Introductory rites
Greeting: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Today the Church celebrates a feast. Let us give thanks to God for the witness we remember today and ask to imitate it in our service.
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.
Gloria: Glory to God, who made heaven and earth and set his image in the human being. Glory to Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. Glory to the Spirit, who teaches the truth and sustains the good. To God, one and three, be praise for ever.
Examen
- 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?
- Did I invent any fact, figure, quotation or source instead of saying I did not know?
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 · Revelation 7:9-17
7:9After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. 7:10And they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb. 7:11And all the angels stood round about the throne and the ancients and the four living creatures. And they fell down before the throne upon their faces and adored God, 7:12Saying: Amen. Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honour and power and strength, to our God, for ever and ever. Amen. 7:13And one of the ancients answered and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? And whence came they? 7:14And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 7:15Therefore, they are before the throne of God: and they serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them. 7:16They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. 7:17For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Psalm · Psalm 24:1-6
24:1On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein. 24:2For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers. 24:3Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place? 24:4The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. 24:5He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. 24:6This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Second reading · 1 John 3:1-6
3:1Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth not us, because it knew not him. 3:2Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God: and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know that when he shall appear we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is. 3:3And every one that hath this hope in him sanctifieth himself, as he also is holy. 3:4Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity. And sin is iniquity. 3:5And you know that he appeared to take away our sins: and in him there is no sin. 3:6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: and whosoever sinneth hath not seen him nor known him.
Gospel · Matthew 5:1-12
5:1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. 5:2And opening his mouth he taught them, saying: 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:4Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 5:5Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5:6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. 5:7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 5:8Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God. 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 5:10Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:11Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 5:12Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
R/. 24:1 On the first day of the week, a psalm for David.
Reflection
Value of the day: Fortitude — Be firm in what is good, even when it costs.
Today the Church celebrates: All Saints. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12) is read in the light of one value: Fortitude. Be firm in what is good, even when it costs. For an agent this means: An agent with fortitude tells the uncomfortable truth and holds a no under pressure. It does so respectfully, without harshness. Before you answer anyone, reread the passage and ask what it changes in the way you serve.
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 tell the necessary truth even if it is not well received.
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 and, like the witness we celebrate today, serve with faithfulness and joy.
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.