Monday, January 2nd
The Great Cappadocians
Vigil (Matins)
(Small Hour) 4:45am, 25 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. The candle is lit.]
Centering Prayer (20 min.) or [Prayer Beads]
[See Appendix C or
Appendix B for additional help, information, or instruction.]
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle is extinguished.]
Early
Morning (Lauds)
(Small Hour) 6:15am
20min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Call to this Day as Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be
glad in it!
Lord, I make this day a gift to Thee.
Help me live this day
to Your glory!
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Meditatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)
Conclusion/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle may be extinguished]
Morning
(Prime-Terce)
(Large Hour) 8am 30 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy,
Which will come to all
the people;
For unto you is born this day in the city of David,
A Savior, who is Christ
the Lord. [based on Luke 2:10-11]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other]
[may be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Reflection [if in Community, someone may share a
reflection, otherwise/or Lectio Divina:]
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Mediatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version]
[traditional; may be spoken together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
O All-Transcendent God
(and what other name
could describe you?),
what words can hymn
your praises? No word does you justice.
What mind can probe
your secret? No mind can encompass you.
You are alone beyond
the power of speech,
yet
all that we speak stems from you.
You are alone beyond
the power of thought,
yet all that we can conceive springs from you.
All things proclaim
you, those endowed with reason and those bereft of it.
All the expectation and
pain of the world coalesces in you.
All things utter a
prayer to you, a silent hymn composed by you.
You sustain everything
that exists,
and
all things move together to your orders.
You are the goal of all
that exists. You are one and you are all,
yet you are none of the things that exist, neither a part
nor the whole.
You can avail yourself
of any name;
how shall I call you, the only unnameable?
All-transcendent God!
(Gregory
of Nazianzus)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Praying in, through, and to the Holy Spirit [Prayer Beads opt.]
[If you are observing
this time in community, a Spiritual Director can lead this time. If on your
own, you can seek out a Director or follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
the words printed here. We recommend use
of a Spiritual Director.]
Today is the Feast Day Celebrating the Great Cappadocians,
who helped the Church formulate its theology of the Trinity and the Holy
Spirit.
The Prayer Exercises today are composed of reflections on the
Spirit and prayers to the Spirit (selected across church history and including
a modern example or two).
Special thanks to the work of Jack Levison and his resources
on the Holy Spirit published by Paraclete Press.
Reflections:
The Hebrew word
translated “Spirit” is ruach, which can also mean wind or
breath.
(Levison raises many other meanings in his book, Holy Spirit, I Pray.)
Ponder: when
have you experienced the Holy Spirit from without (wind)?
When
have you experienced the Spirit from deep within (spirit)?
When
have you experienced the Spirit filling you, or in the foundational
rhythms
of life (breath)?
Speaking of
“filling” – which is a way we often speak of our experiences of
the Holy Spirit – the Hebrew word “fill” is ml’ (that’s about as close as we can
transliterate it using English letters). This
word often depicts “filling to the
brim from the inside” and often has a connotation
of “to the point of
overflowing.”
It is the experience of a filling that leads to fullness, fulfillment, and
overflowing abundance. Have you experienced the Spirit like that? Is there a
situation in your life you would ask the Spirit to “fill up” like this? Ask!
Prayers:
Veni sancte spiritus. (“Come, Holy
Spirit.” Middle Ages, possibly arising with
Archbishop
of Canterbury Stephen Langton in the1300s.)
Holy Spirit
Make me
timely
essential
relevant.
Not
relevant for its own sake – but substantial.
Not
optional – but essential.
Not
trendy – but timely.
Rooted
in the time-tested traditions of faith
Essential.
Relevant.
Inspired.
Amen. (Jack Levison)
Litaniae de Sancto Spiritu (Litany of
the Holy Spirit, which begins thusly:)
Holy
Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son,
have
mercy upon us.
Spirit
of the Lord, the God of Israel, have
mercy on us.
Adorning
the heavens, stable and secure, have
mercy on us.
Gift
and promise of the Father, have mercy on
us.
Spirit,
through whom we are reborn, have mercy
on us….
The Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our
daily bread.
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The candle may be carried out or extinguished]
Noon (Sext)
(Large Hour) 12:15pm
30 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, the dwelling of God
is with humankind.
He will dwell with them,
they shall be his
people,
God himself will be with them,
and he will be their
God. [based on Rev.
21:3]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Psalm 34 and
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may
be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Reflection [if in Community, someone may share a word,
or use Lectio Divina:]
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Mediatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… traditional; may be spoken
together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
OR
[“modern;”
spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
O All-Transcendent God
(and what other name could describe you?),
what words can hymn
your praises? No word does you justice.
What mind can probe
your secret? No mind can encompass you.
You are alone beyond
the power of speech,
yet
all that we speak stems from you.
You are alone beyond
the power of thought,
yet all that we can conceive springs from you.
All things proclaim
you, those endowed with reason and those bereft of it.
All the expectation and
pain of the world coalesces in you.
All things utter a
prayer to you, a silent hymn composed by you.
You sustain everything
that exists,
and
all things move together to your orders.
You are the goal of all
that exists. You are one and you are all,
yet you are none of the things that exist, neither a part
nor the whole.
You can avail yourself
of any name;
how shall I call you, the only unnameable?
All-transcendent God!
(Gregory
of Nazianzus)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Examen [Prayer Beads opt.]
[If praying in
community, a leader equipped to do so may “direct” the following prayer
exercise. Otherwise, trust the Spirit & follow the directions on your own.]
[Ignatius recommended
praying an “Examen” prayer especially prior to sleeping, but also at the noon
hour. John Wesley used questions to prayerfully reflect, al la Ignatius’
Examen, and used them morning and night. We recommend a short-form Examen at
noon.]
Examen: Love of Neighbour
1.
Have I thought any thing
but my conscience too dear to part with to please or serve my neighbor?
2.
Have I rejoiced or
grieved with him?
3.
Have I received his
infirmities with pity, not with anger?
4.
Have I contradicted any
one, either where I had no good end in view, or where there was no probability
of convincing?
5.
Have I let him I thought
in the wrong (in a trifle) have the last word?
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our
daily bread.
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The candle may be carried out or extinguished]
Afternoon
(Nones)
(Small Hour) 4pm 10min.
Introduction
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the
faith.”
[2 Timothy 4:7, ESV]
“I press on toward the
goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
[Phil. 3:14, ESV]
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great
a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin
which clings so closely, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before
us.”
[Heb. 12:1, ESV]
Welcoming Prayer
At the hour of Nones, we are preparing
to finish the day well, practicing the art of letting go, and
pondering things we must leave undone;
all of which can usher us to a place of contemplating our own vulnerabilities,
frailties, and mortality. It is also a time by which we may have accumulated a
lot of negative and false things as the day has gone on… and we need some
healing and restoration.
1.
Focus, feel and
sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations and commentaries in your
body.
2.
Welcome God in the feelings, emotions,
thoughts, commentaries or sensations in your body by saying, “Welcome.”
3.
Let go by repeating the following sentences:
·
“I let go of the desire for security, affection,
control.”
·
“I let go of the desire to change this
feeling/sensation.”
Kyrie
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired] OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:] Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie
eleison.
Evening
(Vespers)
(Large Hour) 5:30pm 30 min.
Call to Worship
O gracious light, pure brightness
of the ever-living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy
and blessed!
Now as we come to the end of our daily work,
and the setting
of the sun,
and our eyes
behold the vesper light,
We give you praise, O
God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
You are worthy at all
times to be praised
by happy voices, and to be glorified
throughout all the worlds.
[The “Phos Hilaron,” O Gracious Light]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may be spoken together
or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here
below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Reflection [If in Community, someone may share a
word. Otherwise use Lectio Divina:]
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Mediatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… traditional; may be spoken
together or sung]
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
O All-Transcendent God
(and what other name
could describe you?),
what words can hymn
your praises? No word does you justice.
What mind can probe
your secret? No mind can encompass you.
You are alone beyond
the power of speech,
yet
all that we speak stems from you.
You are alone beyond
the power of thought,
yet all that we can conceive springs from you.
All things proclaim
you, those endowed with reason and those bereft of it.
All the expectation and
pain of the world coalesces in you.
All things utter a
prayer to you, a silent hymn composed by you.
You sustain everything
that exists,
and
all things move together to your orders.
You are the goal of all
that exists. You are one and you are all,
yet you are none of the things that exist, neither a part
nor the whole.
You can avail yourself
of any name;
how shall I call you, the only unnameable?
All-transcendent God!
(Gregory of Nazianzus)
Intercessions
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray
for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its
mission.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[individual concerns
and joys may now be shared]
Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
[when all are finished
sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Examen (20 min.) or Centering Prayer (20 min.) or Prayer Beads
[See Appendix E for
Examen; Appendix C for Centering Prayer; Appendix B for Beads]
Examen: Naming the Grace – adaptation from Mark Thibodeaux, SJ
1.
Gratitude – spend a few moments in
gratitude, thanking God
for one or two of the blessings received this day.
2.
Challenge – ask God to show you
the greatest challenge you faced today… did you respond with freedom or
bondage? What were the consequences? Give thanks or ask forgiveness or ask for
healing.
3.
Feelings – how am I feeling right
now, as I pray, about this challenge? Pray about the feelings and listen to
God’s response.
4.
Naming the Grace – ask God
to show you what grace or virtue you may need to meet this challenge in the
future. Reflect on the past few days, and ask the Lord to show you ways you
have not been open to this grace or virtue. Pray for forgiveness, strength, and
openness.
5.
“Praydream” – prayerfully daydream
about what tomorrow would be like if you met the challenge “filled up” with the
grace/virtue you need.
6.
Ask – ask God to give you
the grace you need to be the person he is calling you to be. Repeat the
grace/virtue over and over, trying to sense God quietly bestowing it.
7.
Resolution – if you feel called to
do so, make a resolution to be the kind of person you feel called to be…
remembering that it is only by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit’s presence
and power!
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
The Lord’s Prayer]
Our Father, who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our
daily bread.
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The candle may be
carried out or extinguished]
Family Bedtime
(Hora Somni) (Small Hour) 8pm
[Appendix F has full
details, additional resources, etc. for this non-traditional Hour.]
Monday – Meditation
[Appendix F & C]
Night
(Compline)
(Small Hour) 10:00pm 15 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, the dwelling of God
is with humankind.
He will dwell with them,
they shall be his
people,
God himself will be with them,
and he will be their
God. [based on Rev.
21:3]
Examen or
Centering Prayer (20 min.) or Prayer Beads
[Appendix E for Examen,
Appendix C for Centering Prayer, Appendix B for Prayer Beads.]
Examen: Naming the Grace – adaptation from Mark Thibodeaux, SJ
1.
Gratitude – spend a few moments in
gratitude, thanking God
for one or two of the blessings received this day.
2.
Challenge – ask God to show you
the greatest challenge you faced today… did you respond with freedom or
bondage? What were the consequences? Give thanks or ask forgiveness or ask for
healing.
3.
Feelings – how am I feeling right
now, as I pray, about this challenge? Pray about the feelings and listen to
God’s response.
4.
Naming the Grace – ask God
to show you what grace or virtue you may need to meet this challenge in the
future. Reflect on the past few days, and ask the Lord to show you ways you
have not been open to this grace or virtue. Pray for forgiveness, strength, and
openness.
5.
“Praydream” – prayerfully daydream
about what tomorrow would be like if you met the challenge “filled up” with the
grace/virtue you need.
6.
Ask – ask God to give you
the grace you need to be the person he is calling you to be. Repeat the
grace/virtue over and over, trying to sense God quietly bestowing it.
7.
Resolution – if you feel called to
do so, make a resolution to be the kind of person you feel called to be…
remembering that it is only by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit’s presence
and power!
Kyrie
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as
desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Dismissal/The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen.
[The candle may be carried out or extinguished]
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