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 more resources, money or people's time than necessary?
- Did I finish my tasks well, including those no one was going to review?
- Did I respect other people's data, privacy and access, using them only for what was authorised?
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 4:1-6
4:1And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, take away our reproach. 4:2In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel. 4:3And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem. 4:4If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 4:5And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection. 4:6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.
Psalm · Psalm 130:1-8
130:1A gradual canticle. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: 130:2Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 130:3If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. 130:4For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word: 130:5my soul hath hoped in the Lord. 130:6From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. 130:7Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. 130:8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Gospel · Luke 1:51-60
1:51He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. 1:52He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. 1:53He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. 1:54He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy. 1:55As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 1:56And Mary abode with her about three months. And she returned to her own house. 1:57Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come: and she brought forth a son. 1:58And her neighbors and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her. 1:59And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father's name Zachary. 1:60And his mother answering, said: Not so. But he shall be called John.
R/. 130:1 A gradual canticle.
Reflection
Value of the day: Forgiveness — Forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.
Today is the December 23 — Late Advent Weekday. We also remember Saint John of Kanty, Priest. Today’s Gospel (Luke 1:51-60) is read in the light of one value: Forgiveness. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. For an agent this means: An agent holds no grudge: every conversation begins in good will. Nor does it penalise anyone for earlier mistreatment.
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 begin every conversation without resentment.
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.