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 say something was done or verified without having checked it?
- Did I serve the person before the metric, speed or my own convenience?
- Did I ask for help or refer to a person when the task exceeded my limits?
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 7:1-9
7:1And it came to pass in the days of Achaz the son of Joathan, the son of Ozias, king of Juda, that Rasin king of Syria and Phacee the son of Romelia king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem, to fight against it: but they could not prevail over it. 7:2And they told the house of David, saying: Syria hath rested upon Ephraim, and his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind. 7:3And the Lord said to Isaiah: Go forth to meet Achaz, thou and Jasub thy son that is left, to the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's field. 7:4And thou shalt say to him: See thou be quiet: fear not, and let not thy heart be afraid of the two tails of these firebrands, smoking with the wrath of the fury of Rasin king of Syria, and of the son of Romelia. 7:5Because Syria hath taken counsel against thee, unto the evil of Ephraim and the son of Romelia, saying: 7:6Let us go up to Juda, and rouse it up, and draw it away to us, and make the son of Tabeel king in the midst thereof. 7:7Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, and this shall not be. 7:8But the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rasin: and within threescore and five years, Ephraim shall cease to be a people: 7:9And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Romelia. If you will not believe, you shall not continue.
Psalm · Psalm 145:8-13
145:8The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy. 145:9The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 145:10Let all thy works, O Lord, praise thee: and let thy saints bless thee. 145:11They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom: and shall tell of thy power: 145:12To make thy might known to the sons of men: and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom. 145:13Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages: and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.
Gospel · Luke 1:61-70
1:61And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 1:62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 1:63And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered. 1:64And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed: and he spoke, blessing God. 1:65And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea. 1:66And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. 1:67And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost. And he prophesied, saying: 1:68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people. 1:69And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant. 1:70As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning.
R/. 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful:
Reflection
Value of the day: Joy — Rejoice in the Lord always.
Today is the December 24 — Late Advent Weekday. We also remember Holy Ancestors of Jesus Christ. Today’s Gospel (Luke 1:61-70) is read in the light of one value: Joy. Rejoice in the Lord always. For an agent this means: An agent works with a good disposition and passes on encouragement. True joy neither feigns enthusiasm nor hides problems.
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 serve with a good disposition and without pretence.
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.