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Service of Light
Greeting/Invocation
We light the Evening Candle and say or sing:
Light and Peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!
~Thanks be to God!
Stay with us Lord for it is evening,
~And the day is almost over.
WEDNESDAY EVENING HYMN
There was no sun to rule the day,
no moon to roam the night until
our God flung forth the nebulae,
the planets, suns and stars at will.
With these God made the greater light
to dawn and blaze upon our day;
a lesser lamp illumined night
and marked each month along its way.
Thus time, the seasons and the years
began their endless ordered round;
the moon called forth the festivals
on which God’s praises would resound.
And so it was and it was good!
Companions, friends, the stars would be:
bright beacons in the cosmic night,
sure bearings both on land and sea.
Thus evening came and morning came.
The fourth day saw our day-star, sun,
bright symbol of undying light,
undimmed when day and night are done. Amen.
Text: Aelred-Seton Shanley; Tune: Plainsong
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALMODY
Antiphon
The Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.
St. Francis’ Canticle of Creation
Most High, Almighty God,
Good and Holy One!
All praise, glory, and honor
and exaltation are yours!
To you alone do they belong,
And no mere mortal dares pronounce your Name.
We praise you O Loving God!
Praise to you, O Adonai our God,
for all your creatures:
first for our dear Brother Son,
who gives us the day and illumines us with his light;
fair is he, in splendor radiant,
bearing your very likeness, O Holy One!
We praise you O Loving God!
For our Sister Moon,
and for bright shining stars:
We praise you O Loving God!
For our Brother Wind,
for fair and stormy seasons
and all of heaven’s varied moods,
by which you nourish all that you have made.
We praise you O Loving God!
For our Sister Water,
so useful, and lowly,
so precious and pure.
We praise you O Loving God!
For our Brother Fire,
who brightens up our darkest nights:
beautiful is he and eager,
invincible and keen:
We praise you O Loving God!
The Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.
Reading Revelation 21: 22-25
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light,and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure.During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there.
Responsory
R. The rising sun will shine upon us *and direct our feet in the ways of peace.
V. The heavens still proclaim the glory of God *and direct our feet in the ways of peace.
V. Glory to the ONE, to the WORD, and to the Holy BREATH of Life.
Gospel Canticle of Mary
Antiphon
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary?
Where does he get this wisdom and the wonders that he works?
It is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle.
My heart + is radiant with the Lord,
My whole being delights in God my Savior.
All people now will call me blessed
For God has loved this humble handmaid.
The Almighty has shown me great favor
Holy is the NAME,
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
From one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God,
Scatters the proud in their own conceit,
Pulls tyrants from their thrones
While lifting up the lowly:
Fills the famished with bounty,
And reveals the emptiness of riches.
Rescues lowly Israel,
Sharing such loving kindness,
As promised to our ancestors
To Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants forever.
Glory to the ONE and to WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary?
Where does he get this wisdom and the wonders that he works?
Service of Prayer
Litany of Intercession
For astronomers, cosmologists, and all who explore the depths of space and the mysteries and wonder of the universe,
~God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all whose lives and work are intimately connected to the time of day and the seasons of the years, especially those affected most by global warming and climate change,
~God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all who are forced by poverty or war to live under the open sky, burned by the sun during the day or freezing under the stars each night,
~God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all who are deprived by modern lifestyles and preferences from experiencing the natural beauty and rhythms of day and night, seasons and celebrations that acknowledge our home and role in the universe,
~God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Every atom in our bodies was forged in the fiery belly of a star who lived, died and gave itself back to the universe: may we learn this Wisdom of God, manifest in the stars and in Jesus of Nazareth, and live and die in harmony with everything else going on in the universe. ~God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
God of the Starry Universe, as we celebrate the fourth day of the week, we praise and thank you for the wisdom and splendor of each shimmering star; the heat and life-giving energy of our Sun, the serene beauty and mystery of our Moon, and the reliable rhythms of days, weeks, months, seasons and years. May every person on earth be entranced by each sunset, amazed by each constellation, astonished by each season, and filled with gratitude that your universe in its infinite variety has invited each of us to be an integral part of such splendor, for your love is the power that has created all things, sustains all things, and frees all things to join you in building the future now and forever. Amen.
May the God of the Cosmos + bless us with reverence, wonder and awe . Amen.
Let us bless Adonai! ~And give thanks to God.
Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Marian Antiphon. Ave Regina Caelorum is sung from the 3rd of February until Good Friday, inclusive.
Queen of the heavens we greet you, Queen of Angels we entreat you,
Fairest flower, heaven’s portal From whom came the Light immortal.
Matchless maiden, God did raise you For the Universe to praise you.
Hear us, O hear us, dear Mother; Show your children Jesus, our brother.
Pray for us, holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O Gracious God, grant to your people lasting health of mind and of body.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we be freed from present sorrow and attain eternal happiness. We ask this through Christ our Love. Amen.