Almighty and everlasting God, with boldness and confidence we dare to call you Father: Fulfill and make perfect in our hearts the work of your Holy Spirit, through whom we have become your adopted children, so that we may be found worthy to enter upon the glorious inheritance you have promised to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Bergamo Sacramentary)

7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
Psalm 97 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 14:21-31 – 1 Peter 1:1-12 – John 14:1-17

– Bright Friday

Almighty and everlasting God, in the paschal mystery you have established with all humanity the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s body may show forth in their lives the faith they profess with their lips; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Psalm 96 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16 – 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 – Luke 24:1-12

– Bright Thursday

O God, you have made many nations, peoples and races one in the confession of your name: Grant that all who have been born again in the waters of Baptism may be united in faith and holiness of life; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Psalm 47 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 13:3-10 – 1 Corinthians 15:41-50 – Matthew 28:16-20

– Bright Wednesday

O God, you gladden our hearts by the annual celebration of the resurrection of our Lord: In your mercy grant that we, who now celebrate these joyous days on earth, may at length attain the eternal Easter in heaven; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Gelesian Sacramentary)

1 The LORD reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
2 Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
5 Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
Psalm 99 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 12:40-51 – 1 Corinthians 15:30-41 – Matthew 28:1-16

– Bright Tuesday

O God, through the paschal mystery you have healed the world: Continue to bless your people with heavenly gifts so that they may attain true liberty and enjoy the blessedness of heaven which we have begun to taste on earth; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

1 Praise the Lord!
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.
3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.
5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
Psalm 146 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 12:28-39 – 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 – Mark 16:9-20

– Bright Monday

O God, you continually increase your church by the birth of new sons and daughters in Baptism: Grant that they may be obedient all the days of their life to the rule of faith which they received in that Sacrament; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
Psalm 97 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 12:14-27 – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – Mark 16:1-8

– Good Friday

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
(the Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
4 In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Psalm 22 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33 – 1 Peter 1:10-20 – John 13:36-38

– Maundy Thursday

O Lord God, in a wonderful sacrament you have left us a memorial of your Passion: Deepen our reverence for the sacred mysteries of your Body & Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of your redemption; who live and reign with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(Thomas Aquinas)

1 I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look to my right and see;
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.
5 I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
Psalm 142 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Lamentations 2:10-18 – 2 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32 - Mark 14:12-25

– Wednesday of Holy Week

Almighty and everlasting God, it was your will that your Son should bear for us the pains of the cross so that you might free us from the power of the enemy: Help us so to remember and give thanks for our Lord’s Passion that we may obtain remission of sin and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim their words like deadly arrows.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!
Psalm 64 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Lamentations 2:1-9 – 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11 - Mark 12:1-11

– Tuesday of Holy Week

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace so to contemplate the Passion of our Lord that we may find therein forgiveness for our sins; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge.
Psalm 50 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Lamentations 1:17-22 – 2 Corinthians 1:8-22 - Mark 11:27-33

– Monday of Holy Week

Grant, we beseech you, Almighty God, that we, who in our times of trial often grow weak and falter, may take heart again and find new strength, seeing that Christ in His passion has offered for us the obedience we are too frail to offer you; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 40 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Lamentations 1:1-2, 6-12 – 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 - Mark 11:12-25

March 14, 2008
Absolve, we beseech you, O Lord, your people from their offenses; that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our frailty we have brought upon ourselves, we may be delivered by your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 9:13-35 – 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 - Mark 10:32-45

O God you have called us to be your children, and have promised that those who suffer with Christ will be heirs with him in your Glory: Arm us with such trust in him that we may ask no rest from his demands and have no fear in his service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2003)

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.
12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
your renown endures through all generations.
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her;
the appointed time has come.
Psalm 102 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 7:25-8:19 – 2 Corinthians 2:7-18 - Mark 10:17-31

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen
(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2003)

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.
3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Psalm 39 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 7:8-24 – 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6 - Mark 10:1-16

We humbly implore your majesty, O Lord, that as the Paschal festival draws nearer we may prepare ourselves with ever greater devotion to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of our Lord; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
(From the Bergamo Sacramentary)

1 Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O Lord, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.
Take them away with those who do evil.
Psalm 125 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Exodus 1:6-22 – 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 - Mark 8:27-9:1

O Lord, mercifully hear our prayers and by your majestioc right hand, reach out to defend us against all that endangers our faith that we may serve and worship you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 50:15-26 – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - Mark 8:11-26

O Lord, by the reverent observance of this Lenten season prepare the hearts of your faithful people, that they may enter upon the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ, and proclaim the greatness of your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 49:29-50:14 – 1 Corinthians 11:2-34 – Mark 8:1-10

O God, it is your will that the gate of mercy should stand open to your faithful people: Look upon us and be merciful to us; that we who by your grace are following the path of your will, may never turn aside from the way of life, even Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 49:1-28 – 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 – Mark 7:24-37