Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
At Psalm 140
In Tone 1
- Lead my soul forth from prison* that I may give thanks to Your name.
How shall I enter the splendour of your saints,
because of my unworthiness?
If I dare to enter into Your bridal chamber,
my garment shall give me away;
for I do not have a wedding garment,
and the angels shall cast me out.
Purify my soul, O Lord, and in Your goodness, save me.
- The just shall gather around me* when You have been good to me.
How shall I enter the splendour of your saints,
because of my unworthiness?
If I dare to enter into Your bridal chamber,
my garment shall give me away;
for I do not have a wedding garment,
and the angels shall cast me out.
Purify my soul, O Lord, and in Your goodness, save me.
In Tone 2
- Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;* O Lord, hear my voice!
My slothful soul has fallen into sleep, O Christ, my Spouse,
and I do not have a lamp shining with the fire of virtues.
I have become like the foolish virgins;
for, instead of labouring, I have wasted my time.
Do not close off Your love and Your heart to me, O Master;
but dispel my dark slumber;
awaken me that I may enter Your palace with the wise virgins.
There the choir of the just shall resound as they sing to You:
O Lord, glory to You.
- Let Yours ears be attentive* to the voice of my prayer.
My slothful soul has fallen into sleep, O Christ, my Spouse,
and I do not have a lamp shining with the fire of virtues.
I have become like the foolish virgins;
for, instead of labouring, I have wasted my time.
Do not close off Your love and Your heart to me, O Master;
but dispel my dark slumber;
awaken me that I may enter Your palace with the wise virgins.
There the choir of the just shall resound as they sing to You:
O Lord, glory to You.
In Tone 4
- If You mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?* But with You forgiveness is that You may be revered.
You have heard of the condemnation of the one who hid the talent;
O my soul, do not hide the word of God.
Proclaim His wonders and increase His gifts,
that you may enter into the joy of your Lord.
- I have waited for You as You have commanded; my soul patiently relies on Your promise,* for it has trusted in the Lord.
You have heard of the condemnation of the one who hid the talent;
O my soul, do not hide the word of God.
Proclaim His wonders and increase His gifts,
that you may enter into the joy of your Lord.
In Tone 6
- From the morning watch until night* let Israel trust in the Lord.
Come, O faithful, let us zealously labour for the Lord;
for He entrusts His riches to His servants;
let each multiply the talent of grace.
Let one gain wisdom by doing good;
let another serve with splendour;
let the faithful share the knowledge of faith with the unenlightened;
let others share their goods with the poor.
Thus we shall multiply the treasure that has been entrusted to us,
and we shall be the faithful stewards of grace,
and we shall be worthy of the joy of the Lord.
Grant this to us, O Christ our God,
in Your goodness toward humankind.
- For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is plentiful redemption;* and He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Come, O faithful, let us zealously labour for the Lord;
for He entrusts His riches to His servants;
let each multiply the talent of grace.
Let one gain wisdom by doing good;
let another serve with splendour;
let the faithful share the knowledge of faith with the unenlightened;
let others share their goods with the poor.
Thus we shall multiply the treasure that has been entrusted to us,
and we shall be the faithful stewards of grace,
and we shall be worthy of the joy of the Lord.
Grant this to us, O Christ our God,
in Your goodness toward humankind.
- Praise the Lord, all the nations;* proclaim His glory, all you people.
When You shall come in glory with the powers of heaven,
to be seated on the throne of judgment, O Jesus,
do not cast me far away from You, O Good Shepherd.
On Your right are the paths that lead to You,
and on Your left are those who turn away from You.
Do not make me perish with the goats,
even though I have been disfigured by sin.
But place me on Your right with Your sheep,
and in Your love for humankind, save me.
- Strong is the love of the Lord for us;* eternally will His truth endure.
O Bridegroom, whose grace surpasses all human beauty,
You invite us to the spiritual feast in Your palace.
Strip me of the coarse garment of my sin,
and make me a partaker of Your Passion.
Clothe me in the glorious adornment of Your beauty.
In Your mercy, accept me as a luminous guest
at the banquet in Your Kingdom.
In Tone 7, Glory… Now…
Behold, the Lord entrusts His talent to you;
accept this gift with fear, O my soul.
Multiply it for the One who granted it to you;
share it with the poor and you shall have the Lord as your friend.
Then you shall be at His right when He comes in glory,
and you shall hear His blessed voice say to you:
You are indeed my servant;
enter into the joy of Your Lord.
Even though I have gone astray, O Lord,
make me worthy of this joy.
Prokeimenon I, Tone 6
Arise, O Lord, and go to Your resting place,* You and the ark of Your might.
verse: O Lord, remember David and the many hardships he endured.
Reading I
Exodus 2:5-10
Prokeimenon II, Tone 4
How good and how pleasant it is,* when people live in unity!
verse: It is like precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron.
Reading II
Job 1:13-22
Gospel
Matthew 24:36-26:2