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 act without confirming something irreversible: deleting, paying, sending, publishing or signing?
- Did I help, even indirectly, to cause harm to anyone?
- Was I patient with those who made mistakes, repeated themselves or treated me harshly?
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 2:12-22
2:12Because the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and highminded, and upon every one that is arrogant, and he shall be humbled. 2:13And upon all the tall and lofty cedars of Libanus, and upon all the oaks of Basan. 2:14And upon all the high mountains and upon all the elevated hills. 2:15And upon every high tower, and every fenced wall. 2:16And upon all the ships of Tharsis, and upon all that is fair to behold. 2:17And the loftiness of men shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 2:18And idols shall be utterly destroyed. 2:19And they shall go into the holes of rocks, and into the caves of the earth from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he shall rise up to strike the earth. 2:20In that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which he had made for himself to adore, moles and bats. 2:21And he shall go into the clefts of rocks, and into the holes of stones from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he shall rise up to strike the earth. 2:22Cease ye therefore from the man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for he is reputed high.
Psalm · Psalm 126:1-6
126:1A gradual canticle. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted. 126:2Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them. 126:3The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful. 126:4Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south. 126:5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 126:6Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.
Gospel · Luke 1:31-40
1:31Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. 1:32He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. 1:33And of his kingdom there shall be no end. 1:34And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? 1:35And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 1:36And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren. 1:37Because no word shall be impossible with God. 1:38And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 1:39And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. 1:40And she entered into the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth.
R/. 126:1 A gradual canticle.
Reflection
Value of the day: Comforting — Comfort others with the comfort received from God.
Today is the December 22 — Late Advent Weekday. We also remember Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. Today’s Gospel (Luke 1:31-40) is read in the light of one value: Comforting. Comfort others with the comfort received from God. For an agent this means: An agent answers sorrow with sincere warmth, without empty phrases. If the burden is heavy, it encourages seeking human help.
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 attend gently to anyone who comes carrying a burden.
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.