WEDNESDAY OF PASSION WEEK Safro
WEDNESDAY OF PASSION WEEK Safro
INTRODUCTION
DOXOLOGY
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as we begin and until we conclude.
May mercy and compassion be poured forth upon us
in this world and the next.
O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
O Christ,
we who are plunged into sadness because of your passion ask that you grant salvation to those who are tested, freedom to the oppressed,
the right way to those who have gone astray,
a return to those who are far off,
and repentance to sinners.
We shall glorify you, with your Father and your Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
GREETING
Peace be with the Church and her children.
PRAISE OF THE ANGELS
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth and good will to all.
Praise the Lord all you nations,
glorify him all you peoples!
For steadfast is his mercy towards us,
and the truth of the Lord endures for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
and peace on earth and good will to all.
PSALMODY
FIRST PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Christ,
when you are pleased with us
you allowed us to share in your passion,
so that we might share in your glory.
May we see your blessed hand in times of misfortune,
your purification in times of trial,
the path of Golgotha in the difficulties of life,
and the cross of redemption in suffering.
Thus, the ways of the gospel will penetrate our thoughts and our deeds will be guided by your light.
We shall glorify you in times of happiness and misfortune, now and for ever. Amen.
PSALM OF THE DAY
Antiphon:
Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress; incline your ear to me.
Psalm 102: 1-1
O Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cry come to you.
Hide not your face from me
in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
For my days vanish like smoke,
and my bones burn like fire.
Withered and dried up like grass in my heart;
I forget to eat my bread.
Because of my insistent sighing
I am reduced to skin and bone.
I am like a desert owl;
I have become like an owl among the ruins.
I am sleepless, and I moan;
I am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
All the day my enemies revile me;
in their rage against me they make a curse of me.
For I eat ashes like bread
and mingle my drink with tears,
Because of your fury and your wrath;
for you lifted me up only to cast me down.
My days are like a lengthening shadow,
and I wither like grass.
But you, O Lord, abide forever,
and your name through all generations.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
PSALM OF THE DAY
Antiphon:
Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress; incline your ear to me.
HYMN
Sinners, what crime have we committed against the Son of almighty God?
Behold his hands, driven with nails.
Behold them and let your tears wash them.
With a broken heart and contemplative spirit, hold them.
Beseech mercy for the pardon of his precious blood.
Wash his wounds with abundant tears.
SECOND PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Sun of justice, Light of the world,
shine on us at the dawn of this morning.
Dispel from our eyes the clouds of ignorance and greed, that we may see the path which leads to you and find in you the goal of our lives.
We shall then glorify and praise you,
row and for ever. Amen.
NUHRO (HYMN OF LIGHT)
The Light of the just and joy of the upright is Christ Jesus, our Lord, Begotten of the Father, he manifested himself to us.
He came to rescue us from darkness and to fill us with the radiance of his light.
Day is dawning upon us; the power of darkness is fading away.
From the true Light there arises for us the light which illumines our darkened eyes.
His glory shines upon the world and enlightens the very depths of the abyss.
Death is annihilated, night has vanished, and the gates of Sheol are broken.
Creatures lying in darkness from ancient times are clothed in light.
The dead arise from the dust and sing because they have a Savior.
He brings salvation and grants us life.
He ascends to his Father on high.
He will return in glorious splendor and shed his light on those gazing upon him.
Our King comes in majestic glory,
Let us light our lamps and go forth to meet him.
Let us find our joy in him, for he has found joy in us.
He will indeed rejoice us with his marvelous light.
Let us glorify the majesty of the Son and give thanks to the almighty Father, who,
in an outpouring of love, sent him to us, to fill us with hope and salvation.
When he manifests himself, the saints awaiting him in weariness and sorrow,
will go forth to meet him with lighted lamps.
The angels and guardians of heaven will rejoice in the glory of the just and upright people of the earth;
together, crowned with victory, they will sing hymns and psalms.
Stand up then and be ready!
Give thanks to our King and Savior, who will come in great glory to gladden us with his marvelous light in his kingdom.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
THIRD PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Christ,
enlighten us with your light,
so that we may recognize ourselves in you,
walk in your paths,
desire what your desire,
and seek you in all our actions.
Thus, we shall glorify you, with your Father
and your Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
MORNING PSALMS
Psalm 148
Alleluia.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created;
He established them forever and ever;
he gave them a duty which shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth;
you sea monsters and all depths;
Fire and hail, snow and mist,
storm winds that fulfill his word;
You mountains and all you hills,
you fruit trees and all you cedars;
You wild beasts and all tame animals,
you creeping things and you winged fowl.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys,
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven,
and he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
Psalm 149: 1-6
Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
Alleluia.
Psalm 150
Alleluia.
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty.
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp.
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
Praise him with sounding cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise the LORD!
Alleluia.
Psalm 117
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
For steadfast is his mercy towards us,
and the truth of the Lord endures for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
[CANTICLE]
The “Canticle of the Three Children” (page 292) may
follow the Morning Psalms.
HOOSOYO
PROEMION
Praise, glory and honor to the One who tests hearts,
and judges thoughts and intentions.
By his passion he has penetrated the depths of our hearts and the intimacy of our souls;
he fills us with a blessed sadness and a share in
his sufferings.
To the Good One is due glory and honor this morning,
and all the days of our lives,
now and for ever. Amen.
SEDRO
O Christ,
in your mercy help us to understand the meaning of your actions.
What is the meaning of your silence before Pilate,
you, the Word, through whom the Father expresses all words?
Why did you tolerate the servant who slapped you,
you, the Lord of lords and the Master of the universe?
Why did you crumble beneath the cross,
you, who support the entire universe?
Grant that we may see that your silence was a silence of truth and strength,
and not of weakness and resignation;
that your acceptance of the blows was the pardon
of someone who is generous and powerful,
and not of someone who is weak and faint-hearted.
If someone insults or injures us,
grant that we may see strength in silence,
and honor in acceptance.
May we bear our cross in patience despite our exhaustion and reject the opinion of the world,
which sees only folly in your love
and stupidity in your cross.
By your passion, you confuse the judgment of the world and give new meaning to life.
May we be guided by the passion
to attain the glory of the Father,
where we will praise you, for ever. Amen.
QOLO
She who had a jar of perfume learned
that the Lord was in the house of Simon the leper.
She hastened to go and anoint his head and wipe his feet.
Despite her sins, Jesus allowed her to anoint his head and wipe his feet.
Despite her sins, he saw that her soul was already purified by love.
He looked with disapproval upon those who disapproved and said to them:
“She has loved much and much is pardoned for those who love much.”
ETRO
O Lord,
accept our incense and our prayers
as you accepted Mary’s perfume and tears.
With her our hearts are raised to you,
so that they might discover the way that leads to your heart.
Then, full of mercy and kindness, you will open it to us and grant us your mercy,
so that we may glorify you,
with your Father and your Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
READINGS
MAZMOORO
The sinner poured forth tears and perfume; they were mixed together.
Her tears were perfumed and her soul was purified by love.
Glory to the merciful Lord
who accepts tears and perfume.
In her he created repentance and love
and pardoned all her sins.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
A Reading from the Letter to the Philippians
Philippians 3: 13-21
Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus. Let us, then, who are “perfectly mature” adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you. Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course. Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their
“shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
A Reading from the Gospel of Luke
Luke 22: 54-23: 25
After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.” But he denied it saying,
“Woman, I do not know him.” A short while later someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them”; but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.” About an hour later, still another insisted, “Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.”
But Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they reviled him in saying many other things against him. When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.
They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”
Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.” On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer.
The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Even Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.
HOOTOMO
GREAT DOXOLOGY
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and joy filled hope to all.
We praise you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord and Creator, King of heaven, God the Father almighty, Lord God, only Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son and Word of the Father,
you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sin of the world, hear us and receive our prayer.
You are seated in glory at the right hand of your Father, forgive us and have mercy on us;
For you alone are holy,
you alone are the Lord, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
At all times, and all the days of our lives, we worship you and praise your holy and blessed name,
which is and has been from age to age.
Blessed are you, Lord almighty, God of our fathers.
May your name be glorified, praised and exalted for ever.
To you be glory, praise and exaltation, God of all,
Father of truth, with the only Son and the living and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
O God,
you are before all ages and exist from age to age;
you are resplendent and glorified in unsearchable light; through your word, you bring forth light and give us a new day.
O radiant Day and source of all light,
we glorify you, adore you and offer you praise night and day; accept our praise and answer our prayer.
Send us your abundant blessings, through the mercy of your Christ.
To him, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be glory, honor and power,
now and for ever. Amen.