ONE which surpasses all understanding + guard our hearts and our minds in Jesus-our Emmanuel.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.