Dominica post AscensionemThe Sunday after Ascension

℣ 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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Ant. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

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, alleluia.

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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

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, alleluia.

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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

℣ 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, alleluia.

Ant. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Eternal Monarch, King most high,

Whose blood hath brought redemption nigh,

By whom the death of death was wrought,

And conquering grace's battle fought:

Ascending by the starry road,

This day thou wentest home to God,

By heaven to power unending called,

And by no human hand installed.

That so, in nature's triple frame,

Each heavenly and each earthly name,

And things in hell's abyss abhorred,

May bend the knee and own him Lord.

Yea, angels tremble when they see

How changed is our humanity;

That flesh hath purged what flesh had stained,

And God, the flesh of God, hath reigned.

Be thou our joy, O mighty Lord,

As thou wilt be our great reward;

Earth's joys to thee are nothing worth,

Thou joy and crown of heaven and earth.

To thee we therefore humbly pray

That thou wouldst purge our sins away,

And draw our hearts by cords of grace

To thy celestial dwelling-place.

So when the judgement day shall come,

And all must rise to meet their doom,

Thou wilt remit the debts we owe,

And our lost crowns again bestow.

All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,

Ascending o'er the stars today;

All glory, as is ever meet,

To Father and to Paraclete.

Amen.

At the Nocturn

Ant. Alleluia, * alleluia, alleluia.

Psalm 1 [1]

1:1 Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the impious, † and has not remained in the way of sinners, * and has not sat in the chair of pestilence.

1:2 But his will is with the law of the Lord, * and he will meditate on his law, day and night.

1:3a And he will be like a tree that has been planted beside running waters, * which will provide its fruit in its time,

1:3b and its leaf will not fall away, * and all things whatsoever that he does will prosper.

1:4 Not so the impious, not so. * For they are like the dust that the wind casts along the face of the earth.

1:5 Therefore, the impious will not prevail again in judgment, * nor sinners in the council of the just.

1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the just. * And the path of the impious will pass away.

℣ 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.

Psalm 2 [2]

2:1 Why have the Gentiles been seething, * and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

2:2 The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, * against the Lord and against his Christ:

2:3 “Let us shatter their chains * and cast their yoke away from us.”

2:4 He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, * and the Lord will mock them.

2:5 Then will he speak to them in his anger * and trouble them with his fury.

2:6 Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, * preaching his precepts.

2:7 The Lord has said to me: * You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

2:8 Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, * and the ends of the earth for your possession.

2:9 You will rule them with an iron rod, * and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

2:10 And now, O kings, understand. * Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

2:11 Serve the Lord in fear, * and exult in him with trembling.

2:12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, * and you would perish from the way of the just.

2:13 Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, * blessed are all those who trust in him.

℣ 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.

Psalm 3 [3]

3:2 Lord, why have those who trouble me been multiplied? * Many rise up against me.

3:3 Many say to my soul, * “There is no salvation for him in his God.”

3:4 But you, Lord, are my supporter, * my glory, and the one who raises up my head.

3:5 I have cried out to the Lord with my voice, * and he has heard me from his holy mountain.

3:6 I have slept, and I have been stupefied. * But I awakened because the Lord has taken me up.

3:7 I will not fear the thousands of people surrounding me. * Rise up, Lord. Save me, my God.

3:8 For you have struck all those who oppose me without cause. * You have broken the teeth of sinners.

3:9 Salvation is of the Lord, * and your blessing is upon your people.

℣ 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.

Psalm 8 [4]

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.

Psalm 9(2-11) [5]

9:2 I will confess to you, Lord, with my whole heart. * I will recount all your wonders.

9:3 I will rejoice and exult in you. * I will sing a psalm to your name, O Most High.

9:4 For my enemy will be turned back. * They will be weakened and perish before your face.

9:5 For you have accomplished my judgment and my cause. * You have sat upon the throne that judges justice.

9:6 You have rebuked the Gentiles, and the impious one has perished. * You have deleted their name in eternity and for all generations.

9:7a The spears of the enemy have failed in the end, * and their cities, you have destroyed.

9:7b Their memory has perished with a loud noise. * (8a) But the Lord remains in eternity.

9:8b He has prepared his throne in judgment. * (9) And he will judge the whole world in equity. He will judge the people in justice.

9:10 And the Lord has become a refuge for the poor, * a helper in opportunity, in tribulation.

9:11 And may they hope in you, who know your name. * For you have not abandoned those seeking you, Lord.

℣ 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.

Psalm 9(12-21) [6]

9:12 Sing a psalm to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. * Announce his study among the Gentiles.

9:13 Because of those who yearned for their blood, he has remembered them. * He has not forgotten the cry of the poor.

9:14 Have mercy on me, Lord. * See my humiliation from my enemies.

9:15 You lift me up from the gates of death, * so that I may announce all your praises at the gates of the daughter of Zion.

9:16a I will exult in your salvation. * The Gentiles have become trapped in the ruin that they made.

9:16b Their foot has been caught * in the same snare that they themselves had hidden.

9:17 The Lord will be recognized when making judgments. * The sinner has been caught in the works of his own hands.

9:18 The sinners will be turned into Hell: * all the Gentiles who have forgotten God.

9:19 For the poor will not be forgotten in the end. * The patience of the poor will not perish in the end.

9:20 Rise up, Lord: do not let man be strengthened. * Let the Gentiles be judged in your sight.

9:21 O Lord, establish a lawgiver over them, * so that the Gentiles may know that they are only men.

℣ 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.

Psalm 9(22-32) [7]

9:22 So then, why, O Lord, have you withdrawn far away? * Why have you overlooked us in opportunity, in tribulation?

9:23 While the impious is arrogant, the poor is enflamed. * They are held by the counsels that they devise.

9:24 For the sinner is praised by the desires of his soul, * and the iniquitous is blessed.

9:25 The sinner has provoked the Lord; * according to the multitude of his wrath, he will not seek him.

9:26a God is not before his sight. * His ways are stained at all times.

9:26b Your judgments are removed from his face. * He will be master of all his enemies.

9:27 For he has said in his heart, * “I will not be disturbed: from generation to generation without evil.”

9:28 His mouth is full of curses, and bitterness, and deceit. * Under his tongue are hardship and sorrow.

9:29 He sits in ambush, with resources in hidden places, * so that he may execute the innocent.

9:30a His eyes catch sight of the poor. * He lies in ambush, in hiding like a lion in his den.

9:30b He lies in ambush, so that he may seize the poor, * to seize the poor as he draws him in.

9:31 With his snare, he will bring him down. * He will crouch down and pounce, when he has power over the poor.

9:32 For he has said in his heart, “God has forgotten, * he has turned away his face, lest he see to the end.”

℣ 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.

Psalm 9(33-39) [8]

9:33 O Lord God, rise up. Let your hand be exalted. * Do not forget the poor.

9:34 How has the impious one provoked God? * For he has said in his heart, “He will not inquire.”

9:35a You do see, for you examine hardship and sorrow, * so that you may deliver them into your hands.

9:35b The poor one has been abandoned to you. * You will be a helper to the orphan.

9:36 Break the arm of the sinner and the malicious. * His sin will be sought, and it will not be found.

9:37 The Lord shall reign in eternity, even forever and ever. * You will perish the Gentiles from his land.

9:38 The Lord has heeded the desire of the poor. * Your ear has listened to the preparation of their heart,

9:39 so as to judge for the orphan and the humble, * so that man may no longer presume to magnify himself upon 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.

Psalm 10 [9]

10:2 I trust in the Lord. † How can you say to my soul, * “Sojourn to the mountain, like a sparrow.”

10:3 For behold, the sinners have bent their bow. † They have prepared their arrows in the quiver, * so as to shoot arrows in the dark at the upright of heart.

10:4 For they have destroyed the things that you have completed. * But what has the just one done?

10:5a The Lord is in his holy temple. * The Lord’s throne is in heaven.

10:5b His eyes look upon the poor. * His eyelids question the sons of men.

10:6 The Lord questions the just and the impious. * Yet he who loves iniquity, hates his own soul.

10:7 He will rain down snares upon sinners. * Fire and brimstone and windstorms will be the portion of their cup.

10:8 For the Lord is just, and he has chosen justice. * His countenance has beheld equity.

℣ 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. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

℣ God ascended with jubilation, alleluia.

℟ And the Lord with the sound of the trumpet, alleluia.

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 he bless us who lives and reigns without end.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

Here begins the First Epistle of blessed John the Apostle

1 John 1:1-5

1 He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, upon whom we have gazed, and whom our hands have certainly touched: He is the Word of Life.

2 And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us.

3 He whom we have seen and heard, we announce to you, so that you, too, may have fellowship with us, and so that our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And this we write to you, so that you may rejoice, and so that your joy may be full.

5 And this is the announcement which we have heard from him, and which we announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ After his Passion, appearing to them for forty days and speaking of the Kingdom of God, alleluia:

* And, as they looked on, he was lifted up, alleluia; and a cloud received him from their sight, alleluia.

℣ And eating with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father.

℟ And, as they looked on, he was lifted up, alleluia; and a cloud received him from their sight, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

1 John 1:6-10

6 If we claim that we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, then we are lying and not telling the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, just as he also is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we claim that we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

10 If we claim that we have not sinned, then we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-6

1 My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One.

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world.

3 And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments.

4 Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him.

6 Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Be exalted, O Lord, alleluia,

* In your power, alleluia.

℣ Your majesty is exalted above the heavens, O God.

℟ In your power, alleluia.

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

℟ In your power, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. Through the words of the Gospel may our offenses be blotted out.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to John

John 15:26-27;16:1-4

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Augustine the Bishop

Tractate 92 on John

The Lord Jesus, in the discourse which he spoke to his disciples after supper, being close to his Passion, as one about to go away and to leave them in bodily presence — yet to be with all his own until the end of the age in spiritual presence — exhorted them to endure the persecutions of the impious, whom he designated by the name of the world. From that world, however, he said that he had also chosen the disciples themselves: so that they might know that what they were, they owed to the grace of God; and that what they had been, they owed to their own vices.

℣ 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.

Almighty ever-living God, make us always bear toward you a devoted will, and to serve your majesty with a sincere heart.

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.

℟ 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.