Cantica Gaudia

Season of Epiphany: Thursday Evening Prayer

Opening: I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me night after night.  I have set the Lord always before me; because God is at my right hand, I shall not fall.

Canticle: Lord, now you let your servant go in peace
Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
Which you have prepared in the sight of every people,
A light to reveal you to the nations
And the glory of your people Israel.

Psalm: You know that my heart is not haughty
Nor my eyes lofty
Neither have I reached for things
Too great and too wonderful for me

But I have calmed and settled my heart
And it is contented

Like a child surfeited on a mother’s breast
Like a suckling child is my heart

Let those who question and struggle
Wait quiet like this for you
From this day forth
And always

Glory to God who made us, who bears our pain, and who loves us
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

Reading: Prayer
is not merely
what you do
when you kneel
in church
or sit in a chair
to be still
light the candle
repeat the mantra

but handing your life
over
time and time over
to be set aflame
to be ignited
to become
a passionate presence

to pour love in
where love is not
as the Fathers said

to become a mother
to Jesus
and all the motherless one

to search for the presence
where all you can see is absence
a limitless watching
and waiting

not for the moments
of glory
which may
or may not come
but because this
is the pledge
you have made

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: Through dark nights and ages,
Our ancestors lit their night fires.
They gathered around the circle
Telling their tales of the day.

O God, source of all holy fires,
Bless the story of my day.
Enlighten and warm my heart.
O God, send out your Spirit—
A tongue of fire above my head.
Let not the wick be quashed,
Nor the bruised reed trampled.
Amen.

Collect: O unknown God, whose presence is announced not among the impressive but in obscurity; come, overshadow us now, and speak to our hidden places; that entering your darkness with joy, we may choose to cooperate with you; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Going forth: May God kindle in us the fire of love.