THE DIVINE HOURS

The Call to Prayer

Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,* in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

Psalm 111:1

The Request for Presence

Let them know that you, whose Name is YAHWEH,* you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83:18

The Greeting

I shall always wait in patience,* and shall praise you more and more.

Psalm 71:14

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

The same stone which the builders rejected* has become the chief cornerstone.

Psalm 118:22

A Reading

. . . the Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights, I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will present judgment to the nations; he will not brawl or cry out, his voice is not heard in the streets, he will not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick, until he has made judgment victorious; in him the nations will put their hope.

Matthew 12:14-21

The Refrain

The same stone which the builders rejected* has become the chief cornerstone.

The Morning Psalm

"I Will Rise Up," Says the LORD

Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues,* and close the lips that utter proud boasts! Those who say, "With our tongue will we prevail;* our lips are our own; who is lord over us?" "Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery,* I will rise up," says the LORD, "and give them the help they long for." The words of the LORD are pure words,* like silver refined from ore and purified seven times in the fire. O LORD, watch over us* and save us from this generation for ever.

Psalm 12:3-7

The Refrain

The same stone which the builders rejected* has become the chief cornerstone.

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

The Divine Hours are reprinted here with permission of Doubleday and Phyllis Tickle. Not for distribution without permission from the author.
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