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Laetare Jerusalem, et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam:
Gaudete cum laetitia qui in tristitia fuistis, ut exsultetis,
et statiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae. (Is 66:10-11)
[Rejoice Jerusalem, and come together all you who love her:
Rejoice with joy, you who have been in sorrow, that you may exult
and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.]
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!
I rejoiced when I heard them say;
~”Let us go up to the house of Adonai!”
Hymn for Lent IV
He healed the darkness of my mind The day he gave my sight to me:
It was not sin that made me blind; It was no sinner made me see.
Let others call my faith a lie, Or try to stir up doubt in me:
Look at me know! None can deny I once was blind and now I see!
Ask me not how! But I know who Has opened up new worlds to me:
This Jesus does what none can do I once was blind but now I see.
Tune: DUNEDIN, L.M.. Text: John 9, Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Evening Psalmody
Antiphon
Jesus Christ crucified: to his people a scandal, to the Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are called: the power and wisdom of God.
Refrain
By his wounds we have been healed.
I Peter 2:21-25
Christ suffered for you leaving you an example:
that you should follow in his steps. (Refrain)
He committed no sin; no guile was found upon his lips.
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. (Refrain)
When he suffered, he did not threaten;
but he trusted in God who judges justly. (Refrain)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. (Refrain)
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you were straying like sheep,
but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (Refrain)
Glory to the Holy One and the Word and the Breath of Love.
As always before so now and evermore. Amen.
Jesus Christ crucified: to his people a scandal, to the Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are called: the power and wisdom of God.
.
READING Ephesians 5:8-11
You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness.
Responsory
R. Rejoice in Adonai, *exult at God’s presence. V. Make a highway for the One who is robed in light; *exult at God’s presence. V. Glory to the One and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Gospel Canticle
It is for judgment that I have come into the world,
so that those without sight may see and those with sight turn blind.
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
It is for judgment that I have come into the world,
so that those without sight may see and those with sight turn blind
Service of Prayer
Litany of Intercession
As we fully enter the Springtime of the year and reach the midpoint of the season of Lent, may we examine our hearts and sincerely reject the false values that blind us to the presence of God; ~Enlighten our hearts and minds.
As Jesus combined his own saliva with soil to make healing clay, may we join with Mother Earth in healing and restoring the species and eco-systems harmed by our blindness and greed; ~Enlighten our hearts and minds.
As Jesus was ready to violate customary interpretations of Sabbath Law out of compassion; may we be ready to cross boundaries and dismantle the structures of racism, religion and culture that oppress or marginalize others; ~Enlighten our hearts and minds.
As we remember the Man-Born-Blind who was sent to wash in Siloam, may we be ready to speak the truth of our own experience and share with others the light and truth of God’s all-inclusive, unconditional love; ~Enlighten our hearts and minds.
As we long to live in and walk by the light, may we recognize that our sight and insight are often blinded by pride, prejudice, elitism, and self-righteousness; ~Enlighten our hearts and minds.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father…
Closing Prayer
Gracious God of all Compassion, you sent Jesus to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind. Lead all who search for truth and light out of the blindness of selfishness, self-pity and sin to the vision of freedom, flourishing and fullness of life. As so many species respond to the daily increase of sunlight, may we see the interconnection of all things and live in harmony and peace with all people and all creation. We ask this through Christ our Light. Amen.
Blessing
May the light of God surround us; the love of God enfold us; and the presence of God + astound us. ~Amen
Let us bless Adonai. ~And give thanks to God.
Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Marian Antiphon for this season.
Ave Regina caelorum, Ave Domina Angelorum.
Salve radix, salve porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa:
Vale, O valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora.
Pray for us O gracious Queen of the Universe,
~ 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 body.
Send us your assistance in times of temptation.
May we who celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God,
rise from our sins by the help of her intercession.
We ask this through Christ our Love. Amen.