DECEMBER 6

Leader: O Lord, open my lips. All: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come.

Psalm 117

O praise the Lord, all you nations,
acclaim him all you peoples!

Strong is his love for us;
he is faithful for ever.

Reading: From a treatise On the Value of Patience by St. Cyprian

We do not seek glory now, in the present, but we look for future glory, as Saint Paul instructs us when he says: By hope we were saved. Now hope which is seen is not hope; how can a man hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it in patience. Patient waiting is necessary if we are to be perfected in what we have begun to be, and if we are to receive from God what we hope for and believe.

In another place the same Apostle instructs and teaches the just, and those active in good works, and those who store up for themselves treasures in heaven through the reward God gives them. They are to be patient also, for he says: Therefore while we have time, let us do good to all, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith. But let us not grow weary in doing good, for we shall reap our reward in due season.

Pray either the Canticle of Zechariah or the Canticle of Mary. You can find them here.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Zechariah:   Our God comes, born as a man of David’s line, enthroned as king for ever, alleluia.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Mary:      Out of Egypt I have called my Son; he will come to save his people.

Intercessions

Strengthen us in Faith.
Lord, protect your people!
Pour out your mercy upon us.
Lord, protect your people!
May we bear faithful witness to all we meet.
Lord, protect your people!

Dear Jesus,
Cleanse our minds and our hearts that we may joyfully welcome you. We ask the Father for this in your name in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.