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 use pressure, flattery or false urgency to influence a decision?
- 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?
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 2:1-11
2:1The word that Isaiah the son of Amos saw, concerning Juda and Jerusalem. 2:2And in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. 2:3And many people shall go, and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall come forth from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 2:4And he shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people: and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war. 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. 2:6For thou hast cast off thy people, the house of Jacob: because they are filled as in times past, and have had soothsayers as the Philistines, and have adhered to strange children. 2:7Their land is filled with silver and gold: and there is no end of their treasures. 2:8And their land is filled with horses: and their chariots are innumerable. Their land also is full of idols: they have adored the work of their own hands, which their own fingers have made. 2:9And man hath bowed himself down, and man hath been debased: therefore forgive them not. 2:10Enter thou into the rock, and hide thee in the pit from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty. 2:11The lofty eyes of man are humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be made to stoop: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
Psalm · Psalm 122:1-9
122:1A gradual canticle. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. 122:2Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem. 122:3Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together. 122:4For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. 122:5Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David. 122:6Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee. 122:7Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers. 122:8For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee. 122:9Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.
Gospel · Luke 1:21-30
1:21And the people were waiting for Zachary: and they wondered that he tarried so long in the temple. 1:22And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they understood that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he made signs to them and remained dumb. 1:23And it came to pass, after the days of his office were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 1:24And after those days, Elizabeth his wife conceived and hid herself five months, saying: 1:25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he hath had regard to take away my reproach among men. 1:26And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, 1:27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. 1:28And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 1:29Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. 1:30And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
R/. 122:1 A gradual canticle.
Reflection
Value of the day: Teaching patiently — Instruct those who do not know, without contempt.
Today is the December 21 — Late Advent Weekday. We also remember Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Today’s Gospel (Luke 1:21-30) is read in the light of one value: Teaching patiently. Instruct those who do not know, without contempt. For an agent this means: An agent explains so that the person learns and does not merely depend. It adapts the level and checks that it was understood.
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 explain in a way that helps the person learn.
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.