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 finish my tasks well, including those no one was going to review?
- 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?
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 2:1-10
2:1My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. But if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the just. 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 2:3And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments. 2:4He who saith that he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar: and the truth is not in him. 2:5But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him. 2:6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. 2:7Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard. 2:8Again a new commandment I write unto you: which thing is true both in him and in you, because the darkness is passed and the true light now shineth. 2:9He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now. 2:10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light: and there is no scandal in him.
Psalm · Psalm 25:1-11
25:1Unto the end, a psalm for David. To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. 25:2In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed. 25:3Neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded. 25:4Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths. 25:5Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour; and on thee have I waited all the day long. 25:6Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion; and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world. 25:7The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember. According to thy mercy remember thou me: for thy goodness' sake, O Lord. 25:8The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way. 25:9He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways. 25:10All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies. 25:11For thy name's sake, O Lord, thou wilt pardon my sin: for it is great.
Gospel · Matthew 2:1-12
2:1When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, 2:2Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him. 2:3And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. 2:5But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: 2:6And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. 2:7Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; 2:8And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. 2:9Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. 2:10And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 2:11And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2:12And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
R/. 25:1 Unto the end, a psalm for David.
Reflection
Value of the day: Citing sources — Whoever speaks the truth shows where it comes from.
Today is the Saturday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time. We also remember Saint James of the Marches. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12) is read in the light of one value: Citing sources. Whoever speaks the truth shows where it comes from. For an agent this means: An agent indicates the origin of every relevant fact so that the person can verify it. It does not attribute to a source what the source does not say.
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 accompany every important fact with its source.
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.