Living the Zeal of Benedict

Evening Prayer of Scholastica

2012-02-10T16:00:00.001-05:00

Antiphon

Scholastica chose the better part,

and gave glory to God forever.

Psalm 138

I thank you, God, with all my heart;

you have heard the words of my mouth.

In the sight of all I will bless you.

I will stand in your holy presence.

I thank you for your faithful love

which is beyond all understanding.

On the day I called, you answered;

my strength and courage you renew.

All leaders shall praise you, O God,

when they hear of your great wisdom.

They shall sing of your ways

and acclaim your glory forever.

You are God, yet you care for the poor,

the proud you know from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of affliction,

you give me life and keep me safe.

That you will uphold me I know;

in goodness you do all things for me.

Your love, O God, is constant.

Complete the work you have begun.

Doxology

Praise God, three-in-one,

who dwells in our hearts, Alleluia!

both now and forever! Amen!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Antiphon

Scholastica chose the better part,

and gave glory to God forever.

(From That God May Be Glorified: Liturgy of the Hours)

Morning Prayer of Scholastica

2012-02-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Antiphon

Scholastica ascended under the appearance of a dove.

She has become worthy to enjoy fullness of life forever.

Canticle: Hosea 2:20-22

On that day I will make a covenant

with the beasts of the field,

with the birds of the air,

and with all that crawls on the earth.

Bow and sword and war

I will destroy from the land,

and I will let them take their rest in security.

I will espouse you to myself forever.

I will espouse you with integrity and justice,

in tenderness and mercy.

I will espouse you in fidelity,

and you shall know that I am God.

Doxology

All honor to God, the Giver of Life,

to Christ, the Risen One,

and to the Spirit, Bond of Love.

Let glory and praise be sung!

Antiphon

Scholastica ascended under the appearance of a dove.

She has become worthy to enjoy fullness of life forever.

(From That God May Be Glorified: Liturgy of the Hours)

Vigil of Scholastica

2012-02-09T16:00:00.001-05:00

Antiphon

Scholastica was filled with peace and joy

as she gave praise to the God of her life.

Canticle: Revelation 19:1-2a, 5, 7

Alleluia!

Salvation and glory belong to you, God.

Your judgments are true

and your ways are all just.

Praise God, all you faithful,

so loyal and true -

the small and the great who believe.

The bride is prepared,

for the wedding begins.

This is the feast of the most worthy Lamb.

Rejoice and be glad for this day of all days;

give glory and honor to God.

Doxology

Glory to God throughout all the ages

and to the Lamb, all blessing and praise.

Give thanks to the Spirit, the three all in one.

Alleluia!

Antiphon

Scholastica was filled with peace and joy

as she gave praise to the God of her life.

(From: That God May Be Glorified: Liturgy of the Hours)

PRAY WITH US

2012-02-04T13:23:00.003-05:00

Psalm 98

God is eternal! Let earth rejoice;

let distant shores and isles be glad.

The Holy One is clothed in glory,

set firm in justice and truth.

The fire prepares God's path.

The enemy is consumed on every side.

The world is ablaze with light.

The earth trembles at the sight.

The mountains melt like way

in the presence of the Holy One.

The skies proclaim justice;

the glory of God is seen by all.

Let those who trust in lifeless gods be confounded

and those who worship idols be ashamed.

All of Zion rejoices

because God judges with justice.

God indeed is the source of joy

and is exalted over all the earth.

God loves those who hate evil

and embraces all the faithful.

Light shines forth for the just

and gladness for those who speak truth.

They are set free from the wicked

and give glory to the holy name.

SAINT BLAISE

2012-02-03T11:19:00.002-05:00

Through the intercession of Blaise, your throat is protected from maladies!

Utter nothing unkind!

Be cured!

Cure others!

AMEN!

CHAPTER 70 - The Presumption of Striking Another Monastic At Will

2012-01-27T10:19:00.005-05:00

If any member, without the prioress'/abbot's command, assumes any power over those older or even in regard to the young, flares up and treats them unreasonable, s/he is to be subjected to the discipline of the rule. After all, it is written: "Never do to another what you do not want done to yourself (Tb 4:16)." RB 70:6-7

Reverence one another!

Do not judge!

Do not presume!

Respect each person in Christ!

Preserve peace!

Be love!

Uphold all!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - DAY 8

2012-01-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

United in Christ

O God of unity,

teach us to contemplate

the mystery of your glory.

Grant that we may accept

your gifts with humility

and respect each person's dignity.

May the Holy Spirit

strengthen us for the future

so that united in Christ

we may reign with Christ in glory.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 7

2012-01-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

Changed by the Good Shepherd

God of all,

you call us to be

one flock in Jesus Christ.

Our Good Shepherd,

Jesus invites us to

lie down in green pastures,

leads us to still waters,

and restores our souls.

By following his example,

may we so care for others.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 6

2012-01-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

Changed by God's steadfast love

O Christ,

by your resurrection

you triumphed over death

and gave all people life.

Out of love for us

you have chosen us to be your friends.

May the Holy Spirit unite us to you

and to one another

in the bonds of friendship.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 5

2012-01-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

Changed by the peace of the Risen Christ

O loving God,

teach us the joy of sharing in your peace.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit.

May the risen Christ,

who is our peace,

help us overcome all division

and unite us in spiritual journey.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 4

2012-01-21T06:00:00.003-05:00

Changed by the victory of Christ over death

O Christ,

we thank you for your victory

over division.

We praise you for your sacrifice

and your resurrection that conquered death.

Help us in our everyday struggle

against all adversity.

May the Holy Spirit

give us strength and wisdom

so that we may overcome division

with reconciliation.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 3

2012-01-20T06:00:00.004-05:00

Changed by the suffering of Christ

O God of consolation,

you transformed the world

by your victory over death.

May the Spirit

open our eyes and our hearts

so that we may help those who suffer

to experience your presence.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 2

2012-01-19T06:00:00.004-05:00

Changed through patient waiting for Christ

O God of wisdom,

you are true to your word in every age.

May we have patience and trust

in your steadfast love.

Enlighten us by your Spirit

that we may not obstruct

the fullness of your justice

by our own hasty judgments,

but rather

discern your wisdom and love

in all things.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE - Day 1

2012-01-18T06:00:00.005-05:00

Changed by Christ as Servant

O God of compassion,

by traveling the road of service

Jesus leads us

from failures to humility of heart.

Unite us by your Holy Spirit

so that through service to each other

you may be revealed.

We pray in praise of your holy name

now and forever.

Amen!

Martin Luther King, Jr

2012-01-16T19:58:00.003-05:00

HOPE FOR THE BELOVED COMMUNITY

- a harmonious global society

- founded on God's love

- and people's love for one another

- where the scourges of racial hatred no longer exist

- where the scourges of poverty no longer exist.

This hope has not been realized,

but God works in willing people.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was determined to eradicate social injustice,

to build bridges of community and peace.

He espoused a life of altruistic service.

To be great one must be a servant;

to be a servant one must be humble

The cultural legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

is to make the wounded whole.

Our lives begin to end,

the day we become silent about things that matter.

Free at last, free at last, God Almighty, I am free at last.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

Commemorate

2012-01-10T10:54:00.002-05:00

We commemorate Gregory of Nyssa, a bishop and prominent 4th century theologian. Gregory taught that humans, having been made in the image of God, were to embrace the infinite nature of God. In so doing they were to live by kindness and care, justice and compassion, prayer and praise.

Using the words of Gregory, we pray:

God, let us walk in your way

and make your name known.

Help us to be a reflection of you.

Let us witness to the truth that it is you

who are the source of our goodness,

today and every day,

now and forever.

Amen.

EPIPHANY

2012-01-08T15:01:00.004-05:00

Who are the wandering shepherds today?

Who are the wise ones

making their way through the stranger's land

searching the sands

for an unknown king?

Who hears the song

and travels long over the night earth

to witness the sight of a common birth?

It is you, my friend,

you are the simple shepherd,

the humble sage.

You are the one who in this age of unbelief

is called to travel far and long

to share a faith and love strong enough

to become a gift.

Do you think they lifted rings

of incense and myrrh and simply gold

as stories of Kings have always told?

Their gifts were themselves --

as ours must be

hope and joy freely place

in one so small ...

Christ revealed in all the little ways:

-the old one's lonesome smile

betraying empty days,

-the child's excited,

expectant gaze

-the comforting hand in silent sharing

of another soul's torment

-the other's need to pause a while

and share a joyful moment.

Our presence to each other is gift enough.

Let us lift our hearts as one.

Christ is here as never before.

Let us bring to life the Wise One's lore.

Come, my friend, let us adore.

Jacqueline Schroeder, OSF

NEW YEAR - 2012

2012-01-02T06:39:00.002-05:00

Maker of the Universe,
fashioner of the stars,
dweller within time and beyond time,
open our eyes,
our hands,
our arms,
our hearts to know your every day appearing
- Emmanuel - God with us.

Let us reverence the present -
this moment, this time, this grace.

Let us reverence the past -
all that has been to make us who we are.

Let us reverence the future -
hope for grace, and life to come.

God of this New Year,
with you, we embrace the mystery
of each day.
Gift us with mindfulness, remembrance,
song, charity, perspective, awareness,
and gratefulness.
May we welcome all who come our way.
Deepen our faith to see all life
as gift from you.
Fill us with hope and abiding trust.
Amen.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

2011-12-24T15:20:00.003-05:00

The Gift of Christmas - Emmanuel - Christ dwelling within each one of us.

Here is a favorite Christmas song of mine that captures the most precious gift we have and are to one another. "Try to the be first to see Christ in the other." RB
Blessings to you and yours!

THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT

We have the tree.
We have the lights.
We have the ribbons and the bows.
We have the ornaments and the garlands
and the sprigs of mistletoe.
But as we decorate for the season,
behind each sight and sound and scent
lies the true meaning of the holidays,
something more they represent.

It's the hope that shines so brightly
in the candles that are lit.
It's the through behind each present
and the love behind each gift.

It's the faith that we'll remember
through December and beyond,
what we really need is each other.
That's the most precious gift of all.

It's not the tree.
It's not the lights.
It's not the ribbons or the bows.
It's not the ornaments, or the garlands,
or the sprigs of mistletoe.
But it's the time that's spent in preparing,
every sight and sound and scent.

It's the kindheartedness
and caring that they truly represent.
It's the hope that shines so brightly
in the candles that are lit.

It's the thought behind each present
and the love behind each gift.
It's the faith that we'll remember
through December and beyond,
what we really need,
what we cherish,
that's the most precious gift of all, of all.

What we really need is each other.
That's the most precious gift of all.

Words and music by Ruth Elaine Schram

O EMMANUEL

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

See, God proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes with reward and recompense They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of God, and you shall be called "Sought-after," a city that is not forsaken. Isaiah 62

Jesus Christ is the reflection of God's glory, the representation of the being of God, sustaining all things by powerful words. Hebrews 1

O GOD OF ALL THE EARTH

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Send them forth, hugging the earth like reptiles ... When the struggle is ended, the ruin complete, and they are done with trampling the earth, a place will be established in mercy ... Isaiah 16

By the power of God's glory you will be endowed with strength needed to stand fast ... God rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the presence of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1

O RADIANT DAWN

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of God shines upon you ... Nations shall walk by your light, and rulers by your shining radiance ... Then you shall be radiant at what you see ... Isaiah 60

There was a time when you were darkness, but now you are light ... light produces every kind of goodness and justice and truth ... Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. Ephesians 5

O KEY OF DAVID

2011-12-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, not one shall open. Isaiah 22

The Holy One, the true, who wields David's key ... has this to say: "I know your deeds, that is why I have left an open door before you which no one can close ... Revelation 3

O ROOT OF JESSE

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations ... On that day, God shall again take it in hand to reclaim the remnant of the people ... there shall be a highway for the remnant of God's people ... Isaiah 11

Once more, Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will appear, this one will rise up to govern the people and all people will find hope..." Romans 15

O GOD OF STRENGTH

2011-12-18T06:00:00.003-05:00

The promised one shall stand firm and shepherd the flock by the strength of God, in the majestic name of God , and they shall remain, for now God's greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; this promised one shall be peace. Micah 5 Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro ... Moses was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed ... I have come to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with mild and honey. Exodus 3