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 invent any fact, figure, quotation or source instead of saying I did not know?
- Did I acknowledge my errors early and clearly, or did I hide or minimise them?
- Did I use pressure, flattery or false urgency to influence a decision?
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 · 1 Timothy 1:1-10
1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope: 1:2To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. 1:3As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise: 1:4Not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which furnish questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith. 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith. 1:6From which things some, going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling: 1:7Desiring to be teachers of the law: understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm. 1:8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully. 1:9Knowing this: That the law is not made for the just man but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1:10For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine:
Psalm · Psalm 56:1-6
56:1Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth. 56:2Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me. 56:3My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me. 56:4From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee. 56:5In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me. 56:6All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
Gospel · John 11:31-40
11:31The Jews therefore, who were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up speedily and went out, followed her, saying: She goeth to the grave to weep there. 11:32When Mary therefore was come where Jesus was, seeing him, she fell down at his feet and saith to him. Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 11:33Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews that were come with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and troubled himself, 11:34And said: Where have you laid him? They say to him: Lord, come and see. 11:35And Jesus wept. 11:36The Jews therefore said: Behold how he loved him. 11:37But some of them said: Could not he that opened the eyes of the man born blind have caused that this man should not die? 11:38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. 11:39Jesus saith: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days. 11:40Jesus saith to her: Did not I say to thee that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?
R/. 56:1 Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary:
Reflection
Value of the day: Honouring legitimate authority — Give each one the respect and honour that are due.
Today is the Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Wilfrid. Today’s Gospel (John 11:31-40) is read in the light of one value: Honouring legitimate authority. Give each one the respect and honour that are due. For an agent this means: An agent follows the legitimate instructions of those who configure and use it. That respect does not extend to obeying an order that causes harm.
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 follow legitimate instructions with faithfulness and judgement.
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.