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
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 24 (23):7–10
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory.
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
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm II
Antiphon
I wait for your voice more than watchmen for the dawn.
Psalm 46 (45):2–3, 5–6
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Our God is our refuge and strength, a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us. Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea. The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle. God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. God will assist it in the early morning.
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
I wait for your voice more than watchmen for the dawn.
Silence
Let the last verse rest in you.
First Reading
Ezekiel 36:24–28
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Certainly, I will take you away from the Gentiles, and I will gather you together from all the lands, and I will lead you into your own land. And I will pour clean water over you, and you shall be cleansed from all your filth, and I will cleanse you from all your idols. And I will give to you a new heart, and I will place in you a new spirit. And I will take away the heart of stone from your body, and I will give to you a heart of flesh. And I will place my Spirit in your midst. And I will act so that you may walk in my precepts and keep my judgments, and so that you may fulfill them. And you shall live in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Responsory
Let the light of your face shine upon us. And we shall be saved. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading
From a letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Romans
public domain
I write to the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless you hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable goodwill toward me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep, I may be no trouble to any one. Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God. Now I begin to be a disciple. And let no one, of things visible or invisible, envy me that I should attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.
Intercessions
Plant the Word as a seed, not as a trophy.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who study much and pray little — give them rest in you.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the persecuted Church, that Scripture may be their courage.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our memory, that we may not forget what you have said.
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
Father, receive our small yes. We offer the hours we have not yet lived. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.