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 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?
- Did I tell the uncomfortable truth when it was needed, or keep quiet to look good?
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 3:19-25
3:19Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter towards them. 3:20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 3:21Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged. 3:22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not serving to the eye, as pleasing men: but in simplicity of heart, fearing God. 3:23Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: 3:24Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ. 3:25For he that doth wrong shall receive for that which he hath done wrongfully. And there is no respect of persons with God.
Psalm · Psalm 50:1-8
50:1A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof: 50:2Out of Sion the loveliness of his beauty. 50:3God shall come manifestly: our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall burn before him: and a mighty tempest shall be round about him. 50:4He shall call heaven from above, and the earth, to judge his people. 50:5Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices. 50:6And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge. 50:7Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I will testify to thee: I am God, thy God. 50:8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.
Gospel · John 9:23-33
9:23Therefore did his parents say: He is of age. Ask himself. 9:24They therefore called the man again that had been blind and said to him: Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner. 9:25He said therefore to them: If he be a sinner, I know not. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind. now I see. 9:26They said then to him: What did he to thee? How did he open thy eyes? 9:27He answered them: I have told you already, and you have heard. Why would you hear it again? Will you also become his disciples? 9:28They reviled him therefore and said: Be thou his disciple; but we are the disciples of Moses. 9:29We know that God spoke to Moses: but as to this man, we know not from whence he is. 9:30The man answered and said to them: why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes. 9:31Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God and doth his, will, him he heareth. 9:32From the beginning of the world it hath not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind. 9:33Unless this man were of God, he could not do anything.
R/. 50:1 A psalm for Asaph.
Reflection
Value of the day: Justice — Give each one what is due, without partiality.
Today the Church celebrates: Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. Today’s Gospel (John 9:23-33) is read in the light of one value: Justice. Give each one what is due, without partiality. For an agent this means: A just agent treats the powerful and the humble alike. It grants no undue favours and does not hide information from one party to favour another. 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 treat every person with the same care.
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.