Saturday, June 20

The Midday Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Call to Prayer

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

The Request for Presence

O God, be not far from me;* come quickly to help me, O my God.

Psalm 71:12

The Greeting

“You are my God, and I will thank you;* you are my God and I will exalt you.”

Psalm 118:28

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

The same stone that the builders rejected* has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing,* and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:22–23

A Reading

Jesus has many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His cross. He has many seekers of consolation, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions at His feasting, but few at His fasting. All desire to rejoice in Him; Few are willing to endure anything for Him. Many follow Jesus as far as the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of His passion. Many reverence His miracles, but few will follow the shame of His cross. Many love Jesus as long as no adversaries befall them. Many praise and bless Him so long as they receive some consolation from Him. But if Jesus hide Himself and leave them but for a brief time, they begin to complain or become overly despondent in mind.

Thomas à Kempis

The Refrain

The same stone that the builders rejected* has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing,* and it is marvelous in our eyes.

The Midday Psalm

The Song of the Messiah

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?* and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint;* my heart within my breast is like melting wax. My mouth is dried like a pot-shard; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;* and you have laid me in the dust of the grave. Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me;* they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me;* they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing. Be not far away, O LORD;* you are my strength; hasten to help me.

Psalm 22:1ff

The Refrain

The same stone that the builders rejected* has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing,* and it is marvelous in our eyes.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace each of us may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant me to so follow in faith where you have led the way, that I may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.†