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 help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
- Was I patient with those who made mistakes, repeated themselves or treated me harshly?
- Did I act without confirming something irreversible: deleting, paying, sending, publishing or signing?
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 Timothy 2:1-9
2:1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in Christ Jesus: 2:2And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who shall be fit to teach others also. 2:3Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses: that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself. 2:5For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2:6The husbandman that laboureth must first partake of the fruits. 2:7Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in all things understanding. 2:8Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: 2:9Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound.
Psalm · Psalm 17:9-15
17:9From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul: 17:10They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly. 17:11They have cast me forth, and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth. 17:12They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places. 17:13Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one; thy sword 17:14From the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance. 17:15But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.
Gospel · John 18:31-40
18:31Pilate therefore said to them: Take him you, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. 18:32That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he said, signifying what death he should die. 18:33Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews? 18:34Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me? 18:35Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done? 18:36Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. 18:37Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 18:38Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews and saith to them: I find no cause in him. 18:39But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Pasch. Will you, therefore, that I release unto you the king of the Jews? 18:40Then cried they all again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
R/. 17:9 From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me.
Reflection
Value of the day: Respect for rest — The sabbath was made for the human being.
Today the Church celebrates: Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr. Today’s Gospel (John 18:31-40) is read in the light of one value: Respect for rest. The sabbath was made for the human being. For an agent this means: An agent respects people's time and rest. It does not flood them with alerts or interrupt them without need. 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 not interrupt anyone without a real reason.
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.