Thomas Becket
Thomas was born in London in 1118, of a family of merchants. After a good education he served as clerk to another burgess then entered the service of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury. Thomas proved himself an excellent administrator and skilled diplomat. In 1155 he was appointed chancellor by King Henry II. For several years king and chancellor worked harmoniously together in mutual admiration and personal friendship. As a result, the king nominated Thomas as Archbishop of Canterbury to succeed Theobald in 1161. From the start there was friction, with Thomas insisting on every privilege of the Church. The conflict worsened until 1164 when Thomas fled to France. Encouraged by the Pope he pursued his arguments from exile, sending letters and pronouncing excommunications. Three efforts at mediation failed before an apparent reconciliation brought him back triumphant to Canterbury in 1170. But the nobility still opposed him, and words of anger at court led four knights to journey to Canterbury where they finally chased Thomas into the cathedral, and murdered him on the steps of the altar on this day in 1170. Thomas was undoubtedly a proud and stubborn man, for all his gifts, and his personal austerities as archbishop were probably an attempt at self- discipline after years of ostentatious luxury. His conflict with King Henry stemmed from their equal personal ambitions, exacerbated by the increasingly international claims of the papacy, played out in the inevitable tension between Church and State. EH
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/uhctaxua
Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me;
save the servant who trusts in you, my God.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Psalm 86
Almighty God,
you have poured upon us
the new light of your incarnate Word:
Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
HYMN: Johann von Rist; trans. st. 1 John Troutbeck; trans. sts. 2-3 Fred Pratt Green ©
Tune: Ermuntre dich https://tinyurl.com/4rwszda7
1 Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light,
and usher in the morning.
O shepherds, shrink not with affright,
but hear the angel’s warning.
This child, now weak in infancy,
our confidence and joy shall be,
the power of Satan breaking,
our peace eternal making.
2 This night of wonder, night of joy,
was born the Christ, our brother.
He comes, not mighty to destroy,
to bid us love each other.
How could he quit his high estate
for such a world of greed and hate?
What deep humiliation
secured the world’s salvation!
3 Come, dearest child, into our hearts,
and leave your crib behind you!
Let this be where the new life starts
for all who seek and find you.
To you be honor, thanks, and praise,
for all your gifts this time of grace.
Come conquer and deliver
this world, and us, forever.
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!
PSALMS
Psalm 142 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ya9l4yc4)
1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice *
yea, even unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaints before him *
and shewed him of my trouble.
3 When my spirit was in heaviness thou knewest my path *
in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked also upon my right hand *
and saw there was no man that would know me.
5 I had no place to flee unto *
and no man cared for my soul.
6 I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said *
Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living.
7 Consider my complaint *
for I am brought very low.
8 O deliver me from my persecutors *
for they are too strong for me.
9 Bring my soul out of prison,
that I may give thanks unto thy Name *
which thing if thou wilt grant me,
then shall the righteous resort unto my company.
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 142 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-142-1.mp3)
1 I cry to the LORD with my voice; *
to the LORD I make loud supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before him *
and tell him all my trouble.
3 When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path; *
in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me; *
I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.
5 I cry out to you, O LORD; *
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very low; *
save me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your Name; *
when you have dealt bountifully with me,
the righteous will gather around me.
Psalm 143 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y76nm8vs)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire *
hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness’ sake.
2 And enter not into judgement with thy servant *
for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul;
he hath smitten my life down to the ground *
he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit vexed within me *
and my heart within me is desolate.
5 Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works *
yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee *
my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.
7 Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint *
hide not thy face from me,
lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning,
for in thee is my trust *
shew thou me the way that I should walk in,
for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies *
for I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God *
let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.
11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name’s sake *
and for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy goodness slay mine enemies *
and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.
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 143 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-143.mp3)
1 LORD, hear my prayer,
and in your faithfulness heed my supplications; *
answer me in your righteousness.
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, *
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3 For my enemy has sought my life;
he has crushed me to the ground; *
he has made me live in dark places like those who are long dead.
4 My spirit faints within me; *
my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds; *
I consider the works of your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to you; *
my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.
7 O LORD, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; *
do not hide your face from me
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
for I put my trust in you; *
show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD, *
for I flee to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; *
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 Revive me, O LORD, for your Name’s sake; *
for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
12 Of your goodness, destroy my enemies
and bring all my foes to naught, *
for truly I am your servant.
PRAYER
God our refuge,
when all friends have forsaken us
and enemies line all our paths,
come quickly to our aid.
Lead us out from captivity
into the light of your freedom,
secured for us in the sacrifice
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: 1 Chronicles 28:1-10
David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of the thousands, the commanders of the hundreds, the stewards of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty warriors, and all the warriors. Then King David rose to his feet and said: ‘Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had planned to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool of our God; and I made preparations for building. But God said to me, “You shall not build a house for my name, for you are a warrior and have shed blood.” Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my ancestral house to be king over Israel for ever; for he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took delight in making me king over all Israel. And of all my sons, for the Lord has given me many, he has chosen my son Solomon to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He said to me, “It is your son Solomon who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be a son to me, and I will be a father to him. I will establish his kingdom for ever if he continues resolute in keeping my commandments and my ordinances, as he is today.” Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and search out all the commandments of the Lord your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you for ever.
‘And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the Lord searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you for ever. Take heed now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary; be strong, and act.’
HYMN: Daniel C Roberts
Tune: Birmingham https://tinyurl.com/53dz6z4s
1 God of the ages, whose almighty hand
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
2 Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
in this free land with thee our lot is cast;
be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.
3 From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
be thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
thy true religion in our hearts increase;
thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
4 Refresh thy people on their toilsome way;
lead us from night to never-ending day;
fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
Reading: Galatians 3:15-18
Brothers and sisters, I give an example from daily life: once a person’s will has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, ‘And to offsprings’, as of many; but it says, ‘And to your offspring’, that is, to one person, who is Christ. My point is this: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.
HYMN: Carl P Daw ©
Tune: Es flog ein kleins Waldvöglein https://tinyurl.com/2p92n2p4
Refrain:
My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord,
rejoicing in God’s greatness,
my spirit is restored.
1 To me has God shown favor,
to one the world thought frail,
and ev’ry age will echo
the angel’s first “All hail.” [Refrain]
2 God’s mercy shields the faithful
and saves them from defeat,
with strength that turns to scatter
the proud in their conceit. [Refrain]
3 The mighty have been vanquished,
the lowly lifted up.
The hungry find abundance,
the rich, an empty cup. [Refrain]
4 To Abraham’s descendants,
the Lord will steadfast prove,
for God has made with Israel
a covenant of love. [Refrain]
Reading: John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
CANTICLE Isaiah 60:1-19
(Jered McKenna https://tinyurl.com/y7ccoep2)
Arise shine for your light has come and the glory of God is on you
Arise see when the earth grows dark that the Lord will arise upon you
The Lord will arise upon you
Nations will come to your light lift up your eyes and see
We’ll gather together and come to you
And your love will be all that we know
Your love will be all that we know
The sun will not shine cause you’ll be all the light that we need
and violence will end all the wars that we wage will cease
We will glorify your name
We will glorify your name.
Arise come to the open gates for the Father is welcoming you
Fear not for the Lord brings peace and redemption to all who believe
Redemption to all who believe
Nations will come to your light lift up your eyes and see
We’ll gather together and come to you
And your love will be all that we know
Your love will be all that we know
The sun will not shine cause you’ll be all the light that we need
and violence will end all the wars that we wage will cease
We will glorify your name
We will glorify your name.
THE PRAYERS BAS
(In joy and humility let us pray to the creator of the universe,
saying, “Lord, grant us peace.”)
By the good news of our salvation brought to Mary by the
angel, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
By the mystery of the Word made flesh, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
By the manifestation of the King of glory to the shepherds and magi, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
By the submission of the maker of the world to Mary and Joseph, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
By the baptism of the Son of God in the river Jordan, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
Grant that the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
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.
God our strength and support,
you gave your servant Thomas Becket
courage and steadfastness
to defend your church with his life;
make us bold to proclaim your truth
and ready to suffer for your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FATS
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
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
FATS For All the Saints, © The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, 2014
BAS The Book of Alternative Services, 1985, Anglican Church of Canada
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 traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel.
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 © 2021 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.
Oremus 