Every day, we will post a few brief prayers inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.
O Lord, open my lips. And my mouth shall declare your praise.
Psalm 87
On the holy mountain is his city cherished by the Lord. The Lord prefers the gates of Zion to all Jacob’s dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God! Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me; Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, these will be her children and Zion shall be called Mother for all shall be her children.” It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place. In his register of peoples he writes: These are her children, and while they dance they will sing: In you all find their home.
Reading: From an address by St. Paul the 6th
Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God’s Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him. The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers. Nazareth can teach us the value of study and preparation, of meditation, of a well-ordered personal spiritual life, and of silent prayer that is known only to God.
The Canticle of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
Intercessions
Make our daily lives holy. Lord hear our prayer! May we treat those around us as we would treat you. Lord hear our prayer! Help all families to be faithful images of the Holy Family. Lord hear our prayer!
Heavenly Father, Help us to live as the Holy Family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home. We ask this in the name of Jesus who lives with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
