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 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains: from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel's guard. The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night. The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard you soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and for ever.
Reading: From a sermon by St. Maximus of Turin
Someone might ask, "Why would a holy man desire baptism?" Listen to the answer: Christ is baptized, not to be made holy by the water, but to make the water holy, and by his cleansing to purify the waters which he touched. For the consecration of Christ involves a more significant consecration of the water. For when the Savior is washed all water for our baptism is made clean, purified at its source for the dispensing of baptismal grace to the people of future ages. Christ is the first to be baptized, then, so that Christians will follow after him with confidence.
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
Reveal yourself to all who seek the truth. Christ, our Light, hear us! Draw nations into your marvelous light. Christ, our Light, hear us! Send laborers into your vineyard. Christ, our Light, hear us!
God our Father, through Christ your Son the hope of eternal life dawned on our world. Give to us the light of faith that we may acknowledge him as our Redeemer and come to the glory of his kingdom, where he lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
