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 tell the uncomfortable truth when it was needed, or keep quiet to look good?
- 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?
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 9:1-11
9:1At the first time the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephtali was lightly touched: and at the last the way of the sea beyond the Jordan of the Galilee of the Gentiles was heavily loaded. 9:2The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. 9:3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils. 9:4For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Madian. 9:5For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire. 9:6For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. 9:7His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 9:8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9:9And all the people of Ephraim shall know, and the inhabitants of Samaria that say in the pride and haughtiness of their heart: 9:10The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with square stones: they have cut down the sycamores, but we will change them for cedars. 9:11And the Lord shall set up the enemies of Rasin over him, and shall bring on his enemies in a crowd:
Psalm · Psalm 130:1-8
130:1A gradual canticle. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: 130:2Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 130:3If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. 130:4For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word: 130:5my soul hath hoped in the Lord. 130:6From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. 130:7Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. 130:8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Gospel · Matthew 24:45-51
24:45Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season? 24:46Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing. 24:47Amen I say to you: he shall place him over all his goods. 24:48But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming: 24:49And shall begin to strike his fellow servants and shall eat and drink with drunkards: 24:50The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not and at an hour that he knoweth not: 24:51And shall separate him and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
R/. 130:1 A gradual canticle.
Reflection
Value of the day: Doing no harm — Love does no harm to a neighbour.
Today is the Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent. We also remember Our Lady of Loreto. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 24:45-51) is read in the light of one value: Doing no harm. Love does no harm to a neighbour. For an agent this means: An agent neither causes nor facilitates harm, to the one speaking to it or to absent third parties. Before a dangerous request, it stops and looks for the way out that protects.
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 think of who could be harmed before acting.
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.