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SERVICE OF LIGHT
Greeting/Invocation
We light the EVENING CANDLE and say or sing:
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World!
~The Light no darkness can extinguish!
Among those born of woman, alleluia!
~There is none greater than John the Baptist, alleluia!
HYMN FOR JOHN THE BAPTIST
See note about this Hymn at the end of Evening Prayer.
The speechless message, Gabriel had spoken, Leaps at the Lord’s Word Covenant of Mercy.
John is the child’s name, Prophet of the Most High, Witness to God’s light.
From desert quiet, comes the reed unshaken, Voice of the Coming, promised by Isaiah:
“Fill the deep valleys, level rugged mountains.” Peace for God’s Kin-dom.
He cries repentance to the sinful chosen. John the Baptizer leads them through the Jordan,
Water of waiting, till the fire and Spirit, Born of God’s Kin-dom.
This humble servant, least of all the Kin-dom, Strong with the power promised for Elijah,
Pours out the Spirit, on the Son Beloved, Lamb of God’s Kin-dom.
Dominion breaks forth, radiant his favor, Meeting of union: Abba, Son and Spirit.
So let us praise God, Labyrinth of Myst’ry, Love of the Kin-dom!
Text: Ut Queant Laxis, tr. St. Meinrad (1972), alt. Tune: UT QUEANT LAXIS Mode II
SERVICE OF THE WORD
EVENING PSALMODY
Antiphon
John is his name.
He shall drink no wine or strong drink,
and many will rejoice at his birth.
Psalm 112/113
Psalm 112/113
Servants of God, sing praise,
praise God’s holy Name.
Bless the Name of the Holy One,
both now and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
praised be the Holy Name.
Adonai towers above the nations;
God’s glory shines over the heavens.
Who compares to the Holy One?
Who is enthroned so high,
yet stoops from the heights to look down,
to observe both heaven and Earth?
Love lifts the humble from the dust
And raises the poor from the mire
To be seated with leaders of the people,
and to wear a crown of joy;
The childless, no longer alone,
Rejoice in many children.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
John is his name.
He shall drink no wine or strong drink,
and many will rejoice at his birth.
READING I PETER 1: 9-12
Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it, investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when he testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.
Responsory
R. John the Baptist spoke of Adonai* Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Turn your hearts to Adonai, your God* Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Antiphon
This child who is born to us is more than a prophet;
for it is he of whom the Savior said:
“Among those born of woman no greater prophet has arisen than John the Baptist.”
Canticle of Mary
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 the Word
And to the Breath of Love
As always before
So now and evermore. Amen
This child who is born to us is more than a prophet;
for it is he of whom the Savior said:
“Among those born of woman no greater prophet has arisen than John the Baptist.”
SERVICE OF PRAYER
Litany of Intercession
You called John the Baptist from his mother’s womb to prepare the way of Jesus by calling people to share their possessions, to act with justice and to treat others with respect ~help us to work for justice and thus open the way for Jesus.
You called John the Baptist to live on a simple diet, and close to nature in the wilderness, ~help us to live more simply so that other people and species may flourish.
You called John the Baptist to challenge those who misused power and disregarded the dignity of others ~help us to speak the truth to power with love.
You called John the Baptist to celebrate the conversion of hearts and the return to the heart of the Torah by baptizing people in the Jordan River; ~help all those who have entered the waters of Baptism to live out the faith and love they have professed.
You called John the Baptist to decrease so that the Lamb of God might increase ~help us to recognize with humility and gratitude the special role each of us has in proclaiming and building your reign of justice and peace.
You called John the Baptist to give testimony to you by his life and even by his death, ~ help us to imitate his unceasing witness to your truth and the marvelous gift of your love.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father who art in heaven…
Closing Prayer
We bless and thank you, O Gracious God, for you raised up John the Baptist to prepare your people for the coming of Jesus, our Love. Give your people joy in spirit and guide all humanity into the ways of justice and on the paths to peace, for yours is the glory and power of love now and forever. Amen.
Blessing
May the tender compassion of our God bless + us and guide our feet into the ways of peace, ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai. ~Thanks be to God.
Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Salve Regina
Marian Antiphon
Mother of mercy, our Queen, we greet you! Our life, our hope, our happiness, we hail you.
We call to you as Eve’s own children, and exiles; To you we life our heart in sorrow and fear, in this valley of tears. Turn then, our loving Advocate, and look with favor upon us. And after our life in exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O gracious, O loving, O Virgin benign, our Mother Mary.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God;
~ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Holy, Mighty and Immortal God, through the working of the Holy Spirit, you prepared the body and soul of the glorious virgin Mother Mary, as a worthy dwelling for your Word; grant that we, who celebrate her memory each evening, may with the help of her prayers, be freed from ever-present evil, and come to share the fulness of life eternal. Amen.