Bible devotions for Christian unity


Bible Devotions
for

Christian Unity

by GEOFFREY WOOD, S.A.



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:

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Superior General

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Gensor Librorum

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:

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Archbishop of New York

August 22, 1963

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fi-bY

;Bfble Oetiotions

for

Christian Unity

By Geoffbey Wood, S.A.

CENTRAL OFFICE

CHAIR OF UNITY APOSTOLATE
GRAYMOOR, GARRISON, N. Y.



(Contents

Bible Devotions for the Chair of

Unity Octave—By Geoffrey Wood,

S.A. 3

Introduction 5

1. One Family Under God 7

2. The Good Shepherd 12

3. The Temple of God 17

4. Charity, the Bond of Unity 22

5. The Spirit of Life 28

6. Peace 33

7. The Water of Life 39

8.

The Holy Spirit and Sonship 44



jBiblt ©Eisotions for

Christian flnitg

By Geoffrey Wood, S.A.

Note: The following Bible Devotions
may be used for congregational observ-
ance of the Chair of Unity Octave. All

may be used during the entire Octave
—one for each day. Or a choice may be
made from among them to solemnize the
opening and closing days or alternate
days or the Sunday within the Octave.
They may also be utilized throughout
the year on monthly days of prayer
from Christian Unity. The Graymoor
Friars hope to add more to this collec-
tion in future editions of the Octave
prayers. The devotions are independent
of the specific daily intentions of the

Octave and can therefore be used on
any day; the homily provides an oppor-
timity for development of the day’s in-
tention if desired.

The narrator may use the pulpit or a
lectern in the sanctuary. Another lectern
with a Bible should be set up in the
center of the sanctuary and near the al-
tar rail facing the people. Three laymen
may serve as lectors or readers. Each

3



will approach the Bible at the proper
time and read the passage designated.
The Psalms, antiphons, etc. assigned

to the congregation can be recited.
However, some of these have been put
to simple music and may be sung by
the congregation or a choir. We refer
the reader to the Gelineau Psalms, ob-

tainable from the Gregorian Institute,
Toledo, Ohio, for the music to Psalms

84 (Bible Dev.l), 133 (Bible Dev.3),
79 (Bible Dev.4), 62 (Bible Dev. 7),
and the Canticle of Simeon (Bible Dev.

6); to Songs of Unity, Grailville, Love-
land, Ohio, for the music to the Canticle

of Jeremia (Bible Dev. 2), the Charity
Antiphon (Bible Dev. 6), and Psalm
132 (Bible Devs. 4 and 8); to Cantus
Populi, McLaughlin and Reilly, Co.,
Boston, Mass., for the music to Psalm 99
(Bible Devs. 3 and 7). If more singing is
desired, appropriate hymns may be sub-
stituted for some of the Psalms of a par-
ticular devotion or added as recessionals.

It is suggested that some social get-
together follow these devotions when-
ever Protestants or Orthodox join Cath-

olics in their celebration.

4



Introduction

(To be used before each Devotion)

Narrator: God has a message for all
of us who profess allegiance to Jesus as
Messiah, Lord, Savior of the World. His
message is in the Sacred Scripture. We
shall listen to his word and ponder it. In
ancient times God said: “Let there be
light,” and light was made. He spoke,
and the heavens were created. The
word of God is no idle word. It is “alive
and dynamic, more penetrating than
any two-edged sword.”

5



Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2016

https://archive.org/details/bibledevotionsfoOOwood



1 . One jfamilg Bndcr 6od

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: The Lord’s Prayer

Narrator: Mankind is meant to form
one true family under God. The story of
our first parents, Adam and Eve, carries
this lesson. This arrangement is the key

to life, prosperity, and happiness. But
man rejected this. He sought an inde-
pendence far beyond his status of crea-
ture. The Book of Genesis describes the
consequences of man’s rebellion:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity Gen. 3:22-24 and 4:1-9)

Narrator: Adam turned against God.
Gain turned on Abel. Self-idolization
breeds human disintegration. The out-
come is inevitable. Let us pray for sal-
vation:

All recite: Psalm 84(85)
You have favored, O Lord, your land;|

you have restored the well-being of
Jacob.]

You have forgiven the guilt of your
people;]

7



you have covered all their sins.|
You have withdrawn all your wrath;

|

you have revoked your burning anger.
]

Restore us, O God our savior,]
and abandon your displeasure against
us.

I

Will you be ever angry with us,|
prolonging your anger to all genera-

tions?]

Will you not instead give us life;]
and shall not your people rejoice in
you?]

Show us, O Lord, your kindness,]
and grant us your salvation.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: The story of Cain and Abel
illustrates the bitter consequence of

man’s rebellion against God. The story
of Noah and the Flood teaches us that
mankind’s growing rejection of his

Maker can lead the world back to chaos.
But God perseveres. In saving Noah
and his family God would establish
mankind on a family basis again. But
if God is persevering, man remains
stubborn. The Book of Genesis tells us
so:

2nd Lector: (Reads Gen. 8:15-22 and
Gen 11:1-9.)

8



Narrator: Self-idolization breeds hu-

man disintegration. For our pride and
contribution toward the confusion reign-

ing in the world let us manifest contri-

tion:

All recite: Psalm 12(13)

How long, O Lord? Will you utterly
forget me?

I

How long will you hide your face
from me?

I

How long shall I harbor sorrow in my
soul,

I

grief in my heart day after day?|
How long will my enemy triumph over
me?

I

Look, answer me, O Lord, my God!|

Give light to my eyes that I may not
sleep in death,

|

lest my enemy say, “I have overcome
him”;

Lest my foes rejoice at my downfall
|

though I trusted in your kindness.
|

Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
j

let me sing of the Lord,]
‘'He has been good to me.”

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: From among the scattered
nations God established a new family

9



—that of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Through it he would try to draw aU
men into harmony with himself and
each other. But Israel, too, followed its
own course and became dispersed. Fi-
nally out of the remnant of Israel there
appeared Jesus Christ—God himself be-
come man—to set an enduring pattern
of true sonship and obedience and to
communicate this to all men. Only in
whole-hearted union with Jesus can
mankind attain tiTie harmony and peace
under God and ultimately flourish.

3rd Lector: (Reads John 17:1-5 and
17:20-26)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he desires.)

Narrator: Let us recite with gratitude

and joy Psalm 2:

All recite: Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage|

and the peoples utter folly?
|

The kings of the earth rise up,|
and the princes conspire together]
against the Lord and against his

anointed:]

10



“Let us break their fetters]

and cast their bonds from us!”|

He who is throned in heaven laughs;]
the Lord derides them.]

Then in anger he speaks to them;]
he terrifies them in his wrath:]

“I myself have set up my king
on Sion, my holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord:]

The Lord said to me, “You are my
son;]

this day I have begotten you.]
Ask of me and I will give you]

the nations for an inheritance]
and the ends of the earth for your
possession.”

Benediction (Optional)

Concluding Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles: “Peace I
leave with you, my peace I give to
you” look not upon our sins, but upon
the faith of your Church and grant unto
her that peace and unity which are
agreeable to your will; you who live and
reign as God forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

11



2. %\iz (5ood Shepherd

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: The Lord’s Prayer
Narrator: God chose Moses, the shep-

herd, to bring the Israelites out of

Egypt and lead them to a union with
him at Mount Sinai and from there to
the land of Canaan, a land flowing with
milk and honey. Later he chose the
shepherd David to defeat the enemies
of his flock and bring it peace. But the
successors of Moses and David neg-
lected their shepherding and Israel
was ravaged and scattered. Then the
prophet Ezechiel rose up and spoke for
God:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity Ezechiel 34:1-16)

Narrator: Let us utter the words
given us by the Holy Spirit:

All recite: Psalm 22(23)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not
want.

I

In verdant pastures he gives me re-
pose;!

Beside restful waters he leads me;|

he refreshes my soul.j

12



He guides me in right paths
|

for his name’s sake.j

Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side

With your rod and your staff]
that give me courage.]

You spread the table before me]
in the sight of my foes;]

You anoint my head with oil;]
my cup overflows.]

Only goodness and kindness follow me]
all the days of my life;]

And I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord]

for years to come.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Jesus, who was welcomed
into this world by the shepherds
of Bethlehem, fulfills the promise of

Ezechiel. He had compassion on the
crowds because they were like sheep
without a shepherd. Wandering, scat-
tered, defenseless men can only find
sustenance and security within the one
fold of Christ:

2nd Lector: (Reads John 10:1-21)
Narrator: Let us make our own the

words of Jeremia:

All recite: Jeremia 31:10-14
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,]

13



proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:|
He who scattered Israel, now gathers
them together,

I

he guards them as a shepherd his
flock.

I

The Lord shall ransom Jacob,
|

he shall redeem him from the hand
of his conqueror.

I

Shouting, they shall mount the heights
of Sion,

I

they shall come streaming to the
Lord’s blessings;

I

The grain, the wine, and the oil,|
the sheep and the oxen;|

They themselves shall be like watered
gardens,

I

never again shall they languish.
|

Then the virgins shall make merry and
dance,

I

and young men and old as well.|
I will turn their mourning into joy.|

I will console and gladden them after
their sorrows.

|

I will lavish choice portions upon the
priests,

I

and my people shall be filled with
my blessings.
Silent Prayer.

Narrator: When Jesus was about to
leave this earth, he called Peter and

14



asked: “Simon, do you love me?” Peter
replied, “Lord, you know that I love
you.” Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs;
feed my sheep.” Peter speaks to us
now from his first epistle, reminding us
to be gentle and patient, to give up all
selfishness and find our unity in Christ:

3rd Lector: (Reads 1 Peter 2:1-10
and 2:21-25)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he may desire.)

Narrator: In gratitude and hope let
us say with the psalmist;

All recite: Psalm 94(95)
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;|

let us acclaim the Rock of our salva-
tion.

|

Let us greet him with thanksgiving;]
let us joyfully sing psalms to him]

For the Lord is a great God,|
and a great king above all gods;|

In his hands are the depths of the
earth,]

and the tops of the mountains are
his.]

His is the sea, for he has made it,]

15



and the dry land, which his hands
have formed.

I

Come, let us bow down in worship;]
let us kneel before the Lord who
made us.|

For he is our God,|
and we are the people he shepherds,
the flock he guides.

Benediction ( Optional

)

Concluding Prayer: O God, you cor-
rect what has gone astray and gather
together what is scattered, and keep
together what is gathered. We pray you
mercifully to pour down upon Christian
people the grace of union with you.

May they put aside disunity and attach
themselves to the true shepherd of your

Church. May they be able to give you
due service: through our Lord Jesus,
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever
and ever.

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

16



3. 'Che Cempic of 6od

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: Psalm 133(134)
Come, bless the Lord,]

all you servants of the Lord|
Who stand in the house of the Lord.|
Lift up your hands toward the sanctu-
ary,

I

and bless the Lord.|
May the Lord bless you from Sion,|

the maker of heaven and earth.

Narrator: God condescended to dwell
among the Israehtes. The Temple was
his dwelling place. From this Temple
God offered strength and salvation. But
the Israelites neglected God, went after
idols, and fought among themselves.
Considering himself unwanted, God
withdrew from their midst. Israel stood
alone and was soon overrun; Temple
and city were destroyed. Israel then re-
pented and God, having pity on his
scattered and desolate people, prom-
ised them peace and a New Temple
through Ezechiel:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity Ezechiel 37:21-28)

17



Narrator: Let us praise God with the
Israelites of old:

All recite: Psalm 99(100)
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;]

serve the Lord with gladness;]
come before him with joyful song.]

Know that the Lord is God;]
he made us, his we are;]
his people, the flock he tends.]

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,]

his courts with praise;]

Give thanks to him; bless his name, for
he is good:]
the Lord, whose kindness endures
forever,

]

and his faithfulness, to all generations.
Silent Frayer.

Narrator: God promised to dwell once
again in the midst of his people. He
promised to raise up for them a New
Temple. But this Temple would not be
a hfeless thing of stone and cedar. God
would take on flesh:
2nd Lector: (Reads John 2:13-22)
Narrator: In thanksgiving for the liv-

ing Temple which is Jesus, let us recite
Psalm 117:
AU recite: Psalm 117(118)

My strength and my courage is the
Lord,

]

18



and he has been my savior.
|

The joyful shout of victory
|

in the tents of the just:|

“The right hand of the Lord has struck
with power:

I

the right hand of the Lord is lifted
up;

I

the right hand of the Lord has struck
with power.”

I

I shall not die, but live,|

and declare the works of the Lord.|

Though the Lord has indeed chastised
me,

I

yet he has not delivered me to
death.

|

Open to me the gates of justice;
|

I will enter them and give thanks to
the Lord.

I

This gate is the Lord’s;]

the just shall enter it.|

I will give thanks to you, for you have’
answered me|

and have been my savior.]
The stone which the builders rejected]

has become the cornerstone.]
By the Lord has this been done;]

it is wonderful in our eyes.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Through Jesus Christ God
now wills to dwell in every man. God

19



wills to make of every man and of the
whole of humanity a living Temple, ra-
diant with divine goodness, peace and
power. Let us listen to the words of the
apostle Paul as he speaks of the recon-
ciliation of Jew and Gentile in Christ:

3rd Lector: (Reads Ephesians 2:1-

23)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he may desire.)

Narrator: Let us pray that all men
may unite within the New temple of
God, the Church of Jesus Christ:

All recite: Psalm 121(122)
I rejoiced because they said to me,|

“We will go up to the house of the
Lord.”

I

And now we have set foot]
within your gates, O Jerusalem—

|

Jerusalem, built as a city|

with compact unity.
|

To it the tribes go up,|
the tribes of the Lord,!

According to the decree tor Israel,
|

to give thanks to the name of the
Lord.

I

In it are set up judgment seats,]

20



seats for the house of David.
|

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
|

May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,

prosperity in your buildings.
|

Because of my relatives and friends]
I will say, ‘‘Peace be within you!”]

Because of the house of the Lord, our

God,
I

I will pray for your good.

Benediction ( Optional

)

Concluding Prayer: O God, you have
united various nations in confessing your

name. Grant that those who are reborn
in baptism may be one in faith, one in
holy deeds: through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for
ever and ever.*

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

*Prayer from the Mass for the Thursday
of Easter Week.

21



i. Charitg, the JBond of Idnitg

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: Psalm 132(133)

Behold, how good it is, and how pleas-
ant,!

where brethren dwell at one!|
It is as when the precious ointment upon
the head

I

runs down over the beard, the beard
of Aaron,

I

till it runs down upon the collar of
his robe.

I

It is a dew like that of Hermon,|
which comes down upon the moun-
tains of Sion;

I

For there the Lord has pronounced his
blessing,!

life forever.

Narrator: God loves mankind. God’s
love touched man through Jesus Christ
and this touch can cleanse and save.
Baptized and thus united to Christ,
Christians share Christ’s mission to radi-

ate divine love. Through them God’s
love must be able to reach out and
touch other men, drawing them from

22



isolation, pettiness and stifling selfish-
ness into vital unity with God:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity John 13:1-17 and 13:34-35)

Narrator: We regret that we have
been such poor vessels of charity. Let us
ask God’s help:

All recite: Psalm 129(130)
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;]

Lord, hear my voice!]
Let your ears be attentive]

to my voice in supplication:]
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,]

Lord, who can stand?]
But with you is forgiveness,]

that you may be revered.]
I trust in the Lord;]

my soul trusts in his word.]
My soul waits for the Lord]
more than sentinels wait for the
dawn.]

More than sentinels wait for the dawn,]
let Israel wait for the Lord,]

For with the Lord is kindness]
and with him is plenteous redemp-
tion;]

And he will redeem Israel]
from all their iniquities.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: When Christians stifle the

23



Spirit of Love within them, they hold
up mankind’s salvation. The apostle Paul
at the dawn of Christian history pleaded
with Christians to realize their oppor-

tunities, to fulfill their mission of heroic

love, to spread the good odor of godli-
ness in the world:

2nd Lector: (Reads Galatians 5:13-
25)

Narrator: Let us take to heart the

plea of St. Paul:

All recite: Psalm 94(95)
Come, let us bow down in worship;]

let us kneel before the Lord who
made us.|

For he is our God,|
and we are the people he shepherds,
the flock he guides.]

Oh, that today you would hear his
voice:

]

‘‘Harden not your hearts as at Mer-
iba,]

as in the day of Massa in the desert,]
Where your fathers tempted me;]

they tested me though they had seen
my works.]

Forty years I loathed that generation,]

and I said: They are a people of err-
ing heart,]

and they know not my ways.]

24



Therefore I swore in my anger:
|

They shall not enter into my rest.”
Silent Prayer.

Narrator: By stifling the Spirit of
Love within them, Christians have not
only contributed to world division and
strife; they have introduced division

and strife into their own circle. World
unity is dependent upon Christian unity.
Paul from a prison cell calls upon all
Christians to remember the necessary
link between unity and love:

3rd Lector: (Reads Ephesians 4:1-6)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he may desire.)

Narrator: Let us pray for divine as-
sistance:

All recite: Psalm 79(80)
O Lord of hosts, how long will you burn
with anger]

while your people pray?|

You have fed them with the bread of
tears]

and given them tears to drink in am-
ple measure.]

You have left us to be fought over by
our neighbors,]

25



our enemies mock us.|
O Lord of hosts, restore us;|

if your face shines upon us, then we
shall be safe.|

A vine from Egypt you transplanted;!
you drove away the nations and
planted it.j

You cleared the ground for it.j
and it took root and filled the land.j

The mountains were hidden in its
shadow;

j

by its branches, the cedars of God.j
It put forth its fohage to the Sea,|

its shoots as far as the River,
j

Why have you broken down its walls,
|

so that every passer-by plucks its

fruit,!

The boar from the forest lays it waste,!
and the beasts of the field feed upon
it?|

Once again, O Lord of hosts,!
look down from heaven, and see;!

Take care of this vine,!
and protect what your right hand has
planted.

Benediction
(
Optionial

)

Concluding Prayer: O God of infinite
goodness, who eternally rejoice in the
unity of peace, you who are the author
of peace and have proclaimed peace

26



through angelic choirs, grant in your

merciful goodness that by this bond of
love with which at your Ascension into
heaven you united all your disciples,
we may be drawn into ever more pro-
found love for you and our brothers.*

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

* From the Mozarabic Liturgy

27



5. lElie spirit of Cife

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: Psalm 103(104)
How manifold are yoiu: works, O Lord!|

In wisdom you have wrought them
all-|

the earth is full of your creatures;
|

The sea also, great and wide,|
in which are schools without number
of living things both small and great.

And where ships move about with Levi-
athan,

I

which you formed to make sport of it.
|

They all look to you|
to give them food in due time.j

When you give it to them, they gather
it;

I

when you open your hand, they are
filled with good things.

|

If you hide your face, they are dis-
mayed;]

if you take away their breath, they
perish]

and return to their dust.]
When you send forth your spirit, they
are created,]

and you renew the face of the earth.

28



Narrator: The Scripture tells us that
God is the source of all life. He
breathed upon an earthen form and it
stood up a living, knowing being—

a

Man. But man proved to have little con-
cern for life. He relished independence,
independence even from the source of
life, and in reaching for it man died,
bodily and spiritually. But God is merci-
ful. Through the prophet Ezechiel he
promised that he would breathe again
upon mankind:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity Ezechiel 37:1-10)

Narrator: Let us pray for the gift of

new life:
All recite: Psalm 50(51)

Have mercy on me, O God, in your
goodness;

I

in the greatness of your compassion

wipe out my offense.]
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I
may be purified;]
wash me, and I shall be whiter than
snow.

]

Let me hear the sounds of joy and glad-
ness;]

the bones you have crushed shall re-
joice.

]

Turn away your face from my sins]

29



A clean heart create for me, O God,|
and a steadfast spirit renew within
me.

I

Cast me not out from your presence,
|

and your holy spirit take not from
me.

I

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
|

and a willing spirit sustain in me.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Jesus Christ came among us
and died. But only to become Firstborn
of the dead. By the Power and Spirit of
God he arose from the grave and all
that it represents. And the Spirit in him
overflowed upon his friends:
2nd Lector: (Reads John 20:1-22)
Narrator: Let us manifest gratitude

to God:

All recite: Psalm 32(33)
Exult, you just, in the Lord;|

praise from the upright is fitting.]
Give thanks to the Lord on the harp;]

with the ten-stringed lyre chant his

praises.]

Sing to him a new song;]
For upright is the word of the Lord,]

and all his works are trustworthy.
]

By the word of the Lord the heavens
were made;]

30



by the breath of his mouth all their
host.

I

Let all the earth fear the Lord;|

let all who dwell in the world revere
him.

I

For he spoke, and it was made;|
he commanded, and it stood forth.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Life, peace, goodness, har-

mony between man and God, harmony
among men—these are the fruits of the
Spirit that overflow from the Risen

Christ. As we listen to the words of St.
Luke, let us regret all that we Christians
have done to hinder this vivifying and
unifying Spirit’s work, all that we have
done to delay the world’s resurrection:

3rd Lector: (Reads Acts 2:1-12)

)

Homily (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect

he may desire.)
Narrator: Let us call down upon all

men the life-giving Spirit:
All recite or sing:

Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our hearts take up thy rest.
Come with thy grace and heavenly aid,

31



I

|:to fill the hearts which thou hast
made:

I |

Benediction (Optional)

Concluding Prayer: O God, you gave
the Holy Spirit to your Apostles. Grant
your people the fulfillment of their de-

vout prayers. May those to whom you
have given faith also receive peace:
through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives
and reigns in the unity of the same Holy
Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

32



6. ^eace

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: Psalm 145(146)
Happy he whose help is the God of
Jacob,

I

whose hope is in the Lord, his God,|
Who made heaven and earth,

|

the sea and all that is in them;|
Who keeps faith forever,

|

secures justice for the oppressed,]

gives food to the hungry.]

The Lord sets captives free;]
the Lord gives sight to the blind.]

The Lord raises up those who are
bowed down;]

the Lord loves the just.]
The Lord shall reign forever;]

your God, O Sion, through all genera-
tions.

Narrator: The Book of Genesis begins
by telling us that the Spirit of God hov-
ered over an imruly abyss and estab-
hshed order in the midst of it. The
world was created. But Adam rebelled,
Cain killed Abel; mankind brought dis-
order into the world. Man became the
author and the victim of strife. Darkness

33



descended upon him. But God prom-
ised a savior who would save man from
himself. He promised through Isaia the
prophet a savior who would bring light
and peace to the world:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity Isaia 8:23 and 9:1-6*)

Narrator: Let us thank God for this
promise and its fulfillment:

All recite: Psalm 114 (116a)
I love the Lord because he has heard]
my voice in supplication,]

Because he has inclined his ear to me]
the day I called.]

The cords of death encompassed me;]
the snares of the nether world seized

upon me;]
I fell into distress and sorrow,]

And I called upon the name of the
Lord,]

“O Lord, save my life!’"

Gracious is the Lord and just;]
yes, our God is merciful.]

The Lord keeps the little ones;]
I was brought low, and he saved
me.]

Return, O my soul, to your tranquillity,]

*In the Revised Standard, American, and
Douay translations read 9:1-7.

34



for the Lord has been good to you.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from
stumbling.

|

I shall walk before the Lord|
in the lands of the living.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Jesus Christ fulfilled the

prophecy of Isaia. He appeared in Gal-
ilee, in the land of Zabulon and Neph-
tali. He came to dispel the darkness of
strife. He came to bring mankind peace,
unity and love, to create anew the at-
mosphere of Paradise. All who believe
in Christ must be themselves men and
women of peace and unity so that the
light of Christ may penetrate to every
comer of the world. Jesus speaks to us
through Matthew;
2nd Lector: (Reads Matthew 5;1-

24)

Narrator: Let us pray for charity and
peace among all Christians and all men:

All recite: From the Liturgy of Holy
Thursday

Where there are charity and love,|
there is God.

The love of Christ has gathered us to-
gether.

I

Let us rejoice in him and be glad.]

35



Let us fear and love the living God.|
And let us love one another with a sin-
cere heart.

I

Where there are charity and love,|
there is God.|

When we are assembled together,]
let us take heed,|

that we be not divided in mind.|
Let malicious quarrels and contentions
cease.

|

Let Christ our God dwell in the midst
of us.

I

Where there are charity and love,|
there is God.|

Let us also with the blessed see your

face in glory,
|

O Christ our God.|
There to possess an immense and happy
joy|

for ever and ever. Amen.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Christians have not been
truly Christian. The salt often loses its
savor. The light is often obscured by
pride, righteousness, sensuality. Chris-

tians have often been more like Adam,
the father of selfishness and strife, than
like Christ, our new Adam, the Prince
of Peace. Therefore the nations remain

in darkness. We must put away strife,

36



unite in Christ. The admonition of the
apostle Paul holds good even today:

3rd Lector: (Reads Collossians 3:1-

15)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he may desire.)

Narrator: Let us pray with the aged
Simeon:

All recite: Luke 2:29-32

Now you release your servant in peace,
O Lord,

I

in accord with your word;|

For my eyes have truly seen your salva-
tion,!

which you prepared in the sight of
all the nations:!

A light of revelation to the Gentiles
|

and glory for your people, Israel.

Benediction (Optional)

Concluding Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles: ‘"Peace I
leave with you, my peace I give to you”
look not upon our sins, but upon the
faith of your Church and grant unto her
that peace and unity which are agree-

37



able to your will; you who live and
reign as God for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

38



j. i:he HlDater of Xife

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.

All recite: Psalm 62(63)

O God, you are my God whom I seek;|
for you my flesh pines and my soul
thirsts]

like the earth, parched, lifeless and
without water.]

Thus have I gazed toward you in the
sanctuary]

to see your power and your glory,]
For yoiu kindness is a greater good than
life;]

my lips shall glorify you.
Narrator: Mankind thirsts for ever-

lasting life and everlasting peace. God
is the source of all this. God declared
this in Old Testament times when he
granted his prophet Ezechiel a vision of

the future Temple of God on earth:
1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and

dignity Ezechiel 47:1-12)

Narrator: With the Psalmist let us
express our longing for the water of
life:

All recite: Psalm 41(42)

39



As the hind longs for the running wa-
ters,

I

so my soul longs for you, O God.|
Athirst is my soul for God, the living
God.

I

When shall I go and behold the face
of God?

I

My tears are my food day and night,
|

as they say to me day after day,
“Where is your God?”|

Those times I recall,
|

now that I pour out my soul within
me,

I

When I went with the throng
|

and led them in procession to the
house of God,

Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiv-
ing,!

with the multitude keeping festival.
|

Why are you so downcast, O my soulPj
Why do you sigh within mePj

Hope in God! For I shall again be
thanking him,|

in the presence of my savior and my
God.

Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Jesus revealed to men that
he was that future Temple of God—God
incarnate. All men must come to him for

40



life, for he alone has conquered death.
From the pierced side of this new Tem-
ple there came forth water and blood—
Baptism and the Eucharist—which vivify
the world. Listen to the words of Jesus
as given in Johns Gospel:

2nd Lector: (Reads John 4:1-15 and
6:32-40)

Narrator: Let us rejoice in Jesus
Christ, mankind’s source of life:

All recite: Psalm 106(107)
‘‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is
good,

I

for his kindness endures forever!”
|

Thus let the redeemed of the Lord say,j
those whom he has redeemed from
the hand of the foej

And gathered from the lands,
|

from the east and the west,j
from the north and the south.

|

They went astray in the desert wilder-
ness;!

the way to an inhabited city they did
not find.

I

Hungry and thirsty,
j

their life was wasting away within
them.

I

They cried to the Lord in their distress
from their straits he rescued them.

41



He changed the desert into pools of
water,

I

waterless land into water springs.
|

And there he settled the hungry,
|

and they built a city to dwell in.
Silent Prayer.

Narrator: The Church of Jesus is the
New Jerusalem within which Jesus
stands, our living Temple, pulsating life
to all who enter. Our prayer must ever
be that men in increasing numbers enter
this city and find unity and hfe around
the one source to tme unity and life
unto the fulfillment of the grand vision

of the Apocalypse:

Srd Lector: (Reads Apocalypse
21:9-14 and 21:22-27 and 22:1-2)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he may desire.)

Narrator: Let us unite in the offer-

ing of Psalm 99:
All recite: Psalm 99: (100)

Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
|

serve the Lord with gladness;
|

come before him with joyful song.|
Know that the Lord is God;]

he made us, his we are;]

42



his people, the flock he tends.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

his courts with praise;
|

Give thanks to him; bless his name, for
he is good:

I

the Lord, whose kindness endures
forever,!

and his faithfulness, to all generations.

Benediction ( Optional

)

Concluding Prayer: O God, you have
united various nations in confessing your

name. Grant that those who are reborn
in baptism may be one in faith, one in
holy deeds: through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn ( Optional

)

43



8. i:ht l^ola spirit and ^onship

Narrator: In the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All recite: Isaia 63:15-19

Look down from heaven and regard us
from your holy and glorious palace!

Where is your zealous care and your
might,]

your surge of pity and your mercy?
|

O Lord, hold not back,|
for you are our father.

|

Were Abraham not to know us,|
nor Israel to acknowledge us,|

You, Lord, are our father,
|

our redeemer you are named for-
ever.

I

Why do you let us wander, O Lord,
from your ways,|

and harden our hearts so that we
fear you not?|

Return for the sake of your servants,]

the tribes of your heritage.
|

Oh, that you would rend the heavens
and come down,]

with the mountains quaking before

you.

Narrator: On the day Jesus was bap-
tized in the Jordan the heavens were

44



torn open and the Holy Spirit came
upon him and a voice from heaven pro-
claimed him God’s ideal son. He then
showed himself an obedient, ideal son
by resisting the demon s invitation to re-
bellion in the desert. Jesus offers the

powerful and good Spirit which came
upon him to all men. St. Luke de-
clares this in his Gospel:

1st Lector: (Reads with clarity and
dignity Luke 3:21-22 and 4:1-21)

Narrator: Let us thank God and
praise him:

All recite: Psalm 97(98)
Sing to the Lord a new song,|

for he has done wondrous deeds;

|

His right hand has won victory for him,|
his holy arm.|

The Lord has made his salvation
known;

|

in the sight of the nations he has re-
vealed his justice.

I

He has remembered his kindness and
his faithfulness!

toward the house of Israel,
j

All the ends of the earth have seenj
the salvation of our God.j

Let the rivers clap their hands,]

the mountains shout with them for
joy|

45



before the Lord,|

for he comes,
I

for he comes to rule the earth.
Silent Prayer.

Narrator: The powerful Spirit of
Christ comes upon us at our baptism,
making us one with Christ, sharers of
his familiar sonship, truer brothers than

brothers in the flesh. Listen to the en-

thusiastic words of the apostle Paul:

2nd Lector: (Reads Romans 8:5-17)
Narrator: This is an appropriate mo-

ment to raise our voices in the Lord^s
Prayer:

All recite: The Lord's Prayer
Silent Prayer.

Narrator: Christ gives us his Spirit

and makes us sons of God and heirs to
everlasting happiness. But we have em-
barrassed our Father and Christ our
brother before the nations of the world

by fighting among ourselves, by isola-
tion from each other. Christians must re-
unite. Christians must not face the world
as separated brothers but as brothers

visibly one, sharing the One Bread, all
of one harmonious mind and of one
heart, remembering the instructions of
the St. John—instructions which we and
our ancestors have so often ignored:

46



3rd Lector: (Reads 1st Epistle of

John 2:28-29 and 3:1-18 and 3:23-24)

Homily: (The speaker may develop
the biblical theme or the intention of
the day, or he may expand upon the
topic of Christian Unity from any aspect
he may desire.)

Narrator: Let us acknowledge the
blessing of brotherly unity with the

words of the Psalmist:

All recite: Psalm 132(133)
Behold, how good it is, and how pleas-
ant,!

where brethren dwell at one!
j

It is as when the precious ointment
upon the headj

runs down over the beard, the beard
of Aaron,!

till it runs down upon the collar of
his robe-!

It is a dew like that of Hermon,!
which comes down upon the moun-
tains of Sion;!

For there the Lord has pronounced his
blessing,!

life forever.

Benediction ( Optional

)

Concluding Prayer: O God, Father of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace, grant us the grace

47



to take to heart the scandal of our divi-

sions. Deliver us from all hatred and
prejudice, and from all that hinders our
unity, in order that, as there is but one
body and one spirit, one hope in our
calling, one Lord, one faith, one bap-
tism, one God and Father of all, so we
may also be of but one heart and one
soul, united by the bonds of grace and
truth, of faith and of love, in Jesus
Christ our Lord.*

All: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Optional)

From the Liturgy of St. James

48





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