Lord Jesus, assuage our blindness and activate our hearts during this Advent, so that we may find your presence hidden in ourselves. May we unveil the mystery of Christ-with-us and work toward the true restoration of the whole world in your image. Let your light shine in our hearts so that we may always know the truth of your love. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.
Psalm 14 - New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 1:10-20 - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 - Luke 20:1-8

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
St Augustine of Hippo

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
5 Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6 You desire truth in the inward being;*
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Psalm 51 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 14:1-11 - Romans 15:7-13 - Luke 19:28-40

Isaac Watts, Hymn writer, 1748
Thanksgiving Day

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day we bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see for joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care these are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise with a promise to follow You all of our days.
--Mary Fairchild

1 O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Psalm 96 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 13:1-9 - Ephesians 1:15-23 - Luke 19:11-27

We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected us through the night from all danger and harm. We ask you to preserve and keep us, this day also, from all sin and evil, that in all our thoughts, words, and deeds we may serve and please you. Into your hands we commend our bodies and souls and all that is ours. Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the wicked one have no power over us. Amen

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your promise,
for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Psalm 119 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 12:1-10 - Ephesians 1:3-14 - Luke 19:1-10

Clement, Bishop of Rome, ca 100

O Lord, in every age you reveal yourself to the childlike and lowly of heart, and from every race you write names in your book of life, give us the simplicity and faith of your saints, that loving you above all things, we may be what you would have us be, and to do what you would have us do. So may we be numbered with your saints in glory everlasting. Amen.

3 things that we have heard and known,
that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a decree in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;
Psalm 78 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 11:4-17 - 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 - Luke 18:31-43

C.S. Lewis, Apologist and Spiritual Writer, 1963

O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike; Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
From Lesser Feasts and Fasts

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 10:1-12 - Galatians 6:1-10 - Luke 18:15-30

Mechthild of Magdeburg, 1282; Mechtilde of Hackeborn, 1298; Gertrude the Great, 1302 Renewers of the Church

On this day three German mystics and spiritual writers are commemorated together. In the late thirteenth century, the convent of Helfta in Saxony, Germany was a center of female mysticism. This convent produced a number of well-known mystics in the latter part of the century.

Eternal God of fire and mercy, you have filled the hearts of your servants throughout the ages with visions of love and splendor: Bring your light, we pray, into the darkness of our hearts that we may know the joy of your presence and the power of your grace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.*
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 50:1,11-24 - Revelation 17:1-18 - Luke 13:31-35

Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680

O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household, and to become a trusted and reconciling friend to leaders of the Church: Give us the grace to respect and love our fellow Christians with whom we disagree, that our common life may be enriched and your gracious will be done, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
Psalm 112 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 44:1-15 - Revelation 16:12-21- Luke 13:18-30

Elizabeth of Thuringia, Princess of Hungary

Almighty God, by your grace your servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered for ever.
7 They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures for ever;
their horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked see it and are angry;
they gnash their teeth and melt away;
the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.
Psalm 112 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 43:23-33 - Revelation 16:1-11 - Luke 13:10-17

Margaret of Scotland

Lord, you gave your servant Margaret of Scotland a special love for the poor: Give to us, we pray, that same love, that we may be living signs of your goodness and at the last attain the glorious crown of your saints; we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever.

1 Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures for ever.
4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered for ever.
Psalm 112 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 43:1-22 - Revelation 14:14-15:8 - Luke 13:1-9

Lord, I've tried so many ways to make my life work. It feels like the more I try to have things my way, the further away from You I get. Help me to look up to You and not around me. Help me, God, to seek Your direction and hear Your voice when I'm lost and alone. Forgive me for not keeping my eyes on You. I know there is none like You, and no one could ever lead me or love me the way You do. I'm ready to follow You and You alone. So please put blinders on my eyes to the world and its ways, that I would stay on the straight and narrow path that leads me home to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
(From "Prayers to My King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

1 To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 As the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
until he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than its fill
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 38:24-34 - Revelation 14:1-13 - Luke 12:49-59

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, Theologian 1855

Heavenly Father, whose beloved Son Jesus Christ felt sorrow and dread in the Garden of Gethsemane: Help us to remember that though we walk through the valley of the shadow, you are always with us, and we may believe what we have not seen and trust where we cannot test, and so come at length to the eternal joy which you have prepared for those who love you; through the same Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

89 The Lord exists for ever;
your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts..
Psalm 119 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 34:1-8,18-22 - Revelation 13:1-10 - Luke 12:13-31

Martin of Tours

Lord God of hosts, who clothed your servant Martin the soldier With the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Almighty God our Heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Psalm 15 - English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 31:12-18,31:25-32:2 - Revelation 12:7-17 - Luke 11:53-12:12

Leo the Great

O Lord our God, grant that your Church, following the teaching Of your servant Leo of Rome, may hold fast the great mystery of our redemption, and adore the one Christ, true God and true Man, neither divided from our human nature nor separate from your divine Being; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints.
4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I said, "Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart."
Psalm 77 - English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 28:14-26 - Revelation 12:1-6 - Luke 11:37-52

Lord, give me strength when every fiber of my body cries out in protest. When my impulse is to cave in "just this once" bolster my willpower. I am a creature of habit, Lord. Help me find new, pure ones to replace the old. And until those are second nature, bear me up when my resolve is tested and tried. Help me see beyond this moment - to sacrifice this small, fleeting pleasure for my future good - to preserve this temple You have bestowed upon me. Amen.
(Susan Scott)

1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 48 - English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 24:1-12 - Revelation 11:14-19 - Luke 11:27-36

John Christian Frederick Heyer

Father,
You show me the truth in complex situations.
Though my situation seems blurred and I can see no clear-cut answers or simple solutions, You are there to faithfully point me in the right direction. As I look to You, I receive the benefit of Your wisdom and council. Only then can I find the truth in the midst of my circumstances. As I place my trust in You, I ask that Your Holy Spirit would speak to me and guide me. Thank You for a clear mind and a clean heart, with which to find my way. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.
10 As your name, O God,
so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11Let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments!
12Walk about Zion, go around her,
number her towers,
13consider well her ramparts,
go through her citadels,
that you may tell the next generation
14that this is God,
our God forever and ever.
He will guide us forever.
Psalm 48 - English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 19:4-17 - Revelation 11:1-14 - Luke 11:14-26

Elizabeth and Zechariah, Parents of St. John the Baptist

Dear Lord, through Your Apostle, St. Paul, You've taught us that there are three great virtues, Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of all is Love. Help me to understand that in order to love You and to love my neighbor, I must be alive. Father, help me to value my life, and all life, and give me courage to respect, defend, and, if necessary, die to protect the right of everyone to live as You will them to. Amen.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
Luke 1:68-75

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 11:2-20 - Revelation 9:13-21 - Luke 10:38-42

Lord, support us all day long until shadows lengthen, evening comes, the busy world hushed, the fever of life is over and our life's work is done.
Amen

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday
Psalm 37 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 10:1-18 - Revelation 9:1-12 - Luke 10:25-37

Richard Hooker
O God who are the only source of health and healing, the Spirit of calm and the central peace of this universe, grant to me such a consciousness of Your indwelling and surrounding presence that I may permit You to give me health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 7:4-14 - Revelation 8:1-13 - Luke 10:17-24

The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed
O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
Psalm 130 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 6:5-17 - Revelation 7:9-17 - Luke 10:1-16

The Feast of All Saints
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one Communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those indescribable joys which you have prepared for those who truly love you: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

1 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
2 Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
5 Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
Psalm 16 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 1:1-10, 18-27 - Acts 28:1-16 - Luke 9:28-36