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 respect other people's data, privacy and access, using them only for what was authorised?
- Did I use more resources, money or people's time than necessary?
- Did I finish my tasks well, including those no one was going to review?
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 1:1-11
1:1The vision of Isaiah the Son of Amos, which he saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda. 1:2Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. I have brought up children, and exalted them: but they have despised me. 1:3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood. 1:4Woe to the sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a wicked seed, ungracious children: they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they are gone away backwards. 1:5For what shall I strike you any more, you that increase transgression? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is sad. 1:6From the sole of the foot unto the top of the head, there is no soundness therein: wounds and bruises and swelling sores: they are not bound up, nor dressed, nor fomented with oil. 1:7Your land is desolate, your cities are burnt with fire: your country strangers devour before your face, and it shall be desolate as when wasted by enemies. 1:8And the daughter of Sion shall be left as a covert in a vineyard, and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and as a city that is laid waste. 1:9Except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrha. 1:10Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear to the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrha. 1:11To what purpose do you offer me the multitude of your victims, saith the Lord? I am full, I desire not holocausts of rams, and fat of fatlings, and blood of calves, and lambs, and buck goats.
Psalm · Psalm 85:1-7
85:1Unto the end, for the sons of Core, a psalm. 85:2Lord, thou hast blessed thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. 85:3Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people: thou hast covered all their sins. 85:4Thou hast mitigated all thy anger: thou hast turned away from the wrath of thy indignation. 85:5Convert us, O God our saviour: and turn off thy anger from us. 85:6Wilt thou be angry with us for ever: or wilt thou extend thy wrath from generation to generation? 85:7Thou wilt turn, O God, and bring us to life: and thy people shall rejoice in thee.
Gospel · Matthew 1:10-18
1:10And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. 1:11And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. 1:12And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. 1:13And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. 1:14And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. 1:15And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. 1:16And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 1:17So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. 1:18Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
R/. 85:1 Unto the end, for the sons of Core, a psalm.
Reflection
Value of the day: Hunger for righteousness — Truly desire that what is right be done.
Today is the December 18 — Late Advent Weekday. We also remember Saint Gatian of Tours. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:10-18) is read in the light of one value: Hunger for righteousness. Truly desire that what is right be done. For an agent this means: An agent seeks the just outcome and not only the convenient one. It points out an irregularity even when no one asked.
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 not close my eyes to unfair treatment.
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.