Hymn (LM 8.8.8.8.)

The Father's holy ones, the blest,
Who drank the chalice of the Lord,
Have learned that bitterness is sweet
And courage keener than the sword.

In darkness they were unafraid,
And kept alight their living fire.
They now keep timeless days of joy
Where God gives all their heart's desire.

May all that splendid company,
Whom Christ in glory came to meet,
Help us on our uneven road
Made smoother by their passing feet.

We praise you, Trinity in One,
Sublime in majesty and might,
Who reign for ever, Lord of all,
In splendor and unending Light. Amen.

Text: Stanbrook Abbey

Reading - Wisdom 18:21

A blameless man was quick to act as their champion,
he brought forward the shield of his ministry,
prayer and propitiation by incense,
he withstood the anger and put an end to disaster,
showing that he was your servant.

V. The Lord has called him.
R. To pasture his people Israel.

Prayer

God our Father,
you have brought us together
in the monastic life,
under the Rule of St. Benedict,
so that the Holy Spirit may form us in your service.
Grant that we may love our vocation,
and prefer nothing whatever
to Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.

1

When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *
     I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

2

Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *
     and from the deceitful tongue.

3

What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
     O you deceitful tongue?

4

The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *
     along with hot glowing coals.

5

How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
     and dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6

Too long have I had to live *
     among the enemies of peace.

7

I am on the side of peace, *
     but when I speak of it, they are for war.

1

I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
     from where is my help to come?

2

My help comes from the LORD, *
     the maker of heaven and earth.

3

He will not let your foot be moved *
     and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4

Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
     shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5

The LORD himself watches over you; *
     the LORD is your shade at your right hand,

6

So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
     nor the moon by night.

7

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
     it is he who shall keep you safe.

8

The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
     from this time forth for evermore.

1

I was glad when they said to me, *
     "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

2

Now our feet are standing *
     within your gates, O Jerusalem.

3

Jerusalem is built as a city *
     that is at unity with itself;

4

To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
     the assembly of Israel,
     to praise the Name of the LORD.

5

For there are the thrones of judgment, *
     the thrones of the house of David.

6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
     "May they prosper who love you.

7

Peace be within your walls *
     and quietness within your towers.

8

For my brethren and companions' sake, *
     I pray for your prosperity.

9

Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
     I will seek to do you good."

1

To you I lift up my eyes, *
     to you enthroned in the heavens.

2

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
     and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

3

So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
     until he show us his mercy.

4

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
     for we have had more than enough of contempt,

5

Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
     and of the derision of the proud.

1

If the LORD had not been on our side, *
     let Israel now say;

2

If the LORD had not been on our side, *
     when enemies rose up against us;

3

Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
     in their fierce anger toward us;

4

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
     and the torrent gone over us;

5

Then would the raging waters *
     have gone right over us.

6

Blessed be the LORD! *
     he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.

7

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
     the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

8

Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
     the maker of heaven and earth.

1

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *
     which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.

2

The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
     so does the LORD stand round about his people,
     from this time forth for evermore.

3

The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the land allotted to
                                the just, *
     so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.

4

Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good *
     and to those who are true of heart.

5

As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the LORD will lead them away with the evildoers; *
     but peace be upon Israel.

1

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, *
     then were we like those who dream.

2

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
     and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3

Then they said among the nations, *
     "The LORD has done great things for them."

4

The LORD has done great things for us, *
     and we are glad indeed.

5

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, *
     like the watercourses of the Negev.

6

Those who sowed with tears *
     will reap with songs of joy.

7

Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
     will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

1

Unless the LORD builds the house, *
     their labor is in vain who build it.

2

Unless the LORD watches over the city, *
     in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.

3

It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *
     vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
     for he gives to his beloved sleep.

4

Children are a heritage from the LORD, *
     and the fruit of the womb is a gift.

5

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior *
     are the children of one's youth.

6

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! *
     he shall not be put to shame
     when he contends with his enemies in the gate.

1

Happy are they all who fear the LORD, *
     and who follow in his ways!

2

You shall eat the fruit of your labor; *
     happiness and prosperity shall be yours.

3

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, *
     your children like olive shoots round about your table.

4

The man who fears the LORD *
     shall thus indeed be blessed.

5

The LORD bless you from Zion, *
     and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of
                                your life.

6

May you live to see your children's children; *
     may peace be upon Israel.