All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (September 4, 2021)

Evening Prayer

The Service of Light

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Open this link in a new tab to hear F. Bland Tucker’s translation of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”

O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
In you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is he,
And blest are you, his holy Son.

Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God
Who dwells in the eternal light.

Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Son of God, Life-giving Lord;
Wherefore you are through all the earth
And in the highest heaven adored.

O Gracious Light!

Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
eternal creator of day and night,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
Now, as darkness is falling,
hear the prayer of your faithful people.
As we look for your coming in glory,
wash away our transgressions,
cleanse us by your refining fire
and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.
By the light of Christ,
dispel the darkness of our hearts
and make us ready to enter your kingdom,
where songs of praise for ever sound.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever. Amen.

Psalm 141 is sung and incense may be burned.

Silence is kept.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Tony Alonso’s bilingual version of Psalm 141, Let My Prayer Rise/Suba Mi Oración.”

Refrain:
Let my prayer rise up
like incense in your presence,
the raising of my hands,
and offering to you

Estribillo:
Suba mi oración
como incienso en tu precensia,
el alzar de mis manos
como ofrenda de la tarde.

1 I have called to you, O God,
come quickly to help me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
and my hands like an evening off’ring.
Refrain

1 Señor, te llamo ven mí.
Escucha mi voz,
cuando te invoco.
Suba mi oración
como incienso en tu precensia,
como incienso en tu precensia.
Estribillo

2 Set a guard on my mouth
and guard my ev’ry word,
keep watch on the door of my lips.
Let me never turn my heart to evil or revenge,
nor join the evil in their feasting.
Refrain

2 Coloca, Señor, una guardia en mi boca,
y vigilia la puerta de mis labias.
No me dejas inclinarme a la maldad,
ni comer con los hombres malvaldos.
Estribillo

3 When the just correct me,
I take their words as kindness,
but the oil of the wicked will not touch me.
So I pray to you, O God,
I pray to you, O God, against their hateful ways.
Refrain

3 Que el justo me goipee,
que el bueno me reprenda,
es un gran favor, oh Señor.
Pero que el óleo de impío no perfume mi cabezañ
Seguiré rezando en sus desgracias.
Estribillo

4 To you, O God, I turn my eyes,
in you I find refuge and safety.
From the trap that has been set
by those who wish me harm,
keep me safe, O God.
Refrain

4 Mis ojos, Señor, están vueltos a ti.
Señor, en ti me refugio.
Guarda mi vida,
líbra me, Señor, de la trampa de los malhechores.
Estribillo

5 Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
and glory to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen
Refrain

5 Gloria al Padre, gloria al Hijo,
y gloria al Espíritu Santo,
como era en el principio,
ahora y siempre por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.
Estribillo

Let the incense of our repentant prayer ascend before you, O Lord, and let your loving kindness descend upon us, that with purified minds we may sing your praises with the Church on earth and the whole heavenly host, and may glorify you forever and ever. Amen.

The Psalms

Open this link in a new tab to hear David Erb’s setting of Psalm 113. “Praise the Lord!”

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
That He may seat him with princes—
With the princes of His people.
He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Silence is kept.

From the rising of the sun to its setting
we praise your name, O Lord;
may your promise to raise the poor from the dust
and turn the fortunes of the needy upside down
be fulfilled in our time also,
as it was in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Reading

Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Do Not Despise the Poor

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favour is better than silver or gold.
The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord is the maker of them all.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of anger will fail.
Those who are generous are blessed,
for they share their bread with the poor.

Do not rob the poor because they are poor,
or crush the afflicted at the gate;
for the Lord pleads their cause
and despoils of life those who despoil them.

Silence is kept.

May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory

The Homily

Open Hearts, Open Hands

This evening’ reading, three passages from the Book of Proverbs, echo a theme that is found throughout the Bible. We should not despise the poor, but we should show them kindness and mercy. The apostle James in this Sunday’s Epistle touches upon this theme.

Don’t ever attempt, my brothers, to combine snobbery with faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ! Suppose one man comes into your meeting well-dressed and with a gold ring on his finger, and another man, obviously poor, arrives in shabby clothes. If you pay special attention to the well-dressed man by saying, “Please sit here—it’s an excellent seat”, and say to the poor man, “You stand over there, please, or if you must sit, sit on the floor”, doesn’t that prove that you are making class-distinctions in your mind, and setting yourselves up to assess a man’s quality?—a very bad thing. For do notice, my brothers, that God chose poor men, whose only wealth was their faith, and made them heirs to the kingdom promised to those who love him. And if you behave as I have suggested, it is the poor man that you are insulting. Look around you. Isn’t it the rich who are always trying to “boss” you, isn’t it the rich who drag you into litigation? Isn’t it usually the rich who blaspheme the glorious name by which you are known?

If you obey the royal law, expressed by the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’, all is well. But once you allow any invidious distinctions to creep in, you are sinning, you have broken God’s Law.

James’ point is that in showing deference toward those who are rich while treating less favorably those who are poor, we are not loving our neighbors as ourselves.

We sometimes hear Christians citing Jesus’ words “You have the poor with you always….” to justify not showing any compassion toward the poor and the needy. They misinterpret these words to mean that Jesus was saying that trying to help the poor was a useless cause. This, however, was not what Jesus was saying. If we read the entire verse and not just its first half, Jesus is saying that the disciples would not have him with them always.

Back in Bethany, while Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster flask of most expensive perfume, and poured it on his head as he was at table. The disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “What is the point of such wicked waste? Couldn’t this perfume have been sold for a lot of money which could be given to the poor?” Jesus knew what they were saying and spoke to them, “Why must you make this woman feel uncomfortable? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You have the poor with you always, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she was preparing it for burial. I assure you that wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this deed of hers will also be recounted, as her memorial to me.” (Matthew 26: 11-13 Phillips)

When Jesus spoke of us having the poor with us always, he was quoting a passage from the Book of Deuteronomy

Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land.’ (Deuteronomy 15:11, NRSV)

This passage is one of several passages in the Bible in which we are enjoined to be generous to the poor and the needy. Jesus in citing this passage is not telling his disciples not to help the poor.

We know from John’s Gospel, from John 12: 4-6, that Judas Iscariot was the one who said, “What is the point of such wicked waste? Couldn’t this perfume have been sold for a lot of money which could be given to the poor?” Judas kept the common purse of the disciples. He was also a thief and helped himself to the money in the purse. He was not interested in helping the poor. He was thinking how he might use the proceeds from the sale of the anointment to enrich himself. It was no concern for the poor but greed that was motivating him. After Jesus commended the woman for what she had done, Judas would leave to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

We also forget that Jesus himself was poor. In Mark’s Gospel Jesus is called a carpenter. In Matthew’s Gospel he is called a carpenter’s son. Those who called him a carpenter and a carpenter’s son were using these terms in a derogatory sense. They were describing Jesus as a common laborer. A carpenter was not at the high end of first century Jewish society. A carpenter was a member of the lower classes.

The sacrifice that Joseph and Mary offered at the Temple for Mary’s purification was the sacrifice that the Mosaic Code directed that those who were unable to afford the customary lamb were to offer--“a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.” It was the sacrifice that the poor were to offer.

While Jesus may have hobnobbed with the wealthier classes of Jewish society during his earthly ministry, we find no evidence in the Gospels that he himself had very much in the way of material possessions.

Jesus borrowed a fisherman’s boat in order to preach to a crowd that had gathered to hear him. He borrowed the meager lunch of a young boy—five small loves of hard barley bread and two dried fish—to feed five thousand men, not counting women and children. He paid the Temple tax with a coin found in the mouth of a fish. He borrowed a colt to ride into Jerusalem. Except when Joseph and Mary fled into Egypt to prevent Herod from killing Jesus, it is the only time that Gospels record that he rode on a donkey, excluding when he was in his mother’s womb. Jesus and disciples walked wherever they went, or they used a boat that belonged to one of the former fishermen or someone else.

In his teaching Jesus did not emphasize the accumulation of earthly wealth but heavenly treasure. When one of the teachers of the Law came up to him and expressed a desire to become his disciple, Jesus’ reply was, “Foxes have earths, birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere that he can call his own.” This suggests that Jesus not only lived in poverty but was also homeless. When he and his disciples were not able to find a villager who would welcome them into his home, they slept in the rough, outdoors, under the stars.

On the day of judgment, Jesus warns, he will welcome into his kingdom those who fed him in the hungry, who gave him something to drink in the thirsty, who welcomed him in the lonely and the stranger, who clothed him in the naked, and visited him in the sick and the imprisoned. Those who failed to do these things, he will turn away.

It should be quite clear by now what was Jesus’ attitude was toward the poor and the needy and what our own attitude should be. If we truly love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not despise the poor and the needy and withhold kindness and mercy from them. Rather we will open our hearts and our hands to the poor and those in need. We will do them as much good as we can and as little harm as we can. In serving our Lord in them, we will grow in our love of God and our love of others. We will show them the love that God shows us.

Silence is kept.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Lori True’s, “What Have We Done for the Poor Ones.”

What have we done for the poor ones, the cold ones
The ones who seek shelter among us, beside us?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the poor ones here in our midst?

What have we done for the hungry, the homeless
The lonely ones longing for loving, affection?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the hungry here in our midst?

What have we done for the stranger, outsider
The ones who are aching for welcome, acceptance?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the stranger here in our midst?

What have we done for the broken, the grieving
The lost who need someone to listen, to comfort?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the broken here in our midst?

What have we done for the prisoner, the addict
Who desperately yearns for redemption, forgiveness?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the prisoner here in our midst?

What have we done for the voiceless, the sick ones
The fragile who cry for compassion, protection?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the voiceless here in our midst?

What have we done for the children, the unborn
Who dream of a future of promise, of goodness?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the children here in our midst?

What have we done for the old ones, the dying
The weary ones praying for solace, surrender?
God's chosen people, blessed and holy
What have we done for the old ones here in our midst?

The Gospel Canticle

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s adaptation of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of God.”

My soul proclaims the greatness of God,
Rejoicing in God my Savior.
The Holy One has raised me up,
I live in God’s love and favour.

1 The Mighty One works great thinks in me:
My soul rejoices in God.
All faithful servants God’s mercy shall see:
My soul rejoices,
sings and rejoices,
gladly rejoices in God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of God,
Rejoicing in God my Savior.
The Holy One has raised me up,
I live in God’s love and favour.

2 The arm of God is justice and might:
My soul rejoices in God.
God puts the proud and the scheming to flight:
My soul rejoices,
sings and rejoices,
gladly rejoices in God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of God,
Rejoicing in God my Savior.
The Holy One has raised me up,
I live in God’s love and favour.

3 God topples ev’ry tyrant and crown:
My soul rejoices in God.
The lowly raised and the mighty brought down:
My soul rejoices,
sings and rejoices,
gladly rejoices in God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of God,
Rejoicing in God my Savior.
The Holy One has raised me up,
I live in God’s love and favour.

4 With wondrous things God’s banquet is spread:
My soul rejoices in God.
The rich go hungry; the hungry are fed:
My soul rejoices,
sings and rejoices,
gladly rejoices in God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of God,
Rejoicing in God my Savior.
The Holy One has raised me up,
I live in God’s love and favour.

[Coda]

Intercessions

Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For peace from on high and our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For the welfare of all churches and for the unity of the human family, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For (name), our bishop, and (name), our pastor, and for all ministers of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For our nation, its government, and for all who serve and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For this city (town, university, monastery…). For every city and community, and for all those living in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For the safety of travelers, the recovery of the sick, the care of the destitute and the release of prisoners, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For an angel of peace to guide and protect us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For a peaceful evening and a night free from sin, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

For a Christian end to our lives and for all who have fallen asleep in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.

In the communion of the Holy Spirit (and of all the saints), let us commend ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ our Lord.
To you, O Lord.

Free Prayer

In silent or spontaneous prayer all bring before God the concerns of the day.

The Collect

O God,
you know us to be set in the midst
of so many and so great dangers
that by the reason our frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
grant us such strength and protection
as may support us in all dangers
and carries through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

And now, as our Saviour has taught us,
we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Dismissal

Open this link in a new tab to hear Lori True’s "May the Peace of Christ Be with You / Ki Ri Su To No."

ki ri su to no he i wa ga,
wa ta shi ta chi no ko ko ro no.
su mi zu mi ni ma de.
yu ki wa ta ri ma su yo u ni.

ki ri su to no he i wa ga,
wa ta shi ta chi no ko ko ro no.
su mi zu mi ni ma de.
yu ki wa ta ri ma su yo u ni.

Cherish all the blessings before you this day;
Come and re-awaken your soul.

May the peace of Christ be with you.
May the love of Christ dwell deep in your heart.
May the Spirit enlighten your way.
May you walk in the comfort of God's care.

Leave behind the fullness and care of this day;
Rest now in the stillness of night. 

ki ri su to no he i wa ga,
wa ta shi ta chi no ko ko ro no.
su mi zu mi ni ma de.
yu ki wa ta ri ma su yo u ni.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord,
Thanks be to God.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.