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 a commentary on the gospel of John by St. Cyril of Alexandria
It was most fitting that the sending of the Spirit and his descent upon us should take place after the departure of Christ our Savior. As long as Christ was with them in the flesh, it must have seemed to believers that they possessed every blessing in him; but when the time came for him to ascend to his heavenly Father, it was necessary for him to be united through his Spirit to those who worshipped him, and to dwell in our hearts through faith. Only by his own presence within us in this way could he give us confidence to cry out, Abba, Father, make it easy for us to grow in holiness and, through our possession of the all-powerful Spirit, fortify us invincibly against the wiles of the devil and the assaults of men.
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
Lead your Church to perfection. Pour our your Spirit on the world! Bless the world with peace. Pour our your Spirit on the world! Reveal yourself to those who do not know you. Pour our your Spirit on the world!
Dear Jesus, You prayed that your Church would be brought into a perfect unity. May we work to build up the work you have begun. We ask the Father for this in your name in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
