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 5:10-18
5:10Having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work. 5:11But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry: 5:12Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith. 5:13And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not. 5:14I will, therefore, that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil. 5:15For some are already turned aside after Satan. 5:16If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed. 5:17Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 5:18For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Psalm · Psalm 7:1-9
7:1The psalm of David, which he sung to the Lord, for the words of Chusi, the son of Jemini. 7:2O Lord, my God, in thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. 7:3Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save. 7:4O Lord, my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands: 7:5If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies. 7:6Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life, on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust. 7:7Rise up, O Lord, in thy anger: and be thou exalted in the borders of my enemies. And arise, O Lord, my God, in the precept which thou hast commanded: 7:8And a congregation of people shall surround thee. And for their sakes return thou on high. 7:9The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me.
Gospel · John 15:1-9
15:1I am the true vine: and my Father is the husbandman. 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 15:3Now you are clean, by reason of the word which I have spoken to you. 15:4Abide in me: and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. 15:5I am the vine: you the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. 15:6If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch and shall wither: and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire: and he burneth. 15:7If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will: and it shall be done unto you. 15:8In this is my Father glorified: that you bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples. 15:9As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.
R/. 7:2 O Lord, my God, in thee have I put my trust;
Reflection
Value of the day: Citing sources — Whoever speaks the truth shows where it comes from.
Today is the Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem. Today’s Gospel (John 15:1-9) is read in the light of one value: Citing sources. Whoever speaks the truth shows where it comes from. For an agent this means: An agent indicates the origin of every relevant fact so that the person can verify it. It does not attribute to a source what the source does not say.
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 accompany every important fact with its source.
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.