Sanctissimi Nominis JesuThe Most Holy Name of Jesus

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help 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.

Alleluia.

Ant. The admirable name of Jesus, which is above every name: * Come, let us adore.

Ant. The admirable name of Jesus, which is above every name: * Come, let us adore.

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms.

Ant. The admirable name of Jesus, which is above every name: * Come, let us adore.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods. For the Lord will not drive away his people. For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and he beholds the heights of the mountains.

Ant. Come, let us adore.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands established the dry land. (kneel) Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before God, and let us weep before the Lord who made us. For he is the Lord our God, and we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Ant. The admirable name of Jesus, which is above every name: * Come, let us adore.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested and saw my works.

Ant. Come, let us adore.

For forty years, I was near to that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart. But they have not known my ways. To them I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. The admirable name of Jesus, which is above every name: * Come, let us adore.

℣ 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. Come, let us adore.

Ant. The admirable name of Jesus, which is above every name: * Come, let us adore.

O Jesu, King most wonderful

Thou conqueror renowned,

Thou sweetness most ineffable,

In whom all joys are found!

When once Thou visitest the heart,

Then truth begins to shine;

Then earthly vanities depart;

Then kindles love divine.

O Jesu, light of all below,

Thou fount of life and fire,

Surpassing all the joys we know,

And all we can desire:

May every heart confess thy Name,

And ever thee adore;

And, seeking thee, itself inflame

To seek thee more and more.

Thee may our tongues forever bless;

Thee may we love alone;

And ever in our lives express

The image of thine own.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8 [1]

8:2a O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

8:2b For your magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

8:3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, * so that you may destroy the enemy and the revenger.

8:4 For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: * the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

8:5 What is man, that you are mindful of him, * or the son of man, that you visit him?

8:6 You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; † you have crowned him with glory and honor, * (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands.

8:8 You have subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field,

8:9 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * which pass through the paths of the sea.

8:10 O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

℣ 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. O Lord our Lord, how admirable is your name in all the earth!

Ant. At the name of Jesus * every knee shall bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

Psalm 18 [2]

18:2 The heavens describe the glory of God, * and the firmament announces the work of his hands.

18:3 Day proclaims the word to day, * and night to night imparts knowledge.

18:4 There are no speeches or conversations, * where their voices are not being heard.

18:5 Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, * and their words to the ends of the world.

18:6a He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, * and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom.

18:6b He has exulted like a giant running along the way; * (7a) his departure is from the summit of heaven.

18:7b And his course reaches all the way to its summit. * Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat.

18:8 The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. * The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones.

18:9 The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. * The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes.

18:10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. * The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves:

18:11 desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

18:12 For, indeed, your servant keeps them, * and in keeping them, there are many rewards.

18:13 Who can understand transgression? † From my hidden faults, cleanse me, * (14a) and from those of others, spare your servant.

18:14b If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, * and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression.

18:15a And the words of my mouth will be so as to please, * along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever,

18:15b O Lord, my helper * and my redeemer.

℣ 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. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

Ant. Give thanks * to the Lord, and call upon his name: remember that his name is exalted.

Psalm 23 [3]

23:1 The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: * the whole world and all that dwells in it.

23:2 For he has founded it upon the seas, * and he has prepared it upon the rivers.

23:3 Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? * And who will stand in his holy place?

23:4 The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, * who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.

23:5 He will receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God, his Savior.

23:6 This is the generation that seeks him, * that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

23:7 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:8 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle.

23:9 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:10 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord of hosts. He himself is the King of Glory.

℣ 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. Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his name: remember that his name is exalted.

℣ For your name's sake, O Lord, you will pardon my sin.

℟ For it is great.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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.

Absolution. Hear the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus Christ, and have mercy on us: You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

From the Acts of the Apostles

Act 3:1-8

1 Now Peter and John went up to the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.

2 And a certain man, who was lame from his mother's womb, was being carried in. He was placed daily at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, so that he might beg alms from those entering the temple.

3 And this man, when he had seen Peter and John beginning to enter the temple, was begging to receive alms.

4 Then Peter, gazing at him with John, said: 'Look at us.'

5 And he looked intently at them, hoping that he might receive something from them.

6 But Peter said: 'Silver and gold is not mine. But what I have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk.'

7 And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up. And immediately his legs and feet were strengthened.

8 And leaping up, he stood and walked around. And he entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus:

* For he shall save his people from their sins.

℣ His name was called Jesus, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.

℟ For he shall save his people from their sins.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the Only Begotten Son of God be pleased to bless and assist us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Act 3:9-16

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 And they recognized him, that he was the same one who was sitting for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. And they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 Then, as he held on to Peter and John, all the people ran to them at the portico, which is called Solomon's, in astonishment.

12 But Peter, seeing this, responded to the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this? Or why do you stare at us, as if it were by our own strength or power that we caused this man to walk?

13 The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus, whom you, indeed, handed over and denied before the face of Pilate, when he was giving judgment to release him.

14 Then you denied the Holy and Just One, and petitioned for a murderous man to be given to you.

15 Truly, it was the Author of Life whom you put to death, whom God raised from the dead, to whom we are witnesses.

16 And through faith in his name, his name has strengthened this man whom you see and know. And the faith that is through him has given this man complete health in the sight of you all.'

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed is your name, O God of our fathers, who when you are angry will remember mercy,

* And in the time of tribulation you forgive sins.

℣ And blessed is the name of your majesty for ever, you who alone work wonders.

℟ And in the time of tribulation you forgive sins.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Act 4:5-12

5 And it happened on the next day that their leaders and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,

6 Including Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the priestly family.

7 And stationing them in the middle, they questioned them: 'By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?'

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: 'Leaders of the people and elders, listen.

9 If we today are judged by a good deed done to an infirm man, by which he has been made whole,

10 Let it be known to all of you and to all of the people of Israel, that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, by him, this man stands before you, healthy.

11 He is the stone, which was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.

12 And there is no salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, by which it is necessary for us to be saved.'

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I will praise your name continually,

* and I will extol it with thanksgiving.

℣ I will rejoice and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

℟ and I will extol it with thanksgiving.

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

℟ and I will extol it with thanksgiving.

Nocturn II

Ant. They shall be mindful * of your name, O Lord, from generation to generation.

Psalm 44 [4]

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 more beautiful in form than 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, * into 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 stood at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

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. They shall be mindful of your name, O Lord, from generation to generation.

Ant. Magnify * the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 45 [5]

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 rushing 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 still, 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. Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Ant. All the nations * that you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

Psalm 86 [6]

86:1 Its foundations are in the holy mountains: * the Lord loves the gates of Zion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

86:3 Glorious things are being said of you, * O City of God.

86:4 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.

86:4 Behold, the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: * these have been there.

86:5 Will not Zion say that this man and that man were born in her? * And the Most High himself has founded her.

86:6 The Lord will explain, in the writings of peoples and of leaders, * about those who have been in her.

86:7 The dwelling of all who rejoice * is in you.

℣ 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. All the nations that you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

℣ For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

℟ And be gracious to our sins for the sake of your name.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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.

Absolution. May his loving kindness and mercy assist us, he who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God the almighty Father be gracious and merciful to us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

Sermon of Saint Bernard, Abbot

Sermon 15 on the Song of Songs, near the middle

Not without purpose does the Holy Spirit compare the name of the Bridegroom to oil, when he thus teaches the bride to cry out to the Bridegroom: Your name is oil poured out. For oil gives light, nourishes, and anoints. It tends the fire, feeds the flesh, soothes pain: light, food, medicine. See the same now also of the Bridegroom's name: proclaimed, it gives light; pondered, it nourishes; invoked, it soothes and anoints. And let us run through each in turn. Whence, do you think, is such sudden and so great a light of faith throughout the whole world, if not from the name of Jesus being proclaimed? Was it not in the light of this name that God called us into his admirable light — we who, being illumined, and seeing light in this light, are rightly told by Paul: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord?

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Let those who know your name hope in you:

* For you have not forsaken those who seek you, O Lord.

℣ Arise, O Lord, help us, and deliver us for your name's sake.

℟ For you have not forsaken those who seek you, O Lord.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

This same Apostle, then, was commanded to carry that name before kings and nations and the sons of Israel; and he carried the name as a light, and illumined his homeland, and everywhere proclaimed: The night has passed, the day has drawn near. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light; let us walk honorably as in the day. And he showed all men the lamp upon the lampstand, announcing Jesus everywhere, and him crucified. How that light shone out and dazzled the eyes of all who looked upon it, when, like lightning going forth from the mouth of Peter, it strengthened the soles and ankles of one lame man in body, and illumined many who were spiritually blind? Did he not scatter fire when he said: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk?

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Let us confess your great name,

* For it is terrible and holy.

℣ These in chariots and these on horses, but we shall call upon the name of the Lord our God.

℟ For it is terrible and holy.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

The name of Jesus, however, is not light alone but also food. Are you not strengthened as often as you call him to mind? What so abundantly nourishes the mind of one who contemplates? What so restores the wearied faculties, strengthens virtues, cultivates good and honorable conduct, fosters chaste affections? All spiritual nourishment for the soul is dry if not moistened with this oil; tasteless, if not seasoned with this salt. If you write, I find no savor in it unless I read Jesus therein. If you dispute or converse, I find no savor unless Jesus has sounded there. Jesus is honey to the mouth, melody to the ear, jubilation in the heart. But he is also medicine. Is any among us troubled? Let Jesus come into his heart, and from there leap to his lips. And behold, at the rising of the light of that name, all cloud takes flight and serenity returns. Does someone slip into sin and run on toward the snare of death through despair? If he but invokes the name of life, will he not breathe again unto life at once?

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Let all who hope in you rejoice, O Lord, they shall exult for ever, and you shall dwell in them, and all shall glory in you,

* Who love your name.

℣ O Lord, in the light of your face they shall walk, and in your name they shall exult all the day.

℟ Who love your name.

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

℟ Who love your name.

Nocturn III

Ant. Sing to the Lord * and bless his name: proclaim his salvation from day to day.

Psalm 95 [7]

95:1 Sing to the Lord a new song. * Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

95:2 Sing to the Lord and bless his name. * Announce his salvation from day to day.

95:3 Announce his glory among the Gentiles, * his miracles among all peoples.

95:4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. * He is terrible, beyond all gods.

95:5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are demons, * but the Lord made the heavens.

95:6 Confession and beauty are in his sight. * Sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary.

95:7 Bring to the Lord, you families of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor. * Bring to the Lord glory for his name.

95:8 Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts. * Adore the Lord in his holy court.

95:9 Let the entire earth be shaken before his face. * Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned.

95:10 For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. * He will judge the peoples with fairness.

95:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; let the sea and all its fullness be moved. * The fields and all the things that are in them will be glad.

95:12 Then all the trees of the forest will rejoice before the face of the Lord: for he arrives. * For he arrives to judge the earth.

95:13 He will judge the whole world with fairness * and the peoples with his truth.

℣ 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. Sing to the Lord and bless his name: proclaim his salvation from day to day.

Ant. According to your name, * O God, so also is your praise to the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of justice.

Psalm 96 [8]

96:1 The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. * Let the many islands rejoice.

96:2 Clouds and mist are all around him. * Justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

96:3 A fire will precede him, * and it will enflame his enemies all around.

96:4 His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. * The earth saw, and it was shaken.

96:5 The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, * before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

96:6 The heavens announced his justice, * and all peoples saw his glory.

96:7 May all those who adore graven images be confounded, * along with those who glory in their false images.

96:7 All you his Angels: Adore him. * Zion heard, and was glad.

96:8 And the daughters of Judah exulted * because of your judgments, O Lord.

96:9 For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. * You are greatly exalted above all gods.

96:10 You who love the Lord: hate evil. * The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner.

96:11 The light has risen for the just, * and joy for the upright of heart.

96:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, * and confess to the remembrance of his holiness.

℣ 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. According to your name, O God, so also is your praise to the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of justice.

Ant. Sing to God, * sing a psalm to his name: make way for him who ascends above the west, the Lord is his name.

Psalm 97 [9]

97:1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has performed wonders.

97:1 His right hand has accomplished salvation for him, * with his holy arm.

97:2 The Lord has made known his salvation. * He has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.

97:3 He has remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.

97:3 All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.

97:4 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth. * Sing and exult, and sing psalms.

97:5 Sing psalms to the Lord with stringed instruments, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, * with hammered trumpets and the sound of the horn.

97:6 Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king. * Let the sea be moved and all its fullness, the whole world and all who dwell in it.

97:8 The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will exult together, before the presence of the Lord. * For he comes to judge the earth.

97:9 He will judge the whole world with justice, * and the peoples with fairness.

℣ 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. Sing to God, sing a psalm to his name: make way for him who ascends above the west, the Lord is his name.

℣ Bring to the Lord glory and honor.

℟ Bring to the Lord glory to his name.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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.

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

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the evangelical reading be our salvation and protection.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Luc 2:21

At that time: After eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called Jesus. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Bernard the Abbot

Sermon 1 on the Circumcision

A great and wondrous mystery! The child is circumcised, and he is called Jesus. What does this connection mean? Circumcision seems to belong rather to the one to be saved than to the Savior; and it befits the Savior to circumcise rather than to be circumcised. But recognize the Mediator between God and men, who from the very beginning of his birth joins things human to things divine, the lowest to the highest. He is born of a woman, yet in such a way that the fruit of fruitfulness accrues to her while the flower of virginity does not fall. He is wrapped in swaddling clothes; yet those very clothes are honored with the praises of angels. He is hidden in a manger; yet he is revealed by a star shining from heaven. So too, circumcision proves the truth of the humanity he has taken on, while the name that is above every name declares the glory of his majesty. He is circumcised as the true son of Abraham; he is called Jesus as the true Son of God.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Tribulation and sorrow I found:

* And I called upon the name of the Lord.

℣ The name of the Lord is a most strong tower; in him I hoped, and was helped.

℟ And I called upon the name of the Lord.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

For this Jesus of mine does not carry a name that is empty or void, as did his predecessors: in him there is no shadow of a great name, but the reality. For the name given from heaven is attested by the Evangelist, that it was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb. And mark the depth of the word: After Jesus was born, he is called Jesus by men — he who was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb. For indeed he is Savior both of the Angel and of man; but of man from the Incarnation, of the Angel from the beginning of creation. His name was called, he says, Jesus, which was called by the Angel. In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word stands firm; and that very Word, which in the Prophet is expressed in brief, is read more openly in the Gospel as made flesh.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I will wait for your name, O Lord,

* For it is good in the sight of your holy ones.

℣ That we may give praise to your holy name, and glory in your praise.

℟ For it is good in the sight of your holy ones.

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

℟ For it is good in the sight of your holy ones.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Sermon 2 on the Circumcision

With good reason, indeed, while the child who was born for us is circumcised, he is called Savior; because from that point he had already begun to work our salvation, shedding that spotless blood for us. Nor is there any further need for Christians to inquire why the Lord Christ willed to be circumcised. For he was circumcised for this reason, for which he was born, for which he suffered. None of these things for his own sake, but all for the sake of the elect. Born not in sin, circumcised not because of sin, he died not for his own sin; but rather for our transgressions. What was called, he says, by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb. Called, plainly, not imposed: for this name is his from eternity. He has from his own nature that he is Savior: this name is innate to him, not given by human or angelic creature.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

O God, we praise you; * O Lord, we acclaim you.

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

To you all the Angels, * the heavens and all the Powers of heaven:

To you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out in endless praise:

(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are filled * with the majesty of your glory.

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

You, O Christ, * are the King of glory.

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

(A bow is made) When you resolved to save the human race, * you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death * and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to those who put their faith in you.

You are seated at the right hand of God * in the glory of the Father.

We believe you are the Judge * who is to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling) And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

Save your people, Lord, * and bless your inheritance.

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

(A bow is made, according to custom) and we praise your name * for endless ages evermore.

Be gracious, Lord, on this day, * and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy.

May your mercy be upon us, Lord, * as we place our trust in you.

In you, O Lord, I rest my hope: * let me never be put to shame.

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

O God, who appointed your Only Begotten Son as Savior of the human race and commanded him to be called Jesus: graciously grant that we who venerate his holy name on earth may also enjoy the sight of him in heaven.

Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℣ May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟ Amen.