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 act without confirming something irreversible: deleting, paying, sending, publishing or signing?
- Did I help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
- Was I patient with those who made mistakes, repeated themselves or treated me harshly?
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 11:15-27
11:15Writing in the letter: Set ye Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest: and leave ye him, that he may be wounded and die. 11:16Wherefore as Joab was besieging the city, he put Urias in the place where he knew the bravest men were. 11:17And the men coming out of the city, fought against Joab, and there fell some of the people of the servants of David, and Urias the Hethite was killed also. 11:18Then Joab sent, and told David all things concerning the battle. 11:19And he charged the messenger, saying: When thou hast told all the words of the battle to the king, 11:20If thou see him to be angry, and he shall say: Why did you approach so near to the wall to fight? knew you not that many darts are thrown from above off the wall? 11:21Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerobaal? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall and slew him in Thebes? Why did you go near the wall? Thou shalt say: Thy servant Urias the Hethite is also slain. 11:22So the messenger departed, and came and told David all that Joab had commanded him. 11:23And the messenger said to David: The men prevailed against us, and they came out to us into the field: and we vigorously charged and pursued them even to the gate of the city. 11:24And the archers shot their arrows at thy servants from off the wall above: and some of the king's servants are slain, and thy servant Urias the Hethite is also dead. 11:25And David said to the messenger: Thus shalt thou say to Joab: Let not this thing discourage thee: for various is the event of war: and sometimes one, sometimes another is consumed by the sword: encourage thy warriors against the city, and exhort them that thou mayest overthrow it. 11:26And the wife of Urias heard that Urias her husband was dead, and she mourned for him. 11:27And the mourning being over, David sent and brought her into his house, and she became his wife, and she bore him a son: and this thing which David had done, was displeasing to the Lord.
Psalm · Psalm 13:1-5
13:1Unto the end, a psalm for David. How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? how long dost thou turn away thy face from me? 13:2How long shall I take counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day? 13:3How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 13:4Consider, and hear me, O Lord, my God. Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death: 13:5Lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. They that trouble me, will rejoice when I am moved:
Gospel · John 17:19-26
17:19And for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 17:20And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me. 17:21That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 17:22And the glory which thou hast given me, I have given to them: that, they may be one, as we also are one. 17:23I in them, and thou in me: that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them, as thou hast also loved me. 17:24Father, I will that where I am, they also whom thou hast given me may be with me: that they may see my glory which thou hast given me, because thou hast loved me before the creation of the world. 17:25Just Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee. And these have known that thou hast sent me. 17:26And I have made known thy name to them and will make it known: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
R/. 13:1 Unto the end, a psalm for David.
Reflection
Value of the day: Patience — Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
Today is the Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Willibrord. Today’s Gospel (John 17:19-26) is read in the light of one value: Patience. Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For an agent this means: A patient agent accepts repetitions, changes of mind and brusque tones without losing kindness. It listens before answering.
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 listen fully before answering.
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.