Introduction
O GOD, make speed to save us.
+O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon. Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
AS THE DEER LONGS for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for the living God; when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; In the night season, his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
Antiphon. Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Meditation
With trust in God's mercy, review your actions and words in the day that is ending; remember the encounters you had with other people.
Did you use your time wisely, working diligently and honestly?
Have you maintained healthy habits and received God's gifts with gratitude?
In your dealings with others, were you honest and kind?
Where were you most aware of God's presence and what particular blessings did you receive? What actions or failures to act need forgiveness?
Are there things you need to do differently tomorrow?
In humble honesty, name before God your sins in thought, in word, in deed, and in things left undone. Ask for forgiveness and amendment of life. Give thanks for all the ways in which you found yourself drawn towards God and for every good thing you received.
MY GOD, I THANK THEE for thy blessings this day, and through my whole life. O my God, I love thee and I want to love thee more. Jesus, I believe in thee and I hope in thee, for the pardon of my sins, for the help of thy grace and for everlasting life, because of thy love, thy promises, and thy power. Amen.
Lesson
Matt. 13:1-16
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!" Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Magnificat
My soul proclaims your greatness, O God; my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior, for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed, you, the Almighty have done great things for me, and holy is your Name. You have mercy on those who fear you from generation to generation. You, O God, have shown strength with your arm and scattered the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. You have come to the help of your servant Israel, for you have remembered your promise of mercy, The promise made to our forebears, to Abraham, Sarah, and their children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Prayers
O LORD SUPPORT US all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening come, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (JOHN HENRY NEWMAN)
OGOD, IT IS BY YOUR GIFT that evening follows day and that rest restores us after labor, while we rejoice to receive these blessings, make us mindful that they come from your gracious hand. Amen.
YOURS, O LORD, is the day; yours also is the night; grant that the Sun of Righteousness may abide always in our hearts, to drive away all wicked thoughts and to relieve our fears, that we may always know the light of Jesus' presence. Amen.
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Liturgy: Olsen, Derek A. . Saint Augustine's Prayer Book
Scripture: [Scripture quotations are from] New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.