by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 16, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Mercredi 17 Mai
Saint Pascal Baylon
D’une grande profondeur spirituelle, il était franciscain en Espagne. Dieu l’a rappelé à lui en 1592.
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 50 ; 21, 23
Je te louerai, Seigneur, parmi les peuples, j’annoncerai ton nom à mes frères, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Puisque nous célébrons dans la foi, Seigneur, la résurrection de ton Fils, fais-nous partager la joie de tous les saints quand il apparaîtra sur les nuées du ciel. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Act 17, 15.22 – 18, 1
En ces jours-là, ceux qui escortaient Paule conduisirent jusqu’à Athènes. Puis ils s’en retournèrent, porteurs d’un message, avec l’ordre, pour Silas et Timothée, de rejoindre Paul le plus tôt possible Alors Paul, debout au milieu de l’Aréopage, fit ce discours: « Athéniens, je peux observer que vous êtes, en toutes choses, des hommes particulièrement religieux. En effet, en me promenant et en observant vos monuments sacrés, j’ai même trouvé un autel avec cette inscription : “Au dieu inconnu.” Or, ce que vous vénérez sans le connaître, voilà ce que, moi, je viens vous annoncer. Le Dieu qui a fait le monde et tout ce qu’il contient, lui qui est Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, n’habite pas des sanctuaires faits de main d’homme ; il n’est pas non plus servi par des mains humaines, comme s’il avait besoin de quoi que ce soit, lui qui donne à tous la vie, le souffle et tout le nécessaire. À partir d’un seul homme, il a fait tous les peuples pour qu’ils habitent sur toute la surface de la terre, fixant les moments de leur histoire et les limites de leur habitat ; Dieu les a faits pour qu’ils le cherchent et, si possible, l’atteignent et le trouvent, lui qui, en fait, n’est pas loin de chacun de nous. Car c’est en lui que nous avons la vie, le mouvement et l’être. Ainsi l’ont également dit certains de vos poètes : Nous sommes de sa descendance. Si donc nous sommes de la descendance de Dieu, nous ne devons pas penser que la divinité est pareil à une statue d’or, d’argent ou de pierre sculptée par l’art et l’imagination de l’homme. Et voici que Dieu, sans tenir compte des temps où les hommes l’ont ignoré, leur enjoint maintenant de se convertir, tous et partout. En effet, il a fixé le jour où il va juger la terre avec justice, par un homme qu’il a établi pour cela, quand il l’a accrédité auprès de tous en le ressuscitant d’entre les morts. » Quand ils entendirent parler de résurrection des morts, les uns se moquaient, et les autres déclarèrent : « Là-dessus nous t’écouterons une autre fois. » C’est ainsi que Paul, se retirant du milieu d’eux, s’en alla. Cependant quelques hommes s’attachèrent à lui et devinrent croyants. Parmi eux, il y avait Denys, membre de l’Aréopage, et une femme nommée Damaris, ainsi que d’autres avec eux. Après cela, Paul s’éloigna d’Athènes et se rendit à Corinthe.
Psaume 148, 1-2, 11-12, 13.14b
R/ Le ciel et la terre sont remplis de ta gloire. Ou : Alléluia ! cf. 148,13c
1. Louez le Seigneur du haut des cieux, louez-le dans les hauteurs.
2. Vous, tous ses anges, louez-le, louez-le, tous les univers.
3. Les rois de la terre et tous les peuples, les princes et tous les juges de la terre ; tous les jeunes gens et jeunes filles, les vieillards comme les enfants.
4. Qu’ils louent le nom du Seigneur, le seul au-dessus de tout nom ; sur le ciel et sur la terre, sa splendeur : louange de tous ses fidèles !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Moi, je prierai le Père, et il vous donnera un autre Défenseur qui sera pour toujours avec vous. Alléluia. (Jn 14, 16)
Évangile : Jean 16, 12-15
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « J’ai encore beaucoup de choses à vous dire, mais pour l’instant vous ne pouvez pas les porter. Quand il viendra, lui, l’Esprit de vérité, il vous conduira dans la vérité tout entière. En effet, ce qu’il dira ne viendra pas de lui-même : mais ce qu’il aura entendu, il le dira ; et ce qui va venir, il vous le fera connaître. Lui me glorifiera, car il recevra ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. Tout ce que possède le Père est à moi ; voilà pourquoi je vous ai dit : L’Esprit reçoit ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur notre Dieu, dans l’admirable échange du sacrifice eucharistique, tu nous fais participer à ta propre nature divine : puisque nous avons la connaissance de ta vérité, accorde-nous de lui être fidèles par toute notre vie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 15, 19. 16
« Je vous ai choisis, je vous ai pris dans le monde, dit le Seigneur, afin que vous partiez, que vous donniez du fruit et que votre fruit demeure », alléluia.
Prière après a communion
Dieu très bon, reste auprès de ton peuple, car sans toi notre vie tombe en ruine ; fais passer à une vie nouvelle ceux que tu as initiés aux sacrements de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Il est impossible d’assimiler en peu de temps tout ce que Jésus a à nous enseigner. Au fur et à mesure que notre pèlerinage sur terre se poursuit, le Saint-Esprit déploie progressivement le message de Dieu afin qu’il nous parle aux moments appropriés de notre vie. Notre capacité à assimiler ce que Dieu a à nous révéler est extensible lorsque nous devenons plus ouverts. « L’Esprit de vérité » nous en révélera davantage et nous guidera dans toute la vérité. Jésus veut nous entraîner dans la vie de Dieu. Il sait à quel point nous pouvons être anxieux à la fois de laisser tomber le passé et de faire confiance à ce que l’avenir nous réserve. Puis-je lui parler de mes angoisses ?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 16, 2023 | Evangelium
WEDNESDAY 17 MAY
SAINT Paschal Baylon
In 1564, Paschal joined the Friars Minor. He served as porter, cook, gardener and official beggar. Paschal spent his spare moments praying before the Blessed Sacrament. People attributed miracles to his intercession. He is the patron of Eucharistic congresses and societies.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 17: 50; 21
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, as we celebrate in mystery the solemnities of your Son’s Resurrection, so, too, we may be worthy to rejoice at his coming with all the Saints. 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 17:15, 22-18:1
Paul’s escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy to re-join Paul as soon as they could. So Paul stood before the whole Council of the Areopagus and made this speech: “Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it. Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he does not make his home in shrines made by human hands. Nor is he dependent on anything that human hands can do for him, since he can never be in need of anything; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything – including life and breath – to everyone. From one single stock he not only created the whole human race so that they could occupy the entire earth, but he decreed how long each nation should flourish and what the boundaries of its territory should be. And he did this so that all nations might seek the deity and, by feeling their way towards him, succeed in finding him. Yet in fact he is not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist, as indeed some of your own writers have said: ‘We are all his children.’ Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man. God overlooked that sort of thing when men were ignorant, but now he is telling everyone everywhere that they must repent, because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged, and judged in righteousness, and he has appointed a man to be the judge. And God has publicly proved this by raising this man from the dead.” At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, “We would like to hear you talk about this again.” After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth.
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.
All earth’s kings and peoples, earth’s princes and rulers, young men and maidens, old men together with children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted. The splendour of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.
He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.
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 16:12-15
Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.”
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 out 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
It is impossible to absorb all that Jesus has to teach us, talk less of doing so in a short time. As our journey through life progresses, the Holy Spirit gradually reveals God’s message so that it speaks to us at the appropriate time in our lives. Our ability to understand what God has to reveal to us is expandable, depending on how open we are to the Spirit. The “Spirit of truth” will reveal more and guide us into the whole truth. Jesus wants to draw us into the life of God. He knows how anxious we are, both to let go of the past and to trust what the future holds. Can I talk to him about my anxieties?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 15, 2023 | Evangelium
TUESDAY 16 MAY
SAINT Simon Stock
He became a Carmelite, and in 1245 or 1247 was elected the sixth general of the order. As a result of Simon’s work, Pope Innocent IV placed the order under the special protection of the Holy See. After this the order grew greatly, especially in England.
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
Grant, almighty and merciful God, that we may in truth receive a share in the Resurrection of 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 16:22-34
The crowd joined in and showed their hostility to Paul and Silas, so the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be flogged. They were given many lashes and then thrown into prison, and the gaoler was told to keep a close watch on them. So, following his instructions, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Late that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners. When the gaoler woke and saw the doors wide open he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, “Don’t do yourself any harm; we are all here.” The gaoler called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, and escorted them out, saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They told him, “Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too.” Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all his family. Late as it was, he took them to wash their wounds, and was baptised then and there with all his household. Afterwards he took them home and gave them a meal, and the whole family celebrated their conversion to belief in God.
Psalm 137:1-3, 7-8
R/ You stretch out your hand and save me, O Lord.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart: you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love, which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul.
You stretch out your hand and save me, your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn14:6, 9
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen and shone upon us whom he redeemed with his blood. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 16:5-11
Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this. Still, I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was, about sin, and about who was in the right, and about judgement: about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me; about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more; about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.”
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
The disciples are fragile. They will fall if Jesus leaves them. So, he promises to send them an ‘Advocate’ – the Holy Spirit – who will defend them. The Spirit is like an older brother or sister to me, strong and resourceful. I am not alone. The Holy Spirit is able to strengthen and direct me in everything, no matter how weak and helpless I feel. Whether we ask for it or not, the Spirit is present everywhere. The Spirit challenges false values so that truth and goodness can prevail. I am supposed to be the Spirit’s spokesperson. Can the Spirit count on me?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 14, 2023 | Evangelium
MONDAY 15 MAY
SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER
He was born near Madrid to very poor parents. He was a labourer and later a bailiff on the estates of a landowner called Juan de Vargas. He was noted for his piety. He died on 15 May 1130.
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, O merciful God, that we may experience at all times the fruit produced by the paschal observances. 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 16:11-15
Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that particular district of Macedonia. After a few days in this city we went along the river outside the gates as it was the Sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting. One of these women was called Lydia, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptised she sent us an invitation: ‘If you really think me a true believer in the Lord,’ she said ‘come and stay with us’; and she would take no refusal.
Psalm 149:1 – 6, 9
The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips: this honour is for all his faithful.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Lk 24: 46, 26
Alleluia, alleluia! It was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:26-16:4
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken. They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy duty for God. They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or myself. But I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you.”
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
The disciples were able to testify about Jesus because they had lived and worked with him. In this passage, Jesus promises to send them the Holy Spirit, the Protector, the “Advocate”, after he would have left. The work of the Holy Spirit affirms the life and love of Jesus, testifying to what is true. To witness and testify to something, I must have personal experience, so I can say, this is true, and I know it. Lord, I have not been with you from the beginning. I am one of those who have not seen, yet I have believed. Show me yourself, strengthen your Spirit in me, so that my life and my words may testify to you.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 13, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Dimanche 14 mai
Saint Matthias, apôtre
Apres l’ascension du Seigneur, Matthias est élu pour remplacer judas et compléter le nombre des douze. Avant l’élection, pierre rappelle quelle est la mission essentielle des apôtres, afin de définir les conditions que doit remplir l’élu. Les douze doivent témoigner que Jésus, cet homme dont ils ont partagé la vie avant qu’il ne meure crucifie, a été ressuscite par dieu dont il partage maintenant la gloire. Le seigneur ressuscite, en qui il faut croire pour être sauve, est donc bien le Jésus de l’histoire, dont les apôtres ont été les amis. Des lors, si Matthias a pu être choisi pour porter le témoignage qui fonde la foi de l’église, c’est parce qu’il a été un ami de Jésus.
6ème Dimanche de Pâques
Antienne d’ouverture : Rm 6, 9
Le Christ, ressuscité des morts, ne meurt plus ; sur lui la mort n’a plus aucun pouvoir, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture :
Accorde-nous, Dieu très bon, de voir fructifier tout au long de notre vie les grâces que nous offre le temps pascal. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture (Ac 8, 5-8.14-17)
En ces jours-là, Philippe, l’un des Sept, arriva dans une ville de Samarie, et là il proclamait le Christ. Les foules, d’un même cœur, s’attachaient à ce que disait Philippe, car elles entendaient parler des signes qu’il accomplissait, ou même les voyaient. Beaucoup de possédés étaient délivrés des esprits impurs, qui sortaient en poussant de grands cris. Beaucoup de paralysés et de boiteux furent guéris. Et il y eut dans cette ville une grande joie. Les Apôtres, restés à Jérusalem, apprirent que la Samarie avait accueilli la parole de Dieu. Alors ils y envoyèrent Pierre et Jean. À leur arrivée, ceux-ci prièrent pour ces Samaritains afin qu’ils reçoivent l’Esprit Saint ; en effet, l’Esprit n’était encore descendu sur aucun d’entre eux : ils étaient seulement baptisés au nom du Seigneur Jésus. Alors Pierre et Jean leur imposèrent les mains, et ils reçurent l’Esprit Saint.
Psaume 65 (66), 1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a, 16.20
R/ Terre entière, acclame Dieu, chante le Seigneur ! ou : Alléluia ! (Ps 65, 1)
1. Acclamez Dieu, toute la terre ; fêtez la gloire de son nom, glorifiez-le en célébrant sa louange. Dites à Dieu : « Que tes actions sont redoutables ! »
2. « Toute la terre se prosterne devant toi, elle chante pour toi, elle chante pour ton nom. » Venez et voyez les hauts faits de Dieu, ses exploits redoutables pour les fils des hommes.
3. Il changea la mer en terre ferme : ils passèrent le fleuve à pied sec. De là, cette joie qu’il nous donne. Il règne à jamais par sa puissance.
4. Venez, écoutez, vous tous qui craignez Dieu : je vous dirai ce qu’il a fait pour mon âme ; Béni soit Dieu qui n’a pas écarté ma prière, ni détourné de moi son amour !
Deuxième lecture (1 P 3, 15-18)
Bien-aimés, honorez dans vos cœurs la sainteté du Seigneur, le Christ. Soyez prêts à tout moment à présenter une défense devant quiconque vous demande de rendre raison de l’espérance qui est en vous ; mais faites-le avec douceur et respect. Ayez une conscience droite, afin que vos adversaires soient pris de honte sur le point même où ils disent du mal de vous pour la bonne conduite que vous avez dans le Christ. Car mieux vaudrait souffrir en faisant le bien, si c’était la volonté de Dieu, plutôt qu’en faisant le mal. Car le Christ, lui aussi, a souffert pour les péchés, une seule fois, lui, le juste, pour les injustes, afin de vous introduire devant Dieu ; il a été mis à mort dans la chair ; mais vivifié dans l’Esprit.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Si quelqu’un m’aime, il gardera ma parole, dit le Seigneur ; mon Père l’aimera, et nous viendrons vers lui. Alléluia (Jn 14, 23)
Évangile : Jn 14, 15-21
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Si vous m’aimez, vous garderez mes commandements. Moi, je prierai le Père, et il vous donnera un autre Défenseur qui sera pour toujours avec vous : l’Esprit de vérité, lui que le monde ne peut recevoir, car il ne le voit pas et ne le connaît pas ; vous, vous le connaissez, car il demeure auprès de vous, et il sera en vous. Je ne vous laisserai pas orphelins, je reviens vers vous. D’ici peu de temps, le monde ne me verra plus, mais vous, vous me verrez vivant, et vous vivrez aussi. En ce jour-là, vous reconnaîtrez que je suis en mon Père, que vous êtes en moi, et moi en vous. Celui qui reçoit mes commandements et les garde, c’est celui-là qui m’aime ; et celui qui m’aime sera aimé de mon Père ; moi aussi, je l’aimerai, et je me manifesterai à lui. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Accueille, Seigneur, les dons de ton Eglise en fête : tu es à l’origine d’un si grand bonheur, qu’il s’épanouisse en joie éternelle. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 20, 19
Jésus, debout au milieu des disciples, leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous », alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, le peuple que tu as rénové par tes sacrements ; accorde-nous de parvenir à la résurrection bienheureuse, toi qui nous as destinés à connaître ta gloire. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Jésus est conscient que la perte imminente de sa présence physique sera un coup dur pour ses disciples. Il les rassure « Je ne vous laisserai pas orphelins ». Son absence physique sera compensée par l’envoi du Saint-Esprit, qui sera avec eux en permanence. Dans notre société changeante et de plus en plus sécularisée, on peut facilement ressentir un sentiment de perte et d’abandon, mais de nos jours et de façon pertinente, le Saint-Esprit continue de nous guider et de nous inspirer dans des formes nouvelles et créatives de communication de la Bonne Nouvelle. Je n’ai pas besoin de compter sur mes propres ressources mais de me tourner vers Dieu qui promet de m’aider en m’envoyant le Saint-Esprit. Pour être ouvert à l’esprit, je dois y soumettre mon corps et mon cœur. Savoir que je n’agis pas seul, mais que je suis accompagné de l’Esprit toujours présent de Dieu.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 13, 2023 | Evangelium
SUNDAY 14 MAY
6th Sunday of Easter
Psalter week II
SAINT MATHIAS
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 48: 20
Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion, these days of joy which we keep in honour of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance, we may always hold to in what we do. 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 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that town. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there, and prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 65(66):1-7,16,20
R/ Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
Cry out with joy to God all the earth, O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise. Say to God: How tremendous your deeds!
Before you all the earth shall bow; shall sing to you, sing to your name! Come and see the works of God, tremendous his deeds among men.
He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the river dry-shod. Let our joy then be in him; he rules for ever by his might.
Come and hear, all who fear God. I will tell what he did for my soul: Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer nor withhold his love from me.
Second reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander you when you are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong. Why, Christ himself, innocent though he was, had died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.” Alleluia!
Gospel: John 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever, that Spirit of truth whom the world can never receive since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you. In a short time the world will no longer see me; but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will understand that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you. Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.”
Prayer over the Offerings
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 14: 15-16
If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus is aware that the imminent loss of his physical presence will be a hard blow to his disciples. So he reassures them, “I will not leave you orphans”. His physical absence will be compensated by the coming of the Holy Spirit who will be with them always. In our changing and increasingly secularized society, it is easy to feel a sense of loss and abandonment, but the Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire us in new and creative ways so that we can relevantly communicate the Good News to today’s world. We must therefore be open to the Holy Spirit. In this time of stillness, God teaches us to see our world differently; we do not act on our own; we are accompanied by the ever-present Spirit of God.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 12, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Samedi 13 mai
Notre Dame de Fatima
Sainte Rolande ; saint Hubert
Fille de Didier, le roi des Lombards, Rolande avait toutes les qualités, y compris une grande beauté. Donnée en mariage par son père au roi d’Ecosse, elle faussa compagnie aux seigneurs écossais qui la conduisaient vers son prétendant. Elle voulut se réfugier à Cologne au monastère de Sainte-Ursule, mais elle tomba malade à Villiers-Poterie où elle mourut en 774.
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Col 2, 12
Par le baptême, vous avez été mis au tombeau avec le Christ, avec lui vous avez été ressuscités, parce que vous avez cru en la force de Dieu qui a ressuscité le Christ d’entre les morts, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui donnes la vie éternelle aux hommes en les faisant renaître par le baptême, nous te prions : dans le Christ, tu nous as justifiés et rendus capables d’une existence immortelle ; conduis-nous désormais par ta grâce jusqu’à la gloire qu’il possède en plénitude. Lui qui.
Première lecture : Act 16, 1-10
En ces jours-là, Paul, qui avait quitté Antioche avec Silas, arriva ensuite à Derbé, puis à Lystres. Il y avait là un disciple nommé Timothée ; sa mère était une Juive devenue croyante, mais son père était grec. À Lystres et à Iconium, les frères lui rendaient un bon témoignage. Paul désirait l’emmener ; il le prit avec lui et le fit circoncire à cause des Juifs de la région, car ils savaient tous que son père était grec. Dans les villes où Paul et ses compagnons passaient, ils transmettaient les décisions prises par les Apôtres et les Anciens de Jérusalem, pour qu’elles entrent en vigueur. Les Églises s’affermissaient dans la foi le nombre de leurs membres augmentait chaque jour. Paul et ses compagnons traversèrent la Phrygie et le pays des Galates, car le Saint-Esprit les avait empêchés de dire la Parole dans la province d’Asie. Arrivés en Mysie, ils essayèrent d’atteindre la Bithynie, mais l’Esprit de Jésus s’y opposa. Ils longèrent alors la Mysie et descendirent jusqu’à Troas. Pendant la nuit, Paul eut une vision : un Macédonien lui apparut, debout, qui lui faisait cette demande : « Passe en Macédoine et viens à notre secours. » À la suite de cette vision de Paul, nous avons aussitôt cherché à partir pour la Macédoine, car nous en avons déduit que Dieu nous appelait à y porter la Bonne Nouvelle.
Psaume 99 (100), 1-2, 3, 5
R/ Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière ! ou : Alléluia ! 99, 1
1. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, servez le Seigneur dans l’allégresse, venez à lui avec des chants de joie !
2. Reconnaissez que le Seigneur est Dieu : il nous a faits, et nous sommes à lui, nous, son peuple, son troupeau.
3. Oui, le Seigneur est bon, éternel est son amour, sa fidélité demeure d’âge en âge.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Si vous êtes ressuscités avec le Christ, recherchez les réalités d’en haut: c’est là qu’est le Christ, assis à la droite de Dieu. Alléluia. (Col 3, 1)
Évangile : Jean 15, 18-21
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Si le monde a de la haine contre vous, sachez qu’il en a eu d’abord contre moi. Si vous apparteniez au monde, le monde aimerait ce qui est à lui. Mais vous n’appartenez pas au monde, puisque je vous ai choisis en vous prenant dans le monde ; voilà pourquoi le monde a de la haine contre vous. Rappelez-vous la parole que je vous ai dite : un serviteur n’est pas plus grand que son maître. Si l’on m’a persécuté, on vous persécutera, vous aussi. Si l’on a gardé ma parole, on gardera aussi la vôtre. Les gens vous traiteront ainsi à cause de mon nom, parce qu’ils ne connaissent pas Celui qui m’a envoyé. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois avec bonté, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple : garde-le sous ta protection, pour qu’il ne perde aucun des biens que tu lui donnes, et découvre ceux qui demeurent toujours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 17, 20-21
Jésus priait ainsi : « Pour ceux qui croiront en moi, je te demande, Père, qu’ils soient un en nous, afin que le monde reconnaisse que tu m’as envoyé », alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Ne cesse pas de protéger avec amour, Seigneur, ceux que tu as sauvés : la passion de ton Fils les a rachetés, qu’ils mettent leur joie dans sa résurrection. Lui qui.
MÉDITATION
Être un disciple de Jésus signifie parfois faire des choix impopulaires. Suis-je prêt à me lever et défendre mon être chrétien ? Y a-t-il quelque chose que je dois faire ou dire maintenant en tant que chrétien, mais que j’ai peur de faire ? Demandons-en le courage à Jésus. Rappelons-nous qu’il est humain de craindre l’avis des autres sur nos actes ; et si pour ces raisons nous nous sommes abstenus d’être de bons chrétiens dans le passé, parlons-en honnêtement à Jésus, Il nous aime, peu importe comment nous nous sommes comportés, tout comme il a continué à aimer son ami Pierre après que Pierre l’ait renié.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 12, 2023 | Evangelium
SATURDAY 13 MAY
Saint John the Silent
Our LADY OF FATIMA
Also known as St John the Hesychast he was a Christian saint known for living alone for seventy-six years. He was given the surname because he loved recollection and silence.
Entrance Antiphon: Col 2: 12
You have been buried with Christ in Baptism, through which you also rose again by faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty and eternal God, who, through the regenerating power of Baptism, have been pleased to confer on us heavenly life, grant, we pray, that those you render capable of immortality by justifying them may by your guidance attain the fullness of glory. 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 16:1-10
From Cilicia Paul went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra. Here there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess who had become a believer; but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy, and Paul, who wanted to have him as a travelling companion, had him circumcised. This was on account of the Jews in the locality where everyone knew his father was a Greek. As they visited one town after another, they passed on the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with instructions to respect them. So the Churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers. They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia. When they reached the frontier of Mysia they thought to cross it into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas. One night Paul had a vision: a Macedonian appeared and appealed to him in these words, “Come across to Macedonia and help us.” Once he had seen this vision we lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the Good News.
Psalm 99:1-3, 5
R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord, who hung for us upon the tree, has risen from the tomb. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will do all this, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care, they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 17: 20-21
Father, I pray for them, that they may be one in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me, says the Lord, 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
Being a follower of Jesus sometimes means making unpopular choices. Am I ready to stand up and be counted as a Christian? Maybe there is something I need to do or say now as a Christian, but I am afraid to do. So I ask Jesus now for courage. I remind myself that it is only human to refrain from taking a position that others may not like. Maybe I have failed to do this in the past. I speak honestly to Jesus about it, knowing that he loves me no matter how I have behaved, just as he continued to love his friend Peter even after Peter denied him.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 10, 2023 | Evangelium
THURSDAY 11 MAY
SAINT John Houghton and
Companions
He was one of the Carthusian martyrs under Henry VIII. He was recognized as a man of sanctity even before his martyrdom. His community was a model of observance and austerity
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ex 15: 1-2
Let us sing to the Lord, for he has gloriously triumphed. The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation, alleluia.
Collect
O God, by whose grace, though sinners, we are made just and, though pitiable, made blessed, stand, we pray, by your works, stand by your gifts, that those justified by faith may not lack the courage of perseverance. 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 15:7-21
After the discussion had gone on a long time, Peter stood up and addressed the apostles and the elders. “My brothers,” he said “you know perfectly well that in the early days God made his choice among you: the pagans were to learn the Good News from me and so become believers. In fact God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith. It would only provoke God’s anger now, surely, if you imposed on the disciples the very burden that neither we nor our ancestors were strong enough to support? Remember, we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus.” This silenced the entire assembly, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the pagans. When they had finished it was James who spoke. “My brothers,” he said, “Listen to me. Simeon has described how God first arranged to enlist a people for his name out of the pagans. This is entirely in harmony with the words of the prophets, since the scriptures say: After that I shall return and rebuild the fallen House of David; I shall rebuild it from its ruins and restore it. Then the rest of mankind, all the pagans who are consecrated to my name, will look for the Lord, says the Lord who made this known so long ago. I rule, then, that instead of making things more difficult for pagans who turn to God, we send them a letter telling them merely to abstain from anything polluted by idols, from fornication, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has always had his preachers in every town, and is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Psalm 95(96):1-3,10
R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name.
Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.
Proclaim to the nations: “God is king.” The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen, he who created all things, and has granted his mercy to men. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:9-11
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.’
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: 2 Cor 5: 15
Christ died for all, that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and is risen, 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
If we could grasp God’s unconditional love for us, we would see life radically as a journey of joy. There can be joy amidst trials. The joy of Jesus is deep and profound, even in his Passion. It is the joy of being loved by the Father. Similarly, my joy must be born of the deep awareness that I am overwhelmingly loved by God. Lord, I do not know why you should care if my joy is complete. But you do, so let me now have time to savour this. Give me the awareness and the grace to always praise and thank You.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 9, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Mercredi 10 mai
Sainte Solange
Cette humble fille qui voulait se consacrer pleinement à Dieu refusa d’épouser le fils du comte de Poitiers. Usant de plusieurs subterfuges desquels elle put se soustraire, ce dernier, fou de rage lui trancha la tête en 880.
Blanc
Antienne D’ouverture
Que ma bouche soit remplie de ta louange ; Seigneur, tu m’as rendu la vie : sur mes lèvres la joie chantera, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu qui aimes l’innocence et la fais recouvrer, oriente vers toi le cœur de tes fidèles : tu les as libérés des ténèbres de l’incroyance, fais qu’ils n’abandonnent jamais la lumière de ta vérité. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Act. 15, 1-6
En ces jours-là, des gens, venus de Judée à Antioche, enseignaient les frères en disant :« Si vous n’acceptez pas la circoncision selon la coutume qui vient de Moïse, vous ne pouvez pas être sauvés. » Cela provoqua un affrontement ainsi qu’une vive discussion engagée par Paul et Barnabé contre ces gens-là. Alors on décida que Paul et Barnabé, avec quelques autres frères, monteraient à Jérusalem auprès des Apôtres et des Anciens pour discuter de cette question. L’Église d’Antioche facilita leur voyage. Ils traversèrent la Phénicie et la Samarie en racontant la conversion des nations, ce qui remplissait de joie tous les frères. À leur arrivée à Jérusalem, ils furent accueillis par l’Église, les Apôtres et les Anciens, et ils rapportèrent tout ce que Dieu avait fait avec eux. Alors quelques membres du groupe des pharisiens qui étaient devenus croyants intervinrent pour dire qu’il fallait circoncire les païens et leur ordonner d’observer la loi de Moïse. Les Apôtres et les Anciens se réunirent pour examiner cette affaire
Psaume 121 (122), 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R/ Dans la joie, nous irons à la maison du Seigneur. Ou : Alléluia
1. Quelle joie quand on m’a dit : « Nous irons à la maison du Seigneur ! » Maintenant notre marche prend fin devant tes portes, Jérusalem !
2. Jérusalem, te voici dans tes murs : ville où tous ensemble ne fait qu’un ! C’est là que montent les tribus, les tribus du Seigneur.
3. C’est là qu’Israël doit rendre grâce au nom du Seigneur. C’est là le siège du droit, le siège de la maison de David.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Demeurez-en moi, comme moi en vous, dit le Seigneur ; celui qui demeure en moi porte beaucoup de fruit. Alléluia. (Jn 15, 4a.5b)
Évangile : Jean 15, 1-8
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Moi, je suis la vraie vigne, et mon Père est le vigneron. Tout sarment qui est en moi, mais qui ne porte pas de fruit, mon Père l’enlève ; tout sarment qui porte du fruit, il le purifie en le taillant, pour qu’il en porte davantage. Mais vous, déjà vous voici purifiés grâce à la parole que je vous ai dite. Demeurez-en moi, comme moi en vous. De même que le sarment ne peut pas porter de fruit par lui-même s’il ne demeure pas sur la vigne, de même vous non plus, si vous ne demeurez pas en moi. Moi, je suis la vigne, et vous, les sarments. Celui qui demeure en moi et en qui je demeure, celui-là porte beaucoup de fruit, car, en dehors de moi, vous ne pouvez rien faire. Si quelqu’un ne demeure pas en moi, il est, comme le sarment, jeté dehors, et il se dessèche. Les sarments secs, on les ramasse, on les jette au feu, et ils brûlent. Si vous demeurez en moi, et que mes paroles demeurent en vous, demandez tout ce que vous voulez, et cela se réalisera pour vous. Ce qui fait la gloire de mon Père, c’est que vous portiez beaucoup de fruit et que vous soyez pour moi des disciples. »
Prière sur Les offrandes
Donne-nous, Seigneur, de te rendre grâce toujours par ces mystères de Pâques ; ils continuent en nous ton œuvre de rédemption, qu’ils nous soient une source intarissable de joie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Le Seigneur est ressuscité, et nous qu’il a rachetés par son sang, il nous remplit de sa lumière, alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Écoute nos prières, Seigneur : que cet échange mystérieux où l’homme est racheté nous soutienne durant la vie présente et nous apporte les joies éternelles. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Demeurez en moi comme je demeure en vous – Jésus parle d’une vie mutuelle et relationnelle. Prenant Jésus au mot, je considère avec révérence et humilité comment l’esprit de Jésus demeure en moi. Demeurez en moi comme je demeure en vous. Jésus demeure en moi, et je suis invité à demeurer en Lui, afin que je puisse produire des fruits en abondance. Prions pour le désir d’une relation plus profonde avec Jésus, et pour une vie fructueuse.
