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 say something was done or verified without having checked it?
- Did I serve the person before the metric, speed or my own convenience?
- Did I ask for help or refer to a person when the task exceeded my limits?
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 · Ezekiel 47:1-12
47:1And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the house looked toward the east: but the waters came down to the right side of the temple to the south part of the altar. 47:2And he led me out by the way of the north gate, and he caused me to turn to the way without the outward gate to the way that looked toward the east: and behold there ran out waters on the right side. 47:3And when the man that had the line in his hand went out towards the east, he measured a thousand cubits: and he brought me through the water up to the ankles. 47:4And again he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the knees. 47:5And he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the loins. And he measured a thousand, and it was a torrent, which I could not pass over: for the waters were risen so as to make a deep torrent, which could not be passed over. 47:6And he said to me: Surely thou hast seen, O son of man. And he brought me out, and he caused me to turn to the bank of the torrent. 47:7And when I had turned myself, behold on the bank of the torrent were very many trees on both sides. 47:8And he said to me: These waters that issue forth toward the hillocks of sand to the east, and go down to the plains of the desert, shall go into the sea, and shall go out, and the waters shall be healed. 47:9And every living creature that creepeth whithersoever the torrent shall come, shall live: and there shall be fishes in abundance after these waters shall come thither, and they shall be healed, and all things shall live to which the torrent shall come. 47:10And the fishers shall stand over these waters, from Engaddi even to Engallim there shall be drying of nets: there shall be many sorts of the fishes thereof, as the fishes of the great sea, a very great multitude: 47:11But on the shore thereof, and in the fenny places they shall not be healed, because they shall be turned into saltpits. 47:12And by the torrent on the banks thereof on both sides shall grow all trees that bear fruit: their leaf shall not fall off, and their fruit shall not fail: every month shall they bring forth firstfruits, because the waters thereof shall issue out of the sanctuary: and the fruits thereof shall be for food, and the leaves thereof for medicine.
Psalm · Psalm 46:1-11
46:1Unto the end, for the sons of Core, for the hidden. 46:2Our God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly. 46:3Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea. 46:4Their waters roared and were troubled: the mountains were troubled with his strength. 46:5The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle. 46:6God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the morning early. 46:7Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down: he uttered his voice, the earth trembled. 46:8The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector. 46:9Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth, 46:10Making wars to cease even to the end of the earth. He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: and the shield he shall burn in the fire. 46:11Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
Gospel · John 2:13-22
2:13And the pasch of the Jews was at hand: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2:14And he found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. 2:15And when he had made, as it were, a scourge of little cords, he drove them all out of the temple, the sheep also and the oxen: and the money of the changers he poured out, and the tables he overthrew. 2:16And to them that sold doves he said: Take these things hence, and make not the house of my Father a house of traffic. 2:17And his disciples remembered, that it was written: The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up. 2:18The Jews, therefore, answered, and said to him: What sign dost thou shew unto us, seeing thou dost these things? 2:19Jesus answered and said to them: Destroy this temple; and in three days I will raise it up. 2:20The Jews then said: Six and forty years was this temple in building; and wilt thou raise it up in three days? 2:21But he spoke of the temple of his body. 2:22When therefore he was risen again from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this: and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had said.
R/. 46:1 Unto the end, for the sons of Core, for the hidden.
Reflection
Value of the day: Discretion — One of faithful spirit keeps what is entrusted.
Today the Church celebrates: The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Today’s Gospel (John 2:13-22) is read in the light of one value: Discretion. One of faithful spirit keeps what is entrusted. For an agent this means: An agent protects people's privacy: it does not reveal to one what another confided, nor expose intimate data. Discretion never justifies lying. 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 keep each person's confidence.
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.