Cantica Gaudia

Advent: Friday Compline

Confession: Most Holy God,
In the midst of this season of new life, we confess:
We have resisted the light of your love;
We have not fully shared the gifts entrusted to us; and
We have not treasured the gifts of others around us.
We stand in need of your love.
Holy Father, make us holy.
Holy Jesus, make us holy.
Holy Spirit, make us holy.
Holy God, make us whole.  Amen.

Canticle:  Lord, you now have set your servant free
To go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
Whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations,
And the glory of your people Israel.

Reading: Go slowly into the silence.
Consent to it, but don’t wallow in it.
Know it as a place of germination and growth.
Remember the light.
Take an outstretched hand if you find one,
And exercise your unused senses.
Find the path by walking it.
Practice trust.
Watch for dawn. 

The Lord’s Prayer:

Creator of all,
Alive in all things and greater than all things,
Your naming be held holy.
Your vision of our goodness be made manifest throughout the universe,
And your desires for us brought to fulfillment.
Give us that which is essential for our growth and work.
Offer forgiveness and healing to us as we forgive and heal those around us.
Protect us from unnecessary suffering and wasteful pain.
For all that is beautiful, strong and glorious has its roots in you
and expresses your will and your nature, which we share in, unendingly.  Amen.

Prayer: Holy Stillness and Silence, pour your gentle compassion on those who wait through this long night. Help us remember the promise of new life waiting in the shadows, and guide to toward cleansing and healing in preparation for its coming. Amen.

Going Forth:  Go calmly in peace, for you will have a good escort, because He who has created you has sent you the Holy Spirit and has always guarded you as a mother does her child who loves her. Amen.