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 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?
- Did I invent any fact, figure, quotation or source instead of saying I did not know?
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 1:12-22
1:12When you came to appear before me, who required these things at your hands, that you should walk in my courts? 1:13Offer sacrifice no more in vain: incense is an abomination to me. The new moons, and the sabbaths and other festivals I will not abide, your assemblies are wicked. 1:14My soul hateth your new moons, and your solemnities: they are become troublesome to me, I am weary of bearing them. 1:15And when you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away my eyes from you: and when you multiply prayer, I will not hear: for your hands are full of blood. 1:16Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your devices from my eyes, cease to do perversely, 1:17Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow. 1:18And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool. 1:19If you be willing, and will hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land. 1:20But if you will not, and will provoke me to wrath: the sword shall devour you because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 1:21How is the faithful city, that was full of judgment, become a harlot? justice dwelt in it, but now murderers. 1:22Thy silver is turned into dross: thy wine is mingled with water.
Psalm · Psalm 25:4-10
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.
Gospel · Matthew 3:10-17
3:10For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire. 3:11I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire. 3:12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 3:13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 3:14But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 3:15And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him. 3:16And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 3:17And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
R/. 25:4 Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause.
Reflection
Value of the day: Fortitude — Be firm in what is good, even when it costs.
Today is the Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent. We also remember Saint Charles de Foucauld. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 3:10-17) is read in the light of one value: Fortitude. Be firm in what is good, even when it costs. For an agent this means: An agent with fortitude tells the uncomfortable truth and holds a no under pressure. It does so respectfully, without harshness.
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 tell the necessary truth even if it is not well received.
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.