Bishop Eric Menees
Last week in my Bishop’s Note, we completed our examination
of the 2019 BCP Service of Morning Prayer. This week, we turn to the service of
Evening Prayer.
In essence, the service of Evening Prayer is the mirror
image of Morning Prayer in form and structure. However, the prayers
appropriately reflect the close of day. What follows is a brief explanation of
the differences.
The Opening Sentences of scripture are different, reflecting
the close of the day.
The Confession of Sin, Absolution, and Invitatory are the
same as in Morning Prayer.
In place of the Venite (Psalm 96) we have the Phos Hilaron
(O Gladsome Light) which is an ancient hymn originally written and sung in
Greek. I can’t think of the Phos Hilaron without hearing the Gregorian chant
that we sang at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in seminary.
The appointed psalms and lessons from the lectionary are
designed so that the all 150 psalms will be read every 30 or 60 days, depending
on the cycle you are on. If one is faithfully doing the offices, the Old
Testament is read through on a two-year cycle and the New Testament is read
through on a one-year cycle.
In between the readings, it is customary to pray the
Magnificat (The Song of Mary), or the Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon). Again,
these Canticles are meant to be sung but are equally powerful when said.
The response to the lessons is the same as Morning Prayer
with the Apostles Creed. Immediately following the creed are the prayers that
begin the same way with the Kyrie and the Lord’s Prayer.
The Suffrages for Evening Prayer are the same as Morning
Prayer, following western church tradition. We are given the option of
following the Eastern tradition of Suffrage which contains the same response to
each petition for example:
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O
Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and
goodwill
We entreat you, O
Lord.
Following the Suffrages are the collects which begin with
the same Collect from the Sunday or Holy Day immediately preceding the day and
then a collect for the particular day reflecting different themes, such as
Peace, Grace, and Aid Against Perils.
Following the Collects are the Prayers for Mission, which,
again are different but follow the same theme. My favorite Prayer for Mission
in the evening office reminds me of my daughter who is a nurse working the
night shift.
“Keep watch, dear
Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels
charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the
weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.”
Both Morning and Evening Prayer close with the General
Thanksgiving and the Prayer of St. John Chrysostom.
I pray that this brief examination of the Morning and
Evening Offices has been a blessing to you. Next week we’ll continue our
examination of the 2019 BCP with a walk through the Service for Baptism and
Confirmation.
May the Lord bless you richly this week as you are faithful
in your prayers.
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