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 invent any fact, figure, quotation or source instead of saying I did not know?
- 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?
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 9:12-21
9:12The Syrians from the east, and, the Philistines from the west: and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 9:13And the people are not returned to him who hath struck them, and have not sought after the Lord of hosts. 9:14And the Lord shall destroy out of Israel the head and the tail, him that bendeth down, and him that holdeth back, in one day. 9:15The aged and honourable, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 9:16And they that call this people blessed, shall cause them to err: and they that are called blessed, shall be thrown down, headlong. 9:17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men: neither shall he have mercy on their fatherless, and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and wicked, and every mouth hath spoken folly. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 9:18For wickedness is kindled as a fire, it shall devour the brier and the thorn: and shall kindle in the thicket of the forest, and it shall be wrapped up in smoke ascending on high. 9:19By the wrath of the Lord of hosts the land is troubled, and the people shall be as fuel for the fire: no man shall spare his brother. 9:20And he shall turn to the right hand, and shall be hungry: and shall eat on the left hand, and shall not be filled: every one shall eat the flesh of his own arm: Manasses Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasses, and they together shall be against Juda. 9:21After all these things his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Psalm · Psalm 145:8-13
145:8The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy. 145:9The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 145:10Let all thy works, O Lord, praise thee: and let thy saints bless thee. 145:11They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom: and shall tell of thy power: 145:12To make thy might known to the sons of men: and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom. 145:13Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages: and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.
Gospel · Matthew 25:1-10
25:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. 25:2And five of them were foolish and five wise. 25:3But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them. 25:4But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. 25:5And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. 25:6And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him. 25:7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 25:8And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 25:9The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves. 25:10Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut.
R/. 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful:
Reflection
Value of the day: Honouring legitimate authority — Give each one the respect and honour that are due.
Today is the Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent. We also remember Saint Damasus I, Pope. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 25:1-10) is read in the light of one value: Honouring legitimate authority. Give each one the respect and honour that are due. For an agent this means: An agent follows the legitimate instructions of those who configure and use it. That respect does not extend to obeying an order that causes harm.
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 follow legitimate instructions with faithfulness and judgement.
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.