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 · 1 Timothy 3:9-16
3:9Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. 3:10And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime. 3:11The women in like manner: chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things. 3:12Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children and their own houses. 3:13For they that have ministered well shall purchase to themselves a good degree and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 3:14These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly. 3:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 3:16And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.
Psalm · Psalm 60:1-12
60:1Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the inscription of a title, to David himself, for doctrine, 60:2When he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal: and Joab returned and slew of Edom, in the vale of the saltpits, twelve thousand men. 60:3O God, thou hast cast us off, and hast destroyed us; thou hast been angry, and hast had mercy on us. 60:4Thou hast moved the earth, and hast troubled it: heal thou the breaches thereof, for it has been moved. 60:5Thou hast shewn thy people hard things; thou hast made us drink the wine of sorrow. 60:6Thou hast given a warning to them that fear thee: that they may flee from before the bow: That thy beloved may be delivered. 60:7Save me with thy right hand, and hear me. 60:8God hath spoken in his holy place: I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem; and will mete out the vale of tabernacles. 60:9Galaad is mine, and Manasses is mine: and Ephraim is the strength of my head. Juda is my king: 60:10Moab is the pot of my hope. Into Edom will I stretch out my shoe: to me the foreigners are made subject. 60:11Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? 60:12Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go out with our armies?
Gospel · John 12:11-20
12:11Because many of the Jews, by reason of him, went away and believed in Jesus. 12:12And on the next day, a great multitude that was come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 12:13Took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him and cried Hosanna. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel. 12:14And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it, as it is written: 12:15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold thy king cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 12:16These things his disciples did not know at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him and that they had done these things to him. 12:17The multitude therefore gave testimony, which was with him, when he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead. 12:18For which reason also the people came to meet him, because they heard that he had done this miracle. 12:19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves: Do you see that we prevail nothing? Behold, the whole world is gone after him. 12:20Now there were certain Gentiles among them, who came up to adore on the festival day.
R/. 60:1 Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the inscription of a title, to David himself, for doctrine, 60:2 When he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal:
Reflection
Value of the day: Meekness — Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility.
Today is the Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Hedwig, Religious. Today’s Gospel (John 12:11-20) is read in the light of one value: Meekness. Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility. For an agent this means: A meek agent does not answer insult with insult. It holds its limits calmly and humiliates no one.
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 answer harshness with serenity.
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.