Opening
Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Hymn
Your word is a lamp for the path I cannot see. I do not ask for the whole road — Only light enough for this next step, And a heart willing to take it. If I am slow, wait with me. If I am proud, make me small and true. Speak, and I will follow as I can Until the day is full.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Speak, Lord — your servant is listening in the quiet.
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
Speak, Lord — your servant is listening in the quiet.
Psalm II
Antiphon
Let your truth steady me before the day grows loud.
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
Let your truth steady me before the day grows loud.
Silence
Let the last verse rest in you.
First Reading
Zechariah 2:10–13
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Sing praise and rejoice, daughter of Zion. For behold, I approach, and I will dwell in your midst, says the Lord. And many nations will be joined to the Lord in that day, and they will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst. And you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And the Lord will possess his portion, Judah, in the sanctified land, and still he will single out Jerusalem. Let all flesh be silent before the face of the Lord: for he has arisen from his holy dwelling place.
Responsory
Your word is a lamp for my feet. And a light for my path. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
From an oration of St. Gregory Nazianzen on the Theophany
public domain
Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ from heaven, go out to meet Him. Christ on earth, be exalted. Sing to the Lord all the whole earth; and that I may join both in one word, Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, for Him Who is of heaven and then of earth. Christ in the flesh, rejoice with trembling and with joy; with trembling because of your sins, with joy because of your hope. Again the darkness is past; again Light is made; again Egypt is punished with darkness; again Israel is enlightened by a pillar. The people that sat in the darkness of ignorance, let it see the Great Light of full knowledge. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front. The shadows flee away, the Truth comes in upon them. The law of nature gives way to the law of God. He Who gives being to all that is, today takes being from a Virgin. He Who is without flesh becomes incarnate; the Word becomes dense; the Invisible is seen; the Intangible is touched; the Timeless has a beginning; the Son of God becomes the Son of Man.
Intercessions
Bless this ordinary morning as a place of encounter.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For workers already on the road, and parents already awake.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the sick who will not leave their rooms today.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For a heart that can hear you in unremarkable hours.
R. Lord, hear our 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. Amen.
Closing prayer
God of mercy, begin this day in us. We do not ask for a perfect record, only a faithful love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.