Cantica Gaudia

Ordinary Time, Late Summer: Saturday Morning Prayer

Opening: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Canticle: We long for you, O God,
We confess our deep desire;
For the heavens are arrayed
With your unhidden beauty,
And the entire earth
surrenders to your touch.

The powers of everlasting light
Cry aloud to you;
The holy and ancient places of darkness
Continually cry your name.

Saints in every generation
Speak your outrageous glory;
Those who have seen and proclaimed you
Are passionate with praise;
Those who have cried for justice
Are satisfied in you;
Those who carried you in their wounds
Are bodied forth with life.
Your holy and stumbling church
Throughout all the world
Is filled with your desire.

Merciful creator, of an infinite tenderness;
Wounded redeemer, by whom all flesh is moved;
Comforter of life, who leads us into truth;
God difficult and beautiful,
We offer you our praise.

Psalm: My souls brims with gratitude for you
Whom I’ll praise all my life –
As long as I am I’ll sing your songs

Don’t put your trust in the powerful
Mere people who can hold but never save
When their breath leaves them
They return to the earth they’re made of
And on that day
All their hopes end

But happy is the one
Who trusts you for help
Whose hope rests with you

Glory to God, who created us, bears our pain, and loves us, now and forever.

Reading: I want so much this freedom, this life not pain-free but unparalysed; this movement, chosen not without struggle but loosed from self-wounding, corrupt obedience to an evil law. This work, uninflicted, whole, exuberant, I have wanted this so much.

The Lord’s Prayer

Abba our God,
Whom the heavens disclose,
May your name be held holy,
Your authority come.
May your longing be fulfilled
As in heaven, so on earth.
Give us today the bread of tomorrow,
And cancel our debts
As we have already forgiven our debtors.
Do not draw us in
To sinful enticement,
But set us free
From the grip of evil;
For authority and power and glory
Are yours alone, for ever.  Amen.

Prayer: God of peace, let us your people know, that at the heart of turbulence there is an inner calm that comes from faith in you. Keep us from being content with things as they are, that from this central peace there may come a creative compassion, a thirst for justice, and a willingness to give of ourselves in the spirit of Christ. Amen.

Collect:  O merciful creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Going Forth: May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.