Cantica Gaudia

Ordinary Time, Early Summer: Thursday Compline

Confession: Almighty and merciful God, we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with all our heart. We have not loved others as our Savior Christ loves us. We are truly sorry. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Canticle:  Sing out, my soul,
Sing of the holiness of God:
Who has delighted in a woman,
Lifted up the poor,
Satisfied the hungry,
Given voice to the silent,
Grounded the oppressor,
Blessed the full-bellied with emptiness,
And with the gift of tears
Those who have never wept;
Who has desired the darkness of the womb
And inhabited our flesh.
Sing of the longing of God,
Sing out, my soul.

Reading: If you want, the Virgin will come walking down the road, pregnant with the holy, and say, "I need shelter for the night, please take me inside your heart, my time is so close."

Then, under the roof of your soul, you will witness the sublime intimacy, the divine, the Christ taking birth forever, as she grasps your hand for help, for each of us is the midwife of God, each of us.

Yes there, under the dome of your being does creation come into existence eternally, through your womb, dear pilgrim -- the sacred womb in your soul, as God grasps our arms for help; for each of us is His beloved servant never far.

If you want, the Virgin will come walking down the street pregnant with Light and sing...

The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.  Amen.

Prayer: God, Creator and Savior, source of peace for the entire world: be our life today.
O Christ, you call us to share with others: unite us in your love.
O Christ, our Shepherd, you come to seek those who are lost, you visit the lonely and the abandoned: give them new hope.
Comforting Spirit, you place in us hope and joy: fill us with your love.
Comforting Spirit, you awaken in us a love that forgives: come to us, Holy Spirit.

Going Forth: Bless us, Christ Jesus, you always come to us wherever we may be.