by L'équipe de publication | Apr 11, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Zeno of Verona (d. 371)
Psalter: Week I
Purple
Zeno, a native of North Africa, was appointed bishop of Verona (Northern Italy) in 362. He preached much against Arianism and fostered the growth of missionary activity in his area. He died in 371.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 21: 20, 7
O Lord, do not stay afar off; my strength, make haste to help me! For I am a worm and no man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
Collect
O God, who have made all those reborn in Christ a chosen race and a royal priesthood, grant us, we pray, the grace to will and to do what you command, that the people called to eternal life may be one in the faith of their hearts and the homage of their 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 : Ezekiel 37:21-28
The Lord says this: ‘I am going to take the sons of Israel from the nations where they have gone. I shall gather them together from everywhere and bring them home to their own soil. I shall make them into one nation in my own land and on the mountains of Israel, and one king is to be king of them all; they will no longer form two nations, nor be two separate kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and their filthy practices and all their sins. I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God. My servant David will reign over them, one shepherd for all; they will follow my observances, respect my laws and practise them. They will live in the land that I gave my servant Jacob, the land in which your ancestors lived. They will live in it, they, their children, their children’s children, for ever. David my servant is to be their prince for ever. I shall make a covenant of peace with them, an eternal covenant with them. I shall resettle them and increase them; I shall settle my sanctuary among them for ever. I shall make my home above them; I will be their God, they shall be my people. And the nations will learn that I am the Lord, the sanctifier of Israel, when my sanctuary is with them for ever.’
Canticle: Jeremiah 31:10-13
R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
O nations, hear the word of the Lord, proclaim it to the far-off coasts. Say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him and guard him as a shepherd guards his flock.’
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, has saved him from an overpowering hand. They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion, they will stream to the blessings of the Lord.
Then the young girls will rejoice and dance, the men, young and old, will be glad. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give gladness for grief.
Gospel Acclamation : Ezk18:31
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Shake off all your sins – it is the Lord who speaks –and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Gospel : John 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him. So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples. The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, ‘What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?’
Prayer over the Offerings
May the gifts we offer from our fasting be acceptable to you, O Lord, we pray, and, as an expiation for our sins, may they make us worthy of your grace and lead us to what you promise for eternity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Jn 11: 52
Christ was handed over, to gather into one the scattered children of God.
Prayer after Communion
We entreat your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as you feed us with the nourishment which comes from the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, so you may make us sharers of his divine nature. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Prayer over the People
Have mercy, Lord, on your Church, as she brings you her supplications, and be attentive to those who incline their hearts before you: do not allow, we pray, those you have redeemed by the Death of your Only Begotten Son, to be harmed by their sins or weighed down by their trials. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
When religion and politics mingle, it is often religion that bears the consequences. The Church endeavours to maintain a certain distance from politics while encouraging Christians to participate in politics for the purpose of providing the moral guidance it lacks. Religion serves as a sign that directs humanity towards its meaning, and it underscores the significance of our existence. In today’s gospel, we witness the Jews’ fear of the Roman authorities, prompting them to seek a way to kill the Son of God. They fear that Jesus might be seen as a king rivalling Caesar, potentially inviting the scrutiny of the Roman authorities who can query them and possibly reduce their own authority. Christians are called to be a sign that reminds the world that there is a higher authority watching over human affairs. This highlights the delicate balance that religion and politics must strike, with religion serving as a moral guide rather than being entangled in political power struggles.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 11, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Stanisław (1036 – 1079)
Psalter: Week I
Purple
He was born in Poland in 1036. He became bishop of Krakow 1072. He ruled the church as a good shepherd and gave help to the poor. He was murdered as he was celebrating Mass on 8 May 1079.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 30: 10, 16, 18
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress. Deliver me from the hands of my enemies and those who pursue me. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Collect
Pardon the offences of your people, we pray, O Lord, and in your goodness set us free from the bonds of the sins we have committed in our weakness. 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 : Jeremiah 20:10-13
Jeremiah said: I hear so many disparaging me, ‘“Terror from every side!” Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All those who used to be my friends watched for my downfall, ‘Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we will master him and take our revenge!’ But the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, mastered, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs. But you, O Lord of Hosts, you who probe with justice, who scrutinise the loins and heart, let me see the vengeance you will take on them, for I have committed my cause to you. Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has delivered the soul of the needy from the hands of evil men.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17:2-7
R/ In my anguish I called to the Lord, and he heard my voice.
I love you, Lord, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my saviour. My God is the rock where I take refuge; my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold. The Lord is worthy of all praise, when I call I am saved from my foes.
The waves of death rose about me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the snares of the grave entangled me; the traps of death confronted me.
In my anguish I called to the Lord; I cried to God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn6:63,68
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Gospel : John 10:31-42
The Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.’ Jesus answered: ‘Is it not written in your Law: I said, you are gods? So the Law uses the word gods of those to whom the word of God was addressed, and Scripture cannot be rejected. Yet you say to someone the Father has consecrated and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because he says, “I am the Son of God.” If I am not doing my Father’s work, there is no need to believe me; but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for sure that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ They wanted to arrest him then, but he eluded them. He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptising. Many people who came to him there said, ‘John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true’; and many of them believed in him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, O merciful God, that we may be worthy to serve ever fittingly at your altars, and there to be saved by constant participation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : 1 Pt 2: 24
Jesus bore our sins in his own body on the cross, so that dead to sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed.
Prayer after Communion
May the unfailing protection of the sacrifice we have received never leave us, O Lord, and may it always drive far from us all that would do us harm. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that your servants, who seek the grace of your protection, may be free from every evil and serve you in peace of mind. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel, we encounter Jesus in a moment of tension and challenge with the Jews. Faced with the threats of stoning from the crowd in response to His claim of unity with the Father, Jesus urges them to consider the miraculous works He has been performing. He emphasises that even if they are finding it challenging believing His words, they should, at least, believe in the tangible evidence of His works. This encounter reflects the ongoing human struggle to grasp and accept the profound mystery of Jesus’ divinity, underscoring the call to embrace the transformative power of faith. The stones the Jews pick to shoot Him with symbolise the barriers we often erect in our hearts—doubts, misunderstandings, or fears that hinder us from wholeheartedly embracing Christ’s teachings. Jesus, however, points to His works as a testament to His identity and mission. Lent provides us with a season for contemplation, inviting us to reflect on the countless ways God has worked in our lives, revealing His presence, mercy, and love. As we meditate on these moments, let us consciously replace all the stones of doubt with the solid foundation of faith.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 9, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Michael de Sanctis
Psalter: Week I
Purple
He was born in Catalonia, Spain around 1591. St. Michael de Sanctis is noted in the Roman Martyrology as being “remarkable for innocence of life, wonderful penitence, and love for God.”
Entrance Antiphon : Heb 9: 15
Christ is mediator of a New Covenant, so that by means of his death, those who are called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.
Collect
Be near, O Lord, to those who plead before you, and look kindly on those who place their hope in your mercy, that, cleansed from the stain of their sins, they may persevere in holy living and be made full heirs of your promise. 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 : Genesis 17:3-9
Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings. I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, a Covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land you are living in, the whole land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity, and I will be your God.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:4-9
R/ The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, the judgements he spoke.
O children of Abraham, his servant, O sons of the Jacob he chose. He, the Lord, is our God: his judgements prevail in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant for ever, his promise for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn6:63,68
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel : John 8:51-59
Jesus said to the Jews: ‘I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered: ‘If I were to seek my own glory that would be no glory at all; my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, “He is our God” although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say: I do not know him, I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves. But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.’ The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, before Abraham ever was, I Am.’ At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, Lord, we pray, on these sacrificial offerings, that they may profit our conversion and the salvation of all the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Rm 8: 32
God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all; with him, he has given us all things.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament with which you feed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Be gracious to your people, Lord, we pray, that, as from day to day they reject what does not please you, they may be filled instead with delight at your commands. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Scientists have endeavoured to find a cure for death, but the science required to overcome death remains at ground level. In the Gospel, Jesus attests, “I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” Is He giving us a cure for death? This statement surpasses the mere temporal understanding of life and death. It delves into the depths of our spiritual existence. Once again, the evangelist portrays Jesus as a celestial figure, surpassing the understanding of those who listen to Him. Mortality is an inherent part of the human experience. However, Jesus transcends the confines of death. During Lent, we are called to deepen our understanding of the profound mystery of Christ’s divinity and the eternal life He offers. It is a time to realign our lives with keeping His word, embracing His teachings, and living under the divine truth that transcends the limitations of this world. The cure for death, then, lies in faithfully adhering to Christ’s words.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 8, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Waldetrudis
Psalter: Week I
Purple
Also known as Waltrude or Waudru, she was the daughter of Saints Walbert and Bertilia and sister of St. Aldegunus of Maubeuge.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 17: 48-49
My deliverer from angry nations, you set me above my assailants; you saved me from the violent man, O Lord.
Collect
Enlighten, O God of compassion, the hearts of your children, sanctified by penance, and in your kindness, grant those you stir to a sense of devotion, a gracious hearing when they cry out to you. 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 : Daniel 3:14-20,24-25,28
King Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods, and that you refuse to worship the golden statue I have erected? When you hear the sound of horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, or any other instrument, are you prepared to prostrate yourselves and worship the statue I have made? If you refuse to worship it, you must be thrown straight away into the burning fiery furnace; and where is the god who could save you from my power?’ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘Your question hardly requires an answer: if our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, O king, he will save us; and even if he does not, then you must know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have erected.’ These words infuriated King Nebuchadnezzar; his expression was very different now as he looked at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He gave orders for the furnace to be made seven times hotter than usual, and commanded certain stalwarts from his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sprang to his feet in amazement. He said to his advisers, ‘Did we not have these three men thrown bound into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, O king.’ ‘But,’ he went on ‘I can see four men walking about freely in the heart of the fire without coming to any harm. And the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: he has sent his angel to rescue the servants who, putting their trust in him, defied the order of the king, and preferred to forfeit their bodies rather than serve or worship any god but their own.’
Canticle : Daniel 3:52-56
You are blest, Lord God of our fathers. To you glory and praise for evermore. Blest your glorious holy name. To you glory and praise for evermore.
You are blest in the temple of your glory. To you glory and praise for evermore. You are blest on the throne of your kingdom. To you glory and praise for evermore.
You are blest who gaze into the depths. To you glory and praise for evermore. You are blest in the firmament of heaven. To you glory and praise for evermore.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt4:4
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel : John 8:31-42
To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said: ‘If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.’ They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, everyone who commits sin is a slave. Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured, but the son’s place is assured. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descended from Abraham; but in spite of that you want to kill me because nothing I say has penetrated into you. What I, for my part, speak of is what I have seen with my Father; but you, you put into action the lessons learnt from your father.’ They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them: ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would do as Abraham did. As it is, you want to kill me when I tell you the truth as I have learnt it from God; that is not what Abraham did. What you are doing is what your father does.’ ‘We were not born of prostitution,’ they went on ‘we have one father: God.’ Jesus answered: ‘If God were your father, you would love me, since I have come here from God; yes, I have come from him; not that I came because I chose, no, I was sent, and by him.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive back, O Lord, these sacrificial offerings, which you have given to be offered to the honour of your name, and grant that they may become remedies for our healing. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Col 1: 13-14
God has brought us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through his Blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Prayer after Communion
May the mysteries we have received, O Lord, bring us heavenly medicine, that they may purge all evil from our heart and strengthen us with eternal protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Attend, almighty God, to the prayers of your people, and, as you endow them with confident hope in your compassion, let them feel as ever the effects of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
In our gospel reading, Jesus speaks of freedom, declaring, ‘The truth will make you free’. In John 14:6, Jesus boldy states, ‘I am the truth’. He is indeed the truth and the source of true freedom, as He asserts, ‘If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed’. The freedom Jesus promises goes beyond the superficial freedoms the world offers. It is not merely political, nor is it the unrestrained ability to do anything, anytime, and in any manner one chooses. Christ’s disciples experience a freedom that is spiritual, moral, and inner — a freedom that resonates in the depths of their hearts. Only Christ provides this type of freedom. Indeed, sin makes us enslaved people (cf. John 8:34). Jesus is the sole liberator from this enslavement to sin. He empowers us to live according to God’s will, to love as God loves, and be perfect as God is perfect. He warns against “remaining in sin,” emphasising that sin, regardless of it size, binds us and hinders us from experiencing true freedom. This Lenten season, let us engage in sincere self-reflection, repentance, and seek God’s forgiveness and healing. By turning away from sin, we open ourselves to the transformative power of Christ’s freedom, allowing us to live in accordance with God’s love and grace.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 7, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Julie Billiart (1751 —1816)
Psalter: Week I
Purple
She was born in Cuvilly, France, to a large and prosperous farming family. By the age of seven she knew her catechism by heart and would gather her playmates together and teach it to them. As a teenager she already had the reputation of being a living saint. At the age of twenty-two she became paralyzed and remained a bed-ridden invalid for the next twenty-two years. However, this did not prevent her from having an active life. St. Julie founded and led the Institute of the Sisters of Notre Dame dedicated to the Christian education of girls and the training of catechists. After making her vows in 1804, she was cured of her paralysis.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 26: 14
Wait for the Lord; be strong; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!
Collect
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, perseverance in obeying your will, that in our days the people dedicated to your service may grow in both merit and number. 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 : Numbers 21:4-9
The Israelites left Mount Hor by the road to the Sea of Suph, to skirt the land of Edom. On the way the people lost patience. They spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? For there is neither bread nor water here; we are sick of this unsatisfying food.’ At this God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. The people came and said to Moses, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede for us with the Lord to save us from these serpents.’ Moses interceded for the people, and the Lord answered him, ‘Make a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live.’ So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 101:2-3,16-21
R/ O Lord, listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you.
O Lord, listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear towards me and answer me quickly when I call.
The nations shall fear the name of the Lord and all the earth’s kings your glory, when the Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory. Then he will turn to the prayers of the helpless; he will not despise their prayers.
Let this be written for ages to come that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord; for the Lord leaned down from his sanctuary on high. He looked down from heaven to the earth that he might hear the groans of the prisoners and free those condemned to die.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn8:12
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Gospel : John 8:21-30
Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘I am going away; you will look for me and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ The Jews said to one another, ‘Will he kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ Jesus went on: ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I have told you already: You will die in your sins. Yes, if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered: ‘What I have told you from the outset. About you I have much to say and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is truthful, and what I have learnt from him I declare to the world.’ They failed to understand that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus said: ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of myself: what the Father has taught me is what I preach; he who sent me is with me, and has not left me to myself, for I always do what pleases him.’ As he was saying this, many came to believe in him.
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer you, O Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation, that, being moved to compassion, you may both pardon our offences and direct our wavering hearts. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Jn 12: 32
When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, ever seeking what is divine, we may always be worthy to approach these heavenly gifts. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
O God, who choose to show mercy, not anger, to those who hope in you, grant that your faithful may weep, as they should, for the evil they have done, and so merit the grace of your consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Jesus declares, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” These words prompt us to evaluate our lives. Are we overly concerned with the “below,” entangled in earthly problems and fleeting pleasures? Or are we actively seeking a greater purpose guided by God’s will and aligned with Jesus’ beliefs? Throughout Lent, let us continuously nurture the “above” and transcend the “below.” Encouraging the “above” does not imply neglecting our daily duties or worldly responsibilities. On the contrary, it entails giving them more significance and recognising that our ultimate goal is to draw closer to God and contribute to the building of His kingdom. We can strengthen our relationship with Jesus by engaging in prayer, reading scripture, and performing acts of kindness. Let us put aside worldly worries, serve others, and actively participate in building God’s kingdom that allows us to improve the world. Thus, we can transform our Lenten journey from being “below” to reaching “above.” Such a shift will give us a revitalised purpose and bring us closer to the light and love of Christ.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 5, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint William of Eskilsoe
Psalter: Week I
Purple
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 42: 1-2
Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength.
Collect
By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God, may we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, your Son handed himself over to death. 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 43:16-21
Thus says the Lord, who made a way through the sea, a path in the great waters; who put chariots and horse in the field and a powerful army which lay there never to rise again, snuffed out, put out like a wick: No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was done before. See, I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness, paths in the wilds. The wild beasts will honour me, jackals and ostriches, because I am putting water in the wilderness (rivers in the wild) to give my chosen people drink. The people I have formed for myself will sing my praises.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 125(126)
R/ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.
Second reading : Philippians 3:8-14
I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern of his death. That is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Acclamation : Joel 2:12-13
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Gospel : John 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Hear us, almighty God, and, having instilled in your servants the teachings of the Christian faith, graciously purify them by the working of this sacrifice. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Has no one condemned you, woman? No one, Lord. Neither shall I condemn you. From now on, sin no more.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, almighty God, that we may always be counted among the members of Christ, in whose Body and Blood we have communion. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Prayer over the People
Bless, O Lord, your people, who long for the gift of your mercy, and grant that what, at your prompting they desire, they may receive by your generous gift. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The story of the woman caught in adultery symbolises God’s kindness and our need to change. The mob seeks to condemn her and throw stones at her, but Jesus, the compassionate one, challenges them and forgives her. While Jesus does not condone her sin, He sees the potential for transformation and redemption on a larger scale. By sparing her from being stoned to death, He interrupts the cycle of judgement and offers her a fresh start. He forgives and encourages the woman to change, instructing her, “Go away, and do not sin anymore.” God’s forgiveness, in this context, is not a license to continue sinning; rather, it serves as a motivation for change and a means to break free from outdated routines. The woman leaves the encounter free from condemnation and is empowered to choose a new path. This illustrates the power of true conversion, which goes beyond mere apologies and involves changing our hearts and minds, and aligning our lives with God’s love and mercy.
