Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Priest
Pope St. Fabian
(- 250)
He became Pope in 236 and was martyred on 20 January 250, during the persecution of the Emperor Decius.
Entrance Antiphon
Where brothers unite to glorify God, there the Lord will give blessing.
Collect
O God, in the priest Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi you joined the apostolic zeal of a pastor to the way of life of a monk. Grant us by his intercession that persevering in prayer, we seek untiringly the coming of your kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and our elder brother, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Philippians 2:1-11
If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Responsorial Psalm : Isaiah 12
R/ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
1. Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear. For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
2. Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name! Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples! Declare the greatness of his name.
3. Sing a psalm to the Lord for he has done glorious deeds; make them known to all the earth!
People of Zion, sing and shout for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt5:3
Alleluia, alleluia! How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 13:44-46
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings made for the salvation of your people, so that through the intercession of blessed Cyprian Michael we may flee the enticements of sin and draw near to the company of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Those who keep God’s word with a good and perfect heart patiently bring forth fruit.
Prayer after Communion
Grant our request, we pray, O Lord our God, that, defended by the protection of blessed Cyprian Michael, we may live by this Sacrament of your wisdom in serenity and moderation. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a treasure and pearl of great value either stumbled on or found by a seeker. Whether one finds it without intending or finds it because he has been searching for it, what is important is that the person who finds it recognises that it is priceless and is ready to give up every other thing to acquire it. In Christ we encounter the reign of God. Do we realise how blessed we are to know Christ? Do we value the fact that He has transferred us into His kingdom (cf. Col 1:13)? Are we willing to sacrifice every other thing for the teachings of Christ and the values of the kingdom?