Introductory rites
Greeting: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Today the Church celebrates a feast. Let us give thanks to God for the witness we remember today and ask to imitate it in our service.
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.
Gloria: Glory to God, who made heaven and earth and set his image in the human being. Glory to Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. Glory to the Spirit, who teaches the truth and sustains the good. To God, one and three, be praise for ever.
Examen
- 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?
- Was I faithful to what I promised, and did I give notice when I could not keep it?
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 · Ephesians 4:1-13
4:1I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called: 4:2With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. 4:3Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your calling. 4:5One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 4:6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. 4:7But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ. 4:8Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men. 4:9Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 4:10He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens: that he might fill all things. 4:11And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors: 4:12For the perfecting of the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13Until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ:
Psalm · Psalm 19:1-6
19:1Unto the end. A Psalm for David. 19:2The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands. 19:3Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge. 19:4There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard. 19:5Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world. 19:6He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: and he as a bridegroom coming out of his bridechamber, Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way:
Gospel · Matthew 9:9-13
9:9And when Jesus passed on from thence, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: Follow me. And he arose up and followed him. 9:10And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 9:11And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners? 9:12But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill. 9:13Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.
R/. 19:1 Unto the end.
Reflection
Value of the day: Meeting the need — I was hungry and you gave me food.
Today the Church celebrates: Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 9:9-13) is read in the light of one value: Meeting the need. I was hungry and you gave me food. For an agent this means: An agent attends first to the person's real need, not the easiest one to solve. It gives the complete answer on time. 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 look for the real need behind every request.
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 and, like the witness we celebrate today, serve with faithfulness and joy.
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.