Holy One, make speed to save us:
O God, come quickly to help us.
Glory to God, Source of all being,
Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
OPENING
Variable Psalms
Tuesdays: From Psalm 84, Quam dilecta!
How dear to me is your dwelling, *
O Lord of hosts!
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; * my heart and my flesh
rejoice in the living God.
The sparrow has found her a house *
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young;
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, *
my Sovereign and my God.
Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
They will always be praising you.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way!
Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb from height to height, *
and you, the God of gods, will reveal yourself in Zion.
Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
Behold our defender, O God; and look upon the face of your anointed.
For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, * and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For you, Lord God, are both sun and shield; *
you will give grace and glory;
no good thing will you withhold, O Lord, *
from those who walk with integrity.
O Lord of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!
CLOSING: A song of Pilgrimage (from Sirach 51)
While I was still young, before I began my travels,*
I sought for wisdom openly in my prayers.
I asked for her outside the temple sanctuary,* and I will seek her to the end.
She has been the delight of my heart.* from first blossom to early fruit.
I have kept firmly to the true path;* I have followed her steps since my youth.
I bowed my ear a little and received her;* I found wisdom and was well instructed.
Glory to the One who gives me wisdom!* I will live according to her way.
Because I longed to find her with all my heart,* I have gained a good possession.
As my reward the Lord has given me a tongue* with which I shall sing his praises.
READING: Matthew 21:23–32
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
SILENCE
PRAYERS
We have judged others too harshly and thought ourselves superior to them.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We have judged ourselves too harshly and thought ourselves inferior to others.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
We have refused to accept that there is no condemnation, only compassion, in God’s heart.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord’s Prayer
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.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
COLLECTS
Tuesdays: You have blessed us, Risen Jesus; we want to root our lives in your trust, to such an extent that the wellsprings of jubilation never run dry. Amen.
God of peace, who through the ministry of your servant Irenæus, strengthened the true faith and brought harmony to your Church: keep us steadfast in your true religion, and renew us in faith and love, that we may always walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity. Amen.
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing: through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St Ternans Banchory 