Announcement – June 19, 2017

To all subscribers and listeners:

First and foremost, I want to apologize for the sudden halt in the podcasts and notes coming from The Spiritual Workshop.

What happened was that at the beginning of May I was taken ill and was hospitalized for three weeks. This was very serious and I am told that I am fortunate to have come through. I am grateful to God and to all who have prayed for me and my recovery. I am still quite weak and have a lot of rehabilitation yet to do. Since The Spiritual Workshop is a one man operation, you can understand why things suddenly ground to a halt!

As I have started to regain strength, I’m picking up the pieces and preparing to resume publication. I had been preparing the 6th installment of Psalm 119 as a Guide to Spiritual Growth when things went south. There are two additional installments of this work to bring it to completion.

I had not come to a decision as to what I would be offering in the Notes from the Subdeacon series for this part of 2017. I have, of course, what was published last year, but I intend to supplement it in some manner so that there would be fresh material with the old.

In addition, there are a lot of things to be done “behind the scenes”, so to speak, both on the website and the various servers which actually host the podcasts.

I will be able to resume work, as I’ve said, but it will have to be at a slower pace for quite a while until I’m fully recovered. Therefore, my first priority is to complete Psalm 119 as a Guide to Spiritual Growth. I hope to have the 6th installment published in about a week or ten days from today. After I’ve wrapped that up, I will be give attention to Notes from the Subdeacon and the “behind the scenes” stuff. When I’ve figured out my strategy for that, I’ll publish another notice like this to stay in touch with you and keep you all updated on my plans.

I want to thank you all for your patience and prayers. Please continue to keep me and this work in your prayers so that together we can continue to give glory to God.

Palm Sunday and Holy Week

6th Sunday in Lent

THE COLLECT: Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender mercy towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: mercifully grant; that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his Resurrection. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, etc.

THE INTROIT. Psalm 22: Be not thou far from me, O Lord, thou art my succour, hast thee to help me: Save me from the lion’s mouth, thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns. Ps. 22:1 My God, my God, look upon me, why hast thou forsaken me; and art so far from my health and from the words of my complaint?

¶ The Gloria Patri is not said, but the Antiphon of the Introit is repeated immediately. This practice continues through all of Holy Week.

THE EPISTLE: Philippians 2:5-11 We are to follow the great humility of our Lord who was indeed equal to the Father but He nevertheless became man. Even more, in obedience He accepted even death. For this He is highly exalted by the Father and we must bow our knees before Him.

GRADUAL Ps. 73. Thou hast holden me by my right hand: thou shalt guide me with thy counsel: and after that receive me with glory. Truly God is loving unto Israel, even unto such as are of a clean heart: nevertheless my feet were almost gone, my treadings had well-nigh slipt. And why? I was grieved at the wicked: I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.

TRACT. PS. 22. My God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me: and art so far from my health: and from the words of my complaint? O my God, I cry in the daytime but thou hearest not: and in the night season also I take my rest. But thou continuest holy, O thou Worship of Isra-el. Our fathers hoped in thee: they trusted in thee and thou didst deliver them. They called upon thee and were holpen: they put their trust in thee and were not confounded. But as for me I am a worm and no man: a very scorn of men and the outcast of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out their lips and shake their heads, saying: He trust in God that he would deliver him: let him deliver him if he will have him. They stand staring and looking upon me: they part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture. Save me from the lion’s mouth: thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the uni-corns. O praise the Lord, ye that fear him: magnify him, all ye seed of Jacob. They shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation: they shall come and the heavens shall declare his righteousness. Unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.

The Passion Gospel: St Matthew 27. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, tortured and beaten by Jews then Romans. Before Pilate, the Jews chose Barabbas a thief and murderer rather than the innocent Jesus to be released as ac-corded with the custom at the Passover. Jesus is forced along the Way of Sorrow, carrying His Cross. At Gogotha He is crucified between two thieves. At the precise instant that all is fulfill, He gives up His life and dies. He is removed from the tomb and laid in a sepulchre.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 69 Thy rebuke hath broken my heart, I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man. Neither found I any to comfort me: they gave me gall to eat and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

COMMUNION. St. Matthew 26. O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it: thy will be done.

BENEDICTUS AND MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHONS

AT 1ST VESPERS: Righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, because thou hast sent me.

AT MATINS: The multitudes which came together for the feast day cried unto the Lord: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

5th Sunday in Lent

Passion Sunday

THE COLLECT: We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people: that by thy great gooness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, etc.

THE INTROIT. Psalm 43:1-2 (Judica me) Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the un-godly people: O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man: for thou art the God of my strength. Ps. 43:3. O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me: and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.

THE EPISTLE: Hebrews 9:11-15 Christ is the new and permanent High Priest made so by His blood offered for our eternal redemption. Therefore, He is the Mediator of the new testament so that by His death we may all receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

GRADUAL Ps. 143:9,10. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee. Ps 18:49 It is the Lord that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries: thou shalt rid me from the wicked man

TRACT. Ps. 129:1-4.

* Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up * may Israel now say.

* Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up * but they have not prevailed against me.

* The plowers plowed upon my back * and made long furrows.

* But the righteous Lord * hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.

THE GOSPEL. St. John 8:46-59 Jesus answers the charge that He is a Samaritan and hath a devil by reference to His miracles. The Jews claim that He cannot have seen Abraham because He is not yet even 50 years old. Then Jesus proclaims to them: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I am”thereby stating that He is Very God.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 119 I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: O do well unto thy servant that I may live and keep thy word: quicken thou me, O Lord, according to thy word.

COMMUNION. I Cor. 11:24-25. This is my Body, which is given for you: this cup is the new testament in my Blood, saith the Lord: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

AT THE DIVINE OFFICE

BENEDICTUS AND MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHONS

AT 1ST VESPERS: I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

AT MATINS: Jesus said unto the multitude of the Jews, and to the chief priests: He that is of God heareth God’s words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of not, because ye are not of God.

AT 2ND VESPERS: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad.

3rd Sunday in Lent

Collect: We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy majesty, to be our defense against all our enemies. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, etc.

The Introit. Ps. 25:14-15. (v 23-26) (Oculi mei) Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord: for he shall pluck my feet out of the net: turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and in misery. Ps. 25:1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: my God, in thee have I trusted, let me not be confounded.

The Epistle: Ephesians 5:1-9. (Christians are to “walk in love,” which necessarily means that sin must be avoided. And not just sin as a concept, but sin as a reality of wrong choices made. Specific examples of such are named, much to our discomfort and shame. However, the grace of God is greater than any sin and thereby Christians can “walk as children of light.”)

Gradual Ps. 9:19-20. Up, Lord, and let not man have the upper hand: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. While mine enemies are driven back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

Tract. Ps.123:1-3.

* Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens..

* Behold, even as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress: even so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have me upon us.

* Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Gospel. St. Luke 11:14-28 (Christ casts out devils by His power as Son of God and thereby shows another sign that the Kingdom of God has come. We each have a clear choice, either to be with Him or not. He will without doubt strengthen and keep those who choose to be with Him.)

Offertory. Ps. 19:8, 10. The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb: moreover thy servant keepeth them.  

Communion. Ps. 84:3-4. The sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young: even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be always praising thee.

 At the Divine Office

The Old Testament lessons in the Daily Office for the week to come are set out below:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Matins

Gen. 37:3-28, 36

Gen. 40

Gen. 41:1a,8,14-24

Gen. 41:25-40

Gen. 42:1-26,29a,35-38

Gen. 43:1-5,11-16,26-34

Vespers

Jer. 7:1-15

Jer. 7:21-29

Jer. 8:4-13

Jer. 9:2-16

Jer. 9:17-24

Jer. 10:1-13

               

Benedictus and Magnificat Antiphons

At 1st  Vespers: But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

At Matins: When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, all his goods are in peace.

At 2nd Vespers: A certain woman of the company lifted up her voice and cried, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But Jesus answered, Yea, rather, blessed are thy that hear the word of God, and keep it.

4th Sunday in Lent

Laetare Sunday

The Collect: Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may be mercifully relieved. Through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who, etc.

The Introit. Isaiah 66:10-11 (v 23-26) (Laetare) Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that have mourned: that ye may be glad and be satisfied with the breasts of your consolation. Ps. 122:1. I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord.(v 1) I was glad when they said unto me:I                    

The Epistle: Galatians 4:22-31

Gradual Ps. 122:1,7. I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord. Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces.                        

Tract. Ps. 125:1-2.  They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion: which may not be removed but standeth fast for ever. The hills stand about Jerusalem: even so standeth the Lord round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.

The Gospel. St. John 6:1-15

Offertory. Ps. 135:3,6 O praise the Lord, for the Lord is gracious: O sing praises unto his Name, for he is lovely: whatsoever he pleased, that did he in heaven and in earth.

Communion. Ps. 122:3-4. Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself: for thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, to give thanks unto thy Name, O Lord.  

At the Divine Office

The Old Testament lessons in the Daily Office for the week to come are set out below:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Matins

Gen. 44

Gen. 45

Gen. 47:29-31 & 48:8-20

Gen. 49:33 -50:26

Exod. 1:8-14, 22

Exod. 2:1-22

Vespers

Jer. 13:15

Jer. 14:1-10

Jer. 15:1-9

Jer. 15:10

Jer. 16:5-13

Jer. 17:5-14

 

 

Benedictus and Magnificat Antiphons

At 1st  Vespers: Woman, hath no man condemned thee? No man, Lord. Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.

At Matins: When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip: Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? And this he said to prove him; for he himself knew what he would do.

At 2nd Vespers: And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

 The Introit. Ps. 25:5-6. (v 23-26) (Reminiscere) Call to remembrance thy tender mercies, O Lord, and thy loving kindnesses which have been ever of old: O let not our enemies triumph over us: deliver us, O God of Israel out of all our troubles. Ps. 25:1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: my God, in thee have I trusted, let me not be confounded.

Collect: Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle: I Thessalonians 4:1-7.

Gradual Ps. 25:16-17. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my troubles, O Lord. Look upon my adversity and misery: and forgive me all my sin.

Tract. Ps.106:1-4.

* O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious * and his mercy endureth for ever.

* Who can express the noble acts of the Lord * or show forth all his praise?

* Blessed are they that always keep judgement * and do righteousness.

* Remember us, O Lord, according to the favour that thou barest unto thy people * O visit us with thy salvation.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 15:21-28

Offertory. Ps. 119:47-48. My delight shall be in thy commandments, which I have loved exceedingly: my hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved.

Communion. Ps. 5:1-2. Consider my meditation: O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King and my God: for unto thee will I make my prayer, O Lord.

Through the Week

            The Old Testament lessons in the Daily Office for the week to come are set out below:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Matins

Gen. 27:1-29

Gen. 27:30-40

Gen. 27:46 – 28:4,10-22

Gen. 29:1-13, 18-20

Gen. 32:22-31

Gen. 35:1-7, 16-20

Vespers

Jer. 4:23

Jer. 5:1-9

Jer. 5:10-19

Jer. 5:20

Jer. 6:1-8

Jer. 6:9-21

1st Sunday of Lent

Collect: O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who lives and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Introit. Ps. 91:15-16. (v 23-26) (Invocabit me) He shall call on me and I will hear him: I will deliver him and bring him to honour: with long life will I satisfy him. Ps. 91:1. Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Epistle: 2nd Corinthians 6:1-10. (St Paul courageously tells us how much struggle and danger lies ahead of us if we choose to truly follow Christ. We will undoubtedly suffer both physical injuries and spiritual assault. However, “we have nothing, and yet possess all things”)

Gradual Ps. 91:11-12. God shall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee in their hands, that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.

Tract. Ps.91:1-16.

* Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the most High * shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

* I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold * my God, in him will I trust.

* For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter * and from the noisome pestilence.

* He shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers * his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

* Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night * nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

* For the pestilence that walketh in darkness * nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day.

* A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand * but it shall not come nigh thee.

* Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou behold * and see the reward of the ungodly.

* For thou, Lord, art my hope * thou hast set thine house of defence very high.

* There shall no evil happen unto thee * neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

* For he shall give his angels charge over thee * to keep thee in all thy ways.

* They shall bear thee in their hands * that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.

* Thou shalt go upon the lion and adder * the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet.

* Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him * I will set him up, because he hath known my Name.

* He shall call upon me, and I will hear him * yea, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and bring him to honour.

* With long life will I satisfy him * and shew him my salvation.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 4:1-11(This is the familiar account of Jesus’s 40 day fast in the desert and then then three great temptations presented by the devil. Jesus, however, firmly refuses the devil.)

Offertory & Communion. Ps. 91:4 The Lord shall defend thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers: his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler

At the Divine Office – Benedictus and Magnificat Antiphons

            The Old Testament lessons in the Daily Office are a bit more complex than usual because Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week are Emberdays. The lessons are set out below:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Matins

Gen. 24:1-27

Gen. 24:28-67

Ezek. 2

Gen. 25:28

Ezek. 34:1-16

Ezek. 34:17-31

Vespers

Jer. 3:19

Jer. 4:1-9

Ezek. 3:16

Jer. 4:11-22

Ezek. 37:1-14

Ezek. 37:21b

            Also, at Mass during the week in Lent, each Mass has its own proper Epistle and Gospel.

Ash Wednesday

The Introit. Wisdom 11:22-23. (v 23-26) (Misereris omnis) Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest nothing that thou hast created: and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend and sparest them: for thou art the Lord our God. Ps.57:1. (v 1) In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion: deliverme in thy righteI Be merciful Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in thee.

For the Epistle: Joel 2:12-19

Gradual: Ps. 57:1,3. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproof of him that would eat me up.

Tract. Ps. 103:10. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins; nor reward us according to our wickednesses. Ps. 79:8-9. Lord, remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us and that soon: for we are come to great misery. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name, O Lord: O deliver us and be merciful unto our sins, for thy Name’s sake.

Gospel. St. Matthew 6:16-21

Offertory. Ps. 119:12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of thy mouth.

Communion. Ps. 1:2-3. He who doth meditate on the law of the Lord day and night will bring forth his fruit in due season.   

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