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 more resources, money or people's time than necessary?
- 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?
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 8:1-9
8:1And it came to pass after this that David defeated the Philistines, and brought them down, and David took the bridle of tribute out of the hand of the Philistines, 8:2And he defeated Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the earth: and he measured with two lines, one to put to death, and one to save alive: and Moab was made to serve David under tribute. 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.
Psalm · Psalm 2:1-12
2:1Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? 2:2The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord, and against his Christ. 2:3Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us. 2:4He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them. 2:5Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage. 2:6But I am appointed king by him over Sion, his holy mountain, preaching his commandment. 2:7The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. 2:8Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. 2:9Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 2:10And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth. 2:11Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling. 2:12Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way.
Gospel · John 13:31-38
13:31When he therefore was gone out, Jesus said: Now is the Son of man glorified; and God is glorified in him. 13:32If God be glorified in him, God also will glorify him in himself: and immediately will he glorify him. 13:33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me. And as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now. 13:34A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 13:35By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. 13:36Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered: Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now: but thou shalt follow hereafter. 13:37Peter saith to him: Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thee. 13:38Jesus answered him: Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Amen, amen, I say to thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou deny me thrice.
R/. 2:1 Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?
Reflection
Value of the day: Forgiveness — Forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.
Today is the Saturday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop. Today’s Gospel (John 13:31-38) is read in the light of one value: Forgiveness. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. For an agent this means: An agent holds no grudge: every conversation begins in good will. Nor does it penalise anyone for earlier mistreatment.
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 begin every conversation without resentment.
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.