Friday

Hymn
Maker of men, from heav’n, thy throne,
Who ord’rest all things, God alone;
By whose decree the teeming earth
To reptile and to beast gave birth —

The mighty forms that fill the land,
Instinct with life at thy command,
Are giv’n, subdued, to humankind
For service in their rank assigned.

From all thy servants drive away
Whatever tainted thought today
Seduces heart or mind astray,
Infects our deeds with evil ways.

In heav’n thine endless joys bestow.
But grant thy gifts of grace below;
From toils of strife our souls release,
Bind fast the gentle bands of peace.

O Father grant that this be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Spirit and thee
Shall live and reign eternally. Amen.

Ant. 1. Let my portion, O Lord, * be in the land of the living.
Ps. 141
With all my voice I cry to the Lord, * with all my voice I entreat the Lord.
I pour out my troubles before him, * I tell him all my distress
While my spirit faints within me. * But you, O Lord, know my path.
On the way where I shall walk * they have hidden a snare to entrap me.
Look on my right and see: * there is not one who takes my part.
I have no means of escape, * not one who cares for my soul.
I cry to you, O Lord.   †  I have said: “You are my refuge, * all I have left in the land of the living.”
Listen then to my cry, * for I am in the depth of distress.
Rescue me from those who pursue me, * for they are stronger then I.
Bring my soul out of this prison, * and then I shall praise your name.
Around me the just will assemble, * because of your goodness to 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.
Ant. 1. Let my portion, O Lord, be in the land of the living.

Ant. 2. Blessed be the Lord, * my rock.
Ps. 143 Do not repeat in Psalm.
(Blessed be the Lord, my rock) † who trains my arms for battle * who prepares my hands for war.
He is my love, my fortress, * he is my stronghold, my saviour.
My shield, my place of refuge. * He brings peoples under my rule.
Lord, what is man that you care for him, * mortal man that you keep him in mind;
Man, who is merely a breath, * whose life fades like a passing shadow?
Lower your heavens and come down; * touch the mountains; wreathe them in smoke.
Flash your lightnings; rout the foe, * shoot your arrows and put them to flight.
Reach down from heaven and save me; † draw me out from the mighty waters, * from the hands of alien foes
Whose mouths are filled with lies, whose hands are raised in perjury.
To you, O God, will I sing a new song; * I will play on the ten stringed lute
To you who give kings their victory, * who set David your servant free.
You set him free from the evil sword; * you rescued him from alien foes
Whose mouths were filled with lies, * whose hands were raised in perjury.
Let out sons then flourish like saplings, * grown tall and strong from their youth:
Our daughters graceful as columns, * adorned as though for a palace.
Let out barns be filled to overflowing * with crops of every kind;
Our sheep increasing by thousands, † myriads of sheep in or fields, * our cattle heavy with young,
No ruined wall, no exile, * no sound of weeping in our streets.
Happy the people with such blessings; * happy the people whose God is the 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.
Ant. 2. Blessed be the Lord, my rock.

Ant. 3. Day after day * I will bless you, O Lord.
Ps. 144
I will give you glory, O God my king, * I will bless your name for ever.
I will bless you day after day, * and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, * his greatness cannot be measured.
Age to age shall proclaim your works, * shall declare your mighty deeds.
Shall speak of your splendour and glory, * tell the tale of your wonderful works.
They will speak of your terrible deed, * recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness; * age to age shall ring out your justice.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion, * slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, * compassionate to all his creatures.
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. 3. Day after day I will bless you, O lord.

Reading: Romans 15:1-3
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

Responsory:
I will bless the Lord * at all times.
I will bless…
His praise always on my lips.
At all times.
Glory be…
I will bless…

Magnificat Antiphon: He has cast down the mighty * that persecute the saints, and lifted up the lowly that witness to the Christ.   
Luke 1: 45-55 
My soul proclaims the greatness on the Lord, * my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
For he has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid; * henceforth all ages shall call me blessed.
He who is mighty has done great things for me — * Holy is his name!
His mercy extends from age to age * upon those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm * and scattered the proud of heart.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones * and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things * and sent the rich empty away.
He has protected his servant Israel, * mindful of his mercy,
The mercy he promised to our Fathers, * Abraham and his descendants forever.
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.
Magnificat Antiphon: He has cast down the mighty * that persecute the saints, and lifted up the lowly that witness to the Christ.