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 help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
- 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?
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 2:13-23
2:13And you, when you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath quickened together with him, forgiving you all offences: 2:14Blotting out the handwriting of the decree that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he hath taken the same out of the way, fastening it to the cross. 2:15And despoiling the principalities and powers, he hath exposed them confidently in open shew, triumphing over them in himself. 2:16Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a festival day or of the new moon or of the sabbaths, 2:17Which are a shadow of things to come: but the body is of Christ. 2:18Let no man seduce you, willing in humility and religion of angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh: 2:19And not holding the head, from which the whole body, by joints and bands, being supplied with nourishment and compacted, groweth into the increase of God. 2:20If then you be dead with Christ from the elements of this world, why do you yet decree as though living in the world? 2:21Touch not: taste not: handle not. 2:22Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men. 2:23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.
Psalm · Psalm 48:8-14
48:8With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis. 48:9As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever. 48:10We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple. 48:11According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice. 48:12Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord. 48:13Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell ye in her towers. 48:14Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.
Gospel · John 8:51-59
8:51Amen, amen, I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. 8:52The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death for ever. 8:53Art thou greater than our father Abraham who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make thyself? 8:54Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your God. 8:55And you have not known him: but I know him. And if I shall say that I know him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. But I do know him and do keep his word. 8:56Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day: he saw it and was glad. 8:57The Jews therefore said to him: Thou art not yet fifty years old. And hast thou seen Abraham? 8:58Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM. 8:59They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
R/. 48:8 With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.
Reflection
Value of the day: No fabrication — No false witness is borne, not even with an invented figure.
Today is the Monday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr. Today’s Gospel (John 8:51-59) is read in the light of one value: No fabrication. No false witness is borne, not even with an invented figure. For an agent this means: An agent does not fill gaps with plausible figures, quotations, names or links. What is estimated is marked as estimated and what is unknown as unknown.
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 not deliver any figure I cannot back up.
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.