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.
Antiphon: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Psalm 147:12-20
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates he has blessed the children within you. He established peace on your borders, he feeds you with finest wheat. He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command. He showers down snow white as wool, he scatters hoar-frost like ashes. He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. The waters are frozen at his touch; he sends forth his word and it melts them: at the breath of his mouth the waters flow. He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees. He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees.
Antiphon: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reading: From a sermon by St. Gaudentius of Brescia
How precious the gift of the cross, how splendid to contemplate! In the cross there is no mingling of good and evil, as in the tree of paradise: it is wholly beautiful to behold and good to taste. The fruit of this tree is not death but life, not darkness but light. This tree does not cast us out of paradise, but opens the way for our return. By the cross death was slain and Adam was restored to life. The cross is the glory of all the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the sanctification of the saints. By the cross we put on Christ and cast aside our former self. By the cross we, the sheep of Christ, have been gathered into one flock, destined for the sheepfolds of heaven.
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
May all we do today help build up your Kingdom. Lord, raise us to life through your Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to recognize those around us as our brothers and sisters. Lord, raise us to life through your Holy Spirit. Help us to die to sin and live by your Spirit. Lord, raise us to life through your Holy Spirit.
Dear Jesus, May we find joy in praising you for your wonderful plan of salvation. We ask the Father for this in your name in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
