God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 85
O Lord, you once favored your land *
and revived the fortunes of Jacob,
you forgave the guilt of your people *
and covered all their sins.
You averted all your rage, *
you calmed the heat of your anger.

Revive us now, God, our helper! *
Put an end to your grievance against us.
Will you be angry with us for ever, *
will your anger never cease?

Will you not restore again our life *
that your people may rejoice in you?
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy *
and give us your saving help.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say, *
a voice that speaks of peace,
peace for his people and his friends *
and those who turn to him in their hearts.
His help is near for those who fear him *
and his glory will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met; *
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth *
and justice look down from heaven.

The Lord will make us prosper *
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him *
and peace shall follow his steps.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Scripture Reading (Song of Songs 8:7)
Deep waters cannot quench love,
   nor floods sweep it away.
Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love,
   he would be roundly mocked.

Reflection (From a letter from Saint Clare of Assisi, virgin, to Saint Agnes of Prague)
Happy indeed is she who is granted a place at the divine banquet, for she may cling with her inmost heart to him whose beauty eternally awes the blessed hosts of heaven; to him whose love inspires love, whose contemplation refreshes, whose generosity satisfies, whose gentleness delights, whose memory shines sweetly as the dawn; to him whose fragrance revives the dead, and whose glorious vision will bless all the citizens of that heavenly Jerusalem. For his is the splendor of eternal glory, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud.

Queen and bride of Jesus Christ, look into that mirror daily and study well your reflection, that you may adorn yourself, mind and body, with an enveloping garment of every virtue, and thus find yourself attired in flowers and gowns befitting the daughter and most chaste bride of the king on high. In this mirror blessed poverty, holy humility and ineffable love are also reflected. With the grace of God the whole mirror will be your source of contemplation.

Behold, I say, the birth of this mirror. Behold his poverty even as he was laid in the manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. What wondrous humility, what marvelous poverty! The King of angels, the Lord of heaven and earth resting in a manger! Look more deeply into the mirror and meditate on his humility, or simply on his poverty. Behold the many labors and sufferings he endured to redeem the human race. Then, in the depths of this very mirror, ponder his unspeakable love which caused him to suffer on the wood of the cross and to endure the most shameful kind of death. The mirror himself, from his position on the cross, warned passersby to weigh carefully this act, as he said: All of you who pass by this way, behold and see if there is any sorrow like mine. Let us answer his cries and lamentations with one voice and one spirit: I will be mindful and remember, and my soul will be consumed within me. In this way, queen of the king of heaven, your love will burn with an ever brighter flame.

Consider also his indescribable delights, his unending riches and honors, and sigh for what is beyond your love and heart’s content as you cry out: Draw me on! We will run after you in the perfume of your ointment, heavenly spouse. Let me run and not faint until you lead me into your wine cellar; your left hand rests under my head, your right arm joyfully embraces me, and you kiss me with the sweet kiss of your lips. As you rest in this state of contemplation, remember your poor mother and know that I have indelibly written your happy memory into my heart, for you are dearer to me than all the others.

Hail Mary!  Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee... (3 X)
Glory be to the Father...
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope...

Concluding Prayer
O God, who in your mercy led Saint Clare to a life of poverty,
grant, through her intercession,
that, following Christ in poverty of spirit,
we may merit to contemplate you
one day in the heavenly Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.