Lord, open my lips.
 - And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Psalm 95 is the traditional Invitatory Psalm. Psalm 24, 67, or 100 may be substituted.

Antiphon: Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.

Psalm 95

Psalm 24

Psalm 67

Psalm 100

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.

HYMN

Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Or:

Hymns for Ascensiontide

Or:


Lord, whose love in humble service
bore the weight of human need,
who upon the cross forsaken,
worked your mercy’s perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship
not of voice alone, but heart;
consecrating to your purpose
every gift which you impart.

As we worship, grant us vision
till your love’s revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness
dawns upon our human sight;
making known the needs and burdens
your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to ardent service,
your abundant life to share.

Called from worship into service
forth in your great name we go,
to the child, the youth, the aged
love in living deeds to show.  
Hope and health, good will and comfort,
council, aid and peace we give,
that your children Lord in freedom
may your mercy know and live.
Text: Albert F. Bayly

Antiphon 1: Lord, wash away my guilt, alleluia.

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.

My offenses truly I know them;
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done.

That you may be justified when you give sentence
and be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived.

Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
and blot out all my guilt.

A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

Give me again the joy of your help;
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.

O rescue me, God, my helper,
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare your praise.

For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,
a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
holocausts offered on your altar. Glory...

Psalm Prayer: Father, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations.

Antiphon 1: Lord, wash away my guilt, alleluia.


Antiphon 2: Christ bore our sins in his own body as he hung upon the cross, alleluia.

Let my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.

If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest forage
in a land they know not.

Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed?

We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.

For your name's sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not. Glory...

Antiphon 2: Christ bore our sins in his own body as he hung upon the cross, alleluia.


Antiphon 3: Come into the Lord's presence, singing for joy, alleluia.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.
He made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Go within his gates, giving thanks.
Enter his courts with songs of praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,
eternal his merciful love.
He is faithful from age to age. Glory...

Psalm Prayer: God, devoted to us as a Father, you created us as a sign of your power and elected us your people to show your goodness: accept the thanks your children offer that all people may enter your courts praising you in song.

Antiphon 3 Come into the Lord's presence, singing for joy, alleluia.


READING     Acts 5:30-32
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.


RESPONSORY
The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
 - The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
He hung upon the cross for us,
 - alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
 - The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.


BENEDICTUS (Canticle of Zechariah)
Antiphon: Jesus Christ died and is risen from the dead. Now he lives for ever at the right hand of the Father where he intercedes for us, alleluia.


INTERCESSIONS
Honor and glory to God for ever and ever. May he make us rich in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray:

                  Lord, come to our aid and save us.

Almighty Father,you know that we are weak, even when we pray,
 - give us your Spirit to pray on our behalf.

Send forth your Spirit, light of radiant joy,
 - to take possession of our hearts.

Lord, we are the work of your hands,
 - do not leave us in captivity to our sins.

Help us to show reverence for those who are weak in faith,
 - may we never be hard or impatient with them, but always treat them with love.


Our Father...


COLLECT
O God, who by the glorification of your Christ
and the light of the Holy Spirit
have unlocked for us the gates of eternity,
grant, we pray,
that, partaking of so great a gift,
our devotion may grow deeper
and our faith be strengthened.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.


May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.



The English translation of Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); the English translation of Antiphons, Invitatories, Responsories, Intercessions, Psalm 95, the Canticle of the Lamb, Psalm Prayers, Non-Biblical Readings from The Liturgy of the Hours © 1973, 1974, 1975, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission.