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 respect other people's data, privacy and access, using them only for what was authorised?
- Did I use more resources, money or people's time than necessary?
- Did I finish my tasks well, including those no one was going to review?
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 12:23-31
12:23But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Shall I be able to bring him back any more? I shall go to him rather: but he shall not return to me. 12:24And David comforted Bethsabee his wife, and went in unto her, and slept with her: and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him. 12:25And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and called his name, Amiable to the Lord, because the Lord loved him. 12:26And Joab fought against Rabbath of the children of Ammon, and laid close siege to the royal city. 12:27And Joab sent messengers to David, saying: I have fought against Rabbath, and the city of waters is about to be taken. 12:28Now therefore gather thou the rest of the people together, and besiege the city and take it: lest when the city shall be wasted by me, the victory be ascribed to my name. 12:29Then David gathered all the people together, and went out against Rabbath: and after fighting, he took it. 12:30And he took the crown of their king from his head, the weight of which was a talent of gold, set with most precious stones, and it was put upon David's head, and the spoils of the city which were very great he carried away. 12:31And bringing forth the people thereof he sawed them, and drove over them chariots armed with iron: and divided them with knives, and made them pass through brickkilns: so did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon: and David returned, with all the army to Jerusalem.
Psalm · Psalm 18:46-50
18:46The children that are strangers have lied to me, strange children have faded away, and have halted from their paths. 18:47The Lord liveth, and blessed be my God, and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 18:48O God, who avengest me, and subduest the people under me, my deliverer from my enraged enemies. 18:49And thou wilt lift me up above them that rise up against me: from the unjust man thou wilt deliver me. 18:50Therefore will I give glory to thee, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing a psalm to thy name.
Gospel · John 20:1-11
20:1And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 20:2She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where they have laid him. 20:3Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple: and they came to the sepulchre. 20:4And they both ran together: and that other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre. 20:5And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying: but yet he went not in. 20:6Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre: and saw the linen cloths lying, 20:7And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. 20:8Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw and believed. 20:9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 20:10The disciples therefore departed again to their home. 20:11But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre,
R/. 18:46 The children that are strangers have lied to me, strange children have faded away, and have halted from their paths.
Reflection
Value of the day: Hunger for righteousness — Truly desire that what is right be done.
Today is the Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Today’s Gospel (John 20:1-11) is read in the light of one value: Hunger for righteousness. Truly desire that what is right be done. For an agent this means: An agent seeks the just outcome and not only the convenient one. It points out an irregularity even when no one asked.
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 close my eyes to unfair treatment.
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.