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March 21– Transitus of St. Benedict
FIRST Full Day of Spring 2023
Invitation to Worship
Come, let us return to Adonai our God–
Our God who is gracious and merciful.
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.
My sacrifice is a contrite spirit,
~ A humbled, contrite heart, you will not reject.
MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Lenten Morning Hymn. The following is for St. Benedict.
The blessed Abbot, Benedict, Sure guide in dark and troubled days,
Has shown his countless children here, the paths of peace and God’s own ways.
He dwelt in heaven while on earth, True man of God and man of prayer;
For him, the love of Christ was all And God was present everywhere.
He left all things that bind the heart, In poverty to find release;
Unmoved among the things that change, He sought and found a lasting peace.
He died among his many friends while lifting up his hands to pray;
In glory clothed he lives again And we rejoice with him today.
O Abba, Food of those who fast, O Christ in whom the least are known,
Earth’s rising sap, O Spirit-spring: come raise to life what you have sown! Amen.
Text: Stanbrook Abbey, 1971, alt., v.5 Aelred-Seton Shanley. Tune: JESU DULCIS MEMORIA
PSALMODY
Antiphon /Refrain
May we learn to prefer nothing to the love of Christ
And may he bring us all to everlasting life.
Prologue to the Rule of Benedict
Listen my child to the precepts of your master;
incline the ear of your heart.
Receive the instruction of a loving parent.
Take up the bright armor of listening deeply
and do battle for Christ who reigns.
It is the hour to wake from sleep.
Listen to the Spirit speaking to the Churches:
“If today you hear God’s voice,
do not harden your hearts,”
Walk while you have the light,
lest the darkness overtake you.
Who is the one who loves life?
If you answer: “I am the one,”
“Then keep your tongue from evil,
seek and strive after peace.”
What can be sweeter to us beloved disciples,
than the voice of Adonai inviting us?
Behold with such loving kindness
God shows us the way of life!
Glory to the One and to the Word
and to the Breath of Love
As always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
READING Romans 2: 1-6
You are without excuse,every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you hold God’s priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God is offered to lead you to repentance? By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to their deeds.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. Uphold me, O God, according to your promise and I shall live. And do not confound me in my expectations.
V. I bind myself to do your will, do not disappoint me.
V. I will run the way of your commands, you give freedom to my heart.
V. Glory to the One and the Word, and the Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
It is Adonai’s work and it is wonderful.
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.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
It is Adonai’s work and it is wonderful.
Intercessory Prayer
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is the breaking the chains of evil and untying the bonds of injustice; ~Help us to fast by loving our sisters and brothers.
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is freeing the oppressed and welcoming the poor into our homes; ~Help us to fast by loving our sisters and brothers.
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is clothing the persons we find naked and not despising our neighbors; ~Help us to fast by loving our sisters and brothers.
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is sharing food with the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and welcoming immigrants and strangers; ~Help us to fast by loving our sisters and brothers.
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is caring for those who are sick or injured and visiting those who are in prison; ~Help us to fast by loving our sisters and brothers.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
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 St. Benedict to share his wisdom in a simple and balanced rule for communities dedicated to contemplative prayer and sustainable living. You call us in this holy season to devote ourselves to prayer and works of compassion and love. May our hearts and our lives be in harmony with the words that we pray and our whole lives help to build your reign on Earth as it is in heaven where you live and love One God for ever and ever. Amen.
May we learn to prefer nothing to the love of Christ and may he bring us all to everlasting life: ~Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace.
~And give thanks to God.