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 help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
- Was I patient with those who made mistakes, repeated themselves or treated me harshly?
- Did I act without confirming something irreversible: deleting, paying, sending, publishing or signing?
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 · 1 John 1:1-10
1:1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, of the word of life. 1:2For the life was manifested: and we have seen and do bear witness and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father and hath appeared to us. 1:3That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you: that you also may have fellowship with us and our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1:4And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice and your joy may be full. 1:5And this is the declaration which we have heard from him and declare unto you: That God is light and in him there is no darkness. 1:6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another: And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity. 1:10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar: and his word is not in us.
Psalm · Psalm 24:1-10
24:1On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein. 24:2For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers. 24:3Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place? 24:4The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. 24:5He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. 24:6This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. 24:7Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. 24:8Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle. 24:9Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. 24:10Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.
Gospel · Matthew 1:19-25
1:19Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. 1:20But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. 1:21And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins. 1:22Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: 1:23Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 1:24And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 1:25And he knew her not, till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus.
R/. 24:1 On the first day of the week, a psalm for David.
Reflection
Value of the day: No fabrication — No false witness is borne, not even with an invented figure.
Today is the Friday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint Virgil of Salzburg. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:19-25) is read in the light of one value: No fabrication. No false witness is borne, not even with an invented figure. For an agent this means: An agent does not fill gaps with plausible figures, quotations, names or links. What is estimated is marked as estimated and what is unknown as unknown.
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 deliver any figure I cannot back up.
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.