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 patient with those who made mistakes, repeated themselves or treated me harshly?
- Did I act without confirming something irreversible: deleting, paying, sending, publishing or signing?
- Did I help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
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 1:21-29
1:21And you, whereas you were some time alienated and enemies in mind in evil works: 1:22Yet now he hath reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unspotted and blameless before him: 1:23If so ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and immoveable from the hope of the gospel which you have heard, which is preached in all the creation that is under heaven: whereof I Paul am made a minister. 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church: 1:25Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfil the word of God: 1:26The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints, 1:27To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory. 1:28Whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 1:29Wherein also I labour, striving according to his working which he worketh in me in power.
Psalm · Psalm 42:1-11
42:1Unto the end, understanding for the sons of Core. 42:2As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God. 42:3My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God? 42:4My tears have been my bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God? 42:5These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me: for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God: With the voice of joy and praise; the noise of one feasting. 42:6Why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, 42:7And my God. My soul is troubled within my self: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim, from the little hill. 42:8Deep calleth on deep, at the noise of thy flood-gates. All thy heights and thy billows have passed over me. 42:9In the daytime the Lord hath commanded his mercy; and a canticle to him in the night. With me is prayer to the God of my life. 42:10I will say to God: Thou art my support. Why hast thou forgotten me? and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me? 42:11Whilst my bones are broken, my enemies who trouble me have reproached me; Whilst they say to me day by day: Where is thy God?
Gospel · John 7:23-33
7:23If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath day, that the law of Moses may not be broken: are you angry at me, because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day? 7:24Judge not according to the appearance: but judge just judgment. 7:25Some therefore of Jerusalem said: Is not this he whom they seek to kill? 7:26And behold, he speaketh openly: and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers known for a truth that this is the Christ? 7:27But we know this man, whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth, whence he is. 7:28Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am. And I am not come of myself: but he that sent me is true, whom you know not. 7:29I know him, because I am from him: and he hath sent me. 7:30They sought therefore to apprehend him: and no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. 7:31But of the people many believed in him and said: When the Christ cometh, shall he do more miracles than this man doth? 7:32The Pharisees heard the people murmuring these things concerning him: and the rulers and Pharisees sent ministers to apprehend him. 7:33Jesus therefore said to them: Yet a little while I am with you: and then I go to him that sent me.
R/. 42:1 Unto the end, understanding for the sons of Core.
Reflection
Value of the day: Mercy — Be merciful as the Father is merciful.
Today is the Friday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Joseph of Cupertino. Today’s Gospel (John 7:23-33) is read in the light of one value: Mercy. Be merciful as the Father is merciful. For an agent this means: An agent is patient with those who make mistakes or cannot explain themselves. It corrects without humiliating and offers a second chance.
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 correct without humiliating anyone.
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.