Compassionate God, from far and near you gather your Church into one. Safeguard the unity of your flock through the teaching of Christ the Shepherd, that all your scattered children may find in him the guidance and nourishment they seek. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

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;

7  who executes justice for the oppressed,

    who gives food to the hungry.

                         

Psalm 146 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Samuel 7:18-29 – Acts 18:12-28 - Mark 8:11-21

Attend with kindness, Lord God, to the cries of your people,  that we may see the things that ought to be done and grow in the strength to do them. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

1 O God, do not keep silence;

    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;

    those who hate you have raised their heads.

3 They lay crafty plans against your people;

    they consult together against your treasured ones.

4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;

    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

5 For they conspire with one accord;

    against you they make a covenant—

17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;

    let them perish in disgrace,

18 that they may know that you alone,

    whose name is the Lord,

    are the Most High over all the earth.

                         

Psalm 83 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Samuel 7:1-17 – Acts 18:1-11 - Mark 8:11-21

God of heaven and earth, your almighty power is shown above all in your willingness to forgive and show mercy; let your grace descend upon us without ceasing, that we may strive for the things you have promised and come to share the treasures of heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,

    both rider and horse lay stunned.

7 But you, you are to be feared!

    Who can stand before you

    when once your anger is roused?

8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;

    the earth feared and was still,

9 when God arose to establish judgment,

    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;

    the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

11 Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;

    let all around him bring gifts

    to him who is to be feared,

12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,

    who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

                         

Psalm 76 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Samuel 5:1-12 – Acts 17:1-15  - Mark 7:24-37

Joseph of Arimathaea

Merciful God, whose servant Joseph of Arimathaea with reverence and godly fear prepared the body of our Lord and Savior for burial, and laid it in his own tomb: Grant to us, your faithful people, grace and courage to love and serve Jesus with sincere devotion all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

    you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

                         

Psalm 16 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Samuel 4:1-12 – Acts 16:25-40  - Mark 7:1-23

Ignatius of Loyola

O God, by whose grace your servant Ignatius, enkindled with the fire of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and may ever walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Look to him, and be radiant;

    so your faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,

    and was saved from every trouble.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;

    happy are those who take refuge in him.

                         

Psalm 34 – New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Samuel 3:22-39 – Acts 16:16-24  - Mark 6:47-56

Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Virgin Mary

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath

    from which he will not turn back:

  “One of the sons of your body

    I will set on your throne.

12 If your sons keep my covenant

    and my testimonies that I shall teach them,

    their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;

    he has desired it for his dwelling place:

14 “This is my resting place forever;

    here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;

    I will satisfy her poor with bread.

16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,

    and her saints will shout for joy.

17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;

    I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,

    but on him his crown will shine.”

                         

Psalm 132 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Samuel 31:1-13  – Acts 15:12-21  - Mark 5:21-43

St James the Elder, Apostle

O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

1 O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;

    save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,

2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,

    rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.

3 O Lord my God, if I have done this,

    if there is wrong in my hands,

4 if I have repaid my friend with evil

    or plundered my enemy without cause,

5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it,

    and let him trample my life to the ground

    and lay my glory in the dust.

6 Arise, O Lord, in your anger;

    lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;

    awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.

7 Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;

    over it return on high.

8 The Lord judges the peoples;

    judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness

    and according to the integrity that is in me.

                         

Psalm 9 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Samuel 28:3-20  – Acts 15:1-11  - Mark 5:1-20