Ash Wednesday
Come back to me
with all your heart.
Don't let fear keep us apart.
Trees do bend,
though straight and tall;
so must we to others' call.
Long have I waited
for your coming
home to me and living
deeply our new life.
The wilderness will lead you
to your heart
where I will speak.
Integrity and justice
with tenderness you shall know.
Long have I waited
for your coming
home to me and living
deeply our new life.
You shall sleep secure
with peace; faithfulness
will be your joy.
Long have I waited
for your coming
home to me and living
deeply our new life.
Psalmody
PSALMODY
Psalms and canticle, with their antiphons, may be taken from Friday, Week III.
Go to Friday Week III Psalmody
Ant. 1 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.
Psalm 108
Praise of God and a plea for help
My heart is ready, O God; *
I will sing, sing your praise.
Awake, my soul; †
awake, lyre and harp. *
I will awake the dawn.
I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples, *
among the nations I will praise you,
for your love reaches to the heavens *
and your truth to the skies.
O God, arise above the heavens; *
may your glory shine on earth!
O come and deliver your friends; *
help with your right hand and reply.
From his holy place God has made this promise: †
“I will triumph and divide the land of Shechem; *
I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
Gilead is mine and Manasseh. *
Ephraim I take for my helmet,
Judah for my commander’s staff. *
Moab I will use for my washbowl,
on Edom I will plant my shoe. *
Over the Philistines I will shout in triumph.”
But who will lead me to conquer the fortress? *
Who will bring me face to face with Edom?
Will you utterly reject us, O God, *
and no longer march with our armies?
Give us help against the foe: *
for the help of man is vain.
With God we shall do bravely *
and he will trample down our foes.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Accept the prayers of your servants, Lord, and prepare our hearts to praise your holy name. Come to our aid in time of trouble, and make us worthy to sing you songs of thanksgiving.
Ant. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.
Ant. 2 The Lord has robed me with grace and salvation.
Canticle: Isaiah 61:10-62:5
The prophet’s joy in the vision of a new Jerusalem
I rejoice heartily in the Lord, *
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, *
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, *
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants, *
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord God make justice and praise *
spring up before all the nations.
For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, *
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn *
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication, *
and all kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name *
pronounced by the mouth of the Lord.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, *
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall men call you “Forsaken,” *
or your land “Desolate,”
but you shall be called “My Delight,” *
and your land “Espoused.”
For the Lord delights in you, *
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin, *
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride *
so shall your God rejoice in you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. The Lord has robed me with grace and salvation.
Ant. 3 I will praise my God all the days of my life.
Psalm 146
Those who trust in God know what it is to be happy
My soul, give praise to the Lord; †
I will praise the Lord all my days, *
make music to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes, *
in mortal men in whom there is no help.
Take their breath, they return to clay *
and their plans that day come to nothing.
He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God, *
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who alone made heaven and earth, *
the seas and all they contain.
It is he who keeps faith for ever, *
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, *
the Lord, who sets prisoners free,
the Lord who gives sight to the blind, *
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger *
and upholds the widow and orphan.
It is the Lord who loves the just *
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever, *
Zion’s God, from age to age.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
God of glory and power, those who have put all their trust in you are happy indeed. Shine the brightness of your light on us, that we may love you always with a pure heart.
Ant. I will praise my God all the days of my life.
Go to the Reading
Psalmody from Friday, Week III
Ant. 1 You alone I have grieved by my sin; have pity on me, O Lord.
Psalm 51
O God, have mercy on me
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. *
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt *
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses truly I know them; *
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned; *
what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence *
and be without reproach when you judge.
O see, in guilt I was born, *
a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed you love truth in the heart; *
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean; *
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, *
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face *
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God, *
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, *
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help; *
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways *
and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper, *
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips *
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight, *
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. *
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion: *
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, *
holocausts offered on your altar.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Father, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations.
Ant. You alone I have grieved by my sin; have pity on me, O Lord.
Ant. 2 Truly we know our offenses, Lord, for we have sinned against you.
Canticle: Jeremiah 14:17-21
The lament of the people in war and famine
Let my eyes stream with tears *
day and night, without rest,
over the great destruction which overwhelms †
the virgin daughter of my people, *
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field, *
look! those slain by the sword;
if I enter the city, *
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest *
forage in a land they know not.
Have you cast Judah off completely? *
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow *
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail; *
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, †
the guilt of our fathers; *
that we have sinned against you.
For your name’s sake spurn us not, †
disgrace not the throne of your glory; *
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Truly we know our offenses, Lord, for we have sinned against you.
Ant. 3 The Lord is God; we are his people, the flock he shepherds.
When Psalm 100 is used as the invitatory psalm, psalm 95, above, is used as the second psalm at Morning Prayer.
Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. †
Serve the Lord with gladness. *
Come before him, singing for joy.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
God, devoted to us as a Father, you created us as a sign of your power, and elected us your people to show your goodness. Accept the thanks your children offer that all men may enter your courts praising you in song.
Ant. The Lord is God; we are his people, the flock he shepherds.
1st Reading
Jl 2:12-18
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Joel
Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
℟. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
℟. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
℟. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
℟. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
℟. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
2nd Reading
2 Cor 5:20-6:2
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
Thanks be to God.
Glory to You,
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the Living God.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
Glory to You,
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the Living God.
Gospel
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:
The Gospel of the Lord.
All reply:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:
Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of
the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right
hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the
Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to
the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
We rise again from ashes,
from the good we’ve failed
to do.
We rise again from ashes,
to create ourselves anew.
If all our world is ashes,
then must our lives be true.
An offering of ashes,
an offering to you.
We offer You our failures,
we offer You attempts;
The gifts not fully given,
the dreams not fully dreamt.
Give our stumblings direction,
give our visions wider view,
An offering of ashes,
an offering to You.
Then rise again from ashes,
let healing come to pain;
Though spring has turned
to winter, and sunshine
turned to rain.
The rain we'll use for growing,
and create the world anew,
From an offering of ashes,
an offering to You.
Thanks be to the Father,
who made us like Himself.
Thanks be to His Son,
who saved us by His death.
Thanks be to the Spirit,
who creates the world anew,
From an offering of ashes,
an offering to You.
We rise again from ashes,
from the good we’ve failed
to do.
We rise again from ashes,
to create ourselves anew.
If all our world is ashes,
then must our lives be true.
An offering of ashes,
an offering to you.
We offer You our failures,
we offer You attempts;
The gifts not fully given,
the dreams not fully dreamt.
Give our stumblings direction,
give our visions wider view,
An offering of ashes,
an offering to You.
Then rise again from ashes,
let healing come to pain;
Though spring has turned
to winter, and sunshine
turned to rain.
The rain we'll use for growing,
and create the world anew,
From an offering of ashes,
an offering to You.
Thanks be to the Father,
who made us like Himself.
Thanks be to His Son,
who saved us by His death.
Thanks be to the Spirit,
who creates the world anew,
From an offering of ashes,
an offering to You.
O Diyos, awang ’di mabilang,
tanggapin Mo yaring aming alay;
gawin ito bilang tanda
ng aming kaligtasan.
Narito O Ama, alak at tinapay,
bunga ng lupa at ng aming paggawa.
O Diyos, awang ’di mabilang
tanggapin Mo yaring aming alay
gawing alaala ng pagkamatay,
muling pagkabuhay ni Hesukristo.
Narito O Ama, alak at tinapay,
bunga ng lupa at ng aming paggawa.
O Diyos, awang ’di mabilang
tanggapin Mo yaring aming alay;
sa bisa nitong sakripisyo,
mapasa amin ang buhay na walang hanggan.
Narito O Ama, alak at tinapay,
bunga ng lupa at ng aming paggawa.
Sa iyo inaalay ang buhay
at kalakasan
sapagkat ito ang nararapat
sa katulad mong matapat.
Dahil sa pag-ibig Mo
ang buhay ko ay nagbago;
sa tuwina ang ninanais ko ay
laging maglingkod sa Iyo.
Sumasamba, sumasamo,
naghahandog sa ngalan Mo;
Pagkat sa Iyo ay nadama
ang pagmamahal ng Ama.
Sa Iyong kabanalan
biyaya Mo ay nakamtan
sa Iyo ay may kagalakan at
buhay na walang hanggan.
Tunay kang maginoo,
namalas ko sa kalbaryo;
Buhay man inalay mo, O Cristo
upang maligtas ang tao.
Sumasamba, sumasamo,
naghahandog sa ngalan Mo;
Pagkat sa Iyo ay nadama
ang pagmamahal ng Ama.
Dan Schutte, SJ
Holy, holy, holy
Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and Earth are full,
are full of Your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna,
hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes,
who comes in the
name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna,
hosanna in the highest.
Dan Schutte, SJ
Save us, save us,
Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection,
you have set us free.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread, and
forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespass against us;
and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us,
deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world,
have mercy on us,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world,
have mercy on us,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Turn to me, O man
and be saved, says
the Lord, for I am God.
There is no other,
none beside me
I call Your name.
I am He that comforts You;
who are you to be afraid
of man who dies, is made
like the grass of the field
soon to wither.
Turn to me, O man
and be saved, says
the Lord, for I am God.
There is no other,
none beside me
I call Your name.
Listen to me, my people;
give ear to me, my nation:
a law will go forth from me,
and my justice for a light
to the people.
Turn to me, O man
and be saved, says
the Lord, for I am God.
There is no other,
none beside me
I call Your name.
Lift up your eyes to the Heavens,
and look at the earth
down below.
The heavens will vanish
like smoke, and the Earth
will wear out like a garment.
Turn to me, O man
and be saved, says
the Lord, for I am God.
There is no other,
none beside me
I call Your name.
Have mercy on me,
O God, in Your kindness.
In Your compassion,
blot out my offense.
Wash me, O God,
from the stain of my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses, truly I know them.
My sin is always before me.
Against You alone
have I sinned.
What is evil in Your sight,
I have done.
Have mercy on me,
O God, in Your kindness.
In Your compassion,
blot out my offense.
Wash me, O God,
from the stain of my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a pure heart.
Put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away
from Your presence
nor deprive me of Your spirit.
Have mercy on me,
O God, in Your kindness.
In Your compassion,
blot out my offense.
Wash me, O God,
from the stain of my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
Defend me, O God, my Savior.
My tongue shall sing out
Your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim
Your praise.
Have mercy on me,
O God, in Your kindness.
In Your compassion,
blot out my offense.
Wash me, O God,
from the stain of my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
Gospel Canticle
Ant. When you fast, do not put on a gloomy face, like the hypocrites.
Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. When you fast, do not put on a gloomy face, like the hypocrites.
It’s time for us to make
our dreams come true.
A guiding voice
will tell us what to do.
It’s the time to change
ourselves and show the world
that we still care for men
and we’ll lead them there.
We’ll lead them to
a place beyond the sea.
A place of love where
everyone is free.
Don’t despair the path
to happiness is wide.
If we must change our ways
call on God for our guide.