by | Dec 7, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 08 th december 2022

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

  • Solemnity

 

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin, a grace that enabled Mary to give a “Yes” to becoming mother of the incarnate God, Jesus. The doctrine was formally defined as a doctrine of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1854.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Is 61: 10

I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bride adorned with her jewels.

 

Collect

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling  for your Son; grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we too may be cleansed and  admitted to your presence. 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 3:9-15. 20

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him, ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden.’ he replied. ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked. ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, ‘Be accursed beyond all cattle, all wild beasts. You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust every day of your life. I will make you enemies of each other: you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. It will crush your head and you will strike its heel.’ The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

 

Psalm 97:1-4

R/   Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.

 

  1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
  2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.
  3. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy.

 

Second Reading : Ephesians 1:3-6.11-12

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ for his own kind purposes, to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved. And it is in him that we were claimed as God’s own, chosen from the beginning, under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things as he decides by his own will; chosen to be, for his greater glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came.

 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 1:26-38

The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgins name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Graciously accept the saving sacrifice which we offer you, O Lord, on the Solemnity of the  Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and grant that, as we profess her, on account of your prevenient grace, to be untouched by any stain of sin, so, through her intercession, we may be delivered from all our faults. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon

Glorious things are spoken of you, O Mary, for from you arose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

 

Prayer after Communion

May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that fault from which in a singular way you preserved Blessed Mary in her Immaculate Conception. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Even before he created us, God had willed that we should be his children through Jesus. The devil tried to foil this plan by leading Adam and Eve into sin. But Jesus overcame sin on the cross and reconciled us with God. When we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, we remember the role Mary played in this divine plan of salvation. God chose her to be the new Eve, whose offspring would destroy sin and death, and to prepare her for this mission he covered her with his shadow from the moment of her conception. By preserving Mary from original sin, God has made her a model of the purity he wants us to attain. May her prayers support us in our quest for holiness.

by | Dec 6, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 07 th december 2022

 

St. Ambrose of Milan

(340 – 397), Bishop, Doctor

 

He was born in Trier, Germany, between 337 and 340. Coerced by the people and by the emperor, he was baptized, ordained, and installed as bishop in 374. Ambrose was a key figure in the conversion of St Augustine to Catholicism, impressing Augustine by his intelligence and scholarship. He died on Holy Saturday, 4 April 397.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Sir 15: 5

In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.

 

Collect

O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom. 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 40:25-31

‘To whom could you liken me and who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look. Who made these stars if not he who drills them like an army, calling each one by name? So mighty is his power, so great his strength, that not one fails to answer. How can you say, Jacob, how can you insist, Israel, ‘My destiny is hidden from the Lord, my rights are ignored by my God’? Did you not know? Had you not heard? The Lord is an everlasting God, he created the boundaries of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary, his understanding is beyond fathoming. He gives strength to the wearied, he strengthens the powerless. Young men may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.

 

Psalm 102:1-4,8,10

R/ My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

 

  1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.
  2. It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.
  3. The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Behold, our Lord will come with power and will enlighten the eyes of his servants. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus exclaimed, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

As we celebrate the divine mysteries, O Lord, we pray, may the Holy Spirit fill us with that light of faith by which he constantly enlightened Saint Ambrose for the spreading of your glory. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 1: 2, 3

He who ponders the law of the Lord day and night will yield fruit in due season.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lead us, who have been strengthened by the power of this Sacrament, O Lord, so to profit from the teaching of Saint Ambrose that, hastening fearlessly along your paths, we may be prepared for the delights of the eternal banquet. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

In times of crisis, God can seem to be far away or absent. “God, are you alive? Do you even exist?” These are questions we tend to ask when things go awry and we see no signs of betterment. Today, God tells us that he is never absent or ignorant. He sees our sufferings and hears our cries of pain. Isaiah addresses words of hope and encouragement to us: those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. Jesus gives us the same message: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” Do not give up on Jesus. When troubles come, turn to him in confidence, and you will find consolation.

 

by | Dec 6, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Mercredi 07 decembre 2022

 

St. Ambroise, évêque et docteur de l’Eglise (340-397)

Haut fonctionnaire romain, né à Trèves vers 340, Ambroise est un homme estimé de tous. Le 7 décembre 374 à Milan, alors qu’il vient s’assurer que l’élection épiscopale se déroule sans trouble, ce chrétien, quoique catéchumène, ententd la foule reprendre, unanime, le cri lancé par un enfant :’’Ambroise évêque’’. La ‘’vocation’’, c’est aussi l’appel lancé par le peuple de Dieu.

 

 

Antienne d’ouverture : I S 2, 35

Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu : « Je me susciterai un prêtre fidèle, qui agira selon mon cœur et mon désir ».

 

Prière d’ouverture

Seigneur, tu as fait de saint Ambroise un docteur de la foi catholique et un courageux successeur des Apôtres ; suscite en ton Église des hommes selon ton cœur, capables de la gouverner avec force et sagesse. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Is 40, 25-31

À qui donc pourriez-vous me comparer, qui pourrait être mon égal ? dit le Dieu Saint. Levez les yeux et regardez : qui a créé tout cela ? Celui qui déploie toute l’armée des étoiles, et les appelle chacune par son nom. Si grande est sa force, et telle est sa puissance qu’il n’en manque pas une. Pourquoi parles-tu ainsi, Jacob ? Israël, pourquoi affirmes-tu : « Mon chemin est caché à mon Dieu, le Seigneur néglige mon bon droit » ? Tu ne le sais donc pas, tu ne l’as pas appris ? Le Seigneur est le Dieu éternel, c’est lui qui crée la terre entière, il ne faiblit pas, il ne se lasse pas. Son intelligence est insondable. Il rend des forces à l’homme épuisé, il développe la vigueur de celui qui est faible. Les jeunes gens se fatiguent, se lassent, et les athlètes s’effondrent, mais ceux qui mettent leur espérance dans le Seigneur trouvent des forces nouvelles ; ils prennent leur essor comme des aigles, ils courent sans se lasser, ils marchent sans se fatiguer.

 

Psaume : 102, 1-2, 3-4, 8.10

R/ Bénis le Seigneur, ô mon âme !

 

  1. Bénis le Seigneur, ô mon âme, bénis son nom très saint, tout mon être ! Bénis le Seigneur, ô mon âme, n’oublie aucun de ses bienfaits !
  2. Car il pardonne toutes tes offenses et te guérit de toute maladie ; il réclame ta vie à la tombe et te couronne d’amour et de tendresse.
  3. Le Seigneur est tendresse et pitié, lent à la colère et plein d’amour ; il n’agit pas envers nous selon nos fautes, ne nous rend pas selon nos offenses.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia Il viendra, le Seigneur, pour sauver son peuple. Heureux ceux qui seront prêts à partir à sa rencontre ! Alléluia.

 

Évangile : Mt 11, 28-30

En ce temps-là, Jésus prit la parole: «Venez à moi, vous tous qui peinez sous le poids du fardeau, et moi, je vous procurerai le repos. Prenez sur vous mon joug, devenez mes disciples, car je suis doux et humble de cœur, et vous trouverez le repos. Oui, mon joug est facile à porter, et mon fardeau, léger ».

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Que ton Esprit, Seigneur notre Dieu, nous donne, dans cette eucharistie, la lumière de la foi qui éclairait saint Ambroise quand il annonçait ta gloire à son peuple. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Jn 10, 11

Le bon pasteur, le vrai berger, donne sa vie pour ses brebis.

 

Prière après la communion

Puisque tu nous as réconfortés, Seigneur, par cette communion, fais-nous si bien profiter des leçons de saint Ambroise que notre énergie à suivre tes chemins nous prépare aux joies du festin éternel. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Aujourd’hui, le Christ invite les pauvres et les petits à venir à lui. Ils portent sur eux des lourds fardeaux des exclusions, des silences imposés, des stigmatisations (à cause de leurs péchés ou de leur appartenance à la classe méprisée). Ce sont eux qui ont ouvert leur cœur à l’évangile. Ils sont nombreux des hommes et de femmes qui ploient sous le poids des fardeaux, qui sont écrasés par les souffrances physiques, morales ou spirituelles. Aucun de nous n’en est épargné d’une manière ou d’une autre. Le Christ nous invite à décharger sur lui nos fardeaux. Sur la croix Il s’est chargé de nos péchés pour obtenir notre libération. Il nous propose de porter le joug de l’évangile par ses exigences, son intransigeance, mais un joug qui allège, qui libère, qui soulage. Comment porter le joug de l’évangile ? En devenant disciple du Christ, autrement dit, en nous mettant à son école pour apprendre de lui la douceur et l’humilité du cœur. Ceci sous-entend que la plupart de nos malheurs proviennent de la dureté du cœur et de l’orgueil. Ce sont ces vices qui rendent rugueux nos sentiers et qui nous privent de la paix du cœur qui est la vraie paix.

by | Dec 5, 2022 | Evangelium

Tuesday 06 th december 2022

 

St. Nicholas

 

He was bishop of Myra, in Lycia (now part of Turkey) and died about the middle of the fourth century. He is the patron saint of pawnbrokers, whose insignia of three golden balls represent the three purses of gold he is said to have given secretly to a poor man who could not afford dowries for his three daughters.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Zec 14: 5, 7

Behold, the Lord will come, and all his holy ones with him; and on that day there will be a great light.

 

Collect

O God, who have shown forth your salvation to all the ends of the earth, grant, we pray, that we may look forward in joy to the glorious Nativity of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Isaiah 40:1-11

‘Console my people, console them’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord double punishment for all her crimes.’ A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low. Let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley; then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ A voice commands, ‘Cry!’ and I answered, ‘What shall I cry?’” – ‘All flesh is grass and its beauty like the wild flower’s. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on them. (The grass is without doubt the people.) The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains for ever.’ Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem. Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God.’ Here is the Lord coming with power, his arm subduing all things to him. The prize of his victory is with him,  his trophies all go before him. He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes.

 

Psalm 95:1-3,10-13

R/ Here is our God coming with power.

 

  1. 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.
  2. Tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ He will judge the peoples in fairness.
  3. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth..
  4. With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth.

 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Come, Lord! Do not delay. Forgive the sins of your people.  Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings   

Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. 2 Tm 4: 8

The Just Judge will bestow a crown of righteousness on those who eagerly await his coming.

 

Prayer after Communion   

Replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the things of earth, and hold firm to the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Our lives are a wilderness characterised by intense activity and the quest to satisfy multiple desires: material success, justice, self-fulfilment and happiness. God wants us to prepare, in this wilderness, a way for him to travel. He wants us to make a place for him in our lives. He desires to come to us because he does not want us to be lost; he knows that the world makes us many offers that can lead us astray, and cannot give us the happiness we seek. Let us turn to him and allow him to renew us. Let us also allow him to use us to reach out to those around us who are lost, in order to bring them back to the fold.

by | Dec 5, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Mardi 06 decembre 2022

 

St. Nicolas,

Évêque

S’il est difficile de discerner dans la légende de saint Nicolas la part de l’histoire, il reste qu’il fut évêque de Myre en Asie Mineure au moment de la crise arienne, au début du 4e siècle, et qu’il défendit la foi en la divinité de Jésus. Ce saint très populaire apparaît comme la bonté même.

 

Antienne d’ouverture

Voici que le Seigneur va venir, et, avec lui, tous ceux qui ont cru en lui ; on verra, ce jour là, une grande lumière.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Tu as promis, Dieu tout-puissant, d’envoyer un sauveur à tous les peuples de la terre ; donne-nous la grâce d’attendre dans la joie le jour glorieux de sa naissance. Lui qui.

 

1ère lecture : Is 40, 1-11

« Consolez, consolez mon peuple, dit votre Dieu. Parlez au cœur de Jérusalem et proclamez que son service est accompli, que son crime est pardonné, et qu’elle a reçu de la main du Seigneur double punition pour toutes ses fautes. » Une voix proclame: « Préparez à travers le désert le chemin du Seigneur. Tracez dans les terres arides une route aplanie pour notre Dieu. Tout ravin sera comblé, toute montagne et toute colline seront abaissées, les passages tortueux deviendront droits, et les escarpements seront changés en plaine. Alors la gloire du Seigneur se révélera et tous en même temps verront que la bouche du Seigneur a parlé. » Une voix dit : « Proclame ! » et je dis : « Que dois-je proclamer ? — Toute créature est comme l’herbe, toute sa grâce est comme la fleur des champs : l’herbe se dessèche et la fleur se fane quand passe le souffle du Seigneur. En effet, le peuple est comme l’herbe. L’herbe se dessèche et la fleur se fane, mais la parole de notre Dieu demeure pour toujours. » Monte sur une haute montagne, toi qui portes la bonne nouvelle à Sion. Élève la voix avec force, toi qui portes la bonne nouvelle à Jérusalem. Élève la voix, ne crains pas. Dis aux villes de Juda : « Voici votre Dieu. » Voici le Seigneur Dieu : il vient avec puissance et son bras est victorieux. Le fruit de sa victoire l’accompagne et ses trophées le précèdent. Comme un berger, il conduit son troupeau : son bras rassemble les agneaux, il les porte sur son cœur, et il prend soin des brebis qui allaitent leurs petits.

 

Psaume : Ps 95, 1-2a, 3a.10ac, 11-12a, 12b.13ab

R/ Voici le Seigneur Dieu qui vient avec puissance.

 

  1. Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, chantez au Seigneur, terre entière, chantez au Seigneur et bénissez son nom !
  2. Racontez à tous les peuple sa gloire, allez dire aux nations : « Le Seigneur est roi ! » Il gouverne les peuples avec droiture.
  3. Joie au ciel ! Exulte la terre ! Les masses de la mer mugissent, la campagne tout entière est en fête.
  4. Les arbres des forêts dansent de joie devant la face du Seigneur, car il vient, car il vient pour juger la terre.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia Il est proche, le jour du Seigneur : le voici qui vient nous sauver. Alléluia.

 

 

Évangile : Mt 18, 12-14

Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Que pensez-vous de ceci ? Si un homme possède cent brebis et que l’une d’entre elles s’égare, ne laissera-t-il pas les quatre-vingt-dix-neuf autres dans la montagne pour partir à la recherche de la brebis égarée ? Et, s’il parvient à la retrouver, amen, je vous le dis : il se réjouit pour elle plus que pour les quatre-vingt-dix-neuf qui ne se sont pas égarées. Ainsi, votre Père qui est aux cieux ne veut pas qu’un seul de ces petits soit perdu»

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Laisse-toi fléchir, Seigneur, par nos prières et nos pauvres offrandes; nous ne pouvons pas invoquer nos mérites, viens par ta grâce à notre secours. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion

Le Seigneur, dans sa justice, remettra leur récompense à tous ceux qui désirent ardemment sa venue dans la gloire.

 

Prière après la communion

Pleins de reconnaissance pour cette eucharistie, nous te prions encore, Seigneur : apprends-nous, dans la communion à ce mystère, l vrai sens des choses de ce monde et l’amour des biens éternels. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Notre vie est un désert caractérisé par une activité intense et la recherche de la satisfaction de multiples désirs : succès matériel, justice, épanouissement personnel et bonheur. Dieu veut que nous préparions, dans ce désert, un chemin pour qu’il puisse voyager. Il veut que nous lui fassions une place dans nos vies. Il désire venir à nous parce qu’il ne veut pas que nous soyons perdus ; il sait que le monde nous fait de nombreuses offres qui peuvent nous égarer et ne peuvent pas nous donner le bonheur que nous cherchons. Tournons-nous vers lui et permettons-lui de nous renouveler. Permettons-lui aussi de nous utiliser pour aller vers ceux qui sont perdus autour de nous, afin de les ramener au bercail.

by | Dec 4, 2022 | Evangelium

Monday 05 th december 2022

 

St. Birinus

 

St Birinus was sent to England as a missionary by Pope Honorius I about the year 634. He died about 650 and the main Church of the West Saxons which he had established at Dorchester-on-Thames, was later moved to Winchester, as were the relics of Saint Birinus.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Jer 31: 10; Is 35: 4

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; declare it to the distant lands: Behold, our Saviour will come; you need no longer fear.

 

Collect

May our prayer of petition rise before you, we pray, O Lord, that, with purity unblemished, we, your servants, may come as we desire, to celebrate the great mystery of the Incarnation of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Isaiah 35:1-10

Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God. Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid. ‘Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy; for water gushes in the desert, streams in the wasteland, the scorched earth becomes a lake, the parched land springs of water. The lairs where the jackals used to live become thickets of reed and papyrus. And through it will run a highway undefiled which shall be called the Sacred Way; the unclean may not travel by it, nor fools stray along it. No lion will be there nor any fierce beast roam about it, but the redeemed will walk there, for those whom the Lord has ransomed shall return. They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.

 

Psalm: Ps 84

R/   Look, our God is coming to save us.

 

  1. I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace, peace for his people. His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our land.
  2. Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven.
  3. The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Lk 3:4.6

Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 5:17-26

Jesus was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and Doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him. But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way of getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ The Scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. ‘Who is this man talking blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, ‘What are these thoughts you have in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven you” or to say “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’, – he said to the paralysed man – ‘I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.’ And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God. They were all astounded and praised God, and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings      

Accept, we pray, O Lord, these offerings we make, gathered from among your gifts to us, and may what you grant us to celebrate devoutly here below, gain for us the prize of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 105:4-5; Is 38: 3       

Come, O Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart.

 

Prayer after Communion      

May these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

A Christian is supposed to be a happy person. The joy in Christianity does not come from the absence of pain and suffering, but from the assurance that we will not face them alone and that with Jesus we are sure to overcome them. Isaiah declares in the First Reading that when God comes, weary hands are strengthened, trembling knees are steadied and faint hearts are encouraged. This prophecy is accomplished by Jesus Christ; in the Gospel, he forgives the sins of the paralysed man and restores his health. Human life is a quest for happiness, and only Jesus can give us true happiness. If we have faith in him, he will calm our storms, wipe our tears and give us the peace and joy we all seek.

by | Dec 4, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Lundi 05 decembre 2022

 

St. Gérald

Il était moine dans l’abbaye de Moissac. Admirant la beauté des chants liturgique qu’on lui attribuait, l’évêque de Tolède vint le chercher en lui confiant la mission de rénover la musique liturgique dans son diocèse.  Saint Gérald y réussit. Tant et si bien qu’il fut nommé évêque de Braga au nord du Portugal.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 31, 10 ; Is 55, 4

Ecoutez, tous les peuples, la parole du Seigneur, annoncez-la aux terres lointaines : voici notre Sauveur qui vient, ne craignez plus.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Que notre prière, Seigneur, se fraie un chemin jusqu’à toi : suscite au cœur de ceux qui te servent les désirs purs, les désirs forts, qui les prépareront au mystère de l’incarnation de ton Fils. Lui qui règne.

 

1ère lecture : Is 35, 1-10

Le désert et la terre de la soif, qu’ils se réjouissent! Le pays aride, qu’il exulte et fleurisse, qu’il se couvre de fleurs des champs, qu’il exulte et crie de joie ! La gloire du Liban lui est donnée, la splendeur du Carmel et de Sarône. On verra la gloire du Seigneur, la splendeur de notre Dieu. Fortifiez les mains défaillantes, affermissez les genoux qui fléchissent, dites aux gens qui s’affolent : «Prenez courage, ne craignez pas. Voici votre Dieu: c’est la vengeance qui vient, la revanche de Dieu. Il vient lui-même et va vous sauver.» Alors s’ouvriront les yeux des aveugles et les oreilles des sourds. Alors le boiteux bondira comme un cerf, et la bouche du muet criera de joie. L’eau jaillira dans le désert, des torrents dans les terres arides. Le pays torride se changera en lac, la terre de la soif en eaux jaillissantes. Dans le repaire des chacals, les broussailles deviendront des roseaux et des joncs. Il y aura là une chaussée, on l’appellera : Voie sacrée. L’homme impur n’y passera pas et les insensés ne viendront pas s’y égarer. On n’y rencontrera pas de lion, aucune bête féroce n’y surgira ; seuls les rachetés y marcheront. Ils reviendront, les captifs rachetés par le Seigneur, ils arriveront à Jérusalem dans une clameur de joie, un bonheur sans fin illuminera leur visage ; allégresse et joie les rejoindront, douleur et plainte s’enfuient.

 

Psaume : 84, 9ab.10, 11-12, 13-14

R/ Voici notre Dieu qui vient nous sauver

 

  1. ‘Écoute : que dira le Seigneur Dieu ? Ce qu’il dit, c’est la paix pour son peuple : son salut est proche de ceux qui le craignent, et la gloire habitera notre terre.
  2. Amour et vérité se rencontrent, justice et paix s’embrassent ; la vérité germera de la terre et du ciel se penchera la justice.
  3. Le Seigneur donnera ses bienfaits, et notre terre donnera son fruit. La justice marchera devant lui, et ses pas traceront le chemin.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia Il va venir, le Roi, le Maître de la terre ; il ôtera nos liens, il nous délivrera. Alléluia.

 

Évangile : Lc 5, 17-26

Un jour que Jésus enseignait, il y avait dans l’assistance des pharisiens et des docteurs de la Loi, venus de tous les villages de Galilée et de Judée, ainsi que de Jérusalem ; et la puissance du Seigneur était à l’œuvre pour lui faire opérer des guérisons. Arrivent des gens, portant sur une civière un homme qui était paralysé ; ils cherchaient à le faire entrer pour le placer devant Jésus. Mais, ne voyant pas comment faire à cause de la foule, ils montèrent sur le toit et, en écartant les tuiles, ils le firent descendre avec sa civière en plein milieu devant Jésus. Voyant leur foi, il dit : « Tes péchés te sont pardonnés. » Les scribes et les pharisiens se mirent à penser: « Quel est cet homme qui dit des blasphèmes ? Qui donc peut pardonner les péchés, sinon Dieu seul ? » Mais Jésus, saisissant leurs raisonnements, leur répondit : « Pourquoi tenir ces raisonnements? Qu’est-ce qui est le plus facile? De dire : ‘Tes péchés te sont pardonnés’, ou bien de dire : ‘Lève-toi et marche’? Eh bien ! Pour que vous sachiez que le Fils de l’homme a sur terre le pouvoir de pardonner les péchés, je te l’ordonne, dit-il au paralysé : lève-toi, prends ta civière et retourne chez toi. » À l’instant même, celui-ci se leva devant eux, il prit ce qui lui servait de lit et s’en alla chez lui en rendant gloire à Dieu. Tous furent saisis de stupeur et ils rendaient  gloire à Dieu. Remplis de crainte, ils disaient : «Aujourd’hui nous avons vu des choses extraordinaires ! »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Seigneur, nous ne pourrons jamais t’offrir que les biens venus de toi: accepte ceux que nous t’apportons; Et puisque c’est toi qui nous donnes maintenant de célébrer l’eucharistie, fais qu’elle soit pour nous le gage du salut éternel. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : cf. Ps 105, 4-5  

Viens, Seigneur, nous visiter dans la paix ; en ta présence nous goûterons la joie.

 

Prière après la communion

Fais fructifier en nous, Seigneur, l’eucharistie qui nous a rassemblés: C’est par elle que tu formes dès maintenant, à travers la vie de ce monde, l’amour dont nous t’aimerons éternellement. Par Jésus, le Christ, notre Seigneur. Amen.

 

 

Méditation

Jésus est venu donner la guérison aux malades et le pardon aux pécheurs. Cependant, plusieurs barrières peuvent l’empêcher d’accomplir son dessein de salut. Les malades et les pécheurs qui ignorent eux-mêmes qu’ils ont besoin de guérison, tellement la maladie ou le péché les a paralysés, devenant pour eux comme une seconde nature. Ceux qui en sont conscients sont parfois incapables de se mouvoir eux-mêmes à la rencontre du Christ. Et malgré l’aide de braves personnes, d’autres obstacles peuvent se dresser comme avec cette foule qui barre la route et force les amis du malade à grimper par le toi pour descendre le malade devant Jésus. Jésus ne guérit que là où il y a la foi. C’est la foi des personnes qui transportent le malade qui le conduit à exaucer leur vœu. Maladie et péché sont deux mots qui entravent la dignité des fils de Dieu en nous. Cependant la maladie n’est pas toujours la résultante du péché comme nous le croyons parfois.

 

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Evangelium

Sunday 04 th december 2022

 

2nd Sunday of Advent, Purple

Psalter II

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Is 30: 19, 30

O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard  in the joy of your heart.

 

Collect

Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests, a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (The fear of the Lord is his breath.) He does not judge by appearances, he gives no verdict on hearsay, but judges the wretched with integrity, and with equity gives a verdict for the poor of the land. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion cub feed together with a little boy to lead them. The cow and the bear make friends, their young lie down together. The lion eats straw like the ox. The infant plays over the cobra’s hole; into the viper’s lair the young child puts his hand. They do no hurt, no harm, on all my holy mountain, for the country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters swell the sea. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

 

Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,12-13,17

R/   In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails.

 

  1. O God, give your judgment to the king, to a king’s son your justice, that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgment.
  2. In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails. He shall rule from sea to sea, from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
  3. For he shall save the poor when they cry and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak and save the lives of the poor.
  4. May his name be blessed for ever and endure like the sun. Every tribe shall be blessed in him, all nations bless his name.

 

Second reading : Romans 15:4-9

Everything that was written long ago in the scriptures was meant to teach us something about hope from the examples scripture gives of how people who did not give up were helped by God. And may he who helps us when we refuse to give up, help you all to be tolerant with each other, following the example of Christ Jesus, so that united in mind and voice you may give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It can only be to God’s glory, then, for you to treat each other in the same friendly way as Christ treated you. The reason Christ became the servant of circumcised Jews was not only so that God could faithfully carry out the promises made to the patriarchs, it was also to get the pagans to give glory to God for his mercy, as scripture says in one place: For this I shall praise you among the pagans and sing to your name.

 

 

Gospel Acclamation : Lk3:4,6

Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.   Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 3:1-12

In due course John the Baptist appeared; he preached in the wilderness of Judaea and this was his message: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ This was the man the prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said: A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. But when he saw a number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit, and do not presume to tell yourselves, “We have Abraham for our father,” because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones. Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire. I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who follows me is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and, since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Bar 5: 5; 4: 36

Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.

 

Prayer after Communion

Replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Repentance is today’s take-home message. We must undergo a change of heart if we want to please God. We must identify and let go of unchristian attitudes and start practicing virtue. Church going, belonging to church groups, participation in church activities, church donations – these things are good in themselves, but will serve no purpose if they are not rooted in and accompanied by this change of heart. Advent is meant for the activity of repentance. Confess your sins; identify a bad habit you have to abandon and a virtue you have to learn; ask Jesus to give you his Spirit with his seven gifts, so that you may strive for holiness and refuse to give up.

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Evangelium

Saturday 03 rd december 2022

St. Francis Xavier

(1506 – 1552)

 

He was born in Spain, 1506 and ordained a priest in 1537. In 1541 the Pope sent him as part of a mission to India, and he spent the rest of his life in the East. He died of fever and exhaustion on the Chinese island of Shangchwan in 1552.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Ps 17: 50; 21: 23

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin.

 

Collect

O God, who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier won many peoples to yourself, grant that the hearts of the faithful may burn with the same zeal for the faith and that Holy Church may everywhere rejoice in an abundance of offspring. 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 30:19-21,23-26

Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: People of Zion, you will live in Jerusalem and weep no more. He will be gracious to you when he hears your cry; when he hears he will answer. When the Lord has given you the bread of suffering and the water of distress, he who is your teacher will hide no longer, and you will see your teacher with your own eyes. Whether you turn to right or left, your ears will hear these words behind you, ‘This is the way, follow it.’ He will send rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the bread that the ground provides will be rich and nourishing. Your cattle will graze, that day, in wide pastures. Oxen and donkeys that till the ground will eat a salted fodder, winnowed with shovel and fork. On every lofty mountain, on every high hill there will be streams and watercourses, on the day of the great slaughter when the strongholds fall. Then moonlight will be bright as sunlight and sunlight itself be seven times brighter – like the light of seven days in one – on the day the Lord dresses the wound of his people and heals the bruises his blows have left.

 

Psalm 146(147):1-6

R/ Happy are all who hope in the Lord.

or Alleluia!

 

  1. Praise the Lord for he is good; sing to our God for he is loving: to him our praise is due. The Lord builds up Jerusalem and brings back Israel’s exiles.
  2. He heals the broken-hearted, he binds up all their wounds. He fixes the number of the stars; he calls each one by its name.
  3. Our Lord is great and almighty; his wisdom can never be measured.The Lord raises the lowly; he humbles the wicked to the dust.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Is 55:6

Alleluia, alleluia! Seek the Lord while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near.Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’ He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, O Lord, these offerings we bring you in commemoration of Saint Francis Xavier, and grant that, as he journeyed to distant lands out of longing for the salvation of souls, so we, too, bearing effective witness to the Gospel, may, with our brothers and sisters, eagerly hasten towards you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Mt 10: 27

What I say to you in the darkness  speak in the light, says the Lord, what you hear whispered,  proclaim on the housetops.

 

Prayer after Communion

May your mysteries, O God, kindle in us that fire of charity with which Saint Francis Xavier burned for the salvation of souls, so that, walking ever more worthily in our vocation, we may obtain with him the reward you promise  to those who labour well in your harvest. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Jesus’ last command before leaving this world was, “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.” The Good News is not a gift that we should keep to ourselves; we must share it with others. This is why St. Paul says it is a duty to preach the Good News. We must make Jesus known and loved around us. Those who meet us and interact with us should discover the love of God, made manifest in Jesus, through our words and actions. Our very lifestyle should be a Gospel which we preach to the world. It is a task that we cannot run away from; to be a Christian is to be a missionary.

by | Dec 3, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Dimanche 04 decembre 2022

 

2ème Dimanche de l’Avent

Psautier II

 

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Is 30, 19. 30

Peuple de Dieu, voici que le Seigneur va venir pour sauver tous les hommes. Le Seigneur fera retentir sa parole pour la joie de votre cour.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Seigneur tout-puissant et miséricordieux, ne laisse pas le souci de nos tâches présentes entraver notre marche à la rencontre de ton Fils; Mais éveille en nous cette intelligence du cœur qui nous prépare à l’accueillir et nous fait entrer dans sa propre vie. Lui qui.

 

1ère lecture : Is 11, 1-10

En ce jour-là, un rameau sortira de la souche de Jessé, père de David, un rejeton jaillira de ses racines. Sur lui reposera l’esprit du Seigneur : esprit de sagesse et de discernement, esprit de conseil et de force, esprit de connaissance et de crainte du Seigneur – qui lui inspirera la crainte du Seigneur. Il ne jugera pas sur l’apparence ; il ne se prononcera pas sur des rumeurs. Il jugera les petits avec justice ; avec droiture, il se prononcera en faveur des humbles du pays. Du bâton de sa parole, il frappera le pays ; du souffle de ses lèvres, il fera mourir le méchant. La justice est la ceinture de ses hanches ; la fidélité est la ceinture de ses reins. Le loup habitera avec l’agneau, le léopard se couchera près du chevreau, le veau et le lionceau seront nourris ensemble, un petit garçon les conduira. La vache et l’ourse auront même pâture, leurs petits auront même gîte. Le lion, comme le bœuf, mangera du fourrage. Le nourrisson s’amusera sur le nid du cobra ; sur le trou de la vipère, l’enfant étendra la main. Il n’y aura plus de mal ni de corruption sur toute ma montagne sainte ; car la connaissance du Seigneur remplira le pays comme les eaux recouvrent le fond de la mer. Ce jour-là, la racine de Jessé sera dressée comme un étendard pour les peuples, les nations la chercheront, et la gloire sera sa demeure.

 

Psaume 71 (72), 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17)

R/ En ces jours-là, fleurira la justice, grande paix jusqu’à la fin des temps. (cf. Ps 71, 7)

 

  1. Dieu, donne au roi tes pouvoirs, à ce fils de roi ta justice. Qu’il gouverne ton peuple avec justice, qu’il fasse droit aux malheureux !
  2. En ces jours-là, fleurira la justice, grande paix jusqu’à la fin des lunes ! Qu’il domine de la mer à la mer, et du Fleuve jusqu’au bout de la terre !
  3. Il délivrera le pauvre qui appelle et le malheureux sans recours. Il aura souci du faible et du pauvre, du pauvre dont il sauve la vie.
  4. Que son nom dure toujours ; sous le soleil, que subsiste son nom ! En lui, que soient bénies toutes les familles de la terre; que tous les pays le disent bienheureux !

 

2ème lecture : Rm 15, 4-9

Frères, tout ce qui a été écrit à l’avance dans les livres saints l’a été pour nous instruire, afin que, grâce à la persévérance et au réconfort des Écritures, nous ayons l’espérance. Que le Dieu de la persévérance et du réconfort vous donne d’être d’accord les uns avec les autres selon le Christ Jésus. Ainsi, d’un même cœur, d’une seule voix, vous rendrez gloire à Dieu, le Père de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ. Accueillez-vous donc les uns les autres, comme le Christ vous a accueillis pour la gloire de Dieu. Car je vous le déclare : le Christ s’est fait le serviteur des Juifs, en raison de la fidélité de Dieu, pour réaliser les promesses faites à nos pères; quant aux nations, c’est en raison de sa miséricorde qu’elles rendent gloire à Dieu, comme le dit l’Écriture : C’est pourquoi je proclamerai ta louange parmi les nations, je chanterai ton nom.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia Préparez le chemin du Seigneur, rendez droits ses sentiers : tout être vivant verra le salut de Dieu.  Alléluia. (cf. Lc 3, 4.6)

 

Évangile : Mathieu 3, 1-12

En ces jours-là, paraît Jean le Baptiste, qui proclame dans le désert de Judée : « Convertissez-vous, car le royaume des Cieux est tout proche. » Jean est celui que désignait la parole prononcée par le prophète Isaïe : Voix de celui qui crie dans le désert : Préparez le chemin du Seigneur, rendez droits ses sentiers. Lui, Jean, portait un vêtement de poils de chameau, et une ceinture de cuir autour des reins ; il avait pour nourriture des sauterelles et du miel sauvage. Alors Jérusalem, toute la Judée et toute la région du Jourdain se rendaient auprès de lui, et ils étaient baptisés par lui dans le Jourdain en reconnaissant leurs péchés. Voyant beaucoup de pharisiens et de sadducéens se présenter à son baptême, il leur dit : « Engeance de vipères ! Qui vous a appris à fuir la colère qui vient ? Produisez donc un fruit digne de la conversion. N’allez pas dire en vous-mêmes : ‘Nous avons Abraham pour père’ ; car, je vous le dis : des pierres que voici, Dieu peut faire surgir des enfants à Abraham. Déjà la cognée se trouve à la racine des arbres : tout arbre qui ne produit pas de bons fruits va être coupé et jeté au feu. Moi, je vous baptise dans l’eau, en vue de la conversion. Mais celui qui vient derrière moi est plus fort que moi, et je ne suis pas digne de lui retirer ses sandales. Lui vous baptisera dans l’Esprit Saint et le feu. Il tient dans sa main la pelle à vanner, il va nettoyer son aire à battre le blé, et il amassera son grain dans le grenier ; quant à la paille, il la brûlera au feu qui ne s’éteint pas. »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Laisse-toi fléchir, Seigneur, par nos prières et nos pauvres offrandes ; Nous ne pouvons pas invoquer nos mérites, viens par ta grâce à notre secours. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Ba 5, 5; 4, 36 

Lève-toi, Jérusalem, tiens-toi sur la hauteur, et contemple la joie qui te vient de ton Dieu.

 

Prière après la communion

Pleins de reconnaissance pour cette eucharistie, nous te prions encore, Seigneur: Apprends-nous, dans la communion à ce mystère, le vrai sens des choses de ce monde et l’amour des biens éternels. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

En ce deuxième dimanche de l’Avent, nous sommes appelés à préparer le chemin du Seigneur et à rendre droits ses sentiers. Son entrée en douceur dépend de la douceur des chemins qui mènent à nos vies. Les routes adjacentes qui nous séparent de Jésus peuvent avoir été bloquées par de mauvaises habitudes ou comportements, la haine, le manque de pardon. Ils peuvent avoir été bloqués parce que nous avons fait aux autres et qui nécessite un simple “je suis désolé”… Allons-nous laisser ces chemins non nettoyés ? Aujourd’hui, Jean ne prêche pas l’humilité et le jeûne. Mais son style de vie est un véritable défi pour tous ceux qui veulent trouver grâce aux yeux de Dieu. Il contraste fortement avec les hommes de Dieu de nos jours dont la vie tourne en dérision l’évangile de la pauvreté et de l’abnégation.