Oremus for Thursday, September 3, 2020

Gregory the Great
Gregory was born in 540, the son of a Roman senator. As a young man he pursued a governmental career, and in 573 was made Prefect of the city of Rome. Following the death of his father, he resigned his office, sold his inheritance, and became a monk. In 579 he was sent by the Pope to Constantinople to be his representative to the Patriarch. He returned to Rome in 586, and was himself elected Pope in 590. At a time of political turmoil, Gregory proved an astute administrator and diplomat, securing peace with the Lombards. He initiated the mission to England, sending Augustine and forty monks from his own monastery to refound the English Church. His writings were pastorally oriented. His spirituality was animated by a dynamic of love and desire for God. Indeed, he is sometimes called the ‘Doctor of desire’. For Gregory, desire was a metaphor for the journey into God. As Pope, he styled himself ‘Servant of the servants of God’ — a title which typified both his personality and ministry. He died in 604. ^EH

Antiphon¹

Ant. Your mercy extends to all things, O Lord, *
and you despise none of the things you have made.
You overlook the sins of men for the sake of repentance.
You grant them your pardon, because you are the Lord our God.
V. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy, *
for in you my soul has taken refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge, *
till the storms of destruction pass by. Wisdom 11; Psalm 57

God, our creator,
you have given us work to do
and call us to use our talents for the good of all.
Guide us as we work,
and teach us to live
in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters,
in the love that made us sisters and brothers,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^BCW

Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5

O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!

HYMN: attr. Gregory the Great; trans. John Chandler
Tune: Vienna https://tinyurl.com/y3czcjgw

1 Blest Creator of the light,
making day with radiance bright,
thou didst o’er the forming earth
give the golden light its birth.

2 Thou didst mark the night from day
with the dawn’s first piercing ray:
darkness now is drying nigh; 
listen to our humble cry.

3 May we ne’er by guilt depressed
lose the way to endless rest;
nor with idle thoughts and vain
bind our souls to earth again.

4 Rather may we heav’nward rise
where eternal treasure lies;
purified by grace within,
hating ev’ry deed of sin.

5 Holy Father, hear our cry
through thy Son our Lord most high,
who our thankful hearts adore
with the Spirit evermore.

PSALMS
For psalms in contemporary language, https://tinyurl.com/y9tjh7rk

Psalm 15 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y88d98g2)

1  Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle *
 or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
2  Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life *
 and doeth the thing which is right,
and speaketh the truth from his heart.
3  He that hath used no deceit in his tongue,
nor done evil to his neighbour *
 and hath not slandered his neighbour.
4  He that setteth not by himself,
but is lowly in his own eyes *
 and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.
5  He that sweareth unto his neighbour,
and disappointeth him not *
 though it were to his own hindrance.
6  He that hath not given his money upon usury *
 nor taken reward against the innocent.
7  Whoso doeth these things *
 shall never fall.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 16 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydhl4u74)

1  Preserve me, O God *
 for in thee have I put my trust.
2  O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord *
 Thou art my God, my goods are nothing unto thee.
3  All my delight is upon the saints, that are in the earth *
 and upon such as excel in virtue.
4  But they that run after another god *
 shall have great trouble.
5  Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer *
 neither make mention of their names within my lips.
6  The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup *
 thou shalt maintain my lot.
7  The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground *
 yea, I have a goodly heritage.
8  I will thank the Lord for giving me warning *
 my reins also chasten me in the night-season.
9  I have set God always before me *
 for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
10  Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced *
 my flesh also shall rest in hope.
11  For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell *
 neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
12  Thou shalt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is the fulness of joy *
 and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 17 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yahr8qsc)

1  Hear the right, O Lord, consider my complaint *
 and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2  Let my sentence come forth from thy presence *
 and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal.
3  Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night-season;
thou hast tried me, and shalt find no wickedness in me *
 for I am utterly purposed that my mouth shall not offend.
4  Because of men’s works, that are done against the words of thy lips *
 I have kept me from the ways of the destroyer.
5  O hold thou up my goings in thy paths *
 that my footsteps slip not.
6  I have called upon thee, O God, for thou shalt hear me *
 incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.
7  Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness,
thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in thee *
 from such as resist thy right hand.
8  Keep me as the apple of an eye *
 hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9  From the ungodly that trouble me *
 mine enemies compass me round about to take away my soul.
10  They are inclosed in their own fat *
 and their mouth speaketh proud things.
11  They lie waiting in our way on every side *
 turning their eyes down to the ground;
12  Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey *
 and as it were a lion’s whelp, lurking in secret places.
13  Up, Lord, disappoint him, and cast him down *
 deliver my soul from the ungodly, which is a sword of thine;
14  From the men of thy hand, O Lord,
from the men, I say, and from the evil world *
 which have their portion in this life,
whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasure.
15  They have children at their desire *
 and leave the rest of their substance for their babes.
16  But as for me, I will behold thy presence in righteousness *
 and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

PRAYER

Gracious God,
in whom all hearts are glad
and all souls rejoice:
Show us the path of your presence,
that we may follow it in hope
and be filled with resurrection joy;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: 2 Samuel 16:1-23

When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, carrying two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred bunches of raisins, one hundred of summer fruits, and one skin of wine. The king said to Ziba, ‘Why have you brought these?’ Ziba answered, ‘The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who faint in the wilderness.’ The king said, ‘And where is your master’s son?’ Ziba said to the king, ‘He remains in Jerusalem; for he said, “Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather’s kingdom.” ’ Then the king said to Ziba, ‘All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.’ Ziba said, ‘I do obeisance; let me find favour in your sight, my lord the king.’

When King David came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out whose name was Shimei son of Gera; he came out cursing. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; now all the people and all the warriors were on his right and on his left. Shimei shouted while he cursed, ‘Out! Out! Murderer! Scoundrel! The Lord has avenged on all of you the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, disaster has overtaken you; for you are a man of blood.’

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.’ But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, “Curse David”, who then shall say, “Why have you done so?” ’ David said to Abishai and to all his servants, ‘My own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord has bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on my distress, and the Lord will repay me with good for this cursing of me today.’ So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, throwing stones and flinging dust at him. The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary at the Jordan; and there he refreshed himself.

Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem; Ahithophel was with him. When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, ‘Long live the king! Long live the king!’ Absalom said to Hushai, ‘Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?’ Hushai said to Absalom, ‘No; but the one whom the Lord and this people and all the Israelites have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I have served your father, so I will serve you.’

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give us your counsel; what shall we do?’ Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Go in to your father’s concubines, the ones he has left to look after the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.’ So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

HYMN: attr. to Gregory the Great; trans. James Quinn ©
Tune: Bourbon https://tinyurl.com/y45tdst4

1 Now let us all with one accord,
in company with ages past,
keep vigil with our heavenly Lord
in his temptation and his fast.

2 The covenant, so long revealed
to those of faith in former time,
Christ by his own example sealed,
the Lord of love, in love sublime.

3 Your love, O Lord, our sinful race
has not returned, but falsified.
Author of mercy, turn your face
and grant repentance for our pride.

4 Remember, Lord, though frail we be,
in your own image were we made;
help us, lest in anxiety,
we cause your name to be betrayed.

5 Therefore, we pray you, Lord, forgive;
so when our wanderings here shall cease,
we may with you for ever live
in love and unity and peace.

Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

When I came to Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and went on to Macedonia.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence.

HYMN: Luther Green Presley
Performed by Jim Reeves: https://tinyurl.com/y4a3f4nl

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I’d rather be his than have riches untold
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land
Yes I’d rather be led by his nail pierced hands
Than to be the king of a best domain and be held in sin’s dread sway
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today

I’d rather have Jesus than worldly applause
I’d rather be faithful to his dear cause
I’d rather have Jesus than world wide things
I’d rather be true to his holy name
Than to be the king…

Reading: Luke 15:11-20

People were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’

CANTICLE Deuteronomy 32:1-12
(Luke Brawner https://tinyurl.com/ybe98e62)

Give ear, O Heaven, and I will speak
Let the earth hear the words of my mouth
May my song fall soft like gentle rains
Upon the tender grass

Refrain:
(I will) proclaim the name of the Lord
(I will) ascribe greatness to our God
(I will) proclaim the name of the Lord
(I will) ascribe greatness to our God, greatness to our God

His work is perfect, his ways are just
without iniquity.
The Rock, a God of faithfulness
upright and just is he. Refrain
Rejoice with him, O heavens
Bow down to him, all gods
for he alone is worthy of your praise.
Rejoice with him, O heavens
Bow down to him, all gods
for he alone is worthy of your praise
for he alone is worthy of your praise.

Proclaim the name of the Lord.
O ascribe greatness to our God.
Proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe greatness to our God, greatness to our God.

THE PRAYERS ^BCW

We give you our praise and thanks, O God, for all gifts of love we have received
from you, and for your persistent mercy in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
work we have accomplished pleasing to you . . .
the faithful witness of Christian people . . .
the example of righteousness we see in parents and teachers . . .
the innocence and openness we see in children . . .
all works of Christian compassion. . . .

We give you our cares and concerns, O God, because we know you are kind and
care for your children in every circumstance. Especially we pray for
those who struggle with doubt and despair . . .
people afflicted with disease . . .
those called to special ministries . . .
people neglected or abused . . .
Baptist, Disciples of Christ, and other free churches. . . .

Setting by Eric Wyse:²

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Merciful Father,
who chose your bishop Gregory
to be a servant of the servants of God:
grant that, like him, we may ever long to serve you
by proclaiming your gospel to the nations,
and may ever rejoice to sing your praises;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. ^EH

Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14

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^BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

^EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997

^RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

¹ Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk

The three main scripture readings are from the The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Edition, The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662).

Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.

Compilation © 2020 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.