Yves Congar
Yves Marie-Joseph Congar OP (13 April 1904 – 22 June 1995) was a French Dominican friar, priest, and theologian. He is perhaps best known for his influence at the Second Vatican Council and for reviving theological interest in the Holy Spirit for the life of individuals and of the church. He was created a cardinal of the Catholic Church in 1994. Congar was an early advocate of the ecumenical movement, encouraging openness to ideas stemming from the Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestant Christianity. He promoted the concept of a “collegial” papacy and criticised the Roman Curia, ultramontanism, and the clerical pomp that he observed at the Vatican. He also promoted the role of lay people in the church. Wikipedia
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/8zfp8pca
Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age, alleluia. Matthew 28
The Spirit is breath.
The wind sings in the trees.
I would like, then, to be an Aeolian harp
and let the breath of God
make the strings vibrate and sing.
Let me stretch and tune the strings,
then let the Spirit make them sing
a clear and tuneful song of prayer and life. Amen. Yves Congar
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: John Greenleaf Whittier
Tune: Bishopthorpe https://tinyurl.com/4vbpwpsx
1 Immortal Love for ever full,
for ever flowing free,
for ever shared, for ever whole,
a never-ebbing sea.
2 Our outward lips confess the name
all other names above;
love only knoweth whence it came
and comprehendeth love.
3 We may not climb the heavenly steeps
to bring the Lord Christ down;
in vain we search the lowest deeps,
for him no depths can drown:
4 But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
a present help is he;
and faith has still its Olivet,
and love its Galilee.
5 The healing of his seamless dress
is by our beds of pain;
we touch him in life’s throng and press,
and we are whole again.
6 Through him the first fond prayers are said
our lips of childhood frame;
the last low whispers of our dead
are burdened with his name.
7 Alone, O Love ineffable,
thy saving name is given;
to turn aside from thee is hell,
to walk with thee is heaven.
PSALMS
Psalm 106 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd2cn3x8)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Who can express the noble acts of the Lord *
or shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that alway keep judgement *
and do righteousness.
4 Remember me, O Lord, according to the favour
that thou bearest unto thy people *
O visit me with thy salvation;
5 That I may see the felicity of thy chosen *
and rejoice in the gladness of thy people,
and give thanks with thine inheritance.
6 We have sinned with our fathers *
we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly.
7 Our fathers regarded not thy wonders in Egypt,
neither kept they thy great goodness in remembrance *
but were disobedient at the sea, even at the Red sea.
8 Nevertheless, he helped them for his Name’s sake *
that he might make his power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up *
so he led them through the deep, as through a wilderness.
10 And he saved them from the adversary’s hand *
and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.
11 As for those that troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them *
there was not one of them left.
12 Then believed they his words *
and sang praise unto him.
13 But within a while they forgat his works *
and would not abide his counsel.
14 But lust came upon them in the wilderness *
and they tempted God in the desert.
15 And he gave them their desire *
and sent leanness withal into their soul.
16 They angered Moses also in the tents *
and Aaron the saint of the Lord.
17 So the earth opened, and swallowed up Dathan *
and covered the congregation of Abiram.
18 And the fire was kindled in their company *
the flame burnt up the ungodly.
19 They made a calf in Horeb *
and worshipped the molten image.
20 Thus they turned their glory *
into the similitude of a calf that eateth hay.
21 And they forgat God their Saviour *
who had done so great things in Egypt;
22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham *
and fearful things by the Red sea.
23 So he said, he would have destroyed them,
had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the gap *
to turn away his wrathful indignation, lest he should destroy them.
24 Yea, they thought scorn of that pleasant land *
and gave no credence unto his word;
25 But murmured in their tents *
and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.
26 Then lift he up his hand against them *
to overthrow them in the wilderness;
27 To cast out their seed among the nations *
and to scatter them in the lands.
28 They joined themselves unto Baalpeor *
and ate the offerings of the dead.
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their own inventions *
and the plague was great among them.
30 Then stood up Phinees and prayed *
and so the plague ceased.
31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness *
among all posterities for evermore.
32 They angered him also at the waters of strife *
so that he punished Moses for their sakes;
33 Because they provoked his spirit *
so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
34 Neither destroyed they the heathen *
as the Lord commanded them;
35 But were mingled among the heathen *
and learned their works.
36 Insomuch that they worshipped their idols,
which turned to their own decay *
yea, they offered their sons and their daughters unto devils;
37 And shed innocent blood,
even the blood of their sons and of their daughters *
whom they offered unto the idols of Canaan;
and the land was defiled with blood.
38 Thus were they stained with their own works *
and went a whoring with their own inventions.
39 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people *
insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
40 And he gave them over into the hand of the heathen *
and they that hated them were lords over them.
41 Their enemies oppressed them *
and had them in subjection.
42 Many a time did he deliver them *
but they rebelled against him with their own inventions,
and were brought down in their wickedness.
43 Nevertheless, when he saw their adversity *
he heard their complaint.
44 He thought upon his covenant, and pitied them,
according unto the multitude of his mercies *
yea, he made all those that led them away captive to pity them.
45 Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen *
that we may give thanks unto thy holy Name, and make our boast of thy praise.
46 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and world without end *
and let all the people say, Amen.
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 106 (Kohlhase: https://tinyurl.com/2nshc92b)
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love is everlasting.
Who’ll tell of the power of the LORD,
or show forth all of his praise?
How blessed are those who keep justice,
and righteousness at all times!
Remember me, LORD, in your favor;
and visit me with your salvation.
Let me see your chosen ones prosper,
and glory with your inheritance.
We’ve erred like our fathers, committing sin;
so poorly we have behaved.
In Egypt they misunderstood your signs;
your graces they scorned at the sea.
But for your name’s sake you saved them,
to make your power known.
Rebuking the Red Sea he dried it up,
led through the deep as a wilderness.
Saved them from the hand of hostile ones,
redeemed from the hand of their foe.
The waters returned to drown their foes;
not one among them was left.
Therefore they trusted his words;
and they sang out his praise.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
However, they quickly forgot his works;
they did not wait for his counsel,
their cravings were strong in the wilderness,
they tested their God in the desert.
He gave to them as they desired,
along with a wasting disease.
The camp envied Moses and Aaron,
the holy ones of the LORD.
Earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
engulfing the clan of Abiram.
A fire broke out in their company;
the flame consumed the wicked.
They then made a calf in Horeb,
and worshiped a molten image.
So they exchanged their glory,
for the image of an ox that eats grass.
Forgetting their God and Savior,
who did great things in Egypt;
his signs in the land of Ham,
and marvels at the Red Sea.
He said that he would destroy them,
had Moses not stood in the gap,
to turn away his anger, from destroying them.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Then they despised the pleasant land;
they did not trust in his word,
but grumbled there within their tents,
not heeding the voice of the LORD.
Therefore he swore unto them,
he’d cast them down in the desert,
and cast their seed among nations,
to scatter them throughout the lands.
They joined themselves to Baal-peor,
and ate what was offered the dead.
Provoking his anger by their deeds,
a plague broke out among them.
Then Phinehas stood up and intervened,
thereby the plague was stopped.
Reckoned to him as righteousness,
to all generations forever.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
At Meribah’s waters they angered him,
thus making it hard for Moses;
for when they rejected the Spirit,
he rashly spoke with his lips.
They did not destroy the nations,
as ordered by the LORD,
but with the nations they mingled,
and learned of all their ways.
They started to serve their idols,
becoming a snare unto them.
For even their sons they sacrificed,
and gave their daughters to demons.
They shed the innocent blood,
of their daughters and of their sons;
gave them to the idols of Canaan.
polluting the land with their blood.
Becoming unclean in their dealings,
in deed they played the harlot.
The LORD’s anger burned at his people,
detesting his own inheritance.
He gave them into the nations’ hands,
those hating them became their rulers.
Their enemies also oppressed them,
subduing them under their power.
He often would save and counsel them;
rebellious they sank in their sin;
but he still considered their troubles,
whenever he heard their cry;
for them he remembered his covenant,
he turned from the depths of his love.
He made them as objects of pity,
in the presence of their captors.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Save us, O LORD our God,
regather us from all the nations;
to give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
forever and forever;
let the people say, “Amen.”
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
PRAYER
Merciful God,
remembering your covenant,
you graciously pardoned those who rebelled against you.
Grant that, where sin abounds,
grace may abound more;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Then Joseph returned to Egypt, he, his brothers, and everyone who left with him to bury his father.
When Joseph’s brothers realized that their father was now dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us, and wants to pay us back seriously for all of the terrible things we did to him?” So they approached Joseph and said, “Your father gave orders before he died, telling us, ‘This is what you should say to Joseph. “Please, forgive your brothers’ sins and misdeeds, for they did terrible things to you. Now, please forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God.”’” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers wept too, fell down in front of him, and said, “We’re here as your slaves.”
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I God? You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it, in order to save the lives of many people, just as he’s doing today. Now, don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So he put them at ease and spoke reassuringly to them.
Thus Joseph lived in Egypt, he and his father’s household. Joseph lived 110 years and saw Ephraim’s grandchildren. The children of Machir, Manasseh’s son, were also born on Joseph’s knees. Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m about to die. God will certainly take care of you and bring you out of this land to the land he promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Joseph made Israel’s sons promise, “When God takes care of you, you must bring up my bones out of here.” Joseph died when he was 110 years old. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.
HYMN: Anna Briggs ©
Tune: Garelochside
1. We lay our broken world
in sorrow at your feet,
haunted by hunger, war, and fear,
oppressed by power and hate.
2. Here human life seems less
than profit, might, and pride
though to unite us all in you
you lived and loved and died.
3. We bring our broken towns
our neighbours hurt and bruised;
you show us how old pain and wounds
for new life can be used.
4. We bring our broken loves,
friends parted, families torn;
then in your life and death we see
that love must be reborn.
5. We bring our broken selves,
confused and closed and tired;
then through your gift of healing grace
new purpose is inspired.
6. Breathe in us, breath of God,
our life and strength renew,
find in us trust, and hope, and love,
and lift us up to you.
The next day Peter got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa. They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Anticipating their arrival, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.”
Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.”
Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days.
HYMN: Shirley Erena Murray ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/bd6fc46n
1 For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead.
Refrain:
And God will delight when we are creators
of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators
of justice, justice and joy.
2 For woman and man, a place at the table,
revising the roles, deciding the share,
with wisdom and grace dividing the power,
for woman and man, a system that’s fair. [Refrain]
3 For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong. [Refrain]
4 For just and unjust, a place at the table,
abuser, abused, with need to forgive,
in anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy,
for just and unjust, a new way to live. [Refrain]
5 For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free. [Refrain]
While Jesus was speaking to them, a ruler came and knelt in front of him, saying, “My daughter has just died. But come and place your hand on her, and she’ll live.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.
Then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of his clothes. She thought, If I only touch his robe I’ll be healed. When Jesus turned and saw her, he said, “Be encouraged, daughter. Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that time on.
When Jesus went into the ruler’s house, he saw the flute players and the distressed crowd. He said, “Go away, because the little girl isn’t dead but is asleep”; but they laughed at him. After he had sent the crowd away, Jesus went in and touched her hand, and the little girl rose up. News about this spread throughout that whole region.
CANTICLE A Song of Peace (Isaiah 2.3-5)
https://tinyurl.com/e4efbreh
Refrain:
All Spirit of God, teach us your ways,
that we may walk in the paths of peace.
1 Come, let us go up to the mountain of God, ♦
to the house of the God of Jacob;
2 That God may teach us his ways, ♦
and that we may walk in his paths.
3 For the law shall go out from Zion, ♦
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 God shall judge between the nations, ♦
and shall mediate for many peoples.
5 They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, ♦
and their spears into pruning hooks.
6 Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, ♦
neither shall they learn war any more.
7 O people of Jacob, come: ♦
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
All Spirit of God, teach us your ways,
that we may walk in the paths of peace.
THE PRAYERS BCW 2018
Lord God, there is no one like you
in heaven above or on the earth below.
Hear our prayer.
Only say the word, Lord, and all shall be well.
For your Church in every place,
make us servants of Christ and witnesses to the gospel.
Only say the word, Lord, and all shall be well.
For leaders and people in every land,
that they may know your way and do your will.
Only say the word, Lord, and all shall be well.
For an end to oppression and exploitation,
that all your children may be free.
Only say the word, Lord, and all shall be well.
For the earth that you have made,
that it may flourish in beauty and show your glory.
Only say the word, Lord, and all shall be well.
For those who are ill and close to death,
draw near to them with life-giving power.
Only say the word, Lord, and all shall be well.
Receive all these prayers
in the tenderness of your mighty hand
and keep us forever
in the safety of your outstretched arm;
through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
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 of truth,
whose Wisdom set her table
and invited us to eat the bread
and drink the wine of the kingdom:
help us to lay aside all foolishness
and to live and walk in the way of insight,
that we may come with your servant Yves to the eternal feast of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language psalms are in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html
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 © 2025 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.
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