Seventh Sunday of Easter

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 93

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed;
the Lord has robed himself with might,
he has girded himself with power.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;
your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are.

The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
the waters have lifted up their voice,
the waters have lifted up their thunder.

Greater than the roar of mighty waters,
more glorious than the surgings of the sea,
the Lord is glorious on high.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time.
Antiphon: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Reading: From a homily by St. Gregory of Nyssa

When love has entirely cast out fear, and fear has been transformed into love, then the unity brought us by our savior will be fully realized, for all men will be united with one another through their union with the one supreme Good. Our Lord’s words in the gospel bring out the meaning of this more clearly. After having conferred all power on his disciples by his blessing, he obtained many other gifts for them by his prayer to the Father. Among these was included the greatest gift of all, which was that they were no longer to be divided in their judgment of what was right and good, for they were all to be united to the one supreme Good. As the Apostle says, they were to be bound together with the bonds of peace in the unity that comes from the Holy Spirit. They were to be made one body and one spirit by the one hope to which they were all called. I pray, the Lord says, that they all may be one; that as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, so they also may be one in us.

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

Grant your Church a greater unity.
Pour out your Spirit upon us!
Increase your love in our hearts.
Pour out your Spirit upon us!
Bring those who have died into your heavenly Kingdom.
Pour out your Spirit upon us!
Dear Jesus,
You prayed that we would be one. Unite your children who are scattered that your Church may extend to all corners of the world. We ask the Father for this in your name in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.