2. Introduction
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.
Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy,
Lord bless us.
Amen. Alleluia.
If you are praying with another person – read responsively
where appropriate
3. The Psalm – Psalm 103
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
1
Bless Yahweh, my soul, from the depths of my being, his holy name;
2
bless Yahweh, my soul, never forget all his acts of kindness.
3
He forgives all your offences, cures all your diseases,
4
he redeems your life from the abyss, crowns you with faithful love and
tenderness;
5
he contents you with good things all your life, renews your youth like an
eagle's.
6
Yahweh acts with uprightness, with justice to all who are oppressed;
7
he revealed to Moses his ways, his great deeds to the children of Israel.
8
Yahweh is tenderness and pity, slow to anger and rich in faithful love;
9
his indignation does not last for ever, nor his resentment remain for all
time;
10
he does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor repay us as befits our
offences.
11
As the height of heaven above earth, so strong is his faithful love for
those who fear him.
12
As the distance of east from west, so far from us does he put our faults.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
4. Short Reading and Meditation
Now there was a Pharisee named
Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He
came to Jesus by night and said to him,
"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher
who has come from God; for no one
can do these signs that you do apart
from the presence of God." 3Jesus
answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no
one can see the kingdom of God
without being born from above."
4Nicodemus said to him, "How can
anyone be born after having grown
old? Can one enter a second time into
the mother's womb and be born?"
5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you,
no one can enter the kingdom of God
without being born of water and Spirit.
6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and
what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Thought for Today
Nicodemus was a religious leader
who would have been very
familiar with the words of Psalm
103. When he recognized in Jesus
the attributes one could only
ascribe to God, he had to check
out his perceptions. Who else
could "forgive offenses, cure
diseases, redeem life...."? So
when he met with Jesus he said:
"No one can do these signs that
you do apart from God." Break
through our assumptions of what
we "know" to what is really so in
order to see what you are doing
all around us, God.
John 3:1-6
5. Prayer
Pray Silently or Aloud for Others and Yourself
O God, Who is the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable
sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of
affection, Who sends peace to those that receive it; open to us
this day the sea of Your love, and water us with the plenteous
streams from the riches of Your grace. Make us children of
quietness, and heirs of peace. Kindle in us the fire of Your love;
sow in us Your fear; strengthen our weakness by Your power;
bind us closely to You and to each other in one firm bond of
unity; for the sake of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
--Syrian Clementine Liturgy
