Saturday, January 24

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

The Call to Prayer

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him, you heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Traditional

The Request for Presence

Hear my prayer, O LORD,* and give ear to my cry; . . . For I am but a sojourner with you,* a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

Psalm 39:13–14

The Greeting

With my whole heart I seek you;* let me not stray from your commandments.

Psalm 119:10

The Refrain for the Midday Lessons

The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints* and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10

A Reading

Thus says YAHWEH: At the time of my favor I have answered you, on the day of salvation I have helped you. I have formed you and have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land, to return ravaged properties, to say to prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ Along the roadway they will graze, and any bare height will be their pasture. They will never hunger or thirst, scorching wind and sun will never plague them; for he who pities them will lead them, will guide them to springs of water. I shall turn all my mountains into a road and my highways will be raised aloft. Shout for joy, you heavens, earth exult! Mountains, break into joyful cries! For YAHWEH has consoled his people, is taking pity on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 49:8–11, 13

The Refrain

The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints* and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

The Midday Psalm

How Excellent Is His Greatness

Bless the LORD, O my soul;* O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness! you are clothed with majesty and splendor. You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak* and spread out the heavens like a curtain. You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;* you make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers* and flames of fire your servants. You have set the earth upon its foundations,* so that it never shall move at any time. You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle;* the waters stood higher than the mountains. At your rebuke they fled;* at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.

Psalm 104:1–7

The Refrain

The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints* and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

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

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful is governed and sanctified: Receive my supplications and prayers which I offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in our vocation and ministry we all may truly serve you through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.†