(Vespers)
From its earliest days, the church celebrated both morning and evening hours to signify the pattern of life from birth (in the morning) to death (in the evening). Today as we celebrate morning and evening prayer, we live always in the conscious reality that all time belongs to God.
The special focus of Vespers in the lay persons' prymer is the act of taking Jesus down from the cross. Read and ruminate on each of the psalms and prayers that culminate in the De cruce deponitur ("he is being taken down from the cross").
Remember that you are "in" Jesus. You died with him, and now you are taken down from the cross. Your sins were nailed to the cross. Take time to reflect on your specific sins that were nailed to the cross. Let them die in Jesus.
"God, be my help"
God, be my help;
Hurry to help me!
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
As it was in the beginning, it is now, and will be forever.
Amen!
Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
"I rejoiced"
I rejoiced at the things that were said to me:
We will go into the Lord's house.
Our feet were standing in your courts,
Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is a compact community.
For the pilgrims go up, the tribes of the Lord,
To speak of the Lord of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
Here are the seats that issue judgments, seers of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you.
Let peace be your strength, and may it abound in the place where you live.
For the sake of my brothers, and of my neighbors, say, "Peace be with you."
(Psalm 122)
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, it is now, and will be forever.
Amen!
