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| Shepherd feeding the sheep - preparing for the Lambing. |
Breviary
Friday After Ash Wednesday,
READINGS
FIRST READING
From
the book of Exodus
2:1-22, 18:4
The
birth and flight of Moses
A certain man of the house of Levi married a
Levite woman, who conceived and bore a son. Seeing that he was a goodly child,
she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took a
papyrus basket, daubed it with bitumen and pitch, and putting the child in it,
placed it among the reeds on the river bank. His sister stationed herself at a
distance to find out what would happen to him.
....
SECOND READING
From
a homily by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
(Supp. Hom. 6 De precatione: PG 64, 462-466)
Prayer is the light
of the spirit
Prayer and converse with God is a supreme good:
it is a partnership and union with God. As the eyes of the body are enlightened
when they see light, so our spirit, when it is intent on God, is illumined by
his infinite light. I do not mean the prayer of outward observance but prayer
from the heart, not confined to fixed times or periods, but continuous
throughout the day and night.
Our spirit should be quick to reach out toward
God not only when it is engaged in meditation; at other times also, when it is
carrying out its duties, caring for the needy, performing works of charity,
giving generously in the service of others, our spirit should long for God, and
call him to mind, so that these works may be seasoned with the salt of God’s
love, and so make a palatable offering to the Lord of the universe. Throughout
the whole of our lives we may enjoy the benefit that comes from prayer if we
devote a great deal of time to it.
Prayer is the light of the spirit, true
knowledge of God, mediating between God and man. The spirit, raised up to
heaven by prayer, clings to God with the utmost tenderness; like a child crying
tearfully for its mother, it craves the milk that God provides. It seeks the
satisfaction of its own desires, and receives gifts outweighing the whole world
of nature.
Prayer stands before God as an honoured
ambassador. It gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer,
not words. It is the longing for God, love too deep for words, a gift not given
by man but by God’s grace. The apostle Paul says: We
do not know how we are to pray but the Spirit himself pleads for us with
inexpressible longings.
When the Lord gives this kind of prayer to
someone; he gives him riches that cannot be taken away, heavenly food that
satisfies the spirit. One who tastes this food is set on fire with an eternal
longing for the Lord: his spirit burns as in a fire of the utmost intensity.
Practice prayer from the beginning. Paint your
house with the colors of modesty and humility. Make it radiant with the light
of justice. Decorate it with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorn it with
the walls and stones of faith and generosity. Crown it with the pinnacle of
prayer. In this way you will make it a perfect dwelling place for the Lord. You
will be able to receive him as in a splendid palace, and through his grace you
will already possess him, his image enthroned in the temple of your spirit.
RESPONSORY
Lamentations 5:20; Matthew 8:25
Will you forget us forever?
Will you leave us abandoned day after day?
– Turn us back to you, O Lord,
and we will come to you.
Save us, Lord, or we shall perish.
– Turn us back to you, O Lord,
and we will come to you.
CONCLUDING
PRAYER
Let
us pray.
Lord,
with your loving care
guide the penance we have begun.
Help us to persevere with love and sincerity.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity may be
commemorated by using the Proper Reading and Concluding Prayer.
[Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.]
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