Opening
Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Hymn
Speak, Lord — the house is quiet still. Your servant waits to hear. Before the day becomes a crowd, Come near, and make us hear. Open the Scripture of our hearts; Let one true word remain. Then send us into what must come, Still listening for your name.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Your word is light for the path I cannot yet see.
Psalm 98 (97):1–3
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has performed wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have accomplished salvation. The Lord has made known his salvation. He has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Glory Be
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.
Antiphon
Your word is light for the path I cannot yet see.
Psalm II
Antiphon
Feed me with what endures when lesser lights fade.
Psalm 103 (102):1–4
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses. He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities. He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion.
Glory Be
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.
Antiphon
Feed me with what endures when lesser lights fade.
Silence
A moment of silence
First Reading
Habakkuk 2:1–4
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
I will stand firm during my watch, and fix my position over the fortification. And I will observe carefully, to see what might be said to me and what I might respond to my opponent. And the Lord responded to me and said: Write the vision and explain it on tablets, so that he who reads it may run through it. For as yet the vision is far off, and it will appear in the end, and it will not lie. If it expresses any delay, wait for it. For it is arriving and it will arrive, and it will not be hindered. Behold, he who is unbelieving, his soul will not be right within himself; but he who is just shall live in his faith.
Responsory
In the morning I lift my prayer to you. And I wait upon your word. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
From the Catechetical Lectures of St. Cyril of Jerusalem
public domain
Great is the Baptism that lies before you: a ransom to captives; a remission of offences; a death of sin; a new-birth of the soul; a garment of light; a holy indissoluble seal; a chariot to heaven; the delight of Paradise; a welcome into the kingdom; the gift of adoption. You are on the point of being granted a great gift. Do not think it a small thing. You are receiving the forgiveness of your sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. You are about to put on a new nature, and to be called a child of God. Prepare the vessel of your soul, that it may be able to contain so great a grace. Cleanse your vessel, that you may receive grace more abundantly. For though remission of sins is given equally to all, the communion of the Holy Ghost is bestowed in proportion to each man’s faith. If you have laboured little, you receive little; but if you have wrought much, the reward is great. You are running for yourself; see to your own interest. If you have anything against any man, forgive it. You are coming to receive forgiveness of sins; you must yourself forgive him that has sinned against you.
Intercessions
Wake us to your presence, not only to our lists.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the poor who already labor while we pray.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the dying and the sleepless, that light may find them kindly.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For this First Light, that praise may be our first work.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
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. Amen.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, we offer you the morning — its work, its waiting, and its hidden fears. Keep our first steps near your quiet fire. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.