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

Holy Week Hymns:
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
Oh Sacred Head, Surrounded
Vexilla Regis Prodeunt


PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: They insulted my and filled me with dread, but the Lord was at my side, like a mighty warrior.

Psalm 49
Emptiness of riches
It is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23)

                I
Hear this, all you peoples,
give heed, all who dwell in the world,
men both high and low,
rich and poor alike!

My lips will speak words of wisdom.
My heart is full of insight.
I will turn my mind to a parable,
with the harp I will solve my problem.

Why should I fear in evil days
the malice of the foes who surround me,
men who trust in their wealth,
and boast of the vastness of their riches?

For no man buy his own ransom,
or pay a price to God for his life.
The ransom of his soul is beyond him.
He cannot buy life without end,
nor avoid coming to the grave.

He knows that wise men and fools must both perish
and must leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes for ever,
their dwelling place from age to age,
though their names spread wide through the land.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom;
he is like the beasts that are destroyed. Glory...

Antiphon 1 They insulted my and filled me with dread, but the Lord was at my side, like a mighty warrior.


Antiphon 2 Deliver me, Lord, and place me at your side, then let whoever will, lift his hand to strike me.

                         II
This is the lot of those who trust in themselves,
who have others in their beck and call.
Like sheep they are driven to the grave,
where death shall be their shepherd
and the just shall become their rulers.

With the morning their outward show vanishes
and the grave becomes their home.
But God will ransom me from death
and take my soul to himself.

Then do not fear when a man grows rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
He takes nothing with him when he dies,
his glory does not follow him below.

Though he flattered himself while he lived:
Men will praise me for all my success,
yet he will go to join his fathers,
and will never see the light any more.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom;
he is like the beasts that are destroyed. Glory...

Antiphon 2 Deliver me, Lord, and place me at your side, then let whoever will, lift his hand to strike me.


Antiphon 3 You were slain, Lord, and by your blood you have ransomed us for God.

Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,

For you created all things;
by your will they came to be and were created.

Worthy are you, O Lord,
to receive the scroll and to break open its seals.

For you were slain;
with your blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue,
of every people and nation.

You made them a kingdom
and priests to serve our God,
and they shall reign on earth.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing. Glory...

Antiphon 3 You were slain, Lord, and by your blood you have ransomed us for God..


READING           1 Corinthians 1:27b-30
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.


RESPONSORY
We worship you, O Christ and we praise you.
- We worship you, O Christ and we praise you.
Because by your cross you have redeemed the world.
- We praise you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
- We worship you, O Christ and we praise you.


MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it up again.


INTERCESSIONS
The savior of mankind by dying destroyed death and by rising restored life. Let us humbly ask him:

                         Sanctify your people, redeemed by your blood.

Redeemer of the world, give us a greater share of your passion through a deeper spirit of repentance,
 - so that we may share the glory of your resurrection.

May your Mother, comfort of the afflicted, protect us,
 - may we console others as you console us.

Look with love on those who suffer because of our indifference,
 - come to their aid, and turn our uncaring hearts to justice and charity.

You humbled yourself by being obedient even to accepting death, death on a cross,
 - give all who serve you the gifts of obedience and patient endurance.

Transform the bodies of the dead to be like your own in glory,
 - and bring us at last into their fellowship.


Our Father...


COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God,
grant us so to celebrate
the mysteries of the Lord's Passion
that we may merit to receive your pardon.
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.