Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII changed the landscape of twentieth century Christianity. Born in Northern Italy in 1881, Angelo Roncalli was trained in Roman Catholic schools from an early age. After military service, Roncalli was ordained a priest in 1904. His passion for social justice for working people and for the poor was formed early and remained an important commitment of his ministry. In 1958, Cardinal Roncalli was elected Pope and took the name John XXIII. After the long pontificate of Pius XII, it was widely assumed that John XXIII would be a brief “placeholder” pope of minor consequence. During the first year of his pontificate, he called the Second Vatican Council for the purpose of renewing and revitalizing the church. The work of the Council transformed the church of the twentieth century, not only for Roman Catholics, but for all Christians. With its emphasis on liturgical renewal, ecumenism, world peace, and social justice, the legacy of the Council continues to inspire the mission of the church among Christians of all traditions. He died June 3, 1963, before the work of the Council was completed. HWHM
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/589h5dmw
With the Lord there is mercy;
in him is plentiful redemption. Psalm 130
God our shepherd,
you have brought us through this day
to a time of reflection and rest.
Calm our souls,
and refresh us with your peace.
Keep us close to Christ
and draw us closer to one another
in the bonds of his wondrous love.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW2018
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: Kenneth Lorne Cober ©
Tune: All is Well https://tinyurl.com/y4ez5w2f
1 Renew your church, our ministries restore:
both to serve and adore.
Make us again as salt throughout the land,
and as light from a stand.
‘Mid somber shadows of the night,
where greed and hatreds spread their blight,
O send us forth with power endued,
help us, Lord, be renewed.
2 Teach us your Word, reveal its truth divine,
on our path let it shine;
tell of your works, your mighty acts of grace,
from each page show your face.
As you have loved us, sent your Son,
and our salvation now is won,
O let our hearts with love be stirred,
help us, Lord, know your Word.
3 Teach us to pray, for you are ever near,
your still voice let us hear.
Our souls are restless till they rest in you,
this the goal we pursue.
Before your presence keep us still
that we may find for us your will,
and seek your guidance every day,
teach us, Lord, how to pray.
4 Teach us to love, with strength of heart and mind,
each and all, humankind;
break down old walls of prejudice and hate,
leave us not to our fate.
As you have loved and given your life
to end hostility and strife,
O share your grace from heaven above,
teach us, Lord, how to love.
PSALMS
Psalm 22 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tcvjnwc)
1 My God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me *
and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint?
2 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not *
and in the night-season also I take no rest.
3 And thou continuest holy *
O thou worship of Israel.
4 Our fathers hoped in thee *
they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
5 They called upon thee, and were holpen *
they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
6 But as for me, I am a worm, and no man *
a very scorn of men, and the out-cast of the people.
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn *
they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
8 He trusted in God, that he would deliver him *
let him deliver him, if he will have him.
9 But thou art he that took me out of my mother’s womb *
thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother’s breasts.
10 I have been left unto thee ever since I was born *
thou art my God even from my mother’s womb.
11 O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand *
and there is none to help me.
12 Many oxen are come about me *
fat bulls of Basan close me in on every side.
13 They gape upon me with their mouths *
as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint *
my heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue cleaveth to my gums *
and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death.
16 For many dogs are come about me *
and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me.
17 They pierced my hands and my feet; I may tell all my bones *
they stand staring and looking upon me.
18 They part my garments among them *
and cast lots upon my vesture.
19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord *
thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.
20 Deliver my soul from the sword *
my darling from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth *
thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns.
22 I will declare thy Name unto my brethren *
in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23 O praise the Lord, ye that fear him *
magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob,
and fear him, all ye seed of Israel;
24 For he hath not despised, nor abhorred,
the low estate of the poor *
he hath not hid his face from him,
but when he called unto him he heard him.
25 My praise is of thee in the great congregation *
my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
26 The poor shall eat, and be satisfied *
they that seek after the Lord shall praise him;
your heart shall live for ever.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember themselves,
and be turned unto the Lord *
and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s *
and he is the Governor among the people.
29 All such as be fat upon earth *
have eaten, and worshipped.
30 All they that go down into the dust shall kneel before him *
and no man hath quickened his own soul.
31 My seed shall serve him *
they shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation.
32 They shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness *
unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.
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 23 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/swfdhyk)
1 The Lord is my shepherd *
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture *
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul *
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil *
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me *
thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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 22 (Tonus peregrinus)
2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? †
Why are you far from saving me,
so far from my words of anguish?
3 O my God, I call by day and you do not answer; *
I call by night and find no reprieve.
4 Yet you, O God, are holy, *
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
5 In you our ancestors put their trust; *
they trusted and you set them free.
6 When they cried to you, they escaped; *
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
7 But I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
8 All who see me deride me; *
they curl their lips, they toss their heads:
9 “He trusted in the LORD, let him save him; *
let him release him, for in him he delights.”
10 Yes, it was you who took me from the womb, *
entrusted me to my mother’s breast.
11 To you I was committed from birth; *
from my mother’s womb, you have been my God.
12 Stay not far from me; *
trouble is near, and there is no one to help.
13 Many bulls have surrounded me *
fierce bulls of Bashan close me in.
14 Against me they open wide their mouths, *
like a lion, rending and roaring.
15 Like water I am poured out, *
disjointed are all my bones.
My heart has become like wax, *
it is melted within my breast.
16 Parched as burnt clay is my throat, *
my tongue cleaves fast to my jaws.
You lay me in the dust of death. †
17 For dogs have surrounded me; *
a band of the wicked besets me.
They tear holes in my hands and my feet; *
18 I can count every one of my bones.
They stare at my and gloat. †
19 They divide my clothing among them, *
they cast lots for my robe.
20 But you, O LORD, do not stay afar off; *
my strength, make haste to help me!
21 Rescue my soul from the sword, *
my life from the grip of the dog.
22 Save my life from the jaws of the lion, *
my poor soul from the horns of wild bulls.
23 I will tell of your name to my kin, *
and praise you in the midst of the assembly.
24 “You who fear the LORD, give him praise; †
all descendants of Jacob give him glory; *
revere him, all you descendants of Israel.
25 For he has never despised *
nor scorned the poverty of the poor.
From him he has not hidden his face, *
but has heard him whenever he cried.”
26 You are my praise in the great assembly. †
My vows I will pay before those who fear him. *
27 The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
They shall praise the LORD, those who seek him. *
May your hearts live on forever and ever!
28 All the earth shall remember and return to the LORD, †
all families of the nations worship before him, *
29 for the kingdom is the LORD’s, he is the ruler of the nations.
32 They have eaten and adore him, all who sleep in the earth; *
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.
31 And my soul shall live for him, my descendants serve him. *
They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come.
32 declare his saving justice to the peoples yet unborn: *
“These are the things the LORD has done.”
Psalm 23 (Gregorian Tone 6)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
there is nothing I shall want.
2 Fresh and green are the pastures *
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me; *
3 he revives my soul.
He guides me along the right path, *
for the sake of his name.
4 Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death †
no evil would I fear, for you are with me. *
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort.
5 You have prepared a table before me *
in the sight of my foes.
6 My head you have anointed with oil; *
my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me *
all the days of my life.
In the LORD’s own house shall I dwell *
for length of days unending.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, our good shepherd,
in the waters of Baptism you give us birth,
and at your table you nourish us with heavenly food.
In your goodness and mercy,
lead us along safe paths,
beyond the terrors of evil and death,
to the house of the Lord
where we may rest securely in you forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Genesis 42:1-17
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you keep looking at one another? I have heard,” he said, “that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. Thus the sons of Israel were among the people who came to buy grain, for the famine had reached the land of Canaan.
Now Joseph was governor over the land; it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.” Although Joseph had recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Joseph also remembered the dreams that he had dreamed about them. He said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land!” They said to him, “No, my lord; your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants have never been spies.” But he said to them, “No, you have come to see the nakedness of the land!” They said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of a certain man in the land of Canaan; the youngest, however, is now with our father, and one is no more.” But Joseph said to them, “It is just as I have said to you; you are spies! Here is how you shall be tested: as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here! Let one of you go and bring your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison, in order that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else, as Pharaoh lives, surely you are spies.” And he put them all together in prison for three days.
HYMN: Psalm 133; para. Sing Psalms, alt. ©
Tune: Dunlap’s Creek https://tinyurl.com/bde5ez6m
1 How excellent a thing it is,
how pleasant and how good,
when kindred dwell in unity
and live as kindred should!
2 For it is like the precious oil,
poured out on Aaron’s head,
that, running over, down his beard,
upon his collar spread.
3 Like Hermon’s dew, upon the hill
of Zion it descends.
The LORD bestows his blessing there—
the life that never ends.
READING: Romans 16:1-20
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but also all the churches of the gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Israelites who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my fellow Israelite Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who create dissensions and hindrances, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For your obedience is known to all; therefore, I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
HYMN: Josua Stegmann; trans. August Crull
Tune: Christus, der ist mein Leben https://tinyurl.com/jh44uva7
1 Abide, O dearest Jesus,
Among us with Thy grace,
That Satan may not harm us,
Nor we to sin give place.
2 Abide, O dear Redeemer,
Among us with Thy Word,
And thus now and hereafter
True peace and joy afford.
3 Abide with heavenly brightness
Among us, precious Light;
Thy truth direct, and keep us
From error’s gloomy night.
4 Abide with richest blessings
Among us, bounteous Lord;
Let us in grace and wisdom
Grow daily through Thy Word.
5 Abide with Thy protection
Among us, Lord our strength;
Lest world and Satan fell us,
And overcome at length.
6 Abide, O faithful Savior,
Among us with Thy love,
Grant steadfastness, and help us
To reach our home above.
READING: Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For the judgment you give will be the judgment you get, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 55:6-11 (Chant by Henry Purcell, arr. James Turle)
Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; *
call upon him when he draws near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways *
and the evil ones their thoughts;
And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion, *
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, *
nor your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, *
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as rain and snow fall from the heavens *
and return not again, but water the earth,
Bringing forth life and giving growth, *
seed for sowing and bread for eating,
So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *
it will not return to me empty;
But it will accomplish that which I have purposed, *
and prosper in that for which I sent it.
THE PRAYERS BCW
Mighty God of mercy,
we thank you for the resurrection dawn
bringing the glory of our risen Lord
who makes every day new.
Especially we thank you for
the beauty of your creation . . .
the new creation in Christ and all gifts of healing and forgiveness . . .
the sustaining love of family and friends . . .
the fellowship of faith in your church. . . .
Merciful God of might,
renew this weary world,
heal the hurts of all your children,
and bring about your peace for all
in Christ Jesus, the living Lord.
Especially we pray for
those who govern nations of the world . . .
the people in countries ravaged by strife or warfare . . .
all who work for peace and international harmony . . .
all who strive to save the earth from destruction . . .
the church of Jesus Christ in every land. . . .
Setting: Sanford Dole https://tinyurl.com/y7ldq7h5
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
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.
Lord of all truth and peace,
you raised up your bishop John
to be servant of the servants of God
and gave him wisdom to call
for the work of renewing your Church:
Grant that, following his example,
we may reach out to other Christians
and embrace them with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen. HWHM, alt.
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.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © Church Publishing, Inc.
BCW2018 The intercession is adapted from Book of Common Worship (2018), Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
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 version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalms marked Gregorian are from The Abbey Psalms and Canticles ©2010, 2018 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. ©2020 as recorded for the Chants and Rants YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chantsandrants
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 © 2026 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 