by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 21, 2019 | Evangelium
Easter Monday
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: Ex 13: 5, 9
The Lord has led you into a land flowing with milk and honey, that the law of the Lord may always be on your lips, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who give constant increase to your Church by new offspring, grant that your servants may hold fast in their lives to the Sacrament they have received in faith. 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 2:14, 22-33
On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him: I saw the Lord before me always, for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me. So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy; my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades nor allow your holy one to experience corruption. You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence. ‘Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.’
Psalm 15 (16):1-2, 5,7-11
R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
1. Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God. O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.’
2. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
3. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay.
4. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia!This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15
Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples. And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’ While they were on their way, some of the guard went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers with these instructions, ‘This is what you must say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.’ The soldiers took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept graciously, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your peoples, that, renewed by confession of your name and by Baptism, they may attain unending happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May the grace of this paschal Sacrament abound in our minds, we pray, O Lord, and make those you have set on the way of eternal salvation worthy of your gifts Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The joy of the resurrection contrasts the fear of the Chief priests who do not want the news of this event to spread. They buy the silence of the soldiers. But what is money and manipulation before the testimony of the disciples? The proclamation of the resurrection is the beginning of the mission of the disciples. Peter publicly recalls the wonders God has accomplished in the person of Jesus. The apostles and the disciples scrutinize and explain from the scriptures the truth about Jesus, and despite the efforts of the chief priests, the message of the resurrection has been spread over the ages. It is for us now to live and transmit the faith we have received through the help of the Holy Spirit. Grant us, Lord, the grace to participate in the evangelising mission of the Church, for the worlds waits for humanity to confess the name of Jesus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 20, 2019 | Evangelium
EASTER SUNDAY (THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD), Psalter Proper
ST. ANSELM (1033 – 1109)
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 138: 18, 5-6
I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia. You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, alleluia, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life. 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 10:34, 37-43
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses – we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
Psalm 117 (118):1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R) This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.
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.’
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.
3) The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
Second reading: Colossians 3:1-4
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. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.
Sequence
Christians, to the Paschal Victim …
Gospel Acclamation: 1 Cor 5:7-8
Alleluia, alleluia!Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed: let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 20:1-9
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’ So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Prayer over the Offerings
Exultant with paschal gladness, O Lord, we offer the sacrifice by which your Church is wondrously reborn and nourished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 5: 7-8
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favour, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The resurrection is first and foremost your victory, Lord Jesus. After a long period of enslavement, the veil of darkness and sin is torn. There is no longer any obstacle to our redemption. Humanity in her ignorance had not understood that through your obedience to the Father, you liberated her from the oppression of sin. To each of us, you offer the invitation to the same obedience. We pray that your wisdom may enable us to triumph over all forms of uncertainty and ignorance. Fill our hearts with patience and courage, and teach us to obey the Father just like you did, so that we may share the joy of your resurrection.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 19, 2019 | Evangelium
EASTER SUNDAY (THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD), Psalter Proper
ST. ANSELM (1033 – 1109)
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 138: 18, 5-6
I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia. You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, alleluia, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life. 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 10:34, 37-43
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses – we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
Psalm 117 (118):1-2, 16-17, 22-23
R) This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.
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.’
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.
3) The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
Second reading: Colossians 3:1-4
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. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.
Sequence
Christians, to the Paschal Victim …
Gospel Acclamation: 1 Cor 5:7-8
Alleluia, alleluia!Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed: let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 20:1-9
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’ So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Prayer over the Offerings
Exultant with paschal gladness, O Lord, we offer the sacrifice by which your Church is wondrously reborn and nourished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 5: 7-8
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favour, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The resurrection is first and foremost your victory, Lord Jesus. After a long period of enslavement, the veil of darkness and sin is torn. There is no longer any obstacle to our redemption. Humanity in her ignorance had not understood that through your obedience to the Father, you liberated her from the oppression of sin. To each of us, you offer the invitation to the same obedience. We pray that your wisdom may enable us to triumph over all forms of uncertainty and ignorance. Fill our hearts with patience and courage, and teach us to obey the Father just like you did, so that we may share the joy of your resurrection.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 18, 2019 | Evangelium
FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (Good Friday),
ST ALPHEGE (954 – 1012)
He was bishop of Winchester and then Archbishop of Canterbury. At the sack of Canterbury by the Danes in 1011, Alphege was captured, imprisoned and later killed in 1012.
Red
Collect
Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. As the crowds were appalled on seeing him – so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human – so will the crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: ‘Who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed?’ Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground. Without beauty, without majesty we saw him, no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces; he was despised and we took no account of him. And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. But we, we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us. Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth. By force and by law he was taken; would anyone plead his cause? Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living; for our faults struck down in death. They gave him a grave with the wicked, a tomb with the rich, though he had done no wrong and there had been no perjury in his mouth. The Lord has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done. His soul’s anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners.
Psalm 30 (31):2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
R) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
1) In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
2) In the face of all my foes I am a reproach, an object of scorn to my neighbours and of fear to my friends.
3) Those who see me in the street run far away from me. I am like a dead man, forgotten in men’s hearts, like a thing thrown away.
4)But as for me, I trust in you, Lord; I say: ‘You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
5) Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love.’ Be strong, let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
Second reading: Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
Gospel Acclamation: Phil 2:8-9
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Christ 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 names. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel: John 18:1-19:42
Key:N.Narrator. Jesus. O.Other single speaker. C.Crowd, or more than one speaker.
N.Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kedron valley. There was a garden there, and he went into it with his disciples. Judas the traitor knew the place well, since Jesus had often met his disciples there, and he brought the cohort to this place together with a detachment of guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees, all with lanterns and torches and weapons. Knowing everything that was going to happen to him, Jesus then came forward and said, Who are you looking for? N.They answered, C.Jesus the Nazarene. N. He said, I am he. N.Now Judas the traitor was standing among them. When Jesus said, ‘I am he’, they moved back and fell to the ground. He asked them a second time, Who are you looking for?N.They said, C.Jesus the Nazarene. N.Jesus replied, I have told you that I am he. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go. N.This was to fulfil the words he had spoken, ‘Not one of those you gave me have I lost.’ Simon Peter, who carried a sword, drew it and wounded the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword back in its scabbard; am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me? N.The cohort and its captain and the Jewish guards seized Jesus and bound him. They took him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had suggested to the Jews, ‘It is better for one man to die for the people.’ Simon Peter, with another disciple, followed Jesus. This disciple, who was known to the high priest, went with Jesus into the high priest’s palace, but Peter stayed outside the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who was keeping the door and brought Peter in. The maid on duty at the door said to Peter, O.Aren’t you another of that man’s disciples? N.He answered, O.I am not. N.Now it was cold, and the servants and guards had lit a charcoal fire and were standing there warming themselves; so Peter stood there too, warming himself with the others. The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered, I have spoken openly for all the world to hear; I have always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple where all the Jews meet together: I have said nothing in secret. But why ask me? Ask my hearers what I taught: they know what I said. N.At these words, one of the guards standing by gave Jesus a slap in the face, saying, O.Is that the way to answer the high priest? N.Jesus replied, If there is something wrong in what I said, point it out; but if there is no offence in it, why do you strike me? N.Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. As Simon Peter stood there warming himself, someone said to him, O.Aren’t you another of his disciples? N.He denied it, saying, O. I am not. N.One of the high priest’s servants, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, O.Didn’t I see you in the garden with him? N.Again Peter denied it; and at once a cock crew. They then led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was now morning. They did not go into the Praetorium themselves or they would be defiled and unable to eat the passover. So Pilate came outside to them and said, O.What charge do you bring against this man? N.They replied, C.If he were not a criminal, we should not be handing him over to you. N.Pilate said, O.Take him yourselves, and try him by your own Law. N.The Jews answered, C.We are not allowed to put a man to death. N.This was to fulfil the words Jesus had spoken indicating the way he was going to die. So Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him, and asked, O.Are you the king of the Jews? N.Jesus replied, Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me? N.Pilate answered, O.Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done? N.Jesus replied, Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind. N.Pilate said, O.So you are a king, then? N.Jesus answered, It is you who say it. Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice. N. Pilate said, O.Truth? What is that? N.and with that he went out again to the Jews and said, O.I find no case against him. But according to a custom of yours I should release one prisoner at the Passover; would you like me, then, to release the king of the Jews? N.At this they shouted: C.Not this man, but Barabbas. N.Barabbas was a brigand. Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged; and after this, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him and saying, C.Hail, king of the Jews! N.and they slapped him in the face. Pilate came outside again and said to them, O. Look, I am going to bring him out to you to let you see that I find no case. N.Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, O.Here is the man. N.When they saw him the chief priests and the guards shouted, C.Crucify him! Crucify him! N.Pilate said, O.Take him yourselves and crucify him: I can find no case against him. N.The Jews replied, C.We have a Law, and according to that Law he ought to die, because he has claimed to be the Son of God. N. When Pilate heard them say this his fears increased. Re-entering the Praetorium, he said to Jesus O.Where do you come from? N.But Jesus made no answer. Pilate then said to him, O.Are you refusing to speak to me? Surely you know I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you? N.Jesus replied, You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above; that is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater guilt. N.From that moment Pilate was anxious to set him free, but the Jews shouted, C.If you set him free you are no friend of Caesar’s; anyone who makes himself king is defying Caesar. N.Hearing these words, Pilate had Jesus brought out, and seated himself on the chair of judgement at a place called the Pavement, in Hebrew Gabbatha. It was Passover Preparation Day, about the sixth hour. Pilate said to the Jews, O.Here is your king. N.They said, C.Take him away, take him away! Crucify him! N.Pilate said, O. Do you want me to crucify your king? N. The chief priests answered, C.We have no king except Caesar. N. So in the end Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. They then took charge of Jesus, and carrying his own cross he went out of the city to the place of the skull or, as it was called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified him with two others, one on either side with Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote out a notice and had it fixed to the cross; it ran: ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.’ This notice was read by many of the Jews, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city, and the writing was in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. So the Jewish chief priests said to Pilate, C.You should not write ‘King of the Jews,’ but ‘This man said: “I am King of the Jews.”’ N.Pilate answered, O.What I have written, I have written. N.When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, C.Instead of tearing it, let’s throw dice to decide who is to have it. N.In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: They shared out my clothing among them. They cast lots for my clothes. This is exactly what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, Woman, this is your son. N. Then to the disciple he said, This is your mother. N. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said: I am thirsty. N.A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, It is accomplished; N.and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water. This is the evidence of one who saw it – trustworthy evidence, and he knows he speaks the truth – and he gives it so that you may believe as well. Because all this happened to fulfil the words of scripture: Not one bone of his will be broken and again, in another place scripture says: They will look on the one whom they have pierced. After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus – though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews – asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away. Nicodemus came as well – the same one who had first come to Jesus at night-time – and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who have restored us to life by the blessed Death and Resurrection of your Christ, preserve in us the work of your mercy, that, by partaking of this mystery, we may have a life unceasingly devoted to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend upon your people, who have honoured the Death of your Son in the hope of their resurrection: may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
The death of Jesus on this holy day is the summit of the Pascal mystery. The Word remains suspended on the cross; it is delivered in suffering and tears. Men have seen what it cost Jesus to obtain their redemption. Because of his death, salvation is now within our reach. Obedience to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is what can enable us to enter the new covenant of peace and love which Jesus established by his death. Jesus was disfigured by the ugliness of our sins and the misery of our lies. May our hearts reach Him, our Lord and our God. Let us not remain insensitive to the suffering of humanity, which is struggling under the weight of injustice and wars. May the Lord Jesus free us by his blood and his suffering on the cross at Golgotha.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 17, 2019 | Evangelium
HOLY THURSDAY (EASTER TRIDIUM)
ST LASERIAN OR MOLAISE (D. 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.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Gal 6: 14
We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.
Collect
O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love, grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life. 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: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: ‘This month is to be the first of all the others for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, “On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock, one for each family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small to eat the animal, a man must join with his neighbour, the nearest to his house, as the number of persons requires. You must take into account what each can eat in deciding the number for the animal. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may take it from either sheep or goats. You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it between the two evenings. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on the two doorpost and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh is to be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You shall eat it like this: with a girdle round your waist, sandals on your feet, a staff in your hand. You shall eat it hastily: it is a passover in honour of the Lord. That night, I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, man and beast alike, and I shall deal out punishment to all the gods of Egypt, I am the Lord! The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in. When I see the blood I will pass over you and you shall escape the destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a day of remembrance for you, and you must celebrate it as a feast in the Lord’s honour. For all generations you are to declare it a day of festival, for ever.”’
Psalm 115 (116):12-13, 15-18
R) The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.
1) How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
2) precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
3) A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.’ In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.’ Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 13:34
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: John 13:1-15
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ said Simon Peter ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’ When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 11: 24-25
This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord; do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, almighty God, that, just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The Jewish tradition of the Passover is expressed in its ritual, liturgy and spiritual intensity. The symbol of blood prefigures the sacrifice of the Son of God for the salvation of the world. The urgency of the departure from Egypt challenges us to take seriously the moments of life that we spend on earth. Paul asks the Corinthians to pray with the gifts of eternal words: the sacraments? Help us Lord to participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Our lives begin by this communion of your body and blood. May your example of service draw us close to you and our neighbours.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 16, 2019 | Evangelium
St. Anicetus
Anicetus was a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155. He actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Phil 2: 10, 8, 11
At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend of those in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, for the Lord became obedient to death, death on a cross: therefore Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Collect
O God, who willed your Son to submit for our sake to the yoke of the Cross, so that you might drive from us the power of the enemy, grant us, your servants, to attain the grace of the resurrection. 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: Isaiah 50:4-9
The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed. My vindicator is here at hand. Does anyone start proceedings against me? Then let us go to court together. Who thinks he has a case against me? Let him approach me. The Lord is coming to my help, who will dare to condemn me?
Psalm 68(69):8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
R/ In your great love, O Lord, answer my prayers for your favour.
1) It is for you that I suffer taunts, that shame covers my face, that I have become a stranger to my brothers an alien to my own mother’s sons. I burn with zeal for your house and taunts against you fall on me.
2) Taunts have broken my heart; I have reached the end of my strength. I looked in vain for compassion, for consolers; not one could I find. For food they gave me poison; in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
3) I will praise God’s name with a song; I will glorify him with thanksgiving. The poor when they see it will be glad and God-seeking hearts will revive; for the Lord listens to the needy and does not spurn his servants in their chains.
Gospel Acclamation
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Hail to you, our King! Obedient to the Father, you were led to your crucifixion as a meek lamb is led to the slaughter. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover. When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings made here, and graciously grant that, celebrating your Son’s Passion in mystery, we may experience the grace of its effects. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 20: 28
The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Prayer after Communion
Endow us, almighty God, with the firm conviction that through your Son’s Death in time, to which the revered mysteries bear witness, we may be assured of perpetual life. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Grant your faithful, O Lord, we pray, to partake unceasingly of the paschal mysteries and to await with longing the gifts to come, that, persevering in the Sacraments of their rebirth, they may be led by Lenten works to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
The hour is coming and it is already at hand, the time when Jesus will offer himself totally for humanity. Jesus associates the old and new covenant with his flesh and blood. He offers himself to those who come to arrest him. Such obedience greatly expresses the depth of his surrender to the divine will; who can express obedience to God’s will better than him? The suffering he endures is salutary for sinful humanity. Let us offer ourselves as he did for the salvation of the world.
