God takes delight in arming his people with the two-edged sword of his living Word through the ministry of those sent to preach and teach the Gospel.

Sing a new song to the Lord,

his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,

[let] Zion’s sons exult in their king.

Let them praise his name with dancing

and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people.

He crowns the poor with salvation.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,

shout for joy and take their rest.

Let the praise of God be on their lips

and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations

and punishment on all the peoples;

to bind their kings in chains

and their nobles in fetters of iron;

to carry out the sentence pre-ordained:

this honor is for all his faithful.

Glory to the Father….

Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13)

The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. (cf. Eph 6:17)

Canticle of Mary

Your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne/ bounded into the land,/ bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree. (cf. Wis 18:15-16)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

[he] has scattered the pride in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children forever.

Glory to the Father…

Intercessions

The Word of God is a gift and demand. Through the intercession of the Apostles, let us pray:

R/Open our hearts, O Lord, to the voice of your Word.

Your Word descends from above to restore a fallen world:

– transform us by the power of the cross regardless of the cost: R/

Your Word cuts away all that is contrary to your will:

– grant us the gift of obedience: R/

Your Word enslaves the enslavers, sin and death:

– give us the courage to accept the gift of freedom: R/

Your Word brings joy to the sorrowful:

– teach us compassion toward every human need: R/

(Personal intentions)

Our Father….

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit. Amen. (cf. Gal 6:18)

Marian Antiphon

Antiphon for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7

Devoutly let us celebrate today’s solemnity

of the Most Holy Rosary of Mary the Mother of God, that she may intercede for us

before our Lord Jesus Christ.

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;

vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes

in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,

illos tuos misericordes oculos

ad nos converte.

Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,

nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, O most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this our exile

show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V/ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R/ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer for the Evening (Thursday, October 28)

Prayer for the Evening