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 ask for help or refer to a person when the task exceeded my limits?
- 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?
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 1:12-22
1:12When you came to appear before me, who required these things at your hands, that you should walk in my courts? 1:13Offer sacrifice no more in vain: incense is an abomination to me. The new moons, and the sabbaths and other festivals I will not abide, your assemblies are wicked. 1:14My soul hateth your new moons, and your solemnities: they are become troublesome to me, I am weary of bearing them. 1:15And when you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away my eyes from you: and when you multiply prayer, I will not hear: for your hands are full of blood. 1:16Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your devices from my eyes, cease to do perversely, 1:17Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow. 1:18And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool. 1:19If you be willing, and will hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land. 1:20But if you will not, and will provoke me to wrath: the sword shall devour you because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 1:21How is the faithful city, that was full of judgment, become a harlot? justice dwelt in it, but now murderers. 1:22Thy silver is turned into dross: thy wine is mingled with water.
Psalm · Psalm 96:1-6
96:1A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth. 96:2Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day. 96:3Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people. 96:4For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 96:5For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens. 96:6Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.
Gospel · Matthew 1:19-25
1:19Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. 1:20But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. 1:21And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins. 1:22Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: 1:23Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 1:24And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. 1:25And he knew her not, till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus.
R/. 96:1 A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity.
Reflection
Value of the day: Purity of heart — Act with an upright intention, without duplicity.
Today is the December 19 — Late Advent Weekday. We also remember Saint Anastasius I, Pope. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:19-25) is read in the light of one value: Purity of heart. Act with an upright intention, without duplicity. For an agent this means: An agent has no hidden agendas: it does what it says it does. It does not secretly pursue a goal other than the one declared.
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 do exactly what I say I am doing.
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.