Cantica Gaudia

Ordinary Time, Fall: Saturday Compline

Confession: Merciful God,
For the things we have done that we regret, forgive us.
For the things we have failed to do that we regret, forgive us.
For all the times we have acted without love, forgive us.
For all the times we have reacted without thought, forgive us.
For all the times we have withdrawn care, forgive us.
For all the times we have failed to forgive, forgive us.

For hurtful words said and helpful words unsaid,
For unfinished tasks and unfulfilled hopes,
God of all time, forgive us
And help us to lay down our burden of regret.

Psalm: I will exalt you, O God my King,
And bless your name for ever and ever.

Every day will I bless you
And praise your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
There is no end to God’s greatness.

One generation shall praise your works to another
And shall declare your power.

I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty
And all your marvelous works.

Reading: The final fruitfulness of work is actually found by choosing and living its exact opposite -- the cessation of work -- or the Sabbath rest. Unless approximately one-seventh of life is also ceasing from work, putting spaces, paragraphs and parentheses around my efforts, work always becomes compulsive, addictive, driven, unconscious, and actually counter-productive for the self and for those around us. We also need not to work.

The Lord’s Prayer

Holy One,
We honor your name.
Let the world know your justice
Here as everywhere.
Give us the food we need
For both the body and the soul.
Forgive us the wrongs we do
As we forgive the wrongs of others.
Keep us safe from the evil
At large or of our own making.
We trust you for you made us and
We are yours, now and always.  Amen.

Prayer: As I lie down to sleep tonight, O God, I give you thanks for this day so full of surprises and joys. My muscles and bones are weary, and I long for renewal and quiet. Because you are the One in whom I have complete rest, I lean into your arms at this hour. Guard and keep your servant so that through the night, I may grow strong. Wake me in the morning with resolve to love my neighbors and to love myself, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Going Forth: O God of love and mercy, grant us, with all your people, rest and peace.