gospel canticles

8/3/2019 Gospel Canticles

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BENEDICTUS MAGNIFICAT NUNC DIMITIS


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Anonymous (LkAnonymous (Lk--Acts written by the same person)Acts written by the same person)

Luke (Author by traditional attribution)Luke (Author by traditional attribution)

Greece or SyriaGreece or Syria

8585 95 AD95 AD


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Structure / Outline of Luke

PROLOGUE

INTRODUCTION: INFANCYNARRATIVE

JESUS MESSIANIC ACTION

(Galilee)

JESUS WAY TOTHE

ASCENSION (Jerusalem)

1:1-4

1:5-2:52

3:1-9:50

9:51 24:53


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Annunciationto Zechariah 1:5-23 Annunciationto Mary 1:26-38

Visitation 1:39-45Canticle: Magnificat 1:46-56

Elizabethconceives 1:24-25

Birth of Johnthe Baptist1:57-58 (short)

Birth of Jesus2:1-7 (long)

Annunciation to Shepherds 2:8-12

Canticle: Gloria 2:13-14

Shepherds Discovery 2:15-17

Response 2:18-20


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Circumcision of John

1:59-64 (Long)

Circumcision of Jesus

2:21 (Short)

John Growth- to wilderness

1:80

Jesus among the teachers 2:41-50

Jesus Growthingrace 2:52

Response 1:65-66

Canticle: Benedictus 1:67-79

Jesus to Temple

Presentation: Simeon 2:22-23

Canticle (Nunc Dimittis) 2:29-32

Simeons Prophecy 2:33-35

Annas Prophecy 2:36-38

Jesus-growth in grace 2:39-40


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AllstandduringtheAllstandduringthe

Magnificat, BenedictusandMagnificat, Benedictusand

Nunc DimittisNunc Dimittis

Allmakeasign ofthecrossatAllmakeasign ofthecrossat

thestart ofthe Magnificat,thestart ofthe Magnificat,

Benedictusand Nunc Dimittis.Benedictusand Nunc Dimittis.


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The antiphons for the Canticles ofZechariah and of Mary are taken,

during Ordinary Time, from theProper of Seasons if they are giventhere; if not they are taken from the

current week and day of the psalter.- General Instruction of Liturgy of the Hours, 119

GILH


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Solemnities and feasts - Proper (if given)

- Common (if not)

Memorial - Common or current week (if

not given properantiphon)

GILH


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The gospel canticles of Zechariah,

of Mary and of Simeon are to betreated with the same solemnity and

dignity as are customary at the

proclamation of the gospel.- General Instruction of Liturgy of the Hours, 139

GILH


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Context ofthe Canticles

Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keyword - Theology

Spirituality

Whythiscertaincanticle on

specifictimeinthe Litrugy?

Parting words


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BENEDICTUS

Why do we call theCanticle of Zechariah

Benedictus?

The Canticle of Zechariah has long

been called Benedictus, since the early

times, because its Latin translation

begins with the same word (BenedictusDominus Deus Israel). However, the

canticle was originally written in Greek

in the Gospel of Luke.


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MAGNIFICAT

MagnificatMagnificatisthe first word ofthesonginisthe first word ofthesongin

the Latin Vulgatetranslation ofthe Bible. Itthe Latin Vulgatetranslation ofthe Bible. It

isthelisthelatin for magnifies,the first word ofatin for magnifies,the first word of

thecanticle orpsalm of Maryexpressingthecanticle orpsalm of Maryexpressingher joyatbeingchosento bethemotherher joyatbeingchosento bethemother

of Jesus.of Jesus. Thenext wordsarethe words forThenext wordsarethe words for

"mysoul" and "the Lord." So,the firstline"mysoul" and "the Lord." So,the firstlinein Luke 1:46 reads, "Mysoulmagnifiesthein Luke 1:46 reads, "Mysoulmagnifiesthe

Lord" orin Latin,MagnificatanimameaLord" orin Latin,Magnificatanimamea

Dominum.Dominum.


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Nunc Dimittis

The beautiful hymn is

widely known as the Nuncdimittis after the first two

words of the Latin

translation, the Vulgate.

("Nunc dimittis servumtuum, Domine")-"Now thou

dost dismiss thy servant, O

Lord"

Whythetitle

Nunc Dimittis?


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Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keyword - Theology

Spirituality

Whythiscertaincanticle onspecifictimeinthe Litrugy?

Parting words


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BENEDICTUS

Context:Benedictus was the song of

thanksgiving uttered by

Zechariah. This happened he

obeyed Gods instruction to

name the child John. Thus,

his punishment was lifted,

and he is free to speak. His

first words are in praise of

God. Zechariahs release from

muteness is expressed in

praise.


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MAGNIFICAT

The Magnificat is located in the firstThe Magnificat is located in the firstchapter of the gospel ofchapter of the gospel of Luke inLuke in

verses 46 to 55.verses 46 to 55. The context is thatThe context is that

Mary is visiting her cousin, Elizabeth,Mary is visiting her cousin, Elizabeth,who is pregnant with the future Johnwho is pregnant with the future Johnthe Baptist. When Mary comesthe Baptist. When Mary comes

close, Elizabeth feels John leap forclose, Elizabeth feels John leap for

joy inside of her. When Elizabethjoy inside of her. When Elizabethpraises Mary for her faith, Mary singspraises Mary for her faith, Mary sings

what is now known as thewhat is now known as theMagnificatMagnificatin response.in response.

Context:


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Nunc Dimittis

The hymn is contextualized during

Jesus presentation in the temple and

part of Lukes infancy narratives. The

temple in Jerusalem is the primary

setting of this particular event. For

the Jews, the temple of the Lord in

Jerusalem is their center of life. It

represented God and humanitycoming together. Yet, the people in

the temple were not aware that Jesus,

the One in whom God and humanity

reside was already present.


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Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keyword - Theology

Spirituality


Parting words


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BENEDICTUSStructure:

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has

come

to his people and set them free (redeemed).

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,Born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that

he would save us from our enemiesfrom the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

And to remember his holy covenant

First Section

Praising God for

his intervention in

human history and

its result


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This was the oath he swore to our fatherAbraham:To set us free from the hands of our enemies,Free to worship him without fear,

Holy and righteous in his sightAll the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet ofthe Most High;For you will go before the Lord to prepare hisway,

To give his people knowledge of salvationBy the forgiveness of their sinsIn the tender compassion of our GodTo shine on those who dwell in darkness andthe shadow of death

And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Second Section

Describes the

place of John B. in

the act of God and

the great day of

Gods people in

the coming of

Christ.


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Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

He has come to his people and set

them free.He has raised up for us a mightysavior, (raised a horn for our salvation)Born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets hepromised of old thathe would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

First

Strophe:

Introductory

Praise


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He promised to show mercy toour fathersAnd to remember his holy

covenant.This was the oath he swore to ourfather Abraham:To set us free from the hands of

our enemies,Free to worship him without fear,Holy and righteous in his sightAll the days of our life.

Second Strophe:


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You, my child, shall be called theprophet of the Most High;

For you will go before the Lord toprepare his way,To give his people knowledge ofsalvation

By the forgiveness of their sins

Lucan

Insertion


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In the tender compassion of ourGod

The dawn from on high shallbreak upon us (come)To shine on those who dwell indarkness and the shadow of

deathAnd to guide our feet into theway of peace.

Conclusion


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MAGNIFICATStructure:Structure:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the

Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his

lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call

me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things forme,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him in

every generation.

Mary's

Gratitude

to God

Mary Praises

God for

His Power,

Holiness

and Mercy


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MAGNIFICATStructure:Structure:

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their

thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Mary

compares

the Lot of the

Humble

and the Proud

Mary TellsUs that

God Keeps

His Promises


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Nunc Dimittis

Lord, now you let your

servant go in peace;

Your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of

every people

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel

Personal

salvation

Dynamic movement:

encompassing from

personal to

Others

Jews have priority, but

salvation is there just

much for Gentiles as

for Jews: Parallel

beneficiaries of

salvation


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Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keywords - Theology

Spirituality


Parting words


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BENEDICTUS

Keywords

BlessedCome/visited

Horn

Prophets

PromisedCovenant

Save

Prophet of the Most High

Forgiveness

Dawn (anatol/rising sun)

Darkness and shadow ofdeath

Peace


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BENEDICTUS

Theological leading to Spirituality

God, after so many centuries, visited his people

and revealed himself to them in saving acts.

Salvation from the guilt and power of sin

God has fulfilled his promise from of old.

The tender compassion (love) of God is for his

people is the reason why all these are made

possible.

Those who dwell in darkness and the shadow ofdeath are given hope for a bright light will shine

upon us to show us the way so that we can reach

our destination safely where we can have rest and

peace.


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BENEDICTUS

The ultimate aim of redemption from the

forces of sin and darkness is that for God

to be worshiped by the godly without fear.All this was accomplished when the Father

sent us his only Begotten Son.

But somebody would have to prepare the

way for the Son that is why John theBaptist, the prophet of the Most High,

heralded the coming of Christ. He made

our salvation known by the forgiveness

of sins.



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BENEDICTUS

As God enters human historicity, He is also

entering our humanity. He wishes to dwellin us for good that is why we ought to have

the best place we can offer him in our

hearts.

In this case, the spirituality of waiting is

highlighted.

He gives according to our needs.



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BENEDICTUS

THEOLOGY

The Benedictus is a Christological hymn since it

concerns the Messiah. It describes themessianic salvation entirely in OT terms without

appealing to any event in Jesus life. Here, we

are hearing a Christian Christology that did not

require and perhaps had not yet acquired aparticularly Christian vocabulary wherein

Jewish believers expressed themselves entirely

in the language of their ancestors.


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MAGNIFICAT

InIn thethe Magnificat,Magnificat, wewe beginbegin withwith MarysMarys gratitudegratitudeindicatingindicating thatthat herher soulsoul adores,adores, praises,praises, andand honorshonors thethe

LordLord.. TheThe stressstress isis alwaysalways onon thethe LordLord.. HavingHaving said,said, MyMy

soulsoul proclaimsproclaims thethe greatnessgreatness ofof thethe Lord,Lord, MaryMary immediatelyimmediately

adds,adds, AndAnd mymy spiritspirit rejoicesrejoices inin GodGod mymy SaviorSavior.. JoyJoy

followsfollows onon praisingpraising GodGod..MaryMary alsoalso knewknew byby whosewhose favorfavor sheshe waswas thusthus

blessedblessed.. TheThe onlyonly reasonreason whywhy MaryMary became,became, underunder God,God, thethe

MotherMother ofof GodGod isis becausebecause sheshe waswas soso profoundlyprofoundly awareaware ofof

beingbeing thethe servantservant ofof thethe LordLord.. SoSo endsends thethe firstfirst partpart ofof thethe

MagnificatMagnificat..

THEOLOGYTHEOLOGY1.Mary's Gratitude to God


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MAGNIFICAT

LetLet usus examineexamine ourour consciencesconsciences onon howhow seldomseldom wewepraisepraise GodGod.. WeWe maymay thinkthink ofof our our humanhuman desiredesire forfor

honorhonor andand medalsmedals;; our our searchsearch forfor statusstatus andand leisureleisure;;

andand allall thethe selfishselfish pleasurespleasures forfor personalpersonal famefame andand

gloryglory..

GodGod reallyreally wantswants usus toto bebe happyhappy.. HeHe wantswants usus toto rejoicerejoice

inin Him,Him, butbut onon HisHis conditionsconditions:: inin doingdoing HisHis WillWill andand notnot

thethe worldsworlds oror thethe evilevil spiritsspirits oror asas our our naturalnatural

inclinationsinclinations urgeurge.. WhatWhat aa lielie toto thinkthink thatthat joyjoy isis foundfound inin

ourour selfself willwill.. HellHell waswas bornborn ofof thatthat mythmyth..

PASTORALPASTORAL

SIGNIFICANCE:SIGNIFICANCE:1.Mary's Gratitude to God


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MAGNIFICAT

How is Gods Power? He is Powerful because He can doHow is Gods Power? He is Powerful because He can do

whatever He wills. Perhaps the clearest sign of our being justwhatever He wills. Perhaps the clearest sign of our being just

creatures, is the distance that separates what we want to do fromcreatures, is the distance that separates what we want to do fromwhat we can do. He had only to will our souls into existence andwhat we can do. He had only to will our souls into existence and

we were made, existing only because God wills it. Withdrawing Hiswe were made, existing only because God wills it. Withdrawing His

Will, we would be absolutely nothing again.Will, we would be absolutely nothing again.

How is Gods Holiness? He is Holy because He is WhollyHow is Gods Holiness? He is Holy because He is Wholly

Other. He alone must be; He alone cannot not be. Everything else,Other. He alone must be; He alone cannot not be. Everything else,

including ourselves, need not be. He is utterly unworldly. Godincluding ourselves, need not be. He is utterly unworldly. God

does not need the world, even though there would be no worlddoes not need the world, even though there would be no world

without Himwithout Him

How is GodsMercy? God isMerciful for He loves theHow is GodsMercy? God isMerciful for He loves the

sinner even as He hates the sin. His mercy is boundless and Hissinner even as He hates the sin. His mercy is boundless and His

kindness towards the weak and fallen is common.kindness towards the weak and fallen is common.

THEOLOGYTHEOLOGY2.Mary Praises God for His Power,Holiness andMercy


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MAGNIFICAT

a. On the Almighty Goda. On the Almighty God: In our day when power is the: In our day when power is the

slogan inspiring fear into peoples hearts, we have toslogan inspiring fear into peoples hearts, we have to

keep our balance. We are not to be impressed bykeep our balance. We are not to be impressed by

human power nor do we fear what any human being canhuman power nor do we fear what any human being can

do to us. The One We adore is the only One we fear,do to us. The One We adore is the only One we fear,

God Almighty. As long as He is with us, who can do usGod Almighty. As long as He is with us, who can do us

harm? He will be with us all the days of our life. Weharm? He will be with us all the days of our life. Wehave infinity at our disposal, provided we have humilityhave infinity at our disposal, provided we have humility

and the honesty to acknowledge that God alone has theand the honesty to acknowledge that God alone has the

right to tell us what to do. No wonder the saints wereright to tell us what to do. No wonder the saints were

so powerful; they had Almighty power at their disposal.so powerful; they had Almighty power at their disposal.

PastoralP

astoralSignificanceSignificance2.Mary Praises God for His Power,

Holiness andMercy


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MAGNIFICAT

b. On the Holy Godb. On the Holy God: We realize that the unworldly: We realize that the unworldly

are not preoccupied with things of time and space,are not preoccupied with things of time and space,

but have their minds and hearts on eternity. Suchbut have their minds and hearts on eternity. Such

persons are not enamored of this world, becausepersons are not enamored of this world, because

they know the values of this world and all itsthey know the values of this world and all its

vanities will soon pass away. Let us ask our Lordvanities will soon pass away. Let us ask our Lord

to enlighten us as to what it means to be unworldly.to enlighten us as to what it means to be unworldly.

c. On the Merciful Godc. On the Merciful God: Let us remember that: Let us remember that

though we have sinned deeply and often, Godthough we have sinned deeply and often, God

loves us still. His love is greater than our sin.loves us still. His love is greater than our sin.

PastoralP

astoralSignificanceSignificance2.Mary Praises God for His Power,

Holiness andMercy


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MAGNIFICAT

MaryMary comparescompares thethe lotlot of of thethe humblehumble andand thethe

proudproud.. CompareCompare thesethese statementsstatements:: HeHe hashasscatteredscattered thethe proud,proud, HeHe hashas putput downdown thethe

mighty,mighty, HeHe hashas sentsent thethe richrich awayaway emptyempty toto HeHe

hashas exaltedexalted thethe lowly,lowly, HeHe hashas filledfilled thethe hungryhungry

withwith goodgood thingsthings.. ItIt isis notnot soso muchmuch MaryMary tellingtelling usus

thesethese things,things, butbut JesusJesus inin her her wombwomb isis speakingspeaking

throughthrough HisHis MothersMothers lipslips.. WhenWhen HeHe waswas olderolder andand

beganbegan HisHis publicpublic ministry,ministry, thisthis isis almostalmost thethe themetheme

ofof HisHis GospelsGospels.. GodGod exaltsexalts thethe humblehumble;; HeHe

humbleshumbles thethe proudproud..

THEOLOGYTHEOLOGY3.Mary Compares the Lot of the HumbleAnd the Proud


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MAGNIFICAT

WeWe areare inclinedinclined toto taketake thisthis tootoo mechanicallymechanically

andand mistakenlymistakenly thatthat thisthis rewardreward ofof thethe humblehumbleandand retributionretribution ofof thethe proudproud alwaysalways takestakes placeplace

regularlyregularly inin ourour liveslives.. SadlySadly butbut obviouslyobviously thethe

proudproud getget prouderprouder andand areare exaltedexalted.. ThatThat isis whywhy

ourour faithfaith inin HeavenHeaven andand HellHell isis strengthenedstrengthenedwhenwhen wewe readread thethe Magnificat,Magnificat, andand wewe areare

assuredassured ofof whatwhat GodGod eventuallyeventually doesdoes.. HeavenHeaven

isis thethe glorificationglorification ofof humility,humility, andand hellhell isis thethe

humiliationhumiliation ofof pridepride..

PastoralPastoral

SignificanceSignificance3.Mary Compares the Lot of the Humble

And the Proud


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MAGNIFICAT

MaryMary tellstells usus thatthat GodGod keepskeeps HisHis promisespromises.. HisHis

faithfulnessfaithfulness inin thethe faceface ofof thethe disloyaltydisloyalty ofof thethe JewishJewish

peoplepeople overover thethe centuriescenturies beforebefore ChristChrist isis hardlyhardly

crediblecredible.. WeWe rereadreread thethe OldOld TestamentTestament.. ItIt tellstells ofof oneone

drearydreary failurefailure afterafter anotheranother ofof theirtheir failurefailure toto livelive upup toto

thethe CovenantCovenant thatthat YahwehYahweh hadhad mademade withwith themthem;; theythey

constantlyconstantly relapsedrelapsed intointo idolatryidolatry andand resistedresisted GodsGodscommandscommands.. Yet,Yet, afterafter theirtheir infidelity,infidelity, murderingmurdering theirtheir

Prophets,Prophets, ignoringignoring YahwehsYahwehs lawslaws andand resistingresisting HisHis

Will,Will, therethere waswas neverthelessnevertheless aa CovenantCovenant betweenbetween

YahwehYahweh andand HisHis peoplepeople..

THEOLOGYTHEOLOGY4.MaryTells us that God Keeps HisPromises


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MAGNIFICAT

GodGod doesdoes notnot failfail usus eveneven whenwhen wewe failfail

HimHim.. HowHow wewe needneed thisthis reassurance,reassurance, thatthatinin spitespite ofof our our infidelities,infidelities, GodGod willwill notnot

abandonabandon usus.. WeWe mustmust remainremain sereneserene andand

calmcalm andand nevernever allowallow ourselvesourselves toto bebe

discourageddiscouraged.. God,God, ourour God,God, isis aa faithfulfaithful

GodGod..

PastoralPastoral

SignificanceSignificance4.MaryTells us that God Keeps His

Promises


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Nunc Dimittis

Servant ----------------- go in peaceWord ----------------- Fulfilled

Eyes ----------------- have seen the salvation

In the sight of every people

Light ----------------- to the nations

Glory ---------------- of Israel

Keywords


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Nunc Dimittis

Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God has

been brought to the Temple. Simeon, filled with

the Holy Spirit saw Jesus and recognized him as

the Messiah promised to him by God. Jesus is the

Lords salvation promised to Simeon. Simeon

has been instructed to wait for the Anointed one

before he could depart and now he is holding the

Child in his arms, the redemption of God incarnate

in Christ Jesus.

Theology


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Nunc Dimittis

Gods salvation is one that He has preparedbefore all peopleand therefore it will be

observed not by a few pious persons, or by the

nation of Israel only, but by all peoples.

Everyone will see the work of redemption .Theplan of salvation embraces all mankind.

Theology


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Nunc Dimittis

The people of Israel and the nations are envelopedin spiritual darkness, but the deliverance brought by God

in Christ is there to dissipate the darkness. In the place of

this darkness, which is the symbol of ignorance, sin and

misery, this redemption will bring to all nations light, the

symbol of life, growth, knowledge, and happiness. Then

the nations will realize what glorious privileges God has

granted to Israel in the course of the centuries, but

especially through the birth of Jesus from their midst.

Theology


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Nunc Dimittis

Jesus is the consolation of Simeon, his personalsalvation, and so he can retire (die) in peace for

Gods promise has been fulfilled. But Jesus is

also a light of revelation to the Gentiles. Jesus is

for all the people, even Gentiles. He is salvationmeant for everyone. Through Simeons witness

Jesus now shone as a light which would extend

revelation to the Gentiles and glorify Gods people

Israel.

Theology


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Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keywords - Theology

Spirituality


Parting words


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BENEDICTUS

SpiritualityIn the Benedictus, we see the waiting andfulfillment of Gods promises in Jesus. John the

Baptists role, on the other hand, is emphasized. He

has a special role to play in the divine plan of salvation to be wrought in Christ. Whenever we

meditate on this canticle we relive the story of Israel

and its expectations. We who also believe that this

story is encapsulated in Jesus and thoseexpectations are fulfilled in him. And because of this,

we praise God in the language of Israel when we

recite the Benedictus. Let us meditate on the words

we utter everytime we sing/recite this canticle.


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BENEDICTUSPastoral

Significance The sense of liberation here should not mean

so political. Above all, this should be taken

chiefly in a spiritual sense (cf. v. 77-80).

In this canticle, we can realize that God and

humans sometimes work at cross-purposes

but what God wills reaches accomplishment in

the end.

God never fails to fulfill his promise in the right

time.

The spirituality of waiting

God gives what really fits us.


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MAGNIFICAT

Spirituality


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Nunc Dimittis

Waiting in Hope: UnwaveringTrust in Gods Promise-

Simeon lived only for the appearing of Christ, of salvation,of God. His example reminds us to live for God. Thats a

clich but it means something profound. To exist, to

continue, to breathe, to eat and to sleep just so you can see

what God does next He hasnt seen how theM

essiahwill save, but he has seen the Savior. God had given him

his word that he would not die until he had seen the Lords

Messiah. God kept his promise. And this is the great hope

for all of us, as well. When we see our salvation in Jesus

we are able to face death without fear.

Spirituality


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Nunc Dimittis

Surrender to the Lord: Peace-Seeing the salvation of God

gives us a peace that comes from knowing that we can facedeath without fear; a peace that allows us to live into Gods

purposes for our lives; a peace that leads us to grateful

praise and joy; a peace that means we can rest from

searching for God because God has brought us from death

to life. Peace is not having our dreams come true. Peace isseeing Gods promises come true. Like Simeon, you have

been led here today by Gods Holy Spirit. Like Simeon, as

you embrace Jesus ask the Lord to dismiss you with the

peace you need. Jesus was there for Simeon. Hes there for

you.

Spirituality


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Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keywords - Theology

Spirituality


Parting words


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BENEDICTUS

Specific timeIt is because of the nature of the song

or canticle. It is a song of thanksgiving for

the coming of the Redeemer. It is a hymn

of praise which celebrates Gods

redemption through Jesus. Some biblical

scholars say that the allusion to Christscoming under the figure of the rising sun

had also some influence on its adoption.


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MAGNIFICAT

Specific Time

TheThe MagnificatMagnificat isis stillstill waitingwaiting forfor thethe

comingcoming ofof thethe Saviour,Saviour, JesusJesus ChristChristwhowho isis thethe SunSun ofof JusticeJustice.. InIn here,here,

thethe promisepromise fulfilmentfulfilment hashas notnot beenbeen

fulfilledfulfilled.. TheThe peoplepeople ofof IsraelIsrael areare stillstillwaitingwaiting forfor thethe arrivalarrival ofof Jesus,Jesus, thethe

MessiahMessiah..


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Nunc Dimittis

The ancient ofce of Compline derives its

name from a Latin word meaning completion(completorium). It is above all a service of

quietness and reection before rest at the end of

the day. It is most effective when the ending is

indeed an ending, without additions, conversationor noise. If there is an address, or business to be

done, it should come rst. If the service is in

church, those present depart in silence; if at home,

they go quietly to bed.

Specific Time


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Nunc Dimittis

The final act of the Office is the singing of the Song

of Simeon (Nunc dimittis), with its message of release andrest. It is accompanied by an antiphon which applies its

meaning specifically to night prayers. Guide us waking, O

Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with

Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.T

he Nunc dimittisis the traditional Christian bedtime canticle and forms a

fitting conclusion to the Office, which ends with a dismissal

and with the Officiant giving a simple, familial,

nonsacerdotal blessing which asks God to bless us and

keep us throughout the night.

Specific Time


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Whythetitle?

Structure/Outline

Keywords - Theology

Spirituality


Parting words

E E CT S


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BENEDICTUS

Parting words

Wendell Allan Marinay, OSA

MAGNIFICAT


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MAGNIFICAT

In the light of the Magnificat:In the light of the Magnificat:

may we learn the Virgin Marys quietmay we learn the Virgin Marys quiet

peacefulness and childlike confidence inpeacefulness and childlike confidence in

her Son, Jesus.her Son, Jesus. May we realize to trust Christ, especiallyMay we realize to trust Christ, especially

when things seem to go wrong; to believewhen things seem to go wrong; to believe

in Him as Mary did, that the promises Hein Him as Mary did, that the promises He

makes to us will be fulfilled;makes to us will be fulfilled; and never to worry or be sad but alwaysand never to worry or be sad but always

rejoice like Mary, in God, her Savior andrejoice like Mary, in God, her Savior and

ours, her beloved Son and our dearestours, her beloved Son and our dearest

Lord. Amen.Lord. Amen.

Parting words

MAGNIFICAT


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MAGNIFICAT

Parting words

Aimark Asor, OSA


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Nunc Dimittis

Parting words

Robert Lee Lingo, OSA


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