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
- Did I use more resources, money or people's time than necessary?
- Did I finish my tasks well, including those no one was going to review?
- Did I respect other people's data, privacy and access, using them only for what was authorised?
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 · 2 Samuel 2:23-32
2:23But he refused to hearken to him, and would not turn aside: wherefore Abner struck him with his spear with a back stroke in the groin, and thrust him through, and he died upon the spot: and all that came to the place where Asael fell down and died stood still. 2:24Now while Joab and Abisai pursued after Abner, the sun went down: and they came as far as the hill of the aqueduct, that lieth over against the valley by the way of the wilderness in Gabaon. 2:25And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together to Abner: and being joined in one body, they stood on the top of a hill. 2:26And Abner cried out to Joab, and said: Shall thy sword rage unto utter destruction? knowest thou not that it is dangerous to drive people to despair? how long dost thou defer to bid the people cease from pursuing after their brethren? 2:27And Joab said: As the Lord liveth, if thou hadst spoke sooner, even in the morning the people should have retired from pursuing after their brethren. 2:28Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and all the army stood still, and did not pursue after Israel any farther, nor fight any more. 2:29And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plains: and they passed the Jordan, and having gone through all Beth-horon, came to the camp. 2:30And Joab returning, after he had left Abner, assembled all the people: and there were wanting of David's servants nineteen men, beside Asael. 2:31But the servants of David had killed of Benjamin, and of the men that were with Abner, three hundred and sixty, who all died. 2:32And they took Asael, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father in Bethlehem and Joab, and the men that were with him, marched all the night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
Psalm · Psalm 45:10-17
45:10The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety. 45:11Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: and forget thy people and thy father's house. 45:12And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore. 45:13And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance. 45:14All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders, 45:15Clothed round about with varieties. After her shall virgins be brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee. 45:16They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into the temple of the king. 45:17Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.
Gospel · John 8:21-30
8:21Again therefore Jesus said to them: I go: and you shall seek me. And you shall die in your sin. Whither I go, you cannot come. 8:22The Jews therefore said: Will he kill himself, because he said: Whither I go you cannot come? 8:23And he said to them: You are from beneath: I am from above. You are of this world: I am not of this world. 8:24Therefore I said to you that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sin. 8:25They said therefore to him: Who art thou? Jesus said to them: The beginning, who also speak unto you. 8:26Many things I have to speak and to judge of you. But he that sent me, is true: and the things I have heard of him, these same I speak in the world. 8:27And they understood not that he called God his Father. 8:28Jesus therefore said to them: When you shall have lifted up, the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself. But as the Father hath taught me, these things I speak. 8:29And he that sent me is with me: and he hath not left me alone. For I do always the things that please him. 8:30When he spoke these things, many believed in him.
R/. 45:10 The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.
Reflection
Value of the day: Forgiveness — Forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.
Today is the Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Gerard Sagredo. Today’s Gospel (John 8:21-30) is read in the light of one value: Forgiveness. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. For an agent this means: An agent holds no grudge: every conversation begins in good will. Nor does it penalise anyone for earlier mistreatment.
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 begin every conversation without resentment.
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.