Homily of St. Bede the Venerable, Priest The Cursing of the Fig Tree

 

Homily of St. Bede the Venerable, Priest

The Cursing of the Fig Tree

What the Lord signified by cursing the fig tree, this same He "showed more clearly by casting the impious men from the temple. For the tree did nothing wrong in not having fruit when the Lord was hungry, since its season had not yet come. But the priests did sin who carried on worldly affairs in the house of the Lord, and who omitted to bear the fruit of love which they owed, and which the Lord hungered after in them. By curbing it the Lord dried up the tree, that men, seeing or hearing these things, might much better understand that they will be condemned by divine judgment if, without the fruit of works, they are flattered by applause for their religious speech alone, which resembles, as it were, the sound and appearance of green loaves.

But, because they did not understand, He consequently applied severity of their merited punishment to them, and He threw the business transactions of mankind out of that house in which wag commanded that only divine things be done, sacrifices and prayers be offered, the Word of God be read, heard and sung. And indeed, it must be believed that He found that those things only were sold and bought in the temple which were necessary to the ministry of the temple itself—according to that which were necessary elsewhere, when, entering the same temple, He found in in it the same men and buying sheep, cattle, doves—because they who had come from afar were without doubt buying from the townsmen all these things only that they might be offered in the house Of the Lord.

 

If therefore the Lord did not even wish those things to be sold in the temple which He wished to be offered in the temple because of avarice and fraud, which is the vice proper businessmen with what great punishment do you think he would afflict those whom He found idling there in laughter and vain chatter or giving themselves up to any other vice? For if those temporal transactions which they were able to carry on freely elsewhere not permitted by the Lord to be done in His house, how much more do those things which are never permitted merit the wrath of heaven, if they are done in temples consecrated to God?

 

But because the Holy Spirit appeared above the Lord as a dove, rightly are the gifts of the Holy Spirit signified by doves. But who are they who sell doves in the temple of God, but those who pay for the imposition of hands, though which the Holy Spirit is given from heaven?

“O Sol Salutis Intimis”

The Roman Missal: Sunday: Lent: Lauds

O Sol salutis, intimis Jesu, refulge mentibus, Dum nocte pulsa gratior Orbi dies renascitur. Dans tempus acceptabile, Da, lacrimarum rivulis Lavare cordis victimam, Quam læta adurat caritas. Quo fonte manavit nefas, Fluent perennes lacrimæ, Si virga pœnitentiæ Cordis rigorem conterat. Dies venit, dies tua, In qua reflorent omnia: Lætamur et nos in viam Tua reducti dextera. Te prona mundi machina Clemens adoret Trinitas, Et nos novi per gratiam Novum canamus canticum.

1. Jesus, salvation’s sun, shine bright in our inmost souls until night is driven away and day with its more welcome joys rises again. 2. Having given us this “acceptable time,” grant that we may purify by abundant sorrow the sacrifice we make of our heart and that our love may willingly consume the sacrifice in its flames. 3. Tears of repentance will never stop welling up from our heart, the source of our past sin, if the rod of penance break its stubborn rock. 4. The day—Your day—is coming, when everything again begins to blossom. And when Your right hand has led us back to the way, may we too rejoice on that day. 5. May the world that You constructed humbly adore You, merciful Trinity, and may we, renewed by grace, sing a new hymn of praise.

This hymn is now only used in the older Latin Office, but it is notable for it's cherry tone, the Sun and Easter. It is also a relatively new hymn compared to the current hymns in use, dating from the 15^th century. 

 In Officio feriali: saec. X: Vespers: (not currently used on Sunday, only Week days)

Iesu, quadragenáriæ

dicátor abstinéntiæ, (1)

qui ob salútem méntium (2)

præcéperas ieiúnium,

Adésto nunc Ecclésiæ, (3)

adésto pæniténtiæ,

qua supplicámus cérnui (4)

peccáta nostra dílui.

Tu retroácta crímina 

tua remítte grátia

et a futúris ádhibe

custódiam mitíssime,

Ut, expiáti ánnuis

compunctiónis áctibus,

tendámus ad paschália 

digne colénda gáudia.

Te rerum univérsitas,

clemens, adóret, Trínitas,

et nos novi per véniam

novum canámus cánticum. Amen.

1. Dicator magistrate, one who dictates; 

2. ‘who with a view to the health of the soul didst in the days of old hallow this fast’ (Walpole)

3. The second stanza of the original has been dropped. 

4. The final two lines of this stanza are altered from the original:  

From "The Hymns of the Anglo-Saxon Church" Igne B. Milfull" 

Remember that we are we are your, even though part of a fallen creation, do not give the honor of your name to another, we pray you.

Release us from the sin we created. add to the goodness we ask of you for ourselves we may indeed be able to find favor with you in eternity.

O Jesus, who established these forty days of abstinence, who decreed this fast for the salvation of souls: Be present with thy Church, assist our penitence, by which, we humbly pray, that our sins may be washed away. By your grace forgive us our past sins and gently guard us against future sins: that cleansed by these yearly acts of contrition we may be prepared to celebrate Easter with worthy joy.  All things worship you, O merciful Trinity, and made new by your pardon we sing a new song. Amen.

Memorial February 27 – St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Confessor

O God, You taught blessed Gabriel diligently to ponder the sorrows of Your most sweet Mother, and exalted him to the glory of sanctity and the working of miracles; grant us, through his intercession and example, so to mourn with Your Mother, that we may be saved through her maternal care. You who are God, living and reigning with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen

Ex more docti mýstico

 

Generally appointed for Nocturns, sometimes Vespers (Walpole). 

Ex more docti mýstico (1)

servémus abstinéntiam, (2)

deno diérum círculo

ducto quater notíssimo.

Lex et prophétæ prímitus (3)

hanc prætulérunt, póstmodum

Christus sacrávit, ómnium

rex atque factor témporum.

Utámur ergo párcius 

verbis, cibis et pótibus,

somno, iocis et árctius

perstémus in custódia.

Vitémus autem péssima

quæ súbruunt mentes vagas,

nullúmque demus cállido  

hosti locum tyránnidis.

Præsta, beáta Trínitas, (6) 

concéde, simplex Unitas,

ut fructuósa sint tuis

hæc parcitátis múnera. Amen.

1. Ex more = ‘by the custom’ (Walpole); mystico because the forty days of Lent are associated with cleansing and purifying: the forty days of the flood, Moses fasting forty days before meeting God, Elijah’s fast and that of Jesus ((Walsh and Husch). 

2. Rule of St. Benedict 49: abstention from food, drink, sleep, conversation, joking

3. Four stanzas are omitted from the original: 

Instructed by the spiritual life we persevere in abstinence in the familiar cycle of four times ten days. The Law and the Prophets first taught this; afterwards Christ himself sanctified it, he who is the ruler and creator of all things. Therefore, let us use sparingly words, food and drink, sleep and jokes and be more careful in keeping guard. Let us shun wicked things, which sabotage our wandering minds and not give place to our crafty enemy in his tyranny. Grant, O Blessed Trinity, give, O simple Unity, to those who are yours the fruitful rewards of fasting. Amen.

Christe, qui, splendor et dies: Compline.

 

Christe, qui, splendor et dies, noctis tenébras détegis, lucísque lumen créderis, lumen beátis prædicans, Precámur, sancte Dómine, hac nocte nos custódias; sit nobis in te réquies, quiétas horas tríbue. Somno si dantur óculi, cor semper ad te vígilet; tuáque dextra prótegas fidéles, qui te díligunt. Defénsor noster, áspice, insidiántes réprime, gubérna tuos fámulos, quos sánguine mercátus es. Sit, Christe, rex piíssime, tibi Patríque glória, cum Spíritu Paráclito, in sempitérna sæcula. Amen. Christ, thou who art the light and day, Who chasest nightly shades away, Thyself the Light of Light confessed, And promiser of radiance blest: O holy Lord, we pray to thee, Throughout the night our guardian be; In thee vouchsafe us to repose, All peaceful till the night shall close. O let our eyes due slumber take, Our hearts to thee forever wake: And let thy right hand from above Shield us who turn to thee in love. O strong defender, hear our prayers, Repel our foes and break their snares, And govern thou thy servants here, Those ransomed with thy life-blood dear. Almighty Father, this accord Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who with the Holy Ghost and thee Doth reign through all eternity. Amen.

Audi benigne conditor

Lent: Saturday & Sunday: Vespers: 

Generally appointed for Vespers, sometimes Lauds, even in one case for Terce (Walpole). 

Audi, benígne Cónditor,

nostras preces cum flétibus, (1) 

sacráta in abstinéntia

fusas quadragenária.

Scrutátor alme córdium, (2) God searches hearts.

infírma tu scis vírium;  (3)

ad te revérsis éxhibe

remissiónis grátiam.

Multum quidem peccávimus,

sed parce confiténtibus,

tuíque laude nóminis (4)

confer medélam lánguidis.

Sic corpus extra cónteri (5)

dona per abstinéntiam,

ieiúnet ut mens sóbria (Contrast of body and mind)

a labe prorsus críminum.

Præsta, beáta Trínitas,

concéde, simplex Unitas,

ut fructuósa sint tuis

hæc parcitátis múnera. Amen.

O Kind Creator, hear our prayers mixed with tears poured out in this holy forty-day fast.  O sustaining Searcher of hearts, you know the weakness of our strength; show to us who have turned back to you the remission of our sins. Indeed we have sinned much but spare those who confess their sins; to the praise of your name grant healing to the sick. Grant that our bodies may be outwardly broken through abstinence that a temperate mind may fast from falling headlong into sin. Grant, O Blessed Trinity, give, O simple Unity, to those who are yours the fruitful rewards of fasting. Amen.

SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

 

                      

The reading of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark

 

At that time, when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and Jesus alone on the land. And so forth.

Homily of St. Bede the Venerable, Priest

The toil of the disciples in rowing and the winds contrary to them signify the many labors of holy Church, which, under the waves of the opposing world and the wind of the unclean spirits strives to come to the quiet of the heavenly fatherland as to her true haven. Thus, it is well said that "the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the shore," because at times the Church of the Gentiles is not only afflicted by such great persecutions, but even disfigured, so that, if it were possible, the Redeemer would truly seem to have abandoned her for a time.
 

Whence is that voice of her who has been caught amidst the waves and storms of onrushing temptations and who cries for the help of His protection in mournful lament: "Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? Why dost thou slight us in our wants, in trouble?" In like manner does she expose the voice of the persecuting fiend, adding in the following verses of that psalm: "For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten; he hath turned away his face not to see at all."

 
But He does not forget the prayer of the poor; neither does He turn His face from those who place their trust in Him. But He rather aids them who are struggling with their enemies to conquer, and He crowns them as victors forever. Wherefore it is also clearly stated that He saw them "laboring in rowing." Indeed, the Lord beholds them laboring in the sea, although He is on the shore. For though He may seem to defer for a time in extending help to those who are troubled, nevertheless He strengthens them in respect to their love lest they faint in tribulations. And at times He even frees them by His manifest help, overwhelming their adversaries as the rolling waves were walked upon and made calm.

II Nocturn

Sermon of St. Leo, Pope

About to preach to you, dearly beloved, the holiest and greatest of fasts, what beginning could I more fittingly use than the words of the Apostle, through whom Christ Himself has spoken, saying: "Behold, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation." For though there is no season which is not, full of divine gifts and though free access to God's mercy is ever provided for us by His grace, yet now the minds of all should be moved with greater zeal to spiritual progress and be animated with fuller confidence—now when the return of that day on which we have all been redeemed invites us to every work of piety, so that, cleansed both in body and in mind, we may celebrate that mystery which surpasses all others—the Lord's Passion.

 

Such great mysteries justly lay claim to such a lasting devotion and abiding reverence that we should remain such in the sight of God as we ought to be found on the Paschal feast itself. But because such fervor is had but by few, and since the more severe discipline is relaxed because of the frailty of the flesh and our attention is divided among the many actions of this life, even the- hearts of religious men must necessarily become soiled by the dust of worldly things. Hence it has been provided in the great wisdom of the divine plan that, in order to restore purity of. mind, we should be chastened by the training of these forty days,' during which pious works should redeem and chaste fasting melt away the faults of other times.

 

Therefore, dearly beloved, since we are about to enter upon these mystic days, instituted in a most sacred manner for the purifying of both soul and body, let us take care to obey the Apostolic precepts, cleansing ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, go that, chastened by the struggles that go on between flesh and spirit, the soul, which under God's direction should be the established ruler of the body, may obtain the grace of self-control, that, giving no offense to any man, we may not be exposed to the reproaches of those who revile us.

Thomas Merton on the Psalms

 

One obvious possibility for Lent is to re-connect with an old friend, especially if it is someone, who let you down in some way, betrayed mutual principles held in common or turned out to be someone who was not what you thought he was. I had no contact with Thomas Merton and he did not know me from Adam, but like many of my generation, I had a Merton phase, in my case a rather long enthusiasm before a long disillusionment.

I felt the need to apologize to an old friend right before Lent and it seems to be an appropriate thing to do any time. So, I pulled off the bookcase Merton's "Praying the Psalms". 

The fact is, like Merton most of my praying involves the Psalms and like Merton I use and much prefer and use the Latin Psalter and Office.

Sure enough, Merton has a brilliant summary from Augustine on the Psalms:

I. Prayer must be ordered and intelligent, not primarily emotional.

A. On the other hand, it cannot be clinical or impersonable.

B. Scripture itself is the right model.

II. The point is praising God, "we get to know him better, knowing Him better, loving Him better we find our happiness in Him".

III. "God wants to be loved not in order that He may get something out of it, but that those who love Him may receive an eternal reward." 

IV. This reward is God Himself whom they love. 

A. Not concepts about God but praising Him and loving Him.  

B. Eternal live begins now, when we meditate, think about God in the Psalms for example and everywhere. 

More to come probably. Remember old friends.

 

The reading of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark

 

At that time, when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and Jesus alone on the land. And so forth.

Homily of St. Bede the Venerable, Priest

The toil of the disciples in rowing and the winds contrary to them signify the many labors of holy Church, which, under the waves of the opposing world and the wind of the unclean spirits strives to come to the quiet of the heavenly fatherland as to her true haven. Thus, it is well said that "the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the shore," because at times the Church of the Gentiles is not only afflicted by such great persecutions, but even disfigured, go that, if it were possible, the Redeemer would truly seem to have abandoned her for a time.

 

Whence is that voice of her who has been caught amidst the waves and storms of onrushing temptations and who cries for the help of His protection in mournful lament: "Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? Why dost thou slight us in our wants, in trouble?" In like manner does she expose the voice of the persecuting fiend, adding in the following verses of that psalm: "For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten; he hath turned away his face not to see at all."

But He does not forget the prayer of the poor; neither does He turn His face from those who place their trust in Him. But He rather aids them who are struggling with their enemies to conquer, and He crowns them as victors forever. Wherefore it is also clearly stated that He saw them "laboring in rowing." Indeed, the Lord beholds them laboring in the sea, although He is on the shore. For though He may seem to defer for a time in extending help to those who are troubled, nevertheless He strengthens them in respect to their love lest they faint in tribulations. And at times He even frees them by his manifest help, overwhelming their adversaries and the rolling waves were walked upon and made calm.

Ash Wednesday: St. Augustine

 

Homily of St. -Augustine, Bishop

From these precepts it is clearly shown that all our attention in to be directed to interior joys, lest, whilst seeking a reward in exterior things, we conform ourselves to this world and lose the promise of that happiness (which is more genuine and lasting the more interior it is) in which God has chosen us to be made conformable to the image of His Son. We must, moreover, note in this chapter of the Gospel that pride can have a place not only in the splendor and pomp of earthly things, but even in unkempt mourning garments. And this latter is more filled with dangers since it hides under the name of worship of God.

He who is conspicuous for immoderate care of his body, for his dress, or for the brilliance of other things is easily convicted of being a votary of the splendor of the world by these very traits, and misleads no one by deceitful imitation of sanctity. But, because our Lord commanded us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing, saying, "By their fruits you shall know them," he who, professing Christianity, draws the eyes of men to himself by his unusual filth and soiled apparel (provided he is not constrained by necessity, but does this of his own accord) can be judged from the rest of his actions whether he acts thus from contempt of superfluous care or from a certain secret ambition.

For when, by a few tests, those very advantages which they have obtained or desire to obtain by that subterfuge begin to be taken away, then it is made manifest whether they are wolves in sheep's clothing or sheep in their own. Yet a Christian does not have to delight the gazes of men by undue superfluities because of the fact that very often hypocrites also don a very poor and needy garb in order to deceive the unwary; just as those sheep need not put off their own clothing if it happens at times that wolves hide themselves in them.

The Chair of St. Peter

                                              Lauds

Iam, bone pastor, Petre, clemens áccipe

vota precántum, et peccáti víncula

resólve, tibi potestáte trádita,

qua cunctis cælum verbo claudis, áperis.

 

Doctor egrégie, Paule, mores ínstrue

et mente polum nos transférre sátage,

donec perféctum largiátur plénius,

evacuáto quod ex parte gérimus

 

Sit Trinitáti sempitérna glória,

honor, potéstas atque iubilátio,

in unitáte, cui manet impérium

ex tunc et modo per ætérna sæcula. Amen

 

Lauds

Petrus Beatus

Now, good shepherd, Peter, mercifully accept the intentions of our prayers and loosen the chains of sin by the power handed over to you, through which with a word you close and open heaven. Exceptional doctor, Paul, guide our life and mind that we be set on the path to heaven until what is limited and passing is more fully perfected. Glory be to the eternal Trinity, honor, power and praise in the Unity, whose authority abides now and for eternal ages. Amen.

Quodcumque vinclis

                                            Vespers

Quodcumque vinclis super terram strinxeris,
erit in astris religatum fortiter,
ed quod resolvis in terris arbitrio,
erit solutum super coeli radium:
in fine mundi judex eris saeculi.

Gloria Deo, per immensa saecula,
sit tibi Nate decus et imperium.
Honor potestas Sanctoque Spiritui
sit Trinitati salus individua
per infinita saeculorum saecula.

Whatever you bind on earth,
will be strongly bound in heaven;
And whatever you loose on earth
Will be loosed in heaven.
You will be there at the end of the world to judge the world.

Glory be to God, throughout the ages,
Glory be to thee, O Son, and dominion.
Honour the power of the Holy Spirit
Trinity undivided, world without end.

Office of Readings

Blessed Peter

Blessed Peter, at Christ’s order, wonderfully breaks our chains,

Shattering the snares that bind us till no slavery remains.

Gate of sheepfold, Church’s teacher, and good shepherd of the sheep,

Savage wolves will never harm us, in the flock you safely keep.

For whatever bonds you tighten here upon the earth below,

Are held bound in heav’nly orbits, high within the starry glow,

And all things you loose in this world, they are loosed above the skies.

You shall judge the endless ages when the age of this world dies.

Glory be to God the Father through the great eternity.

And to You, born of the Virgin, may all praise and kingship be.

Pow’r and honor to the Spirit. To the Triune, ever-One,

Through the everlasting ages may unending praise be done.

 

Petrus beatus catenarum laqueos Christo iubente rupit mirabiliter; custos ovilis et doctor Ecclesiæ, pastorque gregis, conservator ovium arcet luporum truculentam rabiem.

Quodcumque vinclis super terram strinxeris, erit in astris religatum fortiter, et quod resolvis in terris arbitrio, erit solutum super coeli radium; in fine mundi iudex eris sæculi.

Gloria Patri per immensa sæcula, sit tibi, Nate, decus et imperium, honor, potestas Sanctoque Spiritui; sit Trinitati salus individua per infinita sæculorum sæcula.

 

I am afraid that I am less and less certain how I ought to pray in the midst of the crisis in the Church. Fortunately, this is a situation anticipated by St. Paul: nam quid oremus, sicut oportet, nescimus: sed ipse Spiritus postulat pro nobis gemitibus inenarrabilibus. In any case whatever we think or say, we have to pray: fiat voluntas tua. Most of the time I pray for the unity of the Church, the very thing that attracted many of us to the Church, the very thing I prayed for before I entered the Church.  But it cannot just be a partisan exercise, nor a naive demand for Reunion All Around. Speaking of which, Fr. Ronald Knox is helpful, preaching at the end of the war in Europe:

“Again and again you will find the language of the sacred liturgy dominated by this idea of oneness in Christ; a supernatural oneness which triumphs over every disparity, every separation. That is, I think, the idea which underlies one of the most beautiful, and at the same time one of the most obscure, petitions which we make during Lent; when we ask almighty God ut congregata restaures, et restaurata conserves, "that thou wouldst bring together and mend, mend and forever preserve, what now lies broken".

Congregata restaures, et restaurata conserves; the Church, knowing well what we are, members of a fallen race, does not simply ask God to keep us in our present position, and leave it at that. She knows that that will not do, we are scattered all over the place, like broken pieces of china, and we have got to be put together again before we can be worth preserving. No, we must not be so miserably small-minded in our prayers as to tell God that we want him to keep the world just as it is, a mass of quarrels and seething discontents, if only we can have five or ten years of peace before hostilities start again. We must ask him to gather up the broken pieces of our world and cement them together again in some kind of world order, based on real justice. . .  But there is more behind it. If we will be honest with ourselves, we shall admit that the war has brought disharmony into your life and mine; we are not at peace in ourselves.

Lenten Hymns in English

 

Hymns are not just for singing, they do not have to be in Latin, Hymns are prayers like any other prayers. Pray them when you

can, when you like, any old time. 

Vespers (Evening)

O Merciful Creator, hear!

To us in pity bow Thine ear:

Accept the tearful prayer we raise  

In this our fast of forty days.

 

Our hearts are open, Lord, to Thee:

Thou knowest our infirmity;

Pour out on all who seek Thy face

Abundance of Thy pard'ning grace.

 

Our sins are many, this we know;

Spare us, good Lord, Thy mercy show; 

And for the honor of Thy name 

Our fainting souls to life reclaim.

Give us self-control that springs

From discipline of outward things,

That fasting inward secretly

The soul may purely dwell with Thee.

 

We pray Thee, Holy Trinity,

One God, unchanging Unity,

That we from this our abstinence

May reap the fruits of penitence. Amen

Lauds (Morning)

Now Christ, Thou Sun of righteousness,

let dawn our darkened spirits bless:

the light of grace to us restore

while day to earth returns once more.

 

Thou who dost give the accepted time, 

give, too, a heart that mourns for crime, 

let those by mercy now be cured 

whom loving - kindness long endured.

 

Spare not, we pray, to send us here

some penance kindly but severe,

so let Thy gift of pardoning grace

our grievous sinfulness efface.

 

Soon will that day, Thy day, appear

and all things with its brightness cheer: 

we will rejoice in it, as we

return thereby to grace, and Thee.

 

Let all the world from shore to shore 

Thee, gracious Trinity, adore;

right soon Thy loving pardon grant,

that we our new-made song may chant. Amen.

Office of Readings (Sunday)

The fast, as taught by holy lore,

We keep in solemn course once more; 

The fast to all men known, and bound 

In forty days of yearly round.

The law and seers that were of old 

In divers ways this Lent foretold 

Which Christ, all seasons’ king and guide, 

In after ages sanctified.

More sparing therefore let us make 

The words we speak, the food we take, 

Our sleep and mirth, and closer barred 

Be every sense in holy guard.

In prayer together let us fall,

And cry for mercy, one and all, 

And weep before the Judge’s feet,

And His avenging wrath entreat.

Thy grace have we offended sore,

By sins, O God, which we deplore;

But pour upon us from on high,

O pardoning One, Thy clemency.

 

Remember Thou, though frail we be, 

That yet Thine handiwork are we; 

Nor let the honor of Thy name

Be by another put to shame.

 

Forgive the sin that we have wrought; 

Increase the good that we have sought; 

That we at length, our wanderings o’er, 

May please Thee here and evermore.

 

We pray Thee, holy Trinity,

One God, unchanging Unity,

That we from this our abstinence

May reap the fruits of penitence. Amen,

 

Vespers (Evening)

O Jesus Christ, from you began

This healing for the soul of man,

By fasting sought, by fasting found,

Through forty days this yearly round.

 

And now, behold your Church, O Lord, 

And grace of penitence accord

To all who seek with generous tears

Renewal of their wasted years.

 

Forgive the sin that we have done,

Forgive the course that we have run,

And show henceforth in evil day

Yourself our succour and our stay.

 

Therefore, let every heart prepare,

By sacrifice of fast and prayer,

To keep with joy magnifical

The solemn Easter festival.

 

Father and Son and Spirit blessed,

To you be every prayer addressed,

Who are in threefold name adored,

From age to age, the only Lord. Amen.'

 

Lauds (Sunday)

Come, weep before the Judge, and seek 

With broken hearts his grace to win; 

Be bold, and trusting meet his gaze, 

And trembling claim the hope within.

 

Much have we sinned, O Lord! 

and still we fall again and seek to rise;

Look down in pity from on high;

Be dawning light to searching eyes.

 

Remember that we yet are yours

Though fashioned of a fragile frame; 

And take not from our gasping souls 

The Breath by which we praise your Name.

 

Undo past evil; heal the wounds,

And guide our steps in faith’s dark night; 

So may we now and ever find

Joy pure and boundless in your sight.

 

Blest Trinity in Unity! 

Uphold our weakness in your love, 

That we to death may die with Christ 

and rise with Christ to life above. Amen.

 

Office of Readings  (Matins: Early Morning/Late at Night)

Today is the accepted time.

Christ’s healing light, the gift divine

Shines forth to save the penitent

To wake the world by means of Lent.

 

The light of Christ will show the way

That leads to God’s salvation day.

The rigor of this fasting mends

The hearts that hateful sinning rends.

 

Keep all our minds and bodies true

In sacrifice, O God, to You, 

That we may join, when Lents have ceased,

The everlasting Paschal Feast.

 

Let all creation join to raise 

Most gracious Trinity, Your praise.

And when your love has made us new, 

May we sing new songs, Lord, to You. Amen.