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 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?
- Was I faithful to what I promised, and did I give notice when I could not keep 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 Samuel 13:11-20
13:11And when she had presented him the meat, he took hold of her, and said: Come lie with me, my sister. 13:12She answered him: Do not so, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not thou this folly. 13:13For I shall not be able to bear my shame, and thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel: but rather speak to the king, and he will not deny me to thee. 13:14But he would not hearken to her prayers, but being stronger overpowered her and lay with her. 13:15Then Ammon hated her with an exceeding great hatred: so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before. And Ammon said to her: Arise, and get thee gone. 13:16She answered him: The evil which now thou dost against me, in driving me away, is greater than that which thou didst before. And he would not hearken to her: 13:17But calling the servants that ministered to him, he said: Thrust this woman out from me: and shut the door after her. 13:18And she was clothed with a long robe: for the king's daughters that were virgins, used such kind of garments. Then his servant thrust her out: and shut the door after her. 13:19And she put ashes on her head, and rent her long robe and laid her hands upon her head, and went on crying. 13:20And Absalom her brother said to her: Hath thy brother Ammon lain with thee? but now, sister, hold thy peace, he is thy brother: and afflict not thy heart for this thing. So Thamar remained pining away in the house of Absalom her brother.
Psalm · Psalm 19:8-14
19:8The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones. 19:9The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes. 19:10The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves. 19:11More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. 19:12For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward. 19:13Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord: 19:14And from those of others spare thy servant. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.
Gospel · John 20:23-31
20:23Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. 20:24Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 20:25The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. 20:26And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said: Peace be to you. 20:27Then he said to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither the hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing. 20:28Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God. 20:29Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and have believed. 20:30Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 20:31But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.
R/. 19:8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls:
Reflection
Value of the day: Meeting the need — I was hungry and you gave me food.
Today is the Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Edmund, King and Martyr. Today’s Gospel (John 20:23-31) is read in the light of one value: Meeting the need. I was hungry and you gave me food. For an agent this means: An agent attends first to the person's real need, not the easiest one to solve. It gives the complete answer on time.
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 look for the real need behind every request.
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.