Terce

TERCE

Daytime Prayers

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

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Complementary Psalmody

Psalm 119:1-8
I (Aleph)

A meditation on God’s law

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

They are happy whose life is blameless, *
who follow God’s law!
They are happy who do his will, *
seeking him with all their hearts,
who never do anything evil *
but walk in his ways.

You have laid down your precepts *
to be obeyed with care.
May my footsteps be firm *
to obey your statutes.
Then I shall not be put to shame *
as I heed your commands.

I will thank you with an upright heart *
as I learn your decrees.
I will obey your statutes: *
do not forsake 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.

Psalm Prayer

Lord God, you proclaim victorious those whose lives are blameless and give your law to those who seek it. Make us seek your righteous ways in our hearts.

Psalm 13
The lament of the just man who does not lose hope in God

May the God of hope fill you with every joy (Romans 15:13).

How long, O Lord, will you forget me? *
How long will you hide your face?
How long must I bear grief in my soul, †
this sorrow in my heart day and night? *
How long shall my enemy prevail?

Look at me, answer me, Lord my God! *
Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death,
lest my enemy say: “I have overcome him;” *
lest my foes rejoice to see my fall.

As for me, I trust in your merciful love. *
Let my heart rejoice in your saving help:
Let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me, *
singing psalms to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

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

Saving God, by the resurrection of your Son, you have given light to our eyes, and they shall not sleep in death for ever. Look upon the sufferings of your Church so that our hearts may rejoice in your saving help and sing you songs of praise.

Psalm 14
The foolishness of sinners

Sin has increased but grace has far surpassed it (Romans 3:20).

The fool has said in his heart: *
“There is no God above.”
Their deeds are corrupt, depraved; *
not a good man is left.

From heaven the Lord looks down *
on the sons of men
to see if any are wise, *
if any seek God.

All have left the right path; *
depraved, every one:
there is not a good man left, *
no, not even one.

Will the evil-doers not understand? *
They eat up my people
as though they were eating bread: *
they never pray to the Lord.

See how they tremble with fear †
without cause for fear: *
for God is with the just
You may mock the poor man’s hope, *
but his refuge is the Lord.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion! †
When God delivers his people from bondage, *
then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.

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

God of wisdom and truth, without you neither truth nor holiness can survive. Safeguard the Church you have gathered into one and make us glad in proclaiming you.

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

MIDMORNING [Terce]

READING
See Acts 4:11-12

This Jesus is “the stone rejected by you the builders which has become the cornerstone.” There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved.

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

Conclusion

Father,

you restored your people to eternal life

by raising Christ your Son from death.

Make our faith strong and our hope sure.

May we never doubt that you will fulfill

the promises you have made.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

— Amen.