Feria Quarta infra Hebdomadam XXI post Octavam Pentecostes

Nocturn 1

Ant. Fairest in form * above the sons of men, grace has been poured upon your lips.

Psalm 44(2a-10b)

44:2a My heart has uttered a good word. * I speak of my works to the king.
44:2b My tongue is like the pen of a scribe * who writes quickly.
44:3 You are a brilliant form before the sons of men. † Grace has been poured freely into your lips. * Because of this, God has blessed you in eternity.
44:4 Fasten your sword to your thigh, * O most powerful one.
44:5a With your splendor and your excellence * extended, proceed prosperously, and reign
44:5b for the sake of truth and meekness and justice, * and so will your right hand lead you wondrously.
44:6 Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, * with the hearts of the enemies of the king.
44:7 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. * The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of true aim.
44:8 You have loved justice and hated iniquity. * Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you, before your co-heirs, with the oil of gladness.
44:9 Myrrh and balsam and cinnamon perfume your garments, from the houses of ivory. * From these, they have delighted you: (10a) the daughters of kings in your honor.
44:10b The queen assisted at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Fairest in form above the sons of men, grace has been poured upon your lips.

Ant. The peoples will praise you, * O God, for ever.

Psalm 44(11-18b)

44:11 Listen, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. * And forget your people and your father’s house.
44:12 And the king will desire your beauty. * For he is the Lord your God, and they will adore him.
44:13 And the daughters of Tyre * will entreat your countenance with gifts: all the rich men of the people.
44:14 All the glory of the daughter of its king is inside, * in golden fringes, (15a) clothed all around with diversities.
44:15b After her, virgins will be led to the king. * Her neighbors will be brought to you.
44:16 They will be brought with gladness and exultation. * They will be led into the temple of the king.
44:17 For your fathers, sons have been born to you. * You will establish them as leaders over all the earth.
44:18a They will remember your name always, * for generation after generation.
44:18b Because of this, people will confess to you in eternity, * even forever and ever.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The peoples will praise you, O God, for ever.

Ant. God is our helper * in tribulations.

Psalm 45

45:2 Our God is our refuge and strength, * a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us.
45:3 Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent * and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea.
45:4 They thundered, and the waters were stirred up among them; * the mountains have been disturbed by his strength.
45:5 The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. * The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.
45:6 God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. * God will assist it in the early morning.
45:7 The peoples have been disturbed, and the kingdoms have been bowed down. * He uttered his voice: the earth has been moved.
45:8 The Lord of hosts is with us. * The God of Jacob is our supporter.
45:9 Draw near and behold the works of the Lord: what portents he has set upon the earth, * carrying away wars even to the end of the earth.
45:10 He will crush the bow and break the weapons, * and he will burn the shield with fire.
45:11 Be empty, and see that I am God. * I will be exalted among the peoples, and I will be exalted upon the earth.
45:12 The Lord of hosts is with us. * The God of Jacob is our supporter.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. God is our helper in tribulations.

Ant. Great is the Lord * and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.

Psalm 47

47:2 The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy, * in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
47:3 Mount Zion is being founded with the exultation of the whole earth, * on the north side, the city of the great king.
47:4 In her houses, God will be known, * since he will support her.
47:5 For behold, the kings of the earth have been gathered together; * they have convened as one.
47:6 Such did they see, and they were astonished: they were disturbed, they were moved. * Trembling took hold of them.
47:7 In that place, their pains were that of a woman in labor. * With a vehement spirit, you will crush the ships of Tarshish.
47:9 As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. * God has founded it in eternity.
47:10 We have received your mercy, O God, * in the midst of your temple.
47:11 According to your name, O God, so does your praise reach to the ends of the earth. * Your right hand is full of justice.
47:12 Let mount Zion rejoice, and let the daughters of Judah exult, * because of your judgments, O Lord.
47:13 Encircle Zion and embrace her. * Discourse in her towers.
47:14 Set your hearts on her virtue. * And distribute her houses, so that you may discourse of it in another generation.
47:15 For this is God, our God, in eternity and forever and ever. * He will rule us forever.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.

Ant. My mouth will speak * wisdom: and the meditation of my heart, understanding.

Psalm 48(2-13)

48:2 Hear these things, all nations. * Pay attention, all inhabitants of the world:
48:3 whoever is earth-born, you sons of men, * together as one, the rich and the poor.
48:4 My mouth will speak wisdom, * and the meditation of my heart will speak prudence.
48:5 I will incline my ear to a parable. * I will open my case with the psaltery.
48:6 Why should I fear in the evil day? * The iniquity at my heel will surround me.
48:7 Those who trust in their own strength * and who glory in the multitude of their riches,
48:8 no brother redeems, nor will man buy back. * He will not give to God his appeasement,
48:9 nor the price for the redemption of his soul. * And he will labor continuously, and he will still live, until the end.
48:11 He will not see death, when he sees the wise dying: * the foolish and the senseless will perish together.
48:11 And they will leave their riches to strangers. * And their sepulchers will be their houses forever,
48:12 their tabernacles from generation to generation. * They have called their names in their own lands.
48:13 And man, when he was held in honor, did not understand. * He has been compared to the senseless beasts, and he has become like them.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. My mouth will speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart, understanding.

Ant. Do not fear * when a rich man dies; his glory will not descend into the tomb with him.

Psalm 48(14-21)

48:14 This way of theirs is a scandal to them. * And afterwards, they will delight in their mouth.
48:15 They have been placed in Hell like sheep. * Death will feed on them.
48:15 And the just will have dominion over them in the morning. * And their help will grow old in Hell for their glory.
48:16 Even so, truly God will redeem my soul from the hand of Hell, * when he will receive me.
48:17 Do not be afraid, when a man will have been made rich, * and when the glory of his house will have been multiplied.
48:18 For when he dies, he will take nothing away, * and his glory will not descend with him.
48:19 For his soul will be blessed in his lifetime, * and he will admit to you when you do good to him.
48:20 He will even enter with the progeny of his fathers, * but, even in eternity, he will not see the light.
48:21 Man, when he was in honor, did not understand. * He has been compared to the senseless beasts, and he has become like them.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Do not fear when a rich man dies; his glory will not descend into the tomb with him.

Ant. God of gods, * the Lord has spoken.

Psalm 49(1-15)

49:1 The God of gods, the Lord has spoken, * and he has called the earth,
49:1 from the rising of the sun even to its setting, * from Zion, the brilliance of his beauty.
49:3 God will arrive manifestly. * Our God also will not keep silence.
49:3 A fire will flare up in his sight, * and a mighty tempest will surround him.
49:4 He will call to heaven from above, * and to the earth, to discern his people.
49:5 Gather his holy ones to him, * you who order his covenant above sacrifices.
49:6 And the heavens will announce his justice. * For God is the judge.
49:7 Listen, my people, and I will speak. Listen, Israel, and I will testify for you. * I am God, your God.
49:8 I will not reprove you for your sacrifices. * Moreover, your holocausts are ever in my sight.
49:9 I will not accept calves from your house, * nor he-goats from your flocks.
49:10 For all the wild beasts of the forest are mine: * the cattle on the hills and the oxen.
49:11 I know all the flying things of the air, * and the beauty of the field is with me.
49:12 If I should be hungry, I would not tell you: * for the whole world is mine, and all its plentitude.
49:13 Shall I gnaw on the flesh of bulls? * Or would I drink the blood of goats?
49:14 Offer to God the sacrifice of praise, * and pay your vows to the Most High.
49:15 And call upon me in the day of tribulation. * I will rescue you, and you will honor me.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. God of gods, the Lord has spoken.

Ant. Understand, * you who forget God.

Psalm 49(16-23)

49:16 But to the sinner, God has said: * Why do you discourse on my justices, and take up my covenant through your mouth?
49:17 Truly, you have hated discipline, * and you have cast my sermons behind you.
49:18 If you saw a thief, you ran with him, * and you have placed your portion with adulterers.
49:19 Your mouth has abounded with malice, * and your tongue has concocted deceits.
49:20 Sitting, you spoke against your brother, and you set up a scandal against your mother’s son. * These things you have done, and I was silent.
49:21 You thought, unjustly, that I ought to be like you. * But I will reprove you, and I will set myself against your face.
49:22 Understand these things, you who forget God; * lest at any time, he might quickly take you away, and there would be no one to rescue you.
49:23 The sacrifice of praise will honor me. * And in that place is the journey by which I will reveal to him the salvation of God.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Understand, you who forget God.

Ant. You will accept a sacrifice * of justice upon your altar, O Lord.

Psalm 50

50:3a Be merciful to me, O God, * according to your great mercy.
50:3b And, according to the plentitude of your compassion, * wipe out my iniquity.
50:4 Wash me once again from my iniquity, * and cleanse me from my sin.
50:5 For I know my iniquity, * and my sin is ever before me.
50:6 Against you only have I sinned, and I have done evil before your eyes. * And so, you are justified in your words, and you will prevail when you give judgment.
50:7 For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, * and in sinfulness did my mother conceive me.
50:8 For behold, you have loved truth. * The obscure and hidden things of your wisdom, you have manifested to me.
50:9 You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed. * You will wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.
50:10 In my hearing, you will grant gladness and rejoicing. * And the bones that have been humbled will exult.
50:11 Turn your face away from my sins, * and erase all my iniquities.
50:12 Create a clean heart in me, O God. * And renew an upright spirit within my inmost being.
50:13 Do not cast me away from your face; * and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
50:14 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, * and confirm me with an unsurpassed spirit.
50:15 I will teach the unjust your ways, * and the impious will be converted to you.
50:16 Free me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation, * and my tongue will extol your justice.
50:17 O Lord, you will open my lips, * and my mouth will announce your praise.
50:18 For if you had desired sacrifice, I would certainly have given it, * but with holocausts, you will not be delighted.
50:19 A crushed spirit is a sacrifice to God. * A contrite and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.
50:20 Act kindly, Lord, in your good will toward Zion, * so that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
50:21 Then you will accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations, and holocausts. * Then they will lay calves upon your altar.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. You will accept a sacrifice of justice upon your altar, O Lord.

℣ You will give to my hearing joy and gladness.

℟ And the humbled bones will rejoice.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

May the almighty and merciful Lord absolve us from the bonds of our sins.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May he bless us who lives and reigns without end.

℟ Amen.

Reading 1

From the Second Book of Maccabees

2 Mac 3:23-25

23 But Heliodorus completed the same thing that had been decreed, being himself present in the place, with his attendants, near the treasury.
24 Then the Spirit of Almighty God made a great manifestation of his presence, so much so that all who had presumed to yield to him were turned aside by fainting and dread, falling by the power of God.
25 For there appeared to them a certain horse, having a terrible rider, adorned with the best covering, and he rushed forth and assailed Heliodorus with his front hooves.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The sun shone upon the golden shields, and the mountains gleamed with them:

And the strength of the nations was scattered.

℣ For the army was very great and strong: and Judas and his army drew near for battle.

℟ And the strength of the nations was scattered.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Reading 2

2 Mac 3:26-29

26 Moreover, there appeared two other youths with the appearance of power, the glory of nobility, and the apparel of splendor. These stood near him on each side, and they scourged him without ceasing.
27 Then Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they quickly took him up, draped by a great darkness, and, having placed him onto a stretcher, they rushed him away.
28 And so, he who had approached the aforesaid treasury, with so many officials and attendants, was carried away, with no one to bring help to him, the manifest power of God being made known.
29 And indeed, through divine power, he lay mute and also was deprived of all hope of recovery.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ They adorned the face of the temple with golden crowns, and they dedicated the altar to the Lord:

And there was great joy among the people.

℣ In hymns and confessions they were blessing the Lord.

℟ And there was great joy among the people.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the King of Angels lead us to the company of the citizens on high.

℟ Amen.

Reading 3

2 Mac 3:32-34

32 But the high priest, considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some malice against Heliodorus had been completed by the Jews, offered a beneficial sacrifice for the health of the man.
33 And when the high priest was praying, the same youths, dressed in the same clothing, were standing by Heliodorus, and they said: 'Give thanks to Onias the priest, for it is on his behalf that the Lord has granted life to you.'
34 But, having been scourged by God, you must announce to all the great things of God and his power.' And having said this, they disappeared.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ In hymns and confessions they blessed the Lord,

Who did great things in Israel, and the Lord almighty gave them victory.

℣ They adorned the face of the temple with golden crowns, and dedicated the altar to the Lord.

℟ Who did great things in Israel, and the Lord almighty gave them victory.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Who did great things in Israel, and the Lord almighty gave them victory.