Cantica Gaudia

Advent: Tuesday Compline

Confession: Heavenly Father, you call us to repent of our sins:
soften our proud and stubborn hearts.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you declared the forgiveness of God:
teach us to forgive one another.
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, you search our hearts and show us the truth:
direct us in your way of righteousness.
Lord, have mercy.

Psalm: You establish your throne in the center of things
Your kingdom embraces all
Blessings to you from the mighty angels
Who carry out the messages of your words
Blessings to you from the surrounding hosts
From the servants who build up your works
Blessings to you from all that you have made and are
In all the places throughout all times.

Reading: If Mary had not heard, had heard
But had not listened,
Had understood but not stood
Still, had not consented,
Had been scared
And had scurried from the garden
Where he glistened
Into the dark house or the dark wood,
Worried because the Word he hinted
Stirred
Uneasily within the ear; if she had erred
And had permitted heart to harden
When, like frost enameled ground, air glinted,
The Word would have been only sound.

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: Calm me, O Lord, as you stilled the storm. Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease. Enfold me, Lord, in your pace.

Father, bless the work that is done and the work that is to be.

Father, bless the servant that I am and the servant that I will be.

Going Forth: May the Creator bless us and keep us; may the beloved companion face us and have mercy upon us; may the eternal Spirit's countenance be turned to us and give us peace. Amen.