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*
Text: Iam surgit hora tertia, Saint Ambrose, 340-397, © 2023 ICEL

Psalmody

At Midday [Sext]

Come, servants, join in humble prayer
with psalms and hymns of worthy praise;
let mind and heart and lips extol
the blest and holy name of God.

For this is that dread time and hour,
in which the Judge of ages stood
condemned to death by false decree,
unjustly judged by mortal foes.

And we with all the love we owe,
compelled by just and humble fear,
seek help against our wicked foe
and all his sly and fierce assaults.

Let us implore the one true God,
the Father and the Son, our King,
the Holy Spirit, Paraclete,
in Trinity, our God and Lord. Amen.

Tune: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, 8 8 8 8
Music: from the Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753
or Mode I, melody 2; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Venite, servi, supplices, 5-6th c., © 2023 ICEL

Psalmody

At Midafternoon [None]

This is the hour that brightly shone
and rent the clouds that veiled the Cross,
divesting earth of dark and gloom,
restoring pure, unclouded light.

This is the hour when Jesus raised
the holy bodies from their tombs;
at his command they issue forth,
with breath of life, now freed from death.

Believing in a world renewed
where laws of death have been dissolved,
we know that gifts of blessed life
shall run an everlasting course.

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: As above at Sext
Text: Hæc hora, quæ resplenduit, 5̀-6th c., © 2023 ICEL

PSALMODY

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Complementary Psalmody

Psalm 119:17-24
III (Ghimel)

A meditation on God’s law

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

Bless your servant and I shall live *
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see *
the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth; *
show me your commands.
My soul is ever consumed *
as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed, *
who turn from your commands.
Relieve me from scorn and contempt *
for I do your will.

Though princes sit plotting against me *
I ponder on your rulings.
Your will is my delight; *
your statutes are my counselors.

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

Father, giver of all good gifts, do not let us go astray from your commands but help us to seek you with all our hearts.

Psalm 25
Prayer for God’s favor and protection

Our hope will never be disappointed (Romans 5:5).

I

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. *
I trust you, let me not be disappointed;
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed, *
but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways. *
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: *
for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long *
because of your goodness, O Lord.
Remember your mercy, Lord, *
and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth. *
In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright. *
He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; *
he teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love *
for those who keep his covenant and law.
Lord, for the sake of your name *
forgive my guilt, for it is great.

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

To you, Lord, we lift up our souls; rescue us, do not let us be put to shame for calling out to you. Do not remember the sins of our youth and stupidity, but remember us with your love.

II

If anyone fears the Lord *
he will show him the path he should choose.
His soul shall live in happiness *
and his children shall possess the land.
The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him; *
to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord; *
for he rescues my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and have mercy *
for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart *
and set me free from my distress.
See my affliction and my toil *
and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes; *
how violent their hatred for me.
Preserve my life and rescue me. *
Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.
May innocence and uprightness protect me: *
for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

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

Through your Son, Lord, you spared sinners to show us your mercy and love. Do not remember our sins, but show us your ways; relieve our distress, and satisfy the longing of your people, so that all our hopes for eternal peace may reach fulfillment.

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

MIDMORNING [Terce]

READING
1 Corinthians 12:13

It was in one Spirit that all of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, were baptized into one body. All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit.

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

Conclusion

MIDDAY [Sext]

READING
Titus 3:5b-7

God saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he lavished on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs, in hope, of eternal life.

The disciples rejoiced, alleluia.
— When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia.

Conclusion

MIDAFTERNOON [None]

READING
See Colossians 1:12-14

We give thanks to God the Father for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light. He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. Through him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.

Stay with us, Lord, alleluia.
— For evening draws near, alleluia.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,
in your love you have brought us
from evil to good and from misery to happiness.
Through your blessings
give the courage of perseverance
to those you have called and justified in faith.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.