Tuesday 20 February 2024

Today is Tuesday the 20th February, in the first week of Lent.

Juliano Ravanello sings, Attende Domine: ‘Hear Lord and have mercy because we have sinned against you’.

Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi
Ad te Rex summe
Omnium redemptor
Oculos nostros
Sublevamus flentes
Exaudi Christe
Supplicantum preces
Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi
Dextera Patris
Lapis angularis
Via salutis
Ianua caelestis
Ablue nostri
Maculas delicti
Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi
Rogamus Deus
Tuam majestatem
Auribus sacris
Gemitus exaudi
Crimina nostra
Placidus indulge
Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi
Tibi fatemur
Crimina admissa
Contrito corde
Pandimus occulta
Tua Redemptor
Pietas ignoscat
Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi
Innocens captus
Nec repugnans ductus
Testibus falsis
Pro impiis damnatus
Quos redemisti
Tu conserva Christe
Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi


Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
To Thee, highest King,
Redeemer of all,
do we lift up our eyes
in weeping:
Hear, O Christ, the prayers
of your servants.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
Right hand of the Father,
corner-stone,
way of salvation,
gate of heaven,
wash away our
stains of sin.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
We beseech Thee, God,
in Thy great majesty:
Hear our groans
with Thy holy ears:
calmly forgive
our crimes.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
To Thee we confess
our sins admitted
with a contrite heart
We reveal the things hidden:
By Thy kindness, O Redeemer,
overlook them.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.
The Innocent, seized,
not refusing to be led;
condemned by false witnesses
because of impious men
O Christ, keep safe those
whom Thou hast redeemed.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee.




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 55: 10-11

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
 and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
 giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
 it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
 and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Stay with the imagery of the passage we have just heard…the rain and snow; the seed and sower, bread and eater…what stands out to you?

This prophetic oracle speaks about giving water to the thirsty. What are you thirsting for today?

“My word shall not return to me empty”. What do you think God’s word might accomplish in you today?

Now listen as the passage is read once more. Is there one particular idea that jumps out at you? Could that be what God is inviting you to hear today?

Finally, just reflect on all the thoughts and ideas that have occupied you as you have reflected on this reading. Can you turn them into a prayer to God?

You have given all to me
To you, Lord I return it.
Everything is yours
Do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen.