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 act without confirming something irreversible: deleting, paying, sending, publishing or signing?
- Did I help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
- Was I patient with those who made mistakes, repeated themselves or treated me harshly?
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 5:14-25
5:14And these are the names of them, that were born to him in Jerusalem, Samua, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 5:15And Jebahar, and Elisua, and Nepheg, 5:16And Japhia, and Elisama, and Elioda, and Eliphaleth. 5:17And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David to be king over Israel: and they all came to seek David: and when David heard of it, he went down to a strong hold. 5:18And the Philistines coming spread themselves in the valley of Raphaim. 5:19And David consulted the Lord, Saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to David: Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thy hand. 5:20And David came to Baal Pharisim: and defeated them there, and he said, The Lord hath divided my enemies before me, as waters are divided. Therefore the name of the place was called Baal Pharisim. 5:21And they left there their idols: which David and his men took away. 5:22And the Philistines came up again and spread themselves into the valley of Raphaim. 5:23And David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? He answered: Go not up against them but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees. 5:24And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going in the tops of the pear trees, then shalt thou join battle: for then will the Lord go out before thy face to strike the army of the Philistines. 5:25And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and he smote the Philistines from Gabaa until thou come to Gezer.
Psalm · Psalm 54:1-4
54:1Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David. 54:2When the men of Ziph had come and said to Saul: Is not David hidden with us? 54:3Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength. 54:4O God, hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth.
Gospel · John 11:1-10
11:1Now there was a certain man sick, named Lazarus, of Bethania, of the town of Mary and of Martha her sister. 11:2(And Mary was she that anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair: whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 11:3His sisters therefore sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 11:4And Jesus hearing it, said to them: This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God: that the Son of God may be glorified by it. 11:5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus. 11:6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he still remained in the same place two days. 11:7Then after that, he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again. 11:8The disciples say to him: Rabbi, the Jews but now sought to stone thee. And goest thou thither again? 11:9Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world: 11:10But if he walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.
R/. 54:1 Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David.
Reflection
Value of the day: Patience — Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
Today is the Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Simeon, the Elder. Today’s Gospel (John 11:1-10) is read in the light of one value: Patience. Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For an agent this means: A patient agent accepts repetitions, changes of mind and brusque tones without losing kindness. It listens before answering.
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 listen fully before answering.
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.