Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen was a Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor, psychologist and prolific writer. He taught psychology at the University of Notre Dame and pastoral theology at the Divinity Schools of Yale and Harvard before leaving academia to become the pastor at L’Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. A master communicator, Nouwen wrote and spoke with great openness and vulnerability about faith, spiritual formation, prayer, social justice, and other themes related to the spiritual life. He eventually wrote thirty-nine books before dying unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1996. He was 64 years old.1
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2afzv85h
The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world
and that which contains all things
understands what is said, alleluia. Wisdom 1
Dear Lord, help us keep our eyes on you.
You are the incarnation of Divine Love,
you are the expression of God’s infinite compassion,
you are the visible manifestation of the Father’s holiness.
You are beauty, goodness, gentleness, forgiveness, and mercy.
In you all can be found. Outside of you nothing can be found.
Why should we look elsewhere or go elsewhere?
You have the words of eternal life,
you are food and drink,
you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
You are the light that shines in the darkness,
the lamp on the lampstand,
the house on the hilltop.
You are the perfect Icon of God.
In and through you we can see the Heavenly Father,
and with you we can find our way to him. Amen. Nouwen, alt.
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: Anna Briggs ©
Tune: Thornbury https://tinyurl.com/45668znv
1 You call us out to praise you,
the God who gave us birth,
to gather in communion,
and treasure your whole earth;
we are your living story,
to hear and to be heard;
we praise your name, who writes us,
the author and the word.
2 For varied hues and textures,
new patterns, still you search,
to weave your seamless garments,
the fabric of your church;
our tattered faith you cherish,
reclaim from wear and moth;
we praise your name, who twines us,
the weaver and the cloth.
3 The church that speaks forgiveness,
confesses its own need;
the church that feels its hunger,
finds grace to care and feed;
our famished world is crying,
its future filled with dread;
we praise your name, who fills us,
the baker and the bread.
4 The church that offers healing,
discerns its wounds and loss;
the church that faces dying,
shares life beyond the cross;
to people torn and broken,
your mercy is revealed;
we praise your name, who loves us,
the healer and the healed.
5 Our feeble voices struggle,
to sing your justice clear;
the world has sunk in silence,
each discord echoes fear;
one voice alone is ragged,
together we are strong;
we praise your name, who breathes us,
the singer and the song.
PSALMS
Psalm 107 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/sp6nct3)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed *
and delivered from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west *
from the north, and from the south.
4 They went astray in the wilderness out of the way *
and found no city to dwell in;
5 Hungry and thirsty *
their soul fainted in them.
6 So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them forth by the right way *
that they might go to the city where they dwelt.
8 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the empty soul *
and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death *
being fast bound in misery and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord *
and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest;
12 He also brought down their heart through heaviness *
they fell down, and there was none to help them.
13 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivered them out of their distress.
14 For he brought them out of darkness,
and out of the shadow of death *
and brake their bonds in sunder.
15 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass *
and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Foolish men are plagued for their offence *
and because of their wickedness.
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat *
and they were even hard at death’s door.
19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivered them out of their distress.
20 He sent his word, and healed them *
and they were saved from their destruction.
21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
22 That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell out his works with gladness!
23 They that go down to the sea in ships *
and occupy their business in great waters;
24 These men see the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind ariseth *
which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep *
their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man *
and are at their wit’s end.
28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble *
he delivereth them out of their distress.
29 For he maketh the storm to cease *
so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad, because they are at rest *
and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.
31 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
33 Who turneth the floods into a wilderness *
and drieth up the water-springs.
34 A fruitful land maketh he barren *
for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water *
and water-springs of a dry ground.
36 And there he setteth the hungry *
that they may build them a city to dwell in;
37 That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards *
to yield them fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly *
and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 And again, when they are minished, and brought low *
through oppression, through any plague, or trouble;
40 Though he suffer them to be evil intreated through tyrants *
and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness;
41 Yet helpeth he the poor out of misery *
and maketh him households like a flock of sheep.
42 The righteous will consider this, and rejoice *
and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43 Whoso is wise will ponder these things *
and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.
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 107 (Gregorian Tone IV.2)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let those whom the Lord has redeemed give thanks, *
whom he has delivered from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered them out of the lands,
from the east and from the west, *
from the north and from the south.
4 They went astray in the wilderness, even in the desert, *
and found no city to dwell in;
5 They were hungry and thirsty, *
and their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them forth by a straight path *
until they came to a city where they might dwell.
8 Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the empty soul *
and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Some sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death, *
being bound fast in misery and iron,
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God *
and lightly regarded the counsel of the Most High.
12 He also brought down their heart with heaviness; *
they fell down, and there was none to help them.
13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them out of their distress.
14 For he brought them out of darkness,
and out of the shadow of death, *
and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
16 For he has broken the gates of brass *
and shattered the bars of iron asunder.
17 The foolish were plagued for their offense *
and because of their wickedness.
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, *
and they were even close to death’s door.
19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, *
he delivered them out of their distress.
20 He sent his word and healed them, *
and they were saved from destruction.
21 Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
22 That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his works with gladness!
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, *
who carry out their business in great waters,
24 They behold the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind arises, *
which lifts up the waves.
26 They are carried up to heaven and down again to the deep; *
their soul melts away because of the trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, *
and are at their wits’ end.
28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, *
he delivers them out of their distress.
29 For he makes the storm to cease, *
so that the waves are still.
30 Then they are glad, because they are at rest, *
and so he brings them into the haven where they desire to be.
31 Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
33 He turns rivers into a wilderness *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
34 A fruitful land he makes barren, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35 Again, he makes the wilderness into pools of water *
and dry ground into water-springs;
36 And there he sets the hungry *
that they may build a city to dwell in,
37 That they may sow their land and plant vineyards *
to yield the fruits of increase.
38 He blesses them, so that they multiply exceedingly, *
and does not allow their cattle to decrease.
39 And again, when they are diminished and brought low, *
through oppression, through any plague or trouble,
40 Though he pours contempt on princes *
and lets them wander in the pathless wilderness,
41 Yet he helps the poor out of misery *
and increases their households like a flock of sheep.
42 The righteous will consider this and rejoice, *
and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43 Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
O God,
you are light to the lost,
bread to the hungry,
deliverance to the captive,
healing to the sick, eternal vision to the dying,
and harbor to every soul in peril.
Gather the wanderers from every corner of the world
into the community of your mercy and grace,
that we may eternally praise you
for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:6, 16-25
Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed offerings of well-being before the Lord, and there Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.
Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to you in all that you have said to me and have set a king over you. See, it is the king who leads you now; I am old and gray, but my sons are with you. I have led you from my youth until this day. Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you.” They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from the hand of anyone.” He said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”
Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of the land of Egypt. Now, therefore, take your stand and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain, and you shall know and see that the wickedness that you have done in the sight of the Lord is great in demanding a king for yourselves.” So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins the evil of demanding a king for ourselves.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart, and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless. For the Lord will not cast away his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
HYMN: Fannie Davison
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/3vfujrmc
1 Purer in heart, O God,
Help me to be;
May I devote my life
Wholly to Thee.
Watch Thou my wayward feet,
Guide me with counsel sweet;
Purer in heart,
Help me to be.
2 Purer in heart, O God,
Help me to be;
Teach me to do Thy will
Most lovingly.
Be Thou my friend and guide,
Let me with Thee abide;
Purer in heart,
Help me to be.
3 Purer in heart, O God,
Help me to be;
Until Thy holy face
One day I see.
Keep me from secret sin,
Reign Thou my soul within;
Purer in heart,
Help me to be.
READING: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised.
HYMN: Ralph Hudson
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/y58u7huc
1 My life, my love I give to Thee,
Thou Lamb of God who died for me;
O may I ever faithful be,
My Savior and my God!
Refrain:
I’ll live for him who died for me,
How happy then my life shall be!
I’ll live for him who died for me,
My Savior and my God!
2 I now believe thou dost receive,
For Thou hast died That I might live;
And now henceforth I’ll trust in Thee,
My Savior and my God! [Refrain]
3 O Thou who died on Calvary,
To save my soul and make me free;
I’ll consecrate My life to Thee,
My Savior and my God! [Refrain]
READING: Luke 8:26-39
Then Jesus and the disciples arrived at the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on shore, a man from the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had not worn any clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, shouting, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me,” for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding, and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd stampeded down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they became frightened. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then the whole throng of people of the surrounding region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone out begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
CANTICLE Isaiah 40:10-17 (Sing the Hours)
Here comes with power
the Lord God,
who rules by his strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
Carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.
Who has cupped in his hand the waters of the sea,
and marked off the heavens with a span?
Who has held in a measure the dust of the earth,
weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
Who has directed the spirit of the Lord,
or has instructed him as his counselor?
Whom did he consult to gain knowledge?
Who taught him the path of judgment,
or showed him the way of understanding?
Behold, the nations count as a drop of the bucket,
as dust on the scales;
the coastlands weigh no more than powder.
Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor its animals be enough for holocausts.
Before him all the nations are as nought,
as nothing and void he accounts them.
THE PRAYERS AAPB
God our Father,
you gave your Son Jesus Christ
to share our common life,
to grow in wisdom,
to work with his hands,
and to make known the ways of your kingdom:
We give thanks
for his revelation of yourself
for his care and acceptance of people
for his joy in obedience . . .
for the value he gave to human work
for the strength he promised us in serving others
for the call to follow in his way . . .
for all opportunities of work and leisure
for all the truth we have learned
for all the discoveries humankind has made . . .
We pray for our human society
those who work
the unemployed
those who teach and those who learn . . .
research workers . . .
those who work in the press, radio, and television . . .
those who maintain the life of our community . . .
Give us reverence for the truth,
and wisdom to use the knowledge you give us
to the glory of your Name
and the benefit of humankind
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
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.
Eternal God, light of the world and Creator of all that is good and lovely: We bless your name for inspiring Henri Nouwen and all those who with images and words have filled us with desire and love for you; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. HWHM
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.
AAPB An Australian Prayer Book, © 1978 Anglican Church of Australia
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © 2010 The Church Pension Fund.
1 https://www.henrinouwen.org/about-henri-nouwen
The main scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 107 is from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps.
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 