Opening
Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Hymn
I wait for your voice, O Lord, More than watchmen for the morning. Feed me with what endures When lesser lights are fading. Holy Wisdom, teach the fear That is the beginning of joy. In this first light, hold my attention Until your Word has had its say.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
By this holy wood, teach us to love as we have been loved.
Psalm 72 (71):1–2, 12–13
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Give your judgment, O God, to the king, and your justice to the king’s son, to judge your people with justice and your poor with judgment. For he will free the poor from the powerful, and the poor one who has no helper. He will spare the poor and the indigent, and he will bring salvation to the souls of the poor.
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
By this holy wood, teach us to love as we have been loved.
Psalm II
Antiphon
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you — by your Cross you redeem the world.
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
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you — by your Cross you redeem the world.
Silence
A moment of silence
First Reading
Philippians 2:5–11
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
For this understanding in you was also in Christ Jesus: who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be seized. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and accepting the state of a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even the death of the Cross. Because of this, God has also exalted him and has given him a name which is above every name, so that, at the name of Jesus, every knee would bend, of those in heaven, of those on earth, and of those in hell, and so that every tongue would confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
Responsory
The Lord is wonderful in his saints. Blessed be God in his gifts. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
On the Holy Cross
Original – Prayer on Fire
The wood that was meant for shame has become the tree of life. We do not decorate the Cross so that it will hurt less. We stand before it until love looks like itself. In every Hour that feels barren, this is still the pattern: God saves from the inside of suffering, not from a safe distance. Take up what is yours, and let him carry what you cannot. The Cross is not a puzzle to solve before breakfast. It is a place to remain. The Church lifts it high so that no one will think the gospel is an idea. It is a Person, stretched out between heaven and earth, refusing to come down until the work is finished. If you are carrying a hard obedience, you are not far from this feast. If you are angry at what cannot be fixed, bring that too. He knows what men do with wood and nails. He also knows how to make a way through. Do not be heroic. Be near. Kiss the Cross without explaining it. Then go into the day as one marked by a mercy that cost something. The victory is already his. Your part is not to win it again. Your part is not to be ashamed of it.
Intercessions
For the Church, that we may witness with courage and gentleness on this holy day.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For those who seek the Lord with tears, that they may hear their name spoken in love.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the poor and the forgotten, that Christ’s friends may serve them with joy.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For our household and those we carry in prayer.
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
God our Father, you give the Church this day of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Let the grace of this Hour stay with us in work and rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.