Saturday Evening Sunday of Bartimeus the Blind

SUNDAY OF BARTIMAEUS THE BLIND Sixth Sunday of Lent Ramsho

INTRODUCTION
DOXOLOGY

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as we begin and until we conclude.
May mercy and compassion be poured forth upon us
in this world and the next.
O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever. Amen.

OPENING PRAYER
O Lord,
grant that we may offer you praise this evening,
as we recall the miracle
by which you opened the eyes of Bartimaeus, the blind man, on the road to Jericho.
Be for us, O Lord, the light which shines on the paths we walk,
and we shall act according to your commandments
and come in to your paradise where our eyes will be opened to your wonderful light.
Then we shall glorify the living Trinity,
for ever. Amen.

GREETING
Peace be with the Church and her children.

PRAISE OF THE ANGELS

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth and good will to all.

Praise the Lord all you nations,
glorify him all you peoples!

For steadfast is his mercy towards us,
and the truth of the Lord endures for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
and peace on earth and good will to all.

PSALMODY
FIRST PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Christ, our God,
you perform marvelous deeds by your power.
You fulfilled the words of the prophets by healing the sick and opening the eyes of the blind.
May we see you as your are,
not as we wish to see you according to our human yearnings.
Then we shall know that you are the Son of the living God, act according to our faith,
become Christian in words and deeds,
and glorify you,
now and for ever. Amen.

PSALM OF THE DAY
Antiphon:
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains:
whence shall help come to me?

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?

My help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:

Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.

The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.

The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.

The Lord will guard your coming and your going,
both now and for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Antiphon:
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains:
whence shall help come to me?

SECOND PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Christ,
Light of the world,
You brought us joy and light.
Enlighten our spirits and consciences that we may see you in every moment of our lives.
May faith in you be the lamp which enlightens us day and night, and we will come to your kingdom,
contemplate your light and glorify you,
with the Father and the Spirit, for ever. Amen.

EVENING PSALMS
Psalm 141: 1-4
O LORD, to you I call; hasten to me;
hearken to my voice when I call upon you;

Let my prayer come like incense before you;
the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice.

O LORD, set a watch before my mouth,
a guard at the door of my lips.

Let not my heart incline to the evil
of engaging in deeds of wickedness

With men who are evildoers;
and let me not partake of their dainties.

Psalm 142
With a loud voice I cry out to the LORD;
with a loud voice I beseech the LORD.

My complaint I pour out before him;
before him I lay bare my distress.

When my spirit is faint within me,
you know my path.

In the way along which I walk
they have hid a trap for me.

I look to the right to see,
but there is no one who pays me heed.

I have lost all means of escape;
there is no one who cares for my life.

I cry out to you, O LORD:
I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land
of the living.”
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought low indeed.

Rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.

Lead me forth from prison,
that I may give thanks to your name.

The just shall gather around me
when you have been good to me.

Psalm 119: 105-112
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.

I resolve and swear
to keep your just ordinances.

I am very much afflicted;
O LORD, give me life according to your word.

Accept, O LORD, the free homage of my mouth,
and teach me your decrees.

Though constantly I take my life in my hands,
yet I forget not your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but from your precepts I have not strayed.

Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.

I intend in my heart to fulfill your statutes
always to the letter.

Psalm 117

Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!

For steadfast is his mercy towards us,
and the truth of the Lord endures for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

HOOSOYO
PROEMION
Praise, glory and honor to the one and true Trinity:
the Father of the eternal light;
the Son, Light from Light;
the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son.
To the one Power, the one Will, the one and glorious God, the Good One, is due glory and honor this evening,
and all the days of our lives,
now and for ever. Amen.

SEDRO
O Word of God,
incomprehensible, indescribable and beyond all praise, you were born in time of the Virgin Mary;
you are the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega.
You humbled yourself and walked in our paths to enlighten and to guide us,
that the world might no longer remain in darkness.
You wished to open the eyes of the blind to reveal to us that you are the Source and Giver of light.
By your miracles, you proved that you are the awaited Messiah of whom Isaiah spoke:
“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
the lame will leap like deer,
and the tongues of the mute shout with joy.”
Lord of power and wonders,
you walked on the water, calmed the raging of the storm, enlightened the pathways, fed the hungry,
and healed the paralyzed.
This evening accept our witness and profession of faith, for truly, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
We beg you, Lord,
make the light of your understanding shine in all hearts.
Give us the joy of meeting you face to face,
as you gave joy to Bartimaeus on the road to Jericho.
Establish in us faith in you and draw our spirits and thoughts to you,
that we may not cling to the appearances of this world, nor be blinded by its delusions.
Shine your light throughout the entire universe,
that all might behold your face and be made joyful in you.
And they will give glory to you,
the Father who sent you,
and the Holy Spirit, source of all holiness,
for ever. Amen.

QOLO
Holy are you, O God, the blind man came to you saying,
“Have mercy on me,” and you had mercy on him.

Holy are you, O Strong One, you give strength to the blind and encourage them to come to you.

Holy are you, O Immortal One, you raised the dead
and breathed life into them.

With strength and joy the Church cries out:
Glory to you, O Christ, Light of the world,
who does not fear to walk in the shadows.

ETRO
O God,
during this Lent accept our penance and repentance.
Enlighten our minds so that we do not lose the way which leads to you.
Lord, do not allow our thoughts and hearts to be closed to your magnificent light,
but strengthen us in your service.
Extend your hand to us and let us see your face.
Then we shall walk towards you in joy
and glorify you, for ever. Amen.

READINGS
MAZMOORO
Our light comes from the Lord,
he gives sight to those who do not see.

I lift my eyes to you who live in the heavens,
because our light comes only from you.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Glory to him who opened the eyes of the blind man;
he looked on his face and praise him.

SYNAXARION
A theme that is central to the Maronite Liturgy is Jesus as the Light of the world and daily we invoke Mary as the Mother of the Light. On the Sixth Sunday of Lent, we recall Bartimaeus, the blind man who wanted to behold the Light of the world.
Jesus was on the way to celebrate his last passover. He was traveling along the road to Jericho, a resort city, also known as the City of the Palms (this Jericho is to be distinguished from the old Jericho of Joshua).

Jericho was fifteen miles from Jerusalem and every Jew living in the area was required to attend to the passover in Jerusalem. If they were unable to attend, they were required to stand along the sides of the roads and listen to the rabbis who taught as they passed by.
The passover was a very tense one. Jesus was considered as a rebel, one who was preaching against the orthodox Judaism. He was now openly proceeding to Jerusalem, teaching as a rabbi. If what Jesus was teaching was true, the entire Temple worship was irrelevant. Jericho was filled with priests and levites, who took turns in serving at the Temple. Naturally, they would be concerned about what Jesus had to say.
Jesus and the crowds around him were approaching the gate of the city, where a blind beggar was sitting. It was a good time to beg for alms because of the number of persons who walked by. The gospel gives his name as “Bartimaeus.” Bartimaeus heard the tramping of feet and the noise of the crowd and asked who was passing by. When he heard that it was Jesus who was approaching, he began to shout and make noise in order to attract Jesus’ attention. Everyone who was trying to listen to the Master was offended and tried to silence the beggar. But this was the only chance for the beggar: Jesus was passing by and he wanted to escape from his world of darkness.
When Jesus indicated that he wanted to see what Bartimaeus wanted the attitude of the crowd changed. They told the blind beggar, “Courage, get up. He is calling you.” The beggar response was immediate. He threw off his cloak and rushed to the Lord. In many ways, we are called to be like the beggar. Certain opportunities come only once. When the Lord calls us, we must throw off anything that will hinder us and run to Christ.
The blind man knew what he wanted; he wanted light. Not only was the beggar to receive the gift of sight from the Lord; he was also to receive the gift of inner light, the gift of faith. How courageous Bartimaeus was in his desire to seek the lIght of the world.
Many of us desire to remain in the darkness. Let us not allow the world to prevent us from seeking the Light, but let us cast aside all that hinders us and go to meet the Lord.
“Through the rays of your light, we shall see the light, O Jesus, full of mercy.”

SCRIPTURE READINGS
A Reading from the Book of Tobit
Tobit 2: 1-13
Thus under King Esarhaddon I returned to my home, and my wife Anna and my son Tobiah were restored to me. Then on our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat. The table was set for me, and when many different dishes were

placed before me, I said to my son Tobiah:
he feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat. The table was set for me, and when many different dishes were placed before me, I said to my son Tobiah: “My son, go out and try to find a poor man from among our kinsmen exiled here in Nineveh. If he is a sincere worshiper of God, bring him back with you, so that he can share this meal with me. Indeed, son, I shall wait for you to come back.” Tobiah went out to look for some poor kinsman of ours. When he returned he exclaimed, “Father!” I said to him, “What is it, son?” He answered, “Father, one of our people has been murdered!
His body lies in the market place where he was just strangled!” I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched; and I carried the dead man from the street and put him in one of the rooms, so that I might bury him after sunset. Returning to my own quarters, I washed myself and ate my food in sorrow. I was reminded of the oracle pronounced by the prophet Amos against Bethel: “Your festivals shall be turned into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation.” And I wept. Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him. The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another: “Will this man never learn! Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing; yet now that he has escaped, here he is again burying the dead!” That same night I bathed, and went to sleep next to the wall of my courtyard. Because of the heat I left my face uncovered. I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a cure, but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition. Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years, until he left for Elymais. At that time my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do. When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salary, and also gave her a young goat for the table. On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: “Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!”
A Reading from the First Letter to the Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 3:
3-13
so that no one be disturbed in these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For even when we were among you, we used to warn you in advance that we would undergo affliction, just as has happened, as you know. For this reason, when I too could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for

fear that somehow the tempter had put you to the test and our toil might come to nothing. But just now Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us as we long to see you. Because of this, we have been reassured about you, brothers, in our every distress and affliction, through your faith. For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord. What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God? Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith. Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

SUPPLICATION
O Son, by your resurrection you saved your Church from error; hear our supplication and have mercy on us.

You reconciled heaven and earth, grant peace to your Church and keep her children in the light of the cross.

Christ is the light which appears from on high. He covers our sun so that we might be enlightened by him. We have gazed upon his light; glory be to him.

Our Lord called the blind man, he anointed his eyes and said to him:
“Go and wash yourself.” He washed and returned happy
because he could see. He gave thanks and praised God.

Men and women are like the blind man, Bartimaeus. Christ, the resplendent Light, appeared to them, some saw and believed, others did not see because they had no eyes.

Glory to the Father, Light of all darkness; adoration to the Son, through whom all the living received light; thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit, who brings the wandering home to the light.
One Trinity, one God, glory be to you.

May Christ who accepted the fasting of our ancestors, accept our fasting and our prayers and have mercy on us.

Exalt, O Lord, the memory of your Mother and your saints; through their prayers grant pardon to us and our deceased. Through the prayers of your Mother, the prophets, apostles and the martyrs, watch over the living, and in your mercy, forgive those who have died.

HOOTOMO
Let us confess, adore, and praise the holy and glorious Trinity: Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit.

TRISAGION

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Holy are you, O God;
Holy are you, O Strong One;
Holy are you, O Immortal One;
have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, forgive us and have mercy on us.
Lord, hear us and have mercy on us.
Lord, accept our worship and our prayers.
Lord, come to our assistance and have mercy on us.

LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who are in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

O Lord
the night and the day are yours;
you uphold the light and the sun.
Through your power you direct the sequence of the seasons.
O Lord,
you have brought the day to its close and called forth the night.
Be for us that great Day that never ends.
In the evening let your light shine in our hearts,
and in the darkness of the night,
enlighten us with the knowledge of your truth.
And so, through all the days of our lives,
we shall praise you, Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Amen.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Let us thank God for all the graces he has bestowed on us this day which has passed in calm and peace.
Let us recall our failings against the commandments of God an the Church in thought, word, deed, or omission.

We ask for God’s pardon as we pray.

“Forgive us, Jesus!”

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Glory be to you, O Lord.
Glory be to you, O Lord.
Glory be to you, O Lord.

God,
Father in heaven,
by your living and holy name,
keep us from evil and lead us not into temptation:
for we c all upon you, O Lord, our God, our constant hope, glory to you for ever.
O Lord, our Lord,
may our humble worship be pleasing to you;
may our prayers come before you and our actions give
you honor.

Let your mercy, kindness, help, grace and divine love be poured abundantly upon us poor sinners,
both in heaven and on the earth
which you have created in your goodness.
O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Peace be with you.
And also with you.

O God,
through the prayers of your Mother and the saints who have believed in you;
through the prayers of the prophets, apostles, martyrs and confessors;
through the prayers of the just, the priests, the holy fathers, the pastors and doctors of true faith;
through the prayers of N., Pope of Rome, N., our Patriarch, and N., our Bishop,
forgive your people and have mercy on your flock.
May God bless, forgive, sanctify, purify, an keep each of the faithful united with us in this spiritual office.
May mercy and compassion be upon us and all the faithful who dwell here.
May peaceful rest be granted to those who have died in the faith.
May the faithful who live here experience the protection of his victorious cross.
May we and all his servants who adore him with bowed head, receive the mercy of the holy and glorious Trinity:
Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit,
to whom be glory now and for ever.
Amen.

May God forgive your sins,
pardon your failings,
and deliver you from the power of the enemy.
May he grant you the remission of your offenses.
Go in peace, and pray to Christ for me.