NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
June 24
Evening Prayer II
Ut queant laxis resonare fibris mira gestorum famuli tuorum, solve polluti labiis reatum, sancte Joannes. Nuntius celso veniens Olympo, Ille promissi dubius superni Laudibus cives celebrant superni Ventris obstruso recubans cubili, Sit decus Patri, genitaeque proli |
For thy spirit, holy John, to chasten Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen; So by thy children might thy deeds of wonder Meetly be chanted. Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending, Scarcely believing message so transcendent, The heavenly citizens celebrate you Thou, in thy mother's womb all darkly cradled, Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten, |
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent
and dwell on your holy mountain?
The man who walks without fault,
who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart,
he who does not slander with his tongue,
who does no wrong to his kindred,
who casts no slur on his neighbors,
who holds the godless in disdain,
but honors those who fear the Lord;
those who keep their word, come what may,
who take no interest on a loan
and accept no bribes against the innocent.
Such people will stand firm for ever. Glory...
Antiphon 1: There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
Antiphon 2: He came to bear witness to the truth.
Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons shall be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry,
grinds his teeth and fades away;
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Glory...
Antiphon 2: He came to bear witness to the truth.
Antiphon 3: John was like a brilliantly shining light.
Mighty and wonderful are your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who would dare refuse you honor,
or the glory due your name, O Lord?
Since you alone are holy,
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence.
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen. Glory...
Antiphon 3: John was like a brilliantly shining light.
READING
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
You called John the Baptist from his mother's womb to prepare the way of your Son,
- help us to follow in the path which the Baptist opened before the Lord Jesus.
May your Church, in imitation of the Baptist, fearlessly point out the Lamb of God,
- so that people in every age may acknowledge that the Lord comes to them.
John the Baptist did not exalt himself but acknowledged his role as the forerunner of Christ,
- teach us to acknowledge that you are the giver of all our good gifts and that we must use them in your service.
You called John the Baptist to give testimony to you by his life and even by his death,
- help us to imitate his unceasing witness to your truth.
Remember those who have died,
- give them a place of light, happiness and peace.
Our Father...
COLLECT
O God, who raised up Saint John the Baptist
to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord,
give your people, we pray,
the grace of spiritual joys
and direct the hearts of all the faithful
into the way of salvation and peace.
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.
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.
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