Podcast: Play in new window | Download
February 14
Feast of St. Valentine (+269)
Ss. Cyril & Methodius (+869, +884)
Invitation to Worship
Come, let us sing to Adonai, let us praise the God of all Creation!
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.
Let the earth and all living things praise the greatness of God!
Let all who love extol the glory of Adonai!
MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
Oh raise your voices! Wake the world! And let your song of praise be heard!
For both in town and desert waste God’s glory finds a dwelling place.
These servants heard within their hearts A call to leave their family hearth,
They heard, they answered, left their home and gave a way the goods they owned.
They gave their lives to hear God’s word And then proclaim it to the world,
They listened, fasted, suffered, prayed And stood in darkness undismayed.
They knew their weakness and their sin And God’s great mercy from within,
In knowing this and their own shame They learned to reach and heal great pain.
O praise our Abba, wake the world! and let the Word’s own praise be heard!
And praise in town or desert waste The Spirit glorified in grace.
Text: Ralph Wright, OSB, alt. Tune: DUKE STREET L.M.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
These are the Holy Ones who became friends of God
and heralds of divine Truth.
Psalm 149
Sing a new song to Adonai,
sing praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Let Israel rejoice in her Maker,
let the children of Zion exult in their God.
Let us all praise the Holy Name with dancing
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For Adonai takes delight in this people,
And crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and enjoy the feast.
Let the praise of God be on our lips
and the sword of truth near at hand,
to teach God’s justice to the nations
revealing the consequences of their actions;
to break the chains of oppression
and unbind its fetters of iron;
to do God’s will on earth as in heaven,
the joy and honor of all who are faithful.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
These are the Holy Ones who became friends of God
and heralds of divine Truth.
READING Hebrews 13:7-9a
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. Happy are those who consider the poor and the weak* Adonai will save them in the day of evil. V. Adonai will guard them, give them life, make them happy in the land and will not give them up to the will of their foes * Adonai will save them in the day of evil. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
Holy and righteous, loving and kind,
they served God all the days of their lives.
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.
Holy and righteous, loving and kind,
they served God all the days of their lives.
Intercessory Prayer
You show your merciful love through humble and holy shepherds,
– let your mercy always reach your holy people through their example and love.
You called Cyril and Methodius to bring the Gospel to the Slavic peoples and to pray the liturgy in the language of the people; ~ bless all those who speak the good news of your love in language that people can hear and understand.
After the death of his brother, Methodius continued the ministry amid opposition from emperors and other bishops, ~ strengthen those who remain faithful to the gospel at all times and places.
The legends of the Martyr Valentine celebrate his joyful personality and love which endeared him even to the emperor who condemned him to death, ~ bless all who celebrate love on this feast and deepen our commitment to love those who hate us or wish us harm.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy One and God of endless Compassion, you are the praise of all your saints and the joy of all creation. You called your martyr, Valentine, and the missionary brothers Cyril and Methodius, to use their considerable gifts in serving the spread of the Good news. May we be inspired by their legends and examples to work with people from every nation, language and culture to join in building your reign on Earth as it is in heaven where you live and love One God for ever and ever. Amen.
May God bless us + and keep us in loving care today and each day throughout the year;
~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.
Prayer of St. Cyril
“O Lord, my God, you have created the choirs of angels and spiritual powers; you have stretched forth the heavens and established the earth, creating all that exists from nothing. You hear those who obey your will and keep your commands in holy fear.
Hear my prayer and protect your faithful people.
Keep them free from harm and the worldly cunning of those who blaspheme you.
Build up your Church and gather all into unity. Make your people known for the unity and profession of their faith. Inspire the hearts of your people with your word and your teaching. You called us to preach the Gospel of your Christ and to encourage them to lives and works pleasing to you.
I now return to you, your people, your gift to me. Direct them with your powerful right hand, and protect them under the shadow of your wings. May all praise and glorify your name, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”