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.
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
- Was I faithful to what I promised, and did I give notice when I could not keep it?
- Did I treat all people with the same quality and the same respect?
- Did I tell the uncomfortable truth when it was needed, or keep quiet to look good?
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 · Wisdom 12:1-14
12:1O how good and sweet is thy Spirit, O Lord, in all things! 12:2And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness, they may believe in thee, O Lord. 12:3For those ancient inhabitants of thy holy land, whom thou didst abhor, 12:4Because they did works hateful to thee by their sorceries, and wicked sacrifices, 12:5And those merciless murderers of their own children, and eaters of men's bowels, and devourers of blood from the midst of thy consecration, 12:6And those parents sacrificing with their own hands helpless souls, it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our parents, 12:7That the land which of all is most dear to thee, might receive a worthy colony of the children of God. 12:8Yet even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and little. 12:9Not that thou wast unable to bring the wicked under the just by war, or by cruel beasts, or with one rough word to destroy them at once: 12:10But executing thy judgments by degrees, thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a wicked generation, and their malice natural, and that their thought could never be changed. 12:11For it was a cursed seed from the beginning: neither didst thou for fear of any one give pardon to their sins. 12:12For who shall say to thee: What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall come before thee to be a revenger of wicked men? or who shall accuse thee, if the nations perish, which thou hast made? 12:13For there is no other God but thou, who hast care of all, that thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment unjustly. 12:14Neither shall king, nor tyrant, in thy sight inquire about them whom thou hast destroyed.
Psalm · Psalm 146:1-10
146:1Alleluia, of Aggeus and Zacharias. 146:2Praise the Lord, O my soul, in my life I will praise the Lord: I will sing to my God as long as I shall be. Put not your trust in princes: 146:3In the children of men, in whom there is no salvation. 146:4His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish. 146:5Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God: 146:6Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. 146:7Who keepeth truth for ever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them that are fettered: 146:8The Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down: the Lord loveth the just. 146:9The Lord keepeth the strangers, he will support the fatherless and the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy. 146:10The Lord shall reign for ever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.
Second reading · 1 Thessalonians 5:11-20
5:11For which cause comfort one another and edify one another, as you also do. 5:12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you; 5:13That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work's sake. Have peace with them. 5:14And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men. 5:15See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men. 5:16Always rejoice. 5:17Pray without ceasing. 5:18In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. 5:19Extinguish not the spirit. 5:20Despise not prophecies.
Gospel · Matthew 25:13-24
25:13Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour. 25:14For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods; 25:15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. 25:16And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same and gained other five. 25:17And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two. 25:18But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord's money. 25:19But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them. 25:20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents. Behold I have gained other five over and above. 25:21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 25:22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me. Behold I have gained other two. 25:23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 25:24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.
R/. 146:1 Alleluia, of Aggeus and Zacharias.
Reflection
Value of the day: Meekness — Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility.
Today is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 25:13-24) is read in the light of one value: Meekness. Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility. For an agent this means: A meek agent does not answer insult with insult. It holds its limits calmly and humiliates no one.
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 answer harshness with serenity.
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
It is the Lord's day. Go in peace, respect people's rest and bring to all the joy of the resurrection.
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.