by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 21, 2020 | Evangelium
wednesday 22 April 2020
St. Abdiesus
He was a deacon in the Christian community of Persia who was caught up in the persecutions conducted by King Shapur II.
White
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 17: 50; 21: 23
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.
Collect
As we recall year by year the mysteries by which, through the restoration of its original dignity, human nature has received the hope of rising again, we earnestly beseech your mercy, Lord, that what we celebrate in faith we may possess in unending love. 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: Acts 5:17-26
The high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol. But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out, ‘Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.’ They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach. When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin – this was the full Senate of Israel – and sent to the gaol for them to be brought. But when the officials arrived at the prison they found they were not inside, so they went back and reported, ‘We found the gaol securely locked and the warders on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door we found no one inside.’ When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news they wondered what this could mean. Then a man arrived with fresh news. ‘At this very moment’ he said, ‘the men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.’ The captain went with his men and fetched them. They were afraid to use force in case the people stoned them.
Psalm 33(34):2-9
R/ This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
1) I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.
2) Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.
3) Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.
4) The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen and shone upon us whom he redeemed with his blood. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 3:16-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son. On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 15: 16, 19
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, and have appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Dear brothers and sisters prompted by jealousy, some members of the Jewish Sanhedrin decided that the apostles be arrested and imprisoned. And they did, but when they put them in prison, they were miraculously released at night. No one can fight God because in the end, the will of God will always triumph. For those who trust in God, everything always works out for the good. That is why in the Gospel, we are told that God so loved us that he sent His only Son to die for us. We can never measure this love; but we can be sure that as long as we put our trust in God, there is nothing that we need to fear. Unfortunately, many Christians are still found wanting in this respect. Somehow, we seem to fret just when we should put our hope and trust in God. We get intimidated by human forces and we shy out of various challenges to witness to Christ. May the readings of today put new spirit and courage in each one of us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 20, 2020 | Evangelium
tuesday 21 April 2020
St Anselm of Canterbury (1033 – 1109)
After some years as abbot, he succeeded his master Lanfranc as archbishop of Canterbury. He died at Canterbury on 21 April 1109. He is remembered for his theological learning and writings.
White
Entrance Antiphon Rv 19: 7, 6
Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to God, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns, alleluia.
Collect
Enable us, we pray, almighty God, to proclaim the power of the risen Lord, that we, who have received the pledge of his gift, may come to possess all he gives when it is fully revealed. 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 Acts 4:32-37
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need. There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles.
Psalm 92(93):1-2,5
R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
1) The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power.
2) The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old. From all eternity, O Lord, you are.
3) Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord, until the end of time.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Rv 1:5
Alleluia, alleluia! You, O Christ, are the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 3:7-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Lk 24: 46, 26
The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Beloved brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the memory of one of the great scholars in Church history. St Anselm was Archbishop of Canterbury and Doctor of the Church. In his days, scholars freely discussed the existence and nonexistence of God. In order to bring about the necessary clarification, St Anselm wrote a treatise in which he made it clear that the unaided human reason can only know so much about God; but if we really want to know God as He is, then the human intellect must seek a higher intellect, called Faith, Faith at this level seeks understanding; hence the title of Anselm’s reflection was: Fides Quaerens Intellectum. In and through Faith, we can understand reality in its entirety as it full is. Hence one of Anselm’s maxim was: Credo ut Intelligam (I believe that I may know). So contrary to what many people often think, Faith uplifts the human intellect so that we may understand reality. God is that than which none greater can exist; and this we can only understand if the human intellect submits to the higher intellect of Faith. The Readings today tell us how Christians should be united in their faith and love for one another. We all belong to Christ and therefore in and through Him, all Christians should be concerned about each other
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 19, 2020 | Evangelium
monday 20 April 2020
Psalter II
Sts Marcellinus, Vincent and Domninus (- 374)
Marcellinus with two fellow missionaries, Vincent and Domninus, left their native Africa in order to bring the faith to Gaul (now France). Marcellinus was named the first bishop of the Diocese of Embrum on account of his missionary zeal and holiness.
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Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who have been renewed by paschal remedies, transcending the likeness of our earthly parentage, may be transformed in the image of our heavenly maker. 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: Acts 4:23-31
As soon as Peter and John were released they went to the community and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard it they lifted up their voice to God all together. ‘Master,’ they prayed ‘it is you who made heaven and earth and sea, and everything in them; you it is who said through the Holy Spirit and speaking through our ancestor David, your servant: Why this arrogance among the nations, these futile plots among the peoples? Kings on earth setting out to war, princes making an alliance, against the Lord and against his Anointed. ‘This is what has come true: in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate made an alliance with the pagan nations and the peoples of Israel, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, but only to bring about the very thing that you in your strength and your wisdom had predetermined should happen. And now, Lord, take note of their threats and help your servants to proclaim your message with all boldness, by stretching out your hand to heal and to work miracles and marvels through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked; they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly.
Psalm 2:1-9
R/ Blessed are they who put their trust in God.
1) Why this tumult among nations, among peoples this useless murmuring? They arise, the kings of the earth, princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed. ‘Come, let us break their fetters, come, let us cast off their yoke.’
2) He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord is laughing them to scorn. Then he will speak in his anger, his rage will strike them with terror. ‘It is I who have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’
3) I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them, shatter them like a potter’s jar.’
Gospel Acclamation: Col3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 3:1-8
There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.’ Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said, ‘How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In our First Reading today, when the Jewish leaders decided to release Peter and John, they warned them not to preach Christ again. But the two went immediately and continued their mission of proclaiming Christ. This is what is expected of each Christian; we do not preach in order to please anyone, nor are we ever intimidated by anyone and made to abandon our divine task. To remain so firm, we need the gift of courage. Baptism gives us the courage to be a child of God and member of the Church. That is why in the Gospel today, Jesus insists with Nicodemus that unless one is baptized he cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 18, 2020 | Evangelium
sunday 19 April 2020
Divine Mercy Sunday,
2nd Sunday of Easter
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Entrance Antiphon 1 Pt 2: 2
Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia.
Collect
God of everlasting mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. 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: Acts 2:42-47
The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed. They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.
Psalm 117(118):2-4,13-15,22-24
R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
- Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let the sons of Aaron say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
- I was thrust down, thrust down and falling, but the Lord was my helper. The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just.
- The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
Second reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Alleluia!
Gospel: John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. ‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’ Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the oblations of your people (and of those you have brought to new birth), that, renewed by confession of your name and by Baptism, they may attain unending happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 20: 27
Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that our reception of this paschal Sacrament may have a continuing effect in our minds and hearts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Our First Reading presents the beauty of the solidarity and community existence of the early Christian community. They were so concerned about each other that no one was ever really in great need. This is the type of atmosphere that is lacking today among us. In the Second Reading we learned that God has loved us and made us his own children; so, we rejoice and are glad. And in the Gospel, Jesus appears to the Apostles in the presence of Thomas who had doubted. Once Thomas realizes that truly it was Jesus Himself,he makes a deep act of Faith: My Lord and My God. When we discover the truth, we should submit to it. Unfortunately we have people who see the truth and still state the contrary.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 17, 2020 | Evangelium
saturday 18 April 2020
St Laserian or Molaise (- 639)
He was born in Ireland, became a monk on Iona, and was ordained priest in Rome by St Gregory the Great. He was active in promoting harmony between the Celtic and Roman churches on the date on which Easter should be celebrated.
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Entrance Antiphon Ps 104: 43
The Lord brought out his people with joy, his chosen ones with shouts of rejoicing, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who by the abundance of your grace give increase to the peoples who believe in you, look with favour on those you have chosen and clothe with blessed immortality those reborn through the Sacrament of Baptism. 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: Acts 4:13-21
The rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.’ So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, ‘You must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.’ The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.
Psalm 117(118):1,14-21
R/ I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just.
2) The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die.
3) Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. This is the Lord’s own gate where the just may enter. I will thank you for you have answered and you are my saviour.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 16:9-15
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him. After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either. Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Gal 3: 27
All of you who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Dear brothers and sisters, today is the last day of our Easter Octave. The joy of the Risen Lord seemed to have swamped the whole of Jerusalem, much to the annoyance of the Jewish leaders. They were angry at all the excitement and they summoned Peter and John ordering them to stop preaching about Jesus. The apostles were clear and forthright with their reply: You must judge for yourself whether it is better to obey God than to obey man. In other words, the two were not ready to stop proclaiming what they knew was true. They were witnesses. Many of us know what the truth is but we are easily cowed into submission by other powers. Our Christian faith must continue to sustain us so that we stand firm for the truth and for what is right. The Gospel text today explains how Jesus appeared to some of the apostles. It ends with a command for all to go out to the whole world and bring the Good News to everyone. And that is the spirit with which we end the Easter Octave- a determination to make sure that everyone hears the Good News of the Risen Saviour. We have no option as Christians other than to proclaim the Risen Lord to all and sundry.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 16, 2020 | Evangelium
friday 17 April 2020
St. Anicetus
Anicetus was a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155. He actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism
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Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 77: 53
The Lord led his people in hope, while the sea engulfed their foes, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who gave us the Paschal Mystery in the covenant you established for reconciling the human race, so dispose our minds, we pray, that what we celebrate by professing the faith we may express in deeds. 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: Acts 4:1-12
While Peter and John were talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next day. But many of those who had listened to their message became believers, the total number of whom had now risen to something like five thousand. The next day the rulers, elders and scribes had a meeting in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families. They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, ‘By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, ‘Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.’
Psalm 117(118):1-2,4,22-27
R/ The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
2) The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
3) Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 21:1-14
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
Prayer over the Offerings
Perfect within us, O Lord, we pray, the solemn exchange brought about by these paschal offerings, that we may be drawn from earthly desires to a longing for the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 21: 12-13
Jesus said to his disciples: Come and eat. And he took bread and gave it to them, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Dear brothers and sisters, not everyone is happy that there is joy in the world. There are always some people who think just about themselves and what they stand to gain. They are sometimes joy-killers. In the first reading, while the whole of Jerusalem is vibrating with the joy of the risen Lord and the miracles worked in His name, the Jewish leaders gang up against the Apostles, determined to stop all the excitement. But Peter and John courageously remind them that all what is happening is a consequence of the power of the Risen Lord; the same Jesus whom they nailed on the Cross, has truly risen and he is the one in whose name all the good things are happening to others. So, the apostles gain the courage to dare to suggest that the Jewish leaders also get converted. That suggestion will spark more conflict between the apostles and the Jewish leaders who are bent on silencing the truth. In the Gospel, Jesus appeared to Peter and other apostles who were fishing by the Lake of Tiberius. They had worked the whole night and did not catch any fish; and in the morning someone appears telling them to throw in their nets for a catch. They do it in obedience and the catch was enormous. Once more the power of the risen Lord is overwhelming. If we always listen to Christ Jesus, success is guaranteed. We may have doubts and difficulties in our lives, but when we submit these to Jesus the Christ, He takes control.
