Terce

INTRODUCTION

God, + come to my assistance.

— Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

At Midmorning [Terce]

Behold, the third hour rises now,

when Christ ascends the saving Cross;

our minds should think no thoughts of pride,

intent on fervor in our prayer.

The heart that truly welcomes Christ

brings forth a conscience free from sin;

by faithful prayer it seeks to gain,

the Holy Spirit, Paraclete.

This is the hour that brought an end

to dire, deep-rooted, ancient sin,

and from this hour, by grace of Christ,

the time of blessing has begun.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

who shine in vict’ry over death,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Tune: MELCOMBE, 8 8 8 8

Music: Samuel Webbe the elder, 1740-1816

or Mode I, melody 2; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*

PSALMODY

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Complementary Psalmody

Psalm 119:25-32
IV (Daleth)

A meditation on God’s law

Loving God means keeping his commandments (1 John 5:3).

My soul lies in the dust; *
by your will revive me.
I declared my ways and you answered: *
teach me your statutes.

Make me grasp the way of your precepts *
and I will muse on your wonders.
My soul pines away with grief; *
by your word raise me up.

Keep me from the way of error *
and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of truth *
with your decrees before me.

I bind myself to do your will; *
Lord, do not disappoint me.
I will run the way of your commands; *
you give freedom to my heart.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord, we are citizens of this earth and ask to be made citizens of heaven by your free gift. Help us to run in the way of your commandments and to set our hearts on you alone.

Psalm 26
Trusting prayer of an innocent man

God chose us in Christ to be holy and sinless (Ephesians 1:4).

Give judgment for me, O Lord: †
for I walk the path of perfection. *
I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.

Examine me, Lord, and try me; *
O test my heart and my mind,
for your love is before my eyes *
and I walk according to your truth.

I never take my place with liars *
and with hypocrites I shall not go.
I hate the evil-doer’s company: *
I will not take my place with the wicked.

To prove my innocence I wash my hands *
and take my place around your altar,
singing a song of thanksgiving, *
proclaiming all your wonders.

O Lord, I love the house where you dwell, *
the place where your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners, *
nor my life with bloodthirsty men
in whose hands are evil plots, *
whose right hands are filled with gold.

As for me, I walk the path of perfection. *
Redeem me and show me your mercy.
My foot stands on level ground:*
I will bless the Lord in the assembly.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Send the fire of your Holy Spirit deep within us, Lord, so that we can serve you with chaste bodies and please you with pure minds.

Psalm 28:1-3, 6-9
Entreaty and thanksgiving

Father, I thank you, for you have heard my prayer (John 11:41).

To you, O Lord, I call, *
my rock, hear me.
If you do not heed I shall become *
like those in the grave.

Hear the voice of my pleading *
as I call for help,
as I lift up my hands in prayer *
to your holy place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked, *
with the evil-doers,
who speak words of peace to their neighbors *
but with evil in their hearts.

Blessed be the Lord for he has heard *
my cry, my appeal.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; *
in him my heart trusts.
I was helped, my heart rejoices *
and I praise him with my song.

The Lord is the strength of his people, *
a fortress where his anointed find salvation.
Save your people; bless Israel your heritage. *
Be their shepherd and carry them for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

You are the strength of the people, Father. Save us from the pit of death and unite us as one in your holy temple, so that we may attain in our hearts the peace our tongues proclaim.

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

MIDMORNING [Terce]

READING
Acts 2:32, 36

This is the Jesus God has raised up and we are his witnesses. Therefore let the whole house of Israel know beyond any doubt that God has made both Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified.

The Lord is risen, alleluia.
— He has appeared to Simon, alleluia.

Grant us, Lord, we pray,

that, being rightly conformed to the paschal mysteries,

what we celebrate in joy

may protect and save us with perpetual power.

Through Christ our Lord.

— Amen.