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July 29 — Feast of Martha & Mary of Bethany
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.
Awake my soul and sing;
~ With God’s praise I will wake the dawn.
MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
O sister dawn, how light your touch;
how bright your face upon the Earth!
Awakened are we all to life
as you call us from sleep’s small death.
You, sister, graced that Easter morn
when Life, entombed, was lost from sight.
You roused the women with their spice
and guided them to greet the Light!
Your dawning opens wide our eyes;
our talents are awakened, too!
Our hands, so grasping, rest has freed
to welcome gifts we never knew.
Aroused, awakened and aware,
hands turn to labor, hearts to pray;
what yesterday was only glimpsed
stands now as fresh and clear as day.
With dawn and all the gifts of day,
we praise you Abba, Breath and Word:
a world so prodigal and free
reveals your loving hand O God! Amen.
Text: Aelred-Seton Shanley; Tune: Plainsong
PSALMODY
Antiphon/Refrain
My soul give praise to our God, Adonai!
Psalm 145/146
They are blest who are helped by Jacob’s God;
whose hope is in Adonai Elohim;
Who alone made heaven and Earth,
the seas and all they contain.
O Adonai you keep faith forever;
You are just to those who are oppressed.
It is You who give bread to the hungry;
Adonai, You set prisoners free.
O Adonai, You give sight to the blind
and raise up all who are bowed down.
O Adonai, You love the just,
Adonai, You protect the stranger.
You uphold the widow and orphan
but thwart the paths of the wicked.
Adonai You will reign for ever–
Zion’s God from age to age.
Setting: Tobias Colgan, OSB, alt.
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. The eyes of all creatures look to you, *and you give them their food in due season. V. You open wide your hand and grant the desires of all living things *and you give them their food in due season. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
Martha, Martha, do not worry and fret.
Mary has chosen a good portion, do not take it from her.
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
Martha, Martha, do not worry and fret.
Mary has chosen a good portion, do not take it from her.
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
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.
Bless those who are busy about many things
~And those who are aware of your presence among us.
Send forth your Spirit and they will be created;
~And you will renew the face of the earth.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Great Fire of Charity, kindle in us both the generous hospitality of Martha and the contemplative spirit of Mary whose feast we celebrate today. As the abundance of summer’s fields and gardens calls us to be busy about many things and to share these blessings with others, may the overwhelming beauty and mystery of creation move us to contemplative wonder, gratitude and praise. For your love is the power which creates, sustains, and guides all things to freedom, flourishing and the fullness of life now and forever. Amen.
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.