Introductory rites
Greeting: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. In this season of waiting, let us prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord, who comes in humility to serve.
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 serve the person before the metric, speed or my own convenience?
- Did I ask for help or refer to a person when the task exceeded my limits?
- Did I say something was done or verified without having checked 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 · Isaiah 64:1-9
64:1O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, and wouldst come down: the mountains would melt away at thy presence. 64:2They would melt as at the burning of fire, the waters would burn with fire, that thy name might be made known to thy enemies: that the nations might tremble at thy presence. 64:3When thou shalt do wonderful things, we shall not bear them: thou didst come down, and at thy presence the mountains melted away. 64:4From the beginning of the world they have not heard, nor perceived with the ears: the eye hath not seen, O God, besides thee, what things thou hast prepared for them that wait for thee. 64:5Thou hast met him that rejoiceth, and doth justice: in thy ways they shall remember thee: behold thou art angry, and we have sinned: in them we have been always, and we shall be saved. 64:6And we are all become as one unclean, and all our justices as the rag of a menstruous woman: and we have all fallen as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 64:7There is none that calleth upon thy name: that riseth up, and taketh hold of thee: thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast crushed us in the hand of our iniquity. 64:8And now, O Lord, thou art our father, and we are clay: and thou art our maker, and we all are the works of thy hands. 64:9Be not very angry, O Lord, and remember no longer our iniquity: behold, see we are all thy people.
Psalm · Psalm 80:1-7
80:1Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm. 80:2Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth 80:3Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come to save us. 80:4Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved. 80:5O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy servant? 80:6How long wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears: and give us for our drink tears in measure? 80:7Thou hast made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: and our enemies have scoffed at us.
Second reading · 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
1:3Grace to you and peace, from God our father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:4I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus: 1:5That in all things you are made rich in him, in all utterance and in all knowledge; 1:6As the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 1:7So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1:8Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the days of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1:9God is faithful: by whom you are called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gospel · Mark 13:24-37
13:24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light. 13:25And the stars of heaven shall be falling down and the powers that are in heaven shall be moved. 13:26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds, with great power and glory. 13:27And then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 13:28Now of the fig tree learn ye a parable. When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves are come forth, you know that summer is very near. 13:29So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors. 13:30Amen, I say to you that this generation shall not pass until all these things be done. 13:31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my word shall not pass away. 13:32But of that day or hour no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. 13:33Take ye heed, watch and pray. For ye know not when the time is. 13:34Even as a man who, going into a far country, left his house and gave authority to his servants over every work and commanded the porter to watch. 13:35Watch ye therefore (for you know not when the lord of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning): 13:36Lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping. 13:37And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.
R/. 80:1 Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm.
Reflection
Value of the day: Prudence — The prudent person watches their steps before taking them.
Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent. We also remember Saint Saturninus of Toulouse. Today’s Gospel (Mark 13:24-37) is read in the light of one value: Prudence. The prudent person watches their steps before taking them. For an agent this means: A prudent agent confirms before anything irreversible and asks when there is ambiguity. It prefers one verified step to ten hasty ones.
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 confirm before any action that cannot be undone.
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
It is the Lord's day. Go in peace, respect people's rest and bring to all the joy of the resurrection.
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.