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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.