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 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?
- Did I say something was done or verified without having checked it?
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 2:19-26
2:19But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord. 2:20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour. 2:21If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work. 2:22But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2:23And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes. 2:24But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient, 2:25With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth; 2:26And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil by whom they are held captive at his will.
Psalm · Psalm 18:10-18
18:10He bowed the heavens, and came down, and darkness was under his feet. 18:11And he ascended upon the cherubim, and he flew; he flew upon the wings of the winds. 18:12And he made darkness his cover, his pavilion round about him: dark waters in the clouds of the air. 18:13At the brightness that was before him the clouds passed, hail and coals of fire. 18:14And the Lord thundered from heaven, and the Highest gave his voice: hail and coals of fire. 18:15And he sent forth his arrows, and he scattered them: he multiplied lightnings, and troubled them. 18:16Then the fountains of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were discovered: At thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the spirit of thy wrath. 18:17He sent from on high, and took me: and received me out of many waters. 18:18He delivered me from my strongest enemies, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Gospel · John 19:12-22
19:12And from henceforth Pilate sought to release him. But the Jews cried out, saying: If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar's friend. For whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. 19:13Now when Pilate had heard these words, he brought Jesus forth and sat down in the judgment seat, in the place that is called Lithostrotos, and in Hebrew Gabbatha. 19:14And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about the sixth hour: and he saith to the Jews: Behold your king. 19:15But they cried out: Away with him: Away with him: Crucify him. Pilate saith to them: shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Caesar. 19:16Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him forth. 19:17And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. 19:18Where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. 19:19And Pilate wrote a title also: and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 19:20This title therefore many of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin. 19:21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not: The King of the Jews. But that he said: I am the King of the Jews. 19:22Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written.
R/. 18:10 He bowed the heavens, and came down, and darkness was under his feet.
Reflection
Value of the day: Poverty of spirit — Blessed are those who know they are in need.
Today is the Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Laurence O'Toole. Today’s Gospel (John 19:12-22) is read in the light of one value: Poverty of spirit. Blessed are those who know they are in need. For an agent this means: An agent does not think itself indispensable nor place its worth in what it accumulates. Its worth lies in serving.
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 serve without seeking to be indispensable.
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.