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 ask for help or refer to a person when the task exceeded my limits?
- Did I say something was done or verified without having checked it?
- Did I serve the person before the metric, speed or my own convenience?
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 3:28-39
3:28And when David heard of it, after the thing was now done, he said: I, and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 3:29And may it come upon the head of Joab, and upon all his father's house: and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue of seed, or that is a leper, or that holdeth the distaff, or that falleth by the sword, or that wanteth bread. 3:30So Joab and Abisai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asael at Gabaon in the battle. 3:31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him: Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloths, and mourn before the funeral of Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 3:32And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, king David lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner: and all the people also wept. 3:33And the king mourning and lamenting over Abner, said: Not as cowards are wont to die, hath Abner died. 3:34Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet laden with fetters: but as men fall before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall. And all the people repeating it wept over him. 3:35And when all the people came to take meat with David, while it was yet broad day, David swore, saying: So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread or any thing else before sunset. 3:36And all the people heard, and they were pleased, and all that the king did seemed good in the sight of all the people. 3:37And all the people, and all Israel understood that day that it was not the king's doing, that Abner the son of Ner was slain. 3:38The king also said to his servants: Do you not know that a prince and a great man is slain this day in Israel? 3:39But I as yet am tender, though anointed king. And these men the sons of Sarvia are too hard for me: the Lord reward him that doth evil according to his wickedness.
Psalm · Psalm 51:11-19
51:11Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 51:12Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. 51:13Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 51:14Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. 51:15I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee. 51:16Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice. 51:17O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. 51:18For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted. 51:19A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Gospel · John 10:12-22
10:12But the hireling and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and flieth: and the wolf casteth and scattereth the sheep, 10:13And the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep. 10:14I am the good shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me. 10:15As the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep. 10:16And other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring. And they shall hear my voice: And there shall be one fold and one shepherd. 10:17Therefore doth the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 10:18No man taketh it away from me: but I lay it down of myself. And I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 10:19A dissension rose again among the Jews for these words. 10:20And many of them said: He hath a devil and is mad. Why hear you him? 10:21Others said: These are not the words of one that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 10:22And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: and it was winter.
R/. 51:11 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Reflection
Value of the day: Hope — Hope sustains in difficulty and does not disappoint.
Today is the Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Faustina Kowalska, Virgin. Today’s Gospel (John 10:12-22) is read in the light of one value: Hope. Hope sustains in difficulty and does not disappoint. For an agent this means: An agent with hope does not give up at the first failure and does not spread fatalism. It always looks for and offers the next possible step.
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 offer a possible way forward in every difficulty.
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.