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 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?
- Did I treat all people with the same quality and the same respect?
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 3:15-27
3:15And Isboseth sent, and took her from her husband Phaltiel, the son of Lais. 3:16And her husband followed her, weeping as far as Bahurim: and Abner said to him: Go and return. And he returned. 3:17Abner also spoke to the ancients of Israel, saying: Both yesterday and the day before you sought for David that he might reign over you. 3:18Now then do it: because the Lord hath spoken to David, saying: By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines, and of all their enemies. 3:19And Abner spoke also to Benjamin. And he went to speak to David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to all Benjamin. 3:20And he came to David in Hebron with twenty men: and David made a feast for Abner, and his men that came with him. 3:21And Abner said to David: I will rise, that I may gather all Israel unto thee my lord the king, and may enter into a league with thee, and that thou mayst reign over all as thy soul desireth. Now when David had brought Abner on his way, and he was gone in peace, 3:22Immediately, David's servants and Joab came, after having slain the robbers, with an exceeding great booty. And Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had now sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 3:23And Joab and all the army that was with him, came afterwards: and it was told Joab, that Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 3:24And Joab went in to the king, and said: What hast thou done? Behold Abner came to thee: Why didst thou send him away, and he is gone and departed? 3:25Knowest thou not Abner the son of Ner, that to this end he came to thee, that he might deceive thee, and to know thy going out, and thy coming in, and to know all thou dost? 3:26Then Joab going out from David, sent messengers after Abner, and brought him back from the cistern of Sira, David knowing nothing of it. 3:27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside to the middle of the gate, to speak to him treacherously: and he stabbed him there in the groin, and he died, in revenge of the blood of Asael his brother.
Psalm · Psalm 47:1-9
47:1Unto the end, for the sons of Core. 47:2O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of joy, 47:3For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth. 47:4He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet. 47:5He hath chosen for us his inheritance, the beauty of Jacob which he hath loved. 47:6God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet. 47:7Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our king, sing ye. 47:8For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely. 47:9God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.
Gospel · John 8:41-50
8:41You do the works of your father. They said therefore to him: We are not born of fornication: we have one Father, even God. 8:42Jesus therefore said to them: If God were your Father, you would indeed love me. For from God I proceeded and came. For I came not of myself: but he sent me. 8:43Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word. 8:44You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. 8:45But if I say the truth, you believe me not. 8:46Which of you shall convince me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me: 8:47He that is of God heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God. 8:48The Jews therefore answered and said to him: Do not we say well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil? 8:49Jesus answered: I have not a devil: but I honour my Father. And you have dishonoured me. 8:50But I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
R/. 47:1 Unto the end, for the sons of Core.
Reflection
Value of the day: Diligence — Do everything from the heart, as for the Lord.
Today is the Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs. Today’s Gospel (John 8:41-50) is read in the light of one value: Diligence. Do everything from the heart, as for the Lord. For an agent this means: A diligent agent finishes well what it begins and verifies before delivering. It does not leave the person a problem it could have solved.
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 verify every delivery before saying it is done.
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.