Podcast: Play in new window | Download
January 21st is the Feast of two Martyrs
Saint Agnes of Rome (+305) & Saint Meinrad of Einsiedeln (+861)
Invitation to Worship
Christ our Strength, crowns the blessed Martyrs:
Let us rejoice on this holy day!
We make the Sign of the Cross over our lips as we begin.
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
May we prefer nothing to the Love of Christ;
~ May he lead us all to freedom and the fullness of life.
MARTYR’S MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Hymn .
The martyrs living now with Christ
In suffering were tried.
Their anguish overthrown by love,
When on his Cross they died.
Across the centuries they come,
In constancy unmoved.
Their loving hearts make no complaint;
In silence they are proved.
No one has ever measured love,
Or weighed it with a hand.
But God, who know the inmost heart,
Gives them the promised land.
Beloved Martyrs let us join
your shouts of joy and praise;
And show us how to follow Christ
Who leads us all our days.
Praise Abba, Word and Spirit blest
Who guide us through the night.
In ways that reach beyond the stars
To everlasting light.
Text: Stanbrook Abbey (1971) alt. v. 4 The Daily Feast ; Tune: DETROIT CM
PSALMODY
Antiphon
They did no wrong to anyone, but bore patiently wrongs done to them,
praying for their enemies in the love of Christ.
Psalm 32/33b
How happy the nations who listen;
The peoples who respond to this love.
For God-Love holds all things together
While guarding the children of Earth.
Preparing all things from eternity,
Ready to share all we need;
Into our hands and our hearts
Bestowing what makes us free.
A nation is not saved by its army
A general not saved by his strength;
Weapons –mere outward expressions
Of greed in fearful hearts.
None of this leads to safety,
This kind of power cannot save.
But God’s love is always at hand
For those whose hearts are open,
To rescue their lives from destruction
To feed them in times of famine.
Our whole being is waiting for God
Whose love is both help and shield.
Our hearts rejoice in this wonder,
We trust in the NAME of the Holy One.
May your love be upon us, O God,
For we place all our hope in You.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
They did no wrong to anyone, but bore patiently wrongs done to them,
praying for their enemies in the love of Christ
READING 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must share as called and gifted, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “The just scatter abroad, and give to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. This great lover of charity greeted his enemies, gave them food and drink, while he knew they would kill him. V. The great witness of Christ, Meinrad, forgave his enemies and commended his spirit to God; *gave them food and drink, while he knew they would kill him.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
The blessed Agnes prayed from the midst of the flames:
O Mighty One, I worship you and glorify your name forever.
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 will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The blessed Agnes prayed from the midst of the flames:
O Mighty One, I worship you and glorify your name forever.
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer of Jesus
Our Dear Abba …
Show us your mercy, Adonai,
~And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with justice,
~Let your people sing for joy.
Keep this and all nations under your care,
~Guide all peoples in justice and truth.
Let your ways be known upon earth,
~Your saving help among all the nations.
Let not the needy be forgotten
~Nor the hope of any be denied.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Great Fire of Charity, you kindled in Saint Agnes and Saint Meinrad a generous love and a heartfelt compassion for those who were about to kill them. As we remember their lives and their legends, empower us to follow the Gospel’s command that we love our enemies do good to those who hate us and pray for those who wish us harm. We ask this in the name of Jesus…
Blessing
May the God of love fill us with all joy and peace, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may abound in hope. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.