Night
Monday, March 22, 2027
Opening
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn
Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest, Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Greek evening hymn (3rd century or earlier), translated by John Keble (Keble 1792–1866); first published 1861. Public domain.
The reading
Set the day down. Let this reading be the last word you hear before you rest.
No Gospel is published for this date.
1 Thessalonians 5:4–11
But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief. For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober. For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are inebriated, are inebriated in the night. But we, who are of the daylight, should be sober, being clothed with the breastplate of faith and of charity and having, as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that, whether we watch, or whether we sleep, we may live in union with him. Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
Reflection
Is there a word or picture you would like to keep with you?
What would you like to tell Jesus?
Silence
Be quiet for a minute. Let Jesus have the last of the day.
Psalm
Psalm 103 (102):12
Ant. Forgive me, Jesus, and let me believe that you have.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us.
Ant. Forgive me, Jesus, and let me believe that you have.
Today’s lesson from Jesus
Love your enemies
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you. In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way? And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way? Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43–48
Where do these words meet your day?
Intentions
Add your own personal intentions
Shared by the community
For Mary and Dewey as they begin their life together, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer on Fire intention
Let the last word be your Name, not our argument with the day. Seal this little place in peace.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer on Fire intention
Peace to this house, this room, this bed. Drive away rehearsed fears; be our wall until we wake.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Closing
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Father, we do not know how to end a day well. Teach us to end it in your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.