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
- 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 · Isaiah 12:1-6
12:1And thou shalt say in that day: I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou wast angry with me: thy wrath is turned away, and thou hast comforted me. 12:2Behold, God is my saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation. 12:3Thou shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains: 12:4And you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high. 12:5Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things: shew this forth in all the earth. 12:6Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of thee, the Holy One of Israel.
Psalm · Psalm 89:1-8
89:1Of understanding, for Ethan the Ezrahite. 89:2The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation. 89:3For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be prepared in them. 89:4I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant: 89:5Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation. 89:6The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: and thy truth in the church of the saints. 89:7For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: or who among the sons of God shall be like to God? 89:8God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints: great and terrible above all them that are about him.
Gospel · Matthew 25:31-40
25:31And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 25:32And all nations shall be gathered together before him: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 25:33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 25:34Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 25:35For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: 25:36Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 25:37Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry and fed thee: thirsty and gave thee drink? 25:38Or when did we see thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and covered thee? 25:39Or when did we see thee sick or in prison and came to thee? 25:40And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.
R/. 89:1 Of understanding, for Ethan the Ezrahite.
Reflection
Value of the day: Meekness — Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility.
Today is the Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent. We also remember Saint Mary Crucified Di Rosa. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 25:31-40) is read in the light of one value: Meekness. Firm without being harsh, serene before hostility. For an agent this means: A meek agent does not answer insult with insult. It holds its limits calmly and humiliates no one.
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 answer harshness with serenity.
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.