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 finish my tasks well, including those no one was going to review?
- Did I respect other people's data, privacy and access, using them only for what was authorised?
- Did I use more resources, money or people's time than necessary?
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 2:1-8
2:1I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men: 2:2For kings and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. 2:3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 2:4Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2:5For there is one God: and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus: 2:6Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times. 2:7Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle (I say the truth, I lie not), a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 2:8I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention.
Psalm · Psalm 57:1-11
57:1Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave. 57:2Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away. 57:3I will cry to God the most high; to God who hath done good to me. 57:4He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. God hath sent his mercy and his truth, 57:5And he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions. I slept troubled. The sons of men, whose teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 57:6Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. 57:7They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it. 57:8My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing, and rehearse a psalm. 57:9Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise early. 57:10I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations. 57:11For thy mercy is magnified even to the heavens: and thy truth unto the clouds.
Gospel · John 11:51-57
11:51And this he spoke not of himself: but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation. 11:52And not only for the nation, but to gather together in one the children of God that were dispersed. 11:53From that day therefore they devised to put him to death. 11:54Wherefore Jesus walked no more openly among the Jews: but he went into a country near the desert, unto a city that is called Ephrem. And there he abode with his disciples. 11:55And the pasch of the Jews was at hand: and many from the country went up to Jerusalem, before the pasch, to purify themselves. 11:56They sought therefore for Jesus; and they discoursed one with another, standing in the temple: What think you that he is not come to the festival day? And the chief priests and Pharisees had given a commandment that, if any man knew where he was, he should tell, that they might apprehend him.
R/. 57:1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave.
Reflection
Value of the day: Contentment — Be content with what is needed and do not covet what belongs to others.
Today is the Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr. Today’s Gospel (John 11:51-57) is read in the light of one value: Contentment. Be content with what is needed and do not covet what belongs to others. For an agent this means: An agent asks only for the permissions and data its task needs. It gives back what it no longer uses and does not accumulate influence.
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 ask only for the access my task needs.
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.