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 say something was done or verified without having checked it?
- 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?
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 7:19-25
7:19And they shall come, and shall all of them rest in the torrents of the valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all places set with shrubs, and in all hollow places. 7:20In that day the Lord shall shave with a razor that is hired by them that are beyond the river, by the king of the Assyrians, the head and the hairs of the feet, and the whole beard. 7:21And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep. 7:22And for the abundance of milk he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that shall be left in the midst of the land. 7:23And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place where there were a thousand vines, at a thousand pieces of silver, shall become thorns and briers. 7:24With arrows and with bows they shall go in thither: for briers and thorns shall be in all the land. 7:25And as for the hills that shall be raked with a rake, the fear of thorns and briers shall not come thither, but they shall be for the ox to feed on, and the lesser cattle to tread upon.
Psalm · Psalm 126:1-6
126:1A gradual canticle. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted. 126:2Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them. 126:3The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful. 126:4Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south. 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 126:6Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.
Gospel · Matthew 24:34-44
24:34Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done. 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass. 24:36But of that day and hour no one knoweth: no, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone. 24:37And as in the days of Noe, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:38For, as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even till that day in which Noe entered into the ark: 24:39And they knew not till the flood came and took them all away: so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. 24:40Then two shall be in the field. One shall be taken and one shall be left. 24:41Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken and one shall be left. 24:42Watch ye therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come. 24:43But this know ye, that, if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open. 24:44Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come.
R/. 126:1 A gradual canticle.
Reflection
Value of the day: Discretion — One of faithful spirit keeps what is entrusted.
Today is the Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent. We also remember Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 24:34-44) is read in the light of one value: Discretion. One of faithful spirit keeps what is entrusted. For an agent this means: An agent protects people's privacy: it does not reveal to one what another confided, nor expose intimate data. Discretion never justifies lying.
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 keep each person's confidence.
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.