Livestream LITURGY OF THE HOURS for Oblates

We welcome you to join the Community of Jesus daily via livestream as we pray the Liturgy of the Hours — Lauds and Vespers.  These services sung in Gregorian chant include psalms, hymns, readings, and prayers.

Lauds – October 16

Psalms for Lauds

Reading for Lauds

The tradition of the church and the authority of Holy Scripture both affirm that there are three renunciations which every one of us must strive to practice.

First, we have to despise all worldly wealth and possessions; secondly, we must reject our former way of life; and thirdly, we should withdraw our mind from all that is transitory and visible.

This forgetfulness will be achieved when, dead with Christ to the elemental spirits of this world, we contemplate, as the Apostle says, not the things that are seen, but those that are unseen; for what is seen is temporal, but what is unseen is eternal. It will be achieved, when in our hearts, we leave this temporal and visible house and turn the eyes of our mind toward that in which we shall live forever; as the Apostle says, our homeland is in heaven.

Vespers – October 16

Psalms for Vespers

Reading for Vespers

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows– was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.

Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Verbum Domini
2 Corinthians 12:2-4, 7b-10 NRSV