Opening
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Here I am, Lord — help me to listen.
Hymn
The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended, The darkness falls at Thy behest; To Thee our morning hymns ascended, Thy praise shall sanctify our rest. We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping, While earth rolls onward into light, Through all the world her watch is keeping, And rests not now by day or night. — John Ellerton (public domain)
Psalmody
Antiphon
In the middle of the work, be my rest and my aim.
Psalm
I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help will come to me. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. May he not allow your foot to be moved, and may he not slumber, who guards you. Behold, he who guards Israel will neither sleep, nor slumber.
Psalm 120:1–4 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
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
In the middle of the work, be my rest and my aim.
Reading
Romans 13:8–10 You should owe nothing to anyone, except so as to love one another. For whoever loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For example: You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. You shall not steal. You shall not speak false testimony. You shall not covet. And if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The love of neighbor does no harm. Therefore, love is the plenitude of the law. — Romans 13:8–10 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Reflection
Pause. Breathe. Ask: Where have I hurried past love? Where can I return to presence — with God, and with the person in front of me?
Intercession
For hearts that are tired, bring rest. For hearts that are restless, bring purpose. For hearts that are hard, bring compassion. For the world you love, kindle justice and peace. Lord, hear our prayer.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, seal what you have begun in me. Stay with me in work and rest, in joy and trial. Amen.
Silence
If you can, rest in quiet for half a minute before you rise.