Cantica Gaudia

Season of Epiphany: Sunday Morning Prayer

Opening:  O Lord, how manifold are your works; in wisdom you have made them all.  The earth is full of your creatures.

Canticle: Surely it is God who saves me;
I will trust in God and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
And will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation
And on that day you shall say,
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon God’s name;
Make know the Lord’s deeds among the peoples;
See that they remember that the holy Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for God has done great things,
And this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy,
For the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm:
From all the far-flung lands
A shout is raised up
It breaks forth into song
It erupts into praise

We pluck your praise on the lyre
On the lyre with melodious song
From trumpet and cornet
A blast bursts out
For you, our king

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.

Reading: I had a natural passion for fine clothes, excellent food, and lively conversation about all matters that concern the heart still alive. And even a passion about my own looks.

Vanities: they do not exist.

Have you ever walked across a stream stepping on rocks so not to spoil a pair of shoes?

All we can touch, swallow, or say aids in our crossing to God and helps unveil the soul.

Life smooths us, rounds, perfects, as does the river the stone, and there is no place our Beloved is not flowing -- though the current's force you may not always like.

Our passions help to lift us.

I loved what I could love until I held Him, for then -- all things -- every world disappeared.

The Lord’s Prayer: Seed and source,
Far in the distance and in our souls,
You are holy and make us whole.
May we perceive your divine will
That loved us into being
Help us to join your creative force
And let it prosper here.
Give us what we need to survive,
And release us from our transgressions
As we release others from theirs.
Keep us away from paths of destruction
And from those who would ruin what you have made,
For you are the matrix of life, love and wisdom,
Now and forever.  Amen.

Prayer:  Oh God, you have set before us a great hope                  
That your kingdom will come on earth,
And have taught us to pray for its coming.
Make us ready to thank you for signs of its dawning
And to pray and work for the perfect day
When your will shall be done on earth as in heaven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen.

Collect:  O God of all the prophets, you knew us and chose us before you formed us in the womb: fill us with faith that speaks your word, hope that does not disappoint, and love that bears all things for your sake, until that day when we shall know you fully, even as we are known by you. Amen.

Going forth: Bless us, Lord, this day with vision.  May this place be a sacred place, a telling place, where heaven and earth meet.