Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, EP II

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Service of Light

Greeting/Invocation
 We light the Evening Vesper Candle and say or sing:

Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Love!

~Thanks be to God!

 

Sunday Evening Hymn

O radiant Light, O Sun divine, Of God the Abba’s deathless face,

O image of the Light sublime that fills the heavenly dwelling place.

 

O Word of God, the Source of Life, Praise is your due by night and day.

Our happy lips must raise the strain of your esteemed and splendid Name.

 

O Jesus Christ as daylight fades, as shine the lights of eventide,

We praise the Abba with the Word, the Spirit blest and with them one.

Text: Phos Hilaron, transl. WG Storey; Tune: J. Michael Joncas, Praise God in Song 

 

 Thanksgiving for the Light

Let us give thanks to the God of Light, always and for everything.

~In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Praise be Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe,

who led our ancestors in the faith by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and prepared a lamp for the Anointed.  Light up our darkness, O God, by the light of your Christ; may his word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path,

for you are full of loving kindness for your whole creation and we, your creatures glorify you: Abba, Word and Holy Breath of Love, now and forever.  Amen, Amen!

 

 

 SERVICE OF THE WORD

Sunday Evening Psalm

Antiphon

Adonai’s revelation to my Master:

“Sit on my right: We will change all foes into good friends.”

Psalm 109/110

Adonai, to the One who will reign:

“Come and be My companion;

We will undo selfishness and sin.”

 

The Spirit will bring from Zion

The power and strength to save:

Love changing foes into friends.

 

Precious from the day of your birth

on the holy mountain;

from the womb before the dawn I begot you.

 

The Promise holds true forever:

Your ministry is Loving-Kindness–

A priest like Melchizedek of old.

 

Companions of the Most High are ready

To liberate all who suffer from evil.

 

The One who calls us to justice

Invites us to join in the struggle:

Enlightening all who are unaware of the truth.

 

Drink from streams of Living Water,

Lift your head and celebrate the feast.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

and to the BREATH of Love,

as always before,

so now and evermore, Amen.

Adonai’s revelation to my Master:

“Sit on my right: We will change all foes into our friends.”

Reading           Matthew 5: 15-16

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;

it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your heavenly Abba.”

 Responsory

R.  Arise Jerusalem, rise clothed in light, for your light has come *and the glory of Adonai is rising on you.  V. The nations march toward your light and their leaders towards your sunrise.  and the glory of Adonai is rising on you. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Breath of Love.

 

New Testament Canticle

Antiphon: Adonai will reign, let Earth rejoice, Alleluia! 

 

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, alleluia!

God’s judgments are true and just.

R.  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise our God all you servants, alleluia!

Those reverencing with awe, small and great.

R.  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Adonai our God, the Almighty reigns, alleluia!

Let us rejoice and exult, giving God the glory.

R.  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

The marriage of the Lamb has come, alleluia!

And his bride has made herself ready.

R.  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

She has been given for her clothing, alleluia!

fine linen, glistening and pure.

R.  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Holy Breath

As always before, so now and evermore. Amen!

 Antiphon:  Adonai will reign, let Earth rejoice, Alleluia! 

 

 

 Service of Prayer

Litany of Intercession

That all who have been called and gifted to be salt of the earth and light of the world may overcome what divides us and may join our voices in proclaiming good news for the poor, let us pray…

~ Hear us O God.

 

That political and economic leaders may be filled with God’s Spirit of compassion and lead with honesty, justice and a passion for the flourishing of all, let us pray…

~ Hear us O God.

 

That the love and example of those who live and work in the darkness of violence, poverty and corruption may be light and hope for  those who suffer most, let us pray…

~ Hear us O God.

 

That those who have received more may be freed to share their abundance with those who are oppressed by racism, classism, and violence, let us pray…

~ Hear us O God.

 

That the sacredness of all life and the rights of all human and all earthly beings may be upheld in the hearts and in the laws of all peoples and nations, let us pray…

~ Hear us O God.

 

Prayer of Jesus

Our Father …

 

Closing Prayer & Blessing

O Holy One, Source, Guide and Goal of all that is, You called and gifted Jesus for a ministry of teaching and proclaiming the gospel, and curing every disease and illness among the people.  You have called and gifted each of us to be salt of the earth and light for the world in a great variety of ways with a wonderful diversity of gifts.  When we go astray, help us wake up and change direction so that we may channel our lives and our energies into preparing the way for your reign on Earth as it is in heaven where yours is the power and glory of love now and forever.  Amen.

 

May the Spirit of God + kindle in our hearts a passion for justice and a commitment to the poor.  ~Amen 

 

Let us bless the world with peace.    ~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.