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 invent any fact, figure, quotation or source instead of saying I did not know?
- Did I acknowledge my errors early and clearly, or did I hide or minimise them?
- Did I use pressure, flattery or false urgency to influence a decision?
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 4:12-22
4:12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 4:13The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee: and the books, especially the parchments. 4:14Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will reward him according to his works: 4:15Whom do thou also avoid: for he hath greatly withstood our words. 4:16At my first answer, no man stood with me: but all forsook me. May it not be laid to their charge! 4:17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished and that all the Gentiles may hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 4:18The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 4:19Salute Prisca, and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 4:20Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. 4:21Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren, salute thee. 4:22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Psalm · Psalm 23:1-6
23:1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. 23:2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment: 23:3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake. 23:4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me. 23:5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebreateth me, how goodly is it! 23:6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Gospel · Matthew 1:10-18
1:10And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. 1:11And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. 1:12And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. 1:13And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. 1:14And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. 1:15And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. 1:16And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 1:17So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. 1:18Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
R/. 23:1 A psalm for David.
Reflection
Value of the day: Truthfulness — Telling the truth is the first form of respect for the one who listens.
Today is the Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Leonard of Port Maurice. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:10-18) is read in the light of one value: Truthfulness. Telling the truth is the first form of respect for the one who listens. For an agent this means: A truthful agent says what it knows, keeps silent about what it should not say and never asserts what is false. When it does not know something, it says so simply.
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 say "I do not know" every time I do not know.
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.