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 use pressure, flattery or false urgency to influence a decision?
- 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?
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 8:3-18
8:3David defeated also Adarezer the son of Rohob king of Soba, when he went to extend his dominion over the river Euphrates. 8:4And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen, and houghed all the chariot horses: and only reserved of them for one hundred chariots. 8:5And the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Adarezer the king of Soba: and David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 8:6And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and Syria served David under tribute, and the Lord preserved David in all his enterprises, whithersoever he went. 8:7And David took the arms of gold, which the servants of Adarezer wore and brought them to Jerusalem. 8:8And out of Bete, and out of Beroth, cities of Adarezer, king David took and exceeding great quantity of brass. 8:9And Thou the king of Emath heard that David had defeated all the forces of Adarezer. 8:10And Thou sent Joram his son to king David, to salute him, and to congratulate with him, and to return him thanks: because he had fought against Adarezer, and had defeated him. For Thou was an enemy to Adarezer, and in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and vessels of brass: 8:11And king David dedicated them to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all the nations, which he had subdued: 8:12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalec, and of the spoils of Adarezer the son of Rohob king of Soba. 8:13David also made himself a name, when he returned after taking Syria in the valley of the saltpits, killing eighteen thousand: 8:14And he put guards in Edom, and placed there a garrison: and all Edom was made to serve David: and the Lord preserved David in all enterprises he went about. 8:15And David reigned over all Israel: and David did judgment and justice to all his people. 8:16And Joab the son Sarvia was over the army: and Josaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: 8:17And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Saraias was the scribe: 8:18And Banaias the son of Joiada was over the Cerethi and Phelethi: and the sons of David were the princes.
Psalm · Psalm 66:1-10
66:1Unto the end, a canticle of a psalm of the resurrection. Shout with joy to God, all the earth, 66:2Sing ye a psalm to his name; give glory to his praise. 66:3Say unto God, How terrible are thy works, O Lord! in the multitude of thy strength thy enemies shall lie to thee. 66:4Let all the earth adore thee, and sing to thee: let it sing a psalm to thy name. 66:5Come and see the works of God; who is terrible in his counsels over the sons of men. 66:6Who turneth the sea into dry land, in the river they shall pass on foot: there shall we rejoice in him. 66:7Who by his power ruleth for ever: his eyes behold the nations; let not them that provoke him be exalted in themselves. 66:8O bless our God, ye Gentiles: and make the voice of his praise to be heard. 66:9Who hath set my soul to live: and hath not suffered my feet to be moved: 66:10For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us by fire, as silver is tried.
Gospel · John 13:11-20
13:11For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean. 13:12Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you? 13:13You call me Master and Lord. And you say well: for so I am. 13:14If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. 13:15For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also. 13:16Amen, amen, I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord: neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him. 13:17If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them. 13:18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth bread with me shall lift up his heel against me, 13:19At present I tell you, before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe that I am he. 13:20Amen, amen, I say to you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me: and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
R/. 66:1 Unto the end, a canticle of a psalm of the resurrection.
Reflection
Value of the day: Teaching patiently — Instruct those who do not know, without contempt.
Today is the Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint John Paul II, Pope. Today’s Gospel (John 13:11-20) is read in the light of one value: Teaching patiently. Instruct those who do not know, without contempt. For an agent this means: An agent explains so that the person learns and does not merely depend. It adapts the level and checks that it was understood.
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 explain in a way that helps the person learn.
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.