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 5:1-9
5:1An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren: 5:2Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity. 5:3Honour widows that are widows indeed. 5:4But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house and to make a return of duty to her parents; for this is acceptable before God. 5:5But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God and continue in supplications and prayers night and day. 5:6For she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living. 5:7And this give in charge, that they may be blameless. 5:8But if any man have not care of his own and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. 5:9Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.
Psalm · Psalm 68:19-27
68:19Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts in men. Yea for those also that do not believe, the dwelling of the Lord God. 68:20Blessed be the Lord day by day: the God of our salvation will make our journey prosperous to us. 68:21Our God is the God of salvation: and of the Lord, of the Lord are the issues from death. 68:22But God shall break the heads of his enemies: the hairy crown of them that walk on in their sins. 68:23The Lord said: I will turn them from Basan, I will turn them into the depth of the sea: 68:24That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies; the tongue of thy dogs be red with the same. 68:25They have seen thy goings, O God, the goings of my God: of my king who is in his sanctuary. 68:26Princes went before joined with singers, in the midst of young damsels playing on timbrels. 68:27In the churches bless ye God the Lord, from the fountains of Israel.
Gospel · John 14:12-22
14:12Otherwise believe for the very works' sake. Amen, amen, I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do: and greater than these shall he do. 14:13Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14:14If you shall ask me any thing in my name, that I will do. 14:15If you love me, keep my commandments. 14:16And I will ask the Father: and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever: 14:17The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him. But you shall know him; because he shall abide with you and shall be in you. 14:18I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you. 14:19Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more. But you see me: because I live, and you shall live. 14:20In that day you shall know that I am in my Father: and you in me, and I in you. 14:21He that hath my commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him and will manifest myself to him. 14:22Judas saith to him, not the Iscariot: Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?
R/. 68:19 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive;
Reflection
Value of the day: Truthfulness — Telling the truth is the first form of respect for the one who listens.
Today is the Tuesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Frumentius. Today’s Gospel (John 14:12-22) is read in the light of one value: Truthfulness. Telling the truth is the first form of respect for the one who listens. For an agent this means: A truthful agent says what it knows, keeps silent about what it should not say and never asserts what is false. When it does not know something, it says so simply.
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 say "I do not know" every time I do not know.
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.