by | Nov 24, 2022 | Evangelium

Friday 25 th november 2022

St. Catherine

of Alexandria

(d. 305)

 

St. Catherine was very outspoken at the time of the persecutions of Christians. She even protested openly to the emperor Maxentius who had her arrested, tortured on the wheel and decapitated in 305. St Catherine’s courage is a great challenge to all African Christians in their struggle for justice and peace.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 84: 9

The Lord speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones and to those who turn to him.

 

Collect

Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Apocalypse 20:1-4,11-21:2

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the Abyss in his hand and an enormous chain. He overpowered the dragon, that primeval serpent which is the devil and Satan, and chained him up for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and shut the entrance and sealed it over him, to make sure he would not deceive the nations again until the thousand years had passed. At the end of that time he must be released, but only for a short while. Then I saw some thrones, and I saw those who are given the power to be judges take their seats on them. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God’s word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not have the brand-mark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Then I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged. The sea gave up all the dead who were in it; Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband.

 

Psalm 83(84):3-6,8

R/ Here God lives among men.

 

  1. My soul is longing and yearning, is yearning for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my soul ring out their joy to God, the living God.
  2. The sparrow herself finds a home and the swallow a nest for her brood; she lays her young by your altars, Lord of hosts, my king and my God.
  3. They are happy, who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise. They are happy, whose strength is in you: they walk with ever-growing strength.

 

Gospel Acclamation: Lk21:28

Alleluia, alleluia! Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree. As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Accept, O Lord, the sacred offerings which at your bidding we dedicate to your name and, in order that through these gifts we may become worthy of your love, grant us unfailing obedience to your commands. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 116: 1, 2

O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.

 

Prayer after Communion

We pray, almighty God, that those to whom you give the joy of participating in divine mysteries may never be parted from you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

The Kingdom of God is not a reality that is entirely futuristic; earlier on in this same gospel of Luke (17:21), Jesus says that “the kingdom of God is among you.” This kingdom is already beginning to flower in the hearts of those who accept and live the gospel of Jesus. With the incarnation, the life of God has been opened up to man; when we listen to Jesus we listen to God, and when we walk with him we are already walking the path of the Kingdom of God. The incarnation was not a reduction of God, but rather an enhancement of man. Thus in Jesus, God brings his kingdom closer to us, and while still on earth true Christians have a foretaste of the joy of the world to come.

by | Nov 24, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Vendredi 25 novembre 2022

 

StE Catherine

d’Alexandrie

Celle qui était la plus jolie et la plus savante des jeunes filles de tout l’Empire était mystiquement fiancée à la Sagesse éternelle. Son inspiration lui fit écarter avec succès les objections des philosophes chargés de la convaincre de la stupidité du Christianisme.

 

Antienne d’ouverture

Le Seigneur annonce la paix pour son peuple et ses fidèles, et pour ceux qui reviennent vers lui.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Réveille, Seigneur, le courage de tes fidèles : Qu’ils soient plus ardents à profiter de tes grâces, pour obtenir de toi de plus puissants secours. Par Jésus.

 

1ère lecture : Rm 10, 9-18

Frère, si de ta bouche, tu affirmes que Jésus est Seigneur, si, dans ton cœur, tu crois que Dieu l’a ressuscité d’entre les morts, alors tu seras sauvé. Car c’est avec le cœur que l’on croit pour devenir juste, c’est avec la bouche que l’on affirme sa foi pour parvenir au salut. En effet, l’Écriture dit : Quiconque met en lui sa foi ne connaîtra pas la honte. Ainsi, entre les Juifs et les païens, il n’y a pas de différence : tous ont le même Seigneur, généreux envers tous ceux qui l’invoquent. En effet, quiconque invoquera le nom du Seigneur sera sauvé. Or, comment l’invoquer, si on n ‘a pas mis sa foi en lui ? Comment mettre sa foi en lui, si on ne l’a pas entendu ? Comment entendre si personne ne proclame?Comment proclamer sans être envoyé ? Il est écrit : Comme ils sont beaux, les pas des messagers qui annoncent les bonnes nouvelles ! Et pourtant, tous n’ont pas obéi à la Bonne Nouvelle. Isaïe demande en effet: Qui a cru, Seigneur, en nous entendant parler ?  Or la foi naît de ce que l’on entend ; et ce que l’on entend, c’est la parole du Christ. Alors, je pose la question : n’aurait-on pas entendu ? Mais si, bien sûr! Un psaume le dit : Sur toute la terre se répand leur message et leurs paroles, jusqu’aux limites du monde.

 

Psaume : 18 (19), 2-3, 4-5ab    

R/  Par toute la terre s’en va leur message.

 

  1. Les cieux proclament la gloire de Dieu, le firmament raconte l’ouvrage de ses mains. Le jour au jour en livre le récit et la nuit à la nuit en donne connaissance.
  2. Pas de paroles dans ce récit, pas de voix qui s’entende ; mais sur toute la terre en paraît le message et la nouvelle, aux limites du monde.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia Venez à ma suite, dit le Seigneur. Je vous ferai pêcheurs d’hommes. Alléluia. (Mt 4, 19)

 

Évangile : Mt 4, 18-22

En ce temps-là, comme Jésus marchait le long de la mer de Galilée, il vit deux frères, Simon, appelé Pierre, et son frère André, qui jetaient leurs filets dans la mer ; car c’étaient des pêcheurs. Jésus leur dit : « Venez à ma suite, et je vous ferai pêcheurs d’hommes.» Aussitôt, laissant leurs filets, ils le suivirent. De là, il avança et il vit deux autres frères, Jacques, fils de Zébédée, et son frère Jean, qui étaient dans la barque avec leur père, en train de réparer leurs filets. Il les appela. Aussitôt, laissant leur barque et leur père, ils le suivirent.

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Tu nous as demandé, Seigneur, de te consacrer ces présents : accepte-les ; et pour qu’ils nous disposent à te plaire, fais-nous garder tes commandements. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion

Louez le Seigneur, tous les peuples. Fort est son amour pour nous, pour toujours sa vérité.

 

Prière après la communion

Nous t’en supplions, Dieu tout-puissant : ne permets pas que soient jamais séparés de toi ceux que tu fais communier à la joie du ciel. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Après la victoire de Dieu sur les persécuteurs des croyants et la célébration de cette victoire, vient le jugement. Il commence dans la première lecture par l’anéantissement du mal. Quant aux morts, ils furent jugés d’après ce qu’ils avaient fait. En d’autres termes, notre vie avec ses engagements, ses torpeurs, ses fidélités et infidélités, prépare notre jugement. Que la Parole nous illumine chaque jour pour échapper à la condamnation divine.

by | Nov 23, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 24 th november 2022

 

Ss Andrew Dũng-Lac and

 his Companions, Martyrs

 

Andrew Dung Lac was born in Vietnam in 1785. He became a Catholic priest.  He was beheaded on December 21, 1839 in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the offense of being a priest. Many martyrs died at the hands of religious persecutors following Andrew’s death. We remember them all today.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Gal 6: 14; cf. 1 Cor 1: 18

May we never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the word of the Cross is the power of God to us who have been saved.

 

Collect

O God, source and origin of all fatherhood, who kept the Martyrs Saint Andrew Dũng-Lac and his companions faithful to the Cross of your Son, even to the shedding of their blood, grant, through their intercession, that, spreading your love among our brothers and sisters, we may be your children both in name and in truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Apocalypse18:1-2, 21-23, 19:1-3,9

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven, with great authority given to him; the earth was lit up with his glory. At the top of his voice he shouted, ‘Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and has become the haunt of devils and a lodging for every foul spirit and dirty, loathsome bird. Then a powerful angel picked up a boulder like a great millstone, and as he hurled it into the sea, he said, ‘That is how the great city of Babylon is going to be hurled down, never to be seen again. Never again in you, Babylon, will be heard the song of harpists and minstrels, the music of flute and trumpet; never again will craftsmen of every skill be found or the sound of the mill be heard; never again will shine the light of the lamp, never again will be heard the voices of bridegroom and bride. Your traders were the princes of the earth, all the nations were under your spell. After this I seemed to hear the great sound of a huge crowd in heaven, singing, ‘Alleluia! Victory and glory and power to our God! He judges fairly, he punishes justly, and he has condemned the famous prostitute who corrupted the earth with her fornication; he has avenged his servants that she killed.’ They sang again, ‘Alleluia! The smoke of her will go up for ever and ever.’ The angel said, ‘Write this: Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb’, and he added, ‘All the things you have written are true messages from God.’

 

Psalm 99:2-5

R/ Happy are those who are invited to the wedding-feast of the Lamb.

 

  1. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
  2. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  3. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
  4. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Mt24:42,44

Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake and stand ready, because you do not know the hour when the Son of Man is coming. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that Scripture says must be fulfilled. Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come! They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over. ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, O holy Father, the offerings we bring as we venerate the passion of the holy Martyrs, so that amid the trials of this life we may always be found faithful and may offer ourselves to you as an acceptable sacrifice. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Mt 5: 10

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Prayer after Communion

Renewed by the one Bread as we commemorate the holy Martyrs, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, abiding as one in your love, we may merit by endurance an eternal prize. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

In the midst of all the gloom and doom, while Babylon (Rome) lies prostrate, while the citizens of Rome are denied the simple pleasures of everyday life, the citizens of heaven are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. What may qualify us to receive this all-important invitation to the Lamb’s wedding feast? We have to avoid living the kind of life that brought Rome and Jerusalem to their knees: a life of arrogance and licentiousness. The two readings draw our attention to the danger of hinging our satisfaction on temporal accomplishments. The incomprehensible fall of both Babylon and Jerusalem have modern echoes in the economic and social crisis of the most developed nations of our time, an indication to the fact that man can never be his own salvation.

by | Nov 23, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Jeudi 24 novembre 2022

 

St. André Dung-Lac, prêtre,

et ses compagnons

                                                          Saint André Dung-Lac et ses compagnons furent martyrs au Vietnam, † 1845-1862.

 

Antienne d’ouverture

Que notre seule fierté soit la croix de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ. Le langage de la croix est puissance de Dieu pour ceux qui vont vers leur salut.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Seigneur Dieu, source et origine de toute paternité, tu as donné aux saint martyrs André et ses compagnons la grâce d’être fidèles à la croix de ton Fils jusqu’à l’effusion de leur sang ; accorde-nous, par leur intercession, de propager ton amour parmi nos frères, afin de pouvoir être appelés fils de Dieu et de l’être vraiment. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Ap 18, 1-2.21-23 ; 19, 1-3.9a

Moi, Jean, j’ai vu descendre du ciel un autre ange, ayant un grand pouvoir, et la terre fut illuminée de sa gloire. Il s’écria d’une voix puissante : « Elle est tombée, elle est tombée, Babylone la Grande ! La voilà devenue tanière de démons, repaire de tous les esprits impurs, repaire de tous les oiseaux impurs, repaire de toutes les bêtes impures et répugnantes ! Alors un ange plein de force prit une pierre pareille à une grande meule, et la précipita dans la mer, en disant : « Ainsi, d’un coup, sera précipitée  Babylone, la grande ville, on ne la retrouvera jamais plus. La voix des joueurs de cithares et des musiciens, des joueurs de flûte et de trompette, chez toi ne s’entendra jamais plus. Aucun artisan d’aucun métier chez toi ne se trouvera jamais plus, et la voix de la meule chez toi ne s’entendra jamais plus. La lumière de la lampe chez toi ne brillera jamais plus. La voix du jeune époux et de son épouse chez toi ne s’entendra jamais plus. Pourtant, tes marchands étaient les magnats de la terre, et tes sortilèges égaraient toutes les nations ! » Après cela, j’entendis comme la voix forte d’une foule immense dans le ciel, qui proclamait : « Alléluia ! Le salut, la gloire, la puissance à notre Dieu. Ils sont vrais, ils sont justes, ses jugements. Il a jugé la grande prostituée qui corrompait la terre par sa prostitution ; il a réclamé justice du sang de ses serviteurs, qu’elle a versé de sa main. » Et la foule reprit : « Alléluia ! La fumée de l’incendie s’élève pour les siècles des siècles. » Puis l’ange me dit : « Écris : Heureux les invités au repas des noces de l’Agneau!»

 

Psaume : 99 (100), 1-2, 3, 4, 5

R/ Heureux les invités au repas des noces de l’Agneau !

 

  1. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, servez le Seigneur dans l’allégresse, venez à lui avec des chants de joie !
  2. Reconnaissez que le Seigneur est Dieu : il nous a faits, et nous sommes à lui, nous, son peuple, son troupeau.
  3. Venez dans sa maison lui rendre grâce, dans sa demeure chanter ses louanges; rendez-lui grâce et bénissez son nom !
  4. Oui, le Seigneur est bon, éternel est son amour, sa fidélité demeure d’âge en âge.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Redressez-vous et relevez la tête, car votre rédemption approche. Alléluia. (Lc 21, 28)

 

Évangile : Lc 21, 20-28

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Quand vous verrez Jérusalem encerclée par des armées, alors sachez que sa dévastation approche. Alors, ceux qui seront en Judée, qu’ils s’enfuient dans les montagnes ; ceux qui seront à l’intérieur de la ville, qu’ils s’en éloignent ; ceux qui seront à la campagne, qu’ils ne rentrent pas en ville, car ce seront des jours où justice sera faite pour que soit accomplie toute l’Écriture. Quel malheur pour les femmes qui seront enceintes et celles qui allaiteront en ces jours-là, car il y aura un grand désarroi dans le pays, une grande colère contre ce peuple. Ils tomberont sous le tranchant de l’épée, ils seront emmenés en captivité dans toutes les nations ; Jérusalem sera foulée aux pieds par des païens, jusqu’à ce que leur temps soit accompli. Il y aura des signes dans le soleil, la lune et les étoiles.Sur terre, les nations seront affolées et désemparées par le fracas de la mer et des flots. Les hommes mourront de peur dans l’attente de ce qui doit arriver au monde, car les puissances des cieux seront ébranlées. Alors, on verra le Fils de l’homme venir dans une nuée, avec puissance et grande gloire. Quand ces événements commenceront, redressez-vous et relevez la tête, car votre rédemption approche. »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Reçois, Père très saint, les offrandes que nous te présentons en célébrant les saints martyrs du Vietnam, pour qu’au milieu des difficultés de notre vie nous puissions être trouvés toujours fidèles et nous offrir à toi en sacrifice qui te plaise. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Mt 10, 45 

Heureux ceux qui sont persécutés pour la justice, car le Royaume des cieux est à eux.

 

Prière après la communion

Nourris et fortifiés par un même pain en la fête de tes saints martyrs André et ses compagnons, nous te supplions, Seigneur : garde-nous unis dans ton amour, afin que nous obtenions la récompense éternelle, promise à ceux qui souffrent pour toi. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

La période des persécutions terminée, les lectures du livre de l’Apocalypse prennent un ton de louange et de glorification de Dieu. Le règne du dominateur mauvais n’a duré qu’un temps, la bête qui écrasait les chrétiens est détruite : Dieu demeure le plus fort.  C’est le temps où le Fils de Dieu apparait avec puissance et gloire pour la célébration du véritable culte autour du Corps du Christ dans l’Eglise, nouveau temple de Dieu. Nos martyrs vivent cette joie immense.

 

by | Nov 22, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 23 rd november 2022

 

Pope St. Clement I

 

Clement was the fourth Bishop of Rome after Peter, Linus and Cletus. Clement’s letter to the Corinthian church has survived. It is the first known Patristic document, and exhorts them to peace and brotherly harmony.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 84: 9

The Lord speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones and to those who turn to him.

 

Collect

Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Apocalypse 15:1-4

What I, John, saw in heaven was a great and wonderful sign: seven angels were bringing the seven plagues that are the last of all, because they exhaust the anger of God. I seemed to see a glass lake suffused with fire, and standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won, and against his statue and the number which is his name. They all had harps from God, and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb: ‘How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all your ways, King of nations. Who would not revere and praise your name, O Lord? You alone are holy, and all the pagans will come and adore you for the many acts of justice you have shown.’

 

Psalm 97:1-3,7-9

R/ How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God almighty.

 

  1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
  2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.
  3. Let the sea and all within it, thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord.
  4. For the Lord comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Lk21:36

Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said: Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Accept, O Lord, the sacred offerings which, at your bidding, we dedicate to your name and, in order that through these gifts we may become worthy of your love, grant us unfailing obedience to your commands. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 116: 1, 2

O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.

 

Prayer after Communion

We pray, almighty God, that those to whom you give the joy of participating in divine mysteries may never be parted from you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

The early centuries of the Church were an age of persecution. While the early Christians suffered persecution, they witnessed to Christ and brought about conversions by their amazing bravery and martyrdom. Others who were fleeing the sword took the good news to new territories. In accordance with the words of Jesus, the trials of the Christians became opportunities of evangelization while the blood of the martyrs became the seeds of Christianity. Many of today’s Christians are cold-feeted, too afraid to assert their faith. Christianity is neither an offensive nor secret religion and we should proudly seize every opportunity we have to profess it.