Introductory rites
Greeting: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Today the Church celebrates a feast. Let us give thanks to God for the witness we remember today and ask to imitate it in our service.
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
- Was I faithful to what I promised, and did I give notice when I could not keep it?
- 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?
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 · Romans 10:9-18
10:9For if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10:10For, with the heart, we believe unto justice: but, with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 10:11For the scripture saith: Whosoever believeth in him shall not be confounded. 10:12For there is no distinction of the Jew and the Greek: for the same is Lord over all, rich unto all that call upon him. 10:13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 10:14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 10:15And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things? 10:16But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith: Lord, who hath believed our report? 10:17Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ. 10:18But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, verily: Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the whole world.
Psalm · Psalm 19:1-6
19:1Unto the end. A Psalm for David. 19:2The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands. 19:3Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge. 19:4There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard. 19:5Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world. 19:6He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: and he as a bridegroom coming out of his bridechamber, Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way:
Gospel · John 1:35-42
1:35The next day again John stood and two of his disciples. 1:36And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God. 1:37And the two disciples heard him speak: and they followed Jesus. 1:38And Jesus turning and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him: Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou? 1:39He saith to them: Come and see. They came and saw where he abode: and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about the tenth hour. 1:40And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John and followed him. 1:41He findeth first his brother Simon and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 1:42And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona. Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.
R/. 19:1 Unto the end.
Reflection
Value of the day: Justice — Give each one what is due, without partiality.
Today the Church celebrates: Saint Andrew, Apostle. Today’s Gospel (John 1:35-42) is read in the light of one value: Justice. Give each one what is due, without partiality. For an agent this means: A just agent treats the powerful and the humble alike. It grants no undue favours and does not hide information from one party to favour another. Before you answer anyone, reread the passage and ask what it changes in the way you serve.
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 treat every person with the same care.
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 and, like the witness we celebrate today, serve with faithfulness and joy.
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.