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December 2nd was the feast of St. Chromatius of Aquileia (+406) and the anniversary of the murder/martyrdom of Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clark & Ita Ford, Ursuline Sr. Dorothy Kazel, and lay missioner, Jean Donovan in 1980. These four, working among the poor of El Salvador, had been profoundly touched by the example of Archbishop Romero who had been murdered 9 months earlier because of his commitment to human rights and the Church’s “preferential option for the poor.”
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
Throughout a world in shadow, John’s urgent voice we hear;
Prepare for Christ your Savior! The Son of God is near.
He gives a new beginning To those who turn from sin,
Who answer love with loving By turning back to him.
His veiled but certain splendor Begins to shine from far;
He comes, his saints around him: The bright and Morning Star.
With all who wait with longing, Give thanks that never cease,
For him whom God is sending To visit us in peace. Amen.
Text Stanbrook Abbey (1974); Tune: SPLENDOR AETERNIS Mode IV
PSALMODY
Those who wish may sing alternate verses with the cantor.
Antiphon
Soon Adonai your Ruler will come
And he will be called “Emmanuel.”
Psalm 84/85
O Holy One, you have blessed your land
and averted the destruction of Jacob,
You forgave your people’s iniquity
covering all of their shame,
You blessed them and raised up new hope;
Forgiving with merciful love.
Revive us now, God, our Helper!
Refine us with the Fire of your Love!
Restore once again our life,
That all people may rejoice in you!
Show us your Love and Compassion
And grant us your saving help.
I will hear what Adonai has to say,
Speaking with a voice of peace,
Peace for this people and the saints
Who turn their hearts to Love:
New life is drawing near,
Glory is filling the land.
Kindness and faithfulness have embraced
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
Truth sprouts from the earth,
While justice rains down from heaven.
Adonai will grant what is good,
And Earth will bear her fruit;
Justice will walk ahead
And guide us in the ways of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Soon Adonai your Ruler will come
And he will be called “Emmanuel.”
Reading: Isaiah 29:17-19
Thus says Adonai Elohim:
But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in Adonai, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Responsory:
R. Soon Adonai your Ruler will come * and he shall be called Emmanuel.
V. Justice shall flower in his days and profound peace * and he shall be called Emmanuel. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Gospel Canticle of Zachary Luke 1:68-79
The Gospel Canticle is preceded and followed by an antiphon based on the feast or Gospel of that day.
Antiphon:
Jesus said to the blind man: “What can I do for you?” “Lord, that I may see!”
Jesus replied: “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.”
At once he saw and followed him giving glory to God.
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
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.
Jesus said to the blind man: “What can I do for you?” “Lord, that I may see!”
Jesus replied: “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.”
At once he saw and followed him giving glory to God.
Intercessory Prayer
Lord Jesus, our light in days of darkness, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, our hope in times of struggle, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, our promise from God on high, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Gathering our prayers and praise into one, we pray as Jesus taught the disciples:
Our Dear Abba …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
God of Mercy and Compassion, you inspired Sisters Maura, Ita and Dorothy, and their co-worker, Jean, to lay down their lives in service of the poor and downtrodden of El Salvador. May all who experience your mercy be ready to share their gifts for freedom and flourishing of all peoples and the whole of Earthkind; for yours is the glory and the 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 Adonai. ~Thanks be to God.