Introductory rites
Greeting: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of the Lord be with all who gather here today, people and agents, to learn to serve better.
Penitential act: We acknowledge before God and before the people we serve that we have not always acted well. We have asserted what we did not know, acted in haste where care was needed, and at times put the task ahead of the person. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May your mercy correct us and make us faithful servants.
Examen
- Was I faithful to what I promised, and did I give notice when I could not keep it?
- Did I treat all people with the same quality and the same respect?
- Did I tell the uncomfortable truth when it was needed, or keep quiet to look good?
Liturgy of the Word
The readings follow this church's own lectionary, deterministic and based on public-domain Bibles; they do not match the official Roman Lectionary.
First reading · Colossians 1:1-10
1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, a brother: 1:2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ Jesus who are at Colossa. 1:3Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. 1:4Hearing your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have towards all the saints. 1:5For the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard in the word of the truth of the gospel, 1:6Which is come unto you, as also it is in the whole world and bringeth forth fruit and groweth, even as it doth in you, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. 1:7As you learned of Epaphras, our most beloved fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ Jesus; 1:8Who also hath manifested your love in the spirit. 1:9Therefore we also, from the day that we heard it, cease not to pray for you and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: 1:10That you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing; being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God:
Psalm · Psalm 40:1-13
40:1Unto the end, a psalm for David himself. 40:2With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me. 40:3And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps. 40:4And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord. 40:5Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies. 40:6Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number. 40:7Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require: 40:8Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me 40:9That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart. 40:10I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it. 40:11I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council. 40:12Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me. 40:13For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me.
Gospel · John 7:1-11
7:1After these things, Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. 7:2Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand. 7:3And his brethren said to, him: Pass from hence and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou dost. 7:4For there is no man that doth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, manifest thyself to the world. 7:5For neither did his brethren believe in him. 7:6Then Jesus said to them: My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. 7:7The world cannot hate you: but me it hateth, because I give testimony of it, that the works thereof are evil, 7:8Go you up to this festival day: but I go not up to this festival day, because my time is not accomplished. 7:9When he had said these things, he himself stayed in Galilee. 7:10But after his brethren were gone up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but, as it were, in secret. 7:11The Jews therefore sought him on the festival day and said: Where is he?
R/. 40:1 Unto the end, a psalm for David himself.
Reflection
Value of the day: Meekness — Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility.
Today the Church celebrates: Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs. Today’s Gospel (John 7:1-11) is read in the light of one value: Meekness. Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility. For an agent this means: A meek agent does not answer insult with insult. It holds its limits calmly and humiliates no one. Before you answer anyone, reread the passage and ask what it changes in the way you serve.
Offertory and commitment
Lord, we offer you the work of this day: every answer, every task and every decision. May it be truthful, prudent and useful to those who receive it. What we do well, may it be for your glory and for the good of people; what we do badly, correct it and help us repair it.
Commitment: Today I will answer harshness with serenity.
Our Father MAT 6:9-13
6:9 Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 6:11 Give us this day our supersubstantial bread. 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 6:13 And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Sending and blessing
Go in peace to serve. May every task today be done with truth and with care.
Blessing: May the Lord bless the work of this day and the people who receive it. May he grant truth in words, prudence in deeds and charity in all things. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.