by | Aug 31, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 01st  September 2022

  1. Giles,

Abbot

 

St. Giles was a seventh century Athenian of noble birth. His piety and learning made him an object of much admiration. He spent many years in solitude with God. He founded a monastery with an excellent discipline therein. St. Giles died in about the year 724.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 85: 3, 5

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.

 

Collect

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. 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 : 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Make no mistake about it: if any one of you thinks of himself as wise, in the ordinary sense of the word, then he must learn to be a fool before he really can be wise. Why? Because the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As Scripture says: The Lord knows wise men’s thoughts: he knows how useless they are; or again: God is not convinced by the arguments of the wise. So there is nothing to boast about in anything human: Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life and death, the present and the future, are all your servants; but you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.

 

Psalm 23:1-6

R/ The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness.

 

  1. The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm.
  2. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things.
  3. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.2 Thess 2:14

Alleluia, alleluia! Through the Good News God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 5:1-11

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this sacred offering, O Lord, confer on us always the blessing of salvation, that what it celebrates in mystery it may accomplish in power. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 30: 20

How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.

 

Prayer after Communion

Renewed by this bread from the heavenly table, we beseech you, Lord, that, being the food of charity, it may confirm our hearts and stir us to serve you in our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

We all have a certain voice (inner or outer as coming from someone else) which tells us what to do in a particular situation. Sometimes, that voice of the Lord might not appear very meaningful to us when we begin to apply human wisdom to it. Peter tried to do so when he said, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing!” (Luke 5:5a). But he was able to allow his faith to carry him beyond the place his reason stopped and so added, “But at your word I will let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:5b). That is what the Church teaches us about faith and reason. And Thomas Merton reminds us: “Reason is in fact the path to faith, and faith takes over when reason can say no more.”

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 31 th august 2022

 

St. Aidan

(651)

 

He was born in Ireland and became a monk of Iona. He preached the Gospel, founded churches and monasteries, and freed slaves throughout the kingdom. He died at Bamburgh in Northumberland in 651.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 85: 3, 5

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.

 

Collect

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. 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 : 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Brothers, I myself was unable to speak to you as people of the Spirit: I treated you as sensual men, still infants in Christ. What I fed you with was milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it; and indeed, you are still not ready for it since you are still unspiritual. Isn’t that obvious from all the jealousy and wrangling that there is among you, from the way that you go on behaving like ordinary people? What could be more unspiritual than your slogans, ‘I am for Paul’ and ‘I am for Apollos’? After all, what is Apollos and what is Paul? They are servants who brought the faith to you. Even the different ways in which they brought it were assigned to them by the Lord. I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but God made things grow. Neither the planter nor the waterer matters: only God, who makes things grow. It is all one who does the planting and who does the watering, and each will duly be paid according to his share in the work. We are fellow workers with God; you are God’s farm, God’s building.

 

Psalm 32:12-15,20-21

R/ Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

 

  1. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own. From the heavens the Lord looks forth, he sees all the children of men.
  2. From the place where he dwells he gazes on all the dwellers on the earth; he who shapes the hearts of them all; and considers all their deeds.
  3. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. In him do our hearts find joy. We trust in his holy name.

 

Gospel Acclamation : 1P1:25

Alleluia, alleluia! The word of the Lord remains for ever: What is this word? It is the Good News that has been brought to you. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 4:38-44

Leaving the synagogue Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them. At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this sacred offering, O Lord, confer on us always the blessing of salvation, that what it celebrates in mystery it may accomplish in power. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 30: 20

How great is the goodness, Lord that you keep for those who fear you.

 

Prayer after Communion

Renewed by this bread from the heavenly table, we beseech you, Lord, that, being the food of charity, it may confirm our hearts and stir us to serve you in our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

The crowds wanted to hold Jesus back. They had recognised in Him a source of life, and did not want to lose it. They wanted to hold Jesus back, to monopolise him in order to benefit from his goodness! But Jesus does not play this game. He says to them: ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do”. For Jesus did not come for a few, but for all, and no one can take him for himself. No one can use him for his own benefit. Jesus is a source of life for all. This is important for us, because every Christian must follow him and carry the message of the good news around. This is not the prerogative of the religious, but a duty of every Christian, of every person who has met Jesus and benefited from his forgiveness, his healing, his life. Thus Peter’s mother-in-law who is healed and who stands up can serve.

by | Aug 30, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

JEudi 01 SEPTEMBRE 2022

 

  1. Gilles

 

Ayant décidé de vivre en ermite dans les forêts près de Nîmes dans le Gard, il y fonda une abbaye qui prit son nom. Sa popularité lui vient de ce que le monastère, construit dès le 6e siècle, se trouvait sur l’un des itinéraires de Rome à Compostelle.

 

Antienne  d’ouverture : Ps 85, 3. 5  

Prends pitié de moi, Seigneur, toi que je supplie tout le jour, toi, tu es bon, tu pardonnes, tu es plein d’amour pour tous ceux qui t’appellent.

 

Prière  d’ouverture

Dieu puissant, de qui vient tout don parfait enracine en nos cœurs l’amour de ton nom. Resserre nos liens avec toi, pour développer ce qui est bon en nous, veille sur nous avec sollicitude, pour protéger ce que tu as fait grandir. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : 1 Co 3, 18-23

Frères, que personne ne s’y trompe: si quelqu’un parmi vous pense être un sage à la manière d’ici-bas, qu’il devienne fou pour devenir sage. Car la sagesse de ce monde est folie devant Dieu. Il est écrit en effet : C’est lui qui prend les sages au piège de leur propre habileté.  Il est écrit encore : Le Seigneur le sait: les raisonnements des sages n’ont aucune valeur ! Ainsi, il ne faut pas mettre sa fierté en tel ou tel homme. Car tout vous appartient, que ce soit Paul, Apollos, Pierre, le monde, la vie, la mort, le présent, l’avenir : tout est à vous, mais vous, vous êtes au Christ, et le Christ est à Dieu.

 

Psaume : 23 (24), 1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R/   La terre est au Seigneur, et toute sa richesse.

 

  1. Au Seigneur, le monde et sa richesse, la terre et tous ses habitants ! C’est lui qui l’a fondée sur les mers et la garde inébranlable sur les flots.
  2. Qui peut gravir la montagne du Seigneur et se tenir dans le lieu saint ? L’homme au cœur pur, aux mains innocentes, qui ne livre pas son âme aux idoles.
  3. Il obtient, du Seigneur, la bénédiction, et de Dieu son Sauveur, la justice. Voici le peuple de ceux qui le cherchent! Voici Jacob qui recherche ta face !

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia! « Venez à ma suite, dit le Seigneur, et je vous ferai pêcheurs d’hommes. » Alléluia! (Mt 4, 19)

 

Évangile : Lc 5, 1-11

En ce temps-là, la foule se pressait autour de Jésus pour écouter la parole de Dieu, tandis qu’il se tenait au bord du lac de Génésareth. Il vit deux barques qui se trouvaient au bord du lac ; les pêcheurs en étaient descendus et lavaient leurs filets. Jésus monta dans une des barques qui appartenait à Simon, et lui demanda de s’écarter un peu du rivage. Puis il s’assit et, de la barque, il enseignait les foules.  Quand il eut fini de parler, il dit à Simon : « Avance au large, et jetez vos filets pour la pêche. »Simon lui répondit : « Maître, nous avons peiné toute la nuit sans rien prendre ; mais, sur ta parole, je vais jeter les filets. » Et l’ayant fait, ils capturèrent une telle quantité de poissons que leurs filets allaient se déchirer. Ils firent signe à leurs compagnons de l’autre barque de venir les aider. Ceux-ci vinrent, et ils remplirent les deux barques, à tel point qu’elles enfonçaient. à cette vue, Simon-Pierre tomba aux genoux de Jésus, en disant : «Éloigne-toi de moi, Seigneur, car je suis un homme  pécheur. » En effet, un grand effroi l’avait saisi, lui et tous ceux qui étaient avec lui, devant la quantité de poissons qu’ils avaient pêchés ; et de même Jacques et Jean, fils de Zébédée, les associés de Simon. Jésus dit à Simon : « Sois sans crainte, désormais ce sont des hommes que tu prendras. » Alors ils ramenèrent les barques au rivage et, laissant tout, ils le suivirent.

 

Prière  sur  les  offrandes

Que l’offrande eucharistique, Seigneur, nous apporte toujours la grâce du salut. Que ta puissance accomplisse elle-même ce que nous célébrons dans cette liturgie. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne  de  communion : Ps 30, 20

Qu’elle est grande, Seigneur, ta bonté envers ceux qui t’adorent!

 

Prière  après  la  communion

Rassasiés par le pain de la vie, nous te prions, Seigneur : Que cette nourriture fortifie l’amour en nos cœurs , et nous incite à te servir dans nos frères. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

L’Evangile que nous avons lu nous révèle que la mission dans l’Eglise est une question d’équipe dans laquelle une personne tient la responsabilité. En effet, c’est à Pierre que Jésus dit : « avance au large ». Cependant, Pierre répond : «  nous avons peiné toute la nuit… » Et c’est encore avec toute l’équipe qu’il ramène les barques aux rivages, et laissant tout, ils suivirent Jésus. Prions afin que nous apprenions au quotidien à travailler avec les autres dans une collaboration parfaite pour conduire la mission de Dieu dans l’obéissance à nos responsables.

by | Aug 29, 2022 | Evangelium

Tuesday 30 th august 2022

 

St. Margaret Clitherow,

née Middleton

(1556 – 1586)

 

She was born in York. At the age of 15 she married a butcher, John Clitherow, and three years later became a Catholic. She was crushed to death with a heavy stone, on 25 March 1586 for being a catholic and hiding catholic priests in her house.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 85: 3, 5

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.

 

Collect

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. 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 : 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

The Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God. After all, the depths of a man can only be known by his own spirit, not by any other man, and in the same way the depths of God can only be known by the Spirit of God. Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense; it is beyond his understanding because it can only be understood by means of the Spirit. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything, and his own value is not to be judged by other men. As Scripture says: Who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him? But we are those who have the mind of Christ.

 

Psalm 144:8-14

R/ The Lord is just in all his ways.

 

  1. The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures.
  2. All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God, to make known to men your mighty deeds and the glorious splendour of your reign.
  3. Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age. The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. The Lord supports all who fall and raises all who are bowed down.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Heb4:12

Alleluia, alleluia! The word of God is something alive and active: it can judge secret emotions and thoughts. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice, ‘Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all. Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, ‘What teaching! He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.’ And reports of him went all through the surrounding countryside.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this sacred offering, O Lord, confer on us always the blessing of salvation, that what it celebrates in mystery it may accomplish in power. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 30: 20

How great is the goodness, Lord that you keep for those who fear you.

 

Prayer after Communion

Renewed by this bread from the heavenly table, we beseech you, Lord, that, being the food of charity, it may confirm our hearts and stir us to serve you in our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

One of the most remarkable things about the teaching of Jesus was that he reconciled divine authority with the most incredible human simplicity. Both authority and simplicity were possible for Jesus because of his knowledge of the Father and his loving and obedient relationship with Him (cf. Mt 11:25-27). It is precisely this relationship with the Father that explains the unique harmony between his greatness and his humility. The authority of His language did not fit human parameters at all. It was an authority that was manifested both in the sublimity of his words and actions and in his humility and simplicity. From his mouth came neither personal praise, nor arrogance, nor shouting. Compassion, gentleness, understanding, peace, serenity, mercy, truth, light, justice; these were the fragrances that the authority of his teaching exuded.

 

by | Aug 29, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

MARDI 30AOÛT 2022

 

St. Fiacre

 

Il aurait été le fils d’un roi d’Ecosse ou d’Irlande. On lui prêta beaucoup de vertus de guérison après sa mort. La reine Anne d’Autriche lui rendait grâce de la naissance de son enfant qui devint Louis XIV.

 

Antienne  d’ouverture : Ps 85, 3. 5

Prends pitié de moi, Seigneur, toi que je supplie tout le jour, toi, tu es bon, tu pardonnes, tu es plein d’amour pour tous ceux qui t’appellent.

 

Prière  d’ouverture

Dieu puissant, de qui vient tout don parfait enracine en nos cœurs l’amour de ton nom. Resserre nos liens avec toi, pour développer ce qui est bon en nous, veille sur nous avec sollicitude, pour protéger ce que tu as fait grandir. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : 1 Co 2, 10b-16

Frères, l’Esprit scrute le fond de toutes choses, même les profondeurs de Dieu. Qui donc, parmi les hommes, sait ce qu’il y a dans l’homme, sinon l’esprit de l’homme qui est en lui ? De même, personne ne connaît ce qu’il y a en Dieu, sinon l’Esprit de Dieu. Or nous, ce n’est pas l’esprit du monde que nous avons reçu, mais l’Esprit qui vient de Dieu, et ainsi nous avons conscience des dons que Dieu nous a accordés. Nous disons cela avec un langage que nous n’apprenons pas de la sagesse humaine, mais que nous apprenons de l’Esprit ; nous comparons entre elles les réalités spirituelles. L’homme, par ses seules capacités, n’accueille pas ce qui vient de l’Esprit de Dieu ; pour lui ce n’est que folie, et il ne peut pas comprendre, car c’est par l’Esprit qu’on examine toute chose. Celui qui est animé par l’Esprit soumet tout à examen, mais lui, personne ne peut l’y soumettre. Car il est écrit : Qui a connu la pensée du Seigneur et qui pourra l’instruire ? Eh bien nous, nous avons la pensée du Christ !

 

Psaume : 144 (145), 8-9, 10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14

R/   Le Seigneur est juste en toutes ses voies.

 

  1. Le Seigneur est tendresse et pitié, lent à la colère et plein d’amour; la bonté du Seigneur est pour tous, sa tendresse, pour toutes ses œuvres.
  2. Que tes œuvres, Seigneur, te rendent grâce et que tes fidèles te bénissent ! Ils diront la gloire de ton règne, ils parleront de tes exploits.
  3. Ils annonceront aux hommes tes exploits, la gloire et l’éclat de ton règne : ton règne, un règne éternel, ton empire, pour les âges des âges.
  4. Le Seigneur est vrai en tout ce qu’il dit, fidèle en tout ce qu’il fait. Le Seigneur soutient tous ceux qui tombent, il redresse tous les accablés.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia! Un grand prophète s’est levé parmi nous, et Dieu a visité son peuple. Alléluia! (Lc 7, 16)

 

Évangile : Lc 4, 31-37

En ce temps-là, Jésus descendit à Capharnaüm, ville de Galilée, et il y enseignait, le jour du sabbat. On était frappé par son enseignement car sa parole était pleine d’autorité. Or, il y avait dans la synagogue un homme possédé par l’esprit d’un démon impur, qui se mit à crier d’une voix forte : « Ah ! que nous veux-tu, Jésus de Nazareth ? Es-tu venu pour nous perdre ? Je sais qui tu es : tu es le Saint de Dieu. » Jésus le menaça : « Silence ! Sors de cet homme. » Alors le démon projeta l’homme en plein milieu et sortit de lui sans lui faire aucun mal. Tous furent saisis d’effroi et ils se disaient entre eux : « Quelle est cette parole ? Il commande avec autorité et puissance aux esprits impurs, et ils sortent ! » Et la réputation de Jésus se propageait dans toute la région.

 

Prière  sur  les  offrandes

Que l’offrande eucharistique, Seigneur, nous apporte toujours la grâce du salut. Que ta puissance accomplisse elle-même ce que nous célébrons dans cette liturgie. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne  de  communion : Ps 30, 20

Qu’elle est grande, Seigneur, ta bonté envers ceux qui t’adorent!

 

Prière  après  la  communion

Rassasiés par le pain de la vie, nous te prions, Seigneur : Que cette nourriture fortifie l’amour en nos cœurs , et nous incite à te servir dans nos frères. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Parler du diable aujourd’hui n’est pas bien vu ! Il y a ceux qui nient son existence, il y a ceux qui le voient partout ! Mais qu’on le veuille ou non, et sans aller dans les extrêmes, le diable existe, et son seul désir est de couper les âmes de l’amour de  Dieu. Il n’est pas plus puissant que Dieu et il le sait bien. Cet évangile nous le montre très clairement : « Ah ! Que nous veux-tu, Jésus de Nazareth ? Es-tu venu pour nous perdre ?! »  Ce texte est très important pour nous car il nous montre que l’esprit du mal est vaincu, que Jésus est toujours vainqueur. Donc dans nos vies, quand la tentation survient, appelons Celui qui est vainqueur du mal : le Christ !

 

 

by | Aug 28, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

LUNDI 29 AOÛT 2022

 

Martyre de saint Jean Baptiste

 

Toute la vie de Jean Baptiste est un témoignage rendu à Celui qu’il précède, qu’il a mission de montrer, et devant qui il veut s’effacer. C’est le témoignage vigoureux d’un prophète qui ne cherche pas à plaire au monde, mais à le convertir par son exemple et sa parole.

 

Antienne  d’ouverture : Ps 85, 1-3

Écoute, Seigneur, réponds-moi. Sauve, ô mon Dieu, ton serviteur qui compte sur toi. Prends pitié de moi, Seigneur, toi que j’appelle tout le jour.

 

Prière  d’ouverture

Dieu qui peux mettre au cœur de tes fidèles un unique désir, donne à ton peuple d’aimer ce que tu commandes et d’attendre ce que tu promets. Pour qu’au milieu des changements de ce monde, nos cœurs s’établissent fermement là où se trouvent les vraies joies. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : 1 Co 2,1-5

Frères, quand je suis venu chez vous, je ne suis pas venu vous annoncer le mystère de Dieu avec le prestige du langage ou de la sagesse. Parmi vous, je n’ai rien voulu connaître d’autre que Jésus Christ, ce Messie crucifié. Et c’est dans la faiblesse, craintif et tout tremblant, que je me suis présenté à vous. Mon langage, ma proclamation de l’Évangile, n’avaient rien d’un langage de sagesse qui veut convaincre ; mais c’est l’Esprit et sa puissance qui se manifestaient, pour que votre foi repose, non pas sur la sagesse des hommes, mais sur la puissance de Dieu.

 

Psaume 118,97-102

R/  Sans fin, je proclamerai ta victoire et ton salut.

 

  1. De quel amour j’aime ta loi : tout le jour je la médite ! Je surpasse en habileté mes ennemis, car je fais miennes pour toujours tes volontés.
  2. Je surpasse en sagesse tous mes maîtres, car je médite tes exigences. Je surpasse en intelligence les anciens, car je garde tes préceptes.
  3. Des chemins du mal, je détourne mes pas, afin d’observer ta parole. De tes décisions, je ne veux pas m’écarter, car c’est toi qui m’enseignes.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Je vous donne un commandement nouveau, dit le Seigneur : « Aimez-vous les uns les autres, comme je vous ai aimés.Alléluia. (cf. Jn 13, 34)

 

Évangile :  Mc 6, 17-29

Hérode, prince de Galilée, avait fait arrêter Jean et l’avait mis en prison. En effet, il avait épousé Hérodiade, la femme de son frère Philippe, et Jean lui disait : « Tu n’as pas le droit de prendre la femme de ton frère. » Hérodiade en voulait donc à Jean, et elle cherchait à le faire mettre à mort. Mais elle n’y arrivait pas parce que Hérode avait peur de Jean : il savait que c’était un homme juste et saint, et il le protégeait ; quand il l’avait entendu, il était très embarrassé, et pourtant, il aimait l’entendre. Cependant, une occasion favorable se présenta lorsque Hérode, pour son anniversaire, donna un banquet à ses dignitaires, aux chefs de l’armée et aux notables de la Galilée. La fille d’Hérodiade fit son entrée et dansa. Elle plut à Hérode et à ses convives. Le roi dit à la jeune fille : « Demande-moi tout ce que tu veux, je te le donnerai. » Et il lui fit ce serment : « Tout ce que tu me demanderas, je te le donnerai, même si c’est la moitié de mon royaume. » Elle sortit alors pour dire à sa mère : « Qu’est-ce que je vais demander ? » Hérodiade répondit : « La tête de Jean le Baptiste. » Aussitôt la jeune fille s’empressa de retourner auprès du roi, et lui fit cette demande : « Je veux que tout de suite tu me donnes sur un plat la tête de Jean Baptiste. » Le roi fut vivement contrarié ; mais à cause du serment fait devant les convives, il ne voulut pas lui opposer un refus. Aussitôt il envoya un garde avec l’ordre d’apporter la tête de Jean. Le garde s’en alla, et le décapita dans la prison. Il apporta 1a tête sur un plat, la donna à la jeune fille, et la jeune fille la donna à sa mère. Lorsque les disciples de Jean apprirent cela, ils vinrent prendre son corps et le déposèrent dans un tombeau.

 

Prière  sur  les  offrandes

Par l’offrande que nous te présentons, Seigneur, accorde-nous cette droiture de vie que Jean Baptiste a prêchée en criant dans le désert et dont il a témoigné jusqu’au martyre. Par Jésus

 

Antienne  de  communion : Jn 2, 27.30

Jean Baptiste disait a ses disciples : « il faut que Jésus grandisse et que moi je diminue

 

Prière  après  la  communion

Nous t’en prions, Seigneur notre Dieu: que la célébration du martyre de Jean Baptiste nous permette d’admirer dans les sacrements reçus les merveilles dont ils sont le signe, et, mieux encore, de goûter leur action en nous. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

C’est l’accueil de Dieu qui fait de nous des membres de la communauté chrétienne. Dans son appel, il n’y a pas d’élitisme spirituel. Cet appel s’adresse à tout le monde sans discrimination aucune. Plus fort encore à ceux qui lui répondent favorablement, qu’ils soient estimés ou méprisés du monde. Dieu offre de devenir ses ami(e)s,  ses témoins les porteurs de son règne. Ne l’oublions jamais, ce que nous sommes nous le devons à ce que Jésus christ est devenu pour nous.

 

by | Aug 28, 2022 | Evangelium

Monday 29 th august 2022

 

The Beheading

of St. John the Baptist

 

John the Baptist is the only saint in the calendar (apart from St Joseph) who has two feasts to himself. One, in August, celebrates his death, and one, in June, celebrates his birth. And this is as it should be, for as Christ himself said, John was the greatest of the sons of men.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 118: 46-47

I spoke, O Lord, of your decrees before kings, and was not confounded; I pondered your commands and loved them greatly.

 

Collect

O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we too may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. 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 : 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy, but simply to tell you what God had guaranteed. During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus, and only about him as the crucified Christ. Far from relying on any power of my own, I came among you in great ‘fear and trembling’ and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.

 

Psalm 118(119):97-102

R/  Lord, how I love your law!

 

  1. Lord, how I love your law! It is ever in my mind. Your command makes me wiser than my foes; for it is mine forever.
  2. I have more insight than all who teach me for I ponder your will. I have more understanding than the old for I keep your precepts.
  3. I turn my feet from evil paths to obey your word. I have not turned from your decrees; you yourself have taught me.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Mt5:10

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Mark 6:17-29

Herod sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Through these offerings which we bring you, O Lord, grant that we may make straight your paths, as taught by that voice crying in the desert, Saint John the Baptist, who powerfully sealed his teaching by the shedding of his blood. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Jn 3:27,30

John answered and said: He must increase; but I must decrease.

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O Lord, as we celebrate the heavenly birth of Saint John the Baptist, that we may revere, for what it signifies, the saving Sacrament we have received and, even more, may rejoice at its clear effects in us. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

John the Baptist was truthful to Herod, Herodias’ hatred may have influenced his decision, but it was Herod who gave the order to kill him. John’s greatness was his respect for a job well done and a life well lived. Herod also respected him for this and he knew that John was accusing him with reason. The death of the Baptist is the practical consequence of living the beatitudes: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice”. Let us ask God every day to grant us this courage of John the Baptist.

 

by | Aug 27, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

DIMANCHE 28 AOÛT 2022

 

22ème Dimanche du temps ordinaire

Psautier II

 

Antienne  d’ouverture : Ps 85, 3. 5

Prends pitié de moi, Seigneur, toi que je supplie tout le jour; toi, tu es bon, tu pardonnes, tu es plein d’amour pour tous ceux qui t’appellent.

 

Prière  d’ouverture

Dieu puissant, de qui vient tout don parfait enracine en nos cours l’amour de ton nom; Resserre nos liens avec toi, pour développer ce qui est bon en nous; veille sur nous avec sollicitude, pour protéger ce que tu as fait grandir. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Siracide 3, 17-18.20.28-29

Mon fils, accomplis toute chose dans l’humilité, et tu seras aimé plus qu’un bienfaiteur. Plus tu es grand, plus il faut t’abaisser : tu trouveras grâce devant le Seigneur. Grande est la puissance du Seigneur, et les humbles lui rendent gloire. La condition de l’orgueilleux est sans remède, car la racine du mal est en lui. Qui est sensé médite les maximes de la sagesse ; l’idéal du sage, c’est une oreille qui écoute.

 

Psaume 67 (68), 4-5ac, 6-7ab, 10-11)

R/   Béni soit le Seigneur :il élève les humbles. (cf. Lc 1, 52)

 

  1. Les justes sont en fête, ils exultent; devant la face de Dieu ils dansent de joie. Chantez pour Dieu, jouez pour son nom.Son nom est Le Seigneur ; dansez devant sa face.
  2. Père des orphelins, défenseur des veuves, tel est Dieu dans sa sainte demeure. A l’isolé, Dieu accorde une maison ; aux captifs, il rend la liberté.
  3. Tu répandais sur ton héritage une pluie généreuse, et quand il défaillait, toi, tu le soutenais. Sur les lieux où campait ton troupeau, tu le soutenais, Dieu qui est bon pour le pauvre.

 

2ème lecture : Hébreux 12, 18-19.22-24a

Frères, quand vous êtes venus vers Dieu, vous n’êtes pas venus vers une réalité palpable, embrasée par le feu, comme la montagne du Sinaï : pas d’obscurité, de ténèbres ni d’ouragan, pas de son de trompettes ni de paroles prononcées par cette voix que les fils d’Israël demandèrent à ne plus entendre. Mais vous êtes venus vers la montagne de Sion et vers la ville du Dieu vivant, la Jérusalem céleste, vers des myriades d’anges en fête et vers l’assemblée des premiers-nés dont les noms sont inscrits dans les cieux. Vous êtes venus vers Dieu, le juge de tous, et vers les esprits des justes amenés à la perfection. Vous êtes venus vers Jésus, le médiateur d’une alliance nouvelle.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia! Prenez sur vous mon joug, dit le Seigneur ;devenez mes disciples, car je suis doux et humble de cœur.  Alléluia! (cf. Mt 11, 29ab)

 

Évangile : Luc 14, 1.7-14

Un jour de sabbat, Jésus était entré dans la maison d’un chef des pharisiens pour y prendre son repas, et ces derniers l’observaient. Jésus dit une parabole aux invités lorsqu’il remarqua comment ils choisissaient les premières places, et il leur dit : « Quand quelqu’un t’invite à des noces, ne va pas t’installer à la première place, de peur qu’il ait invité un autre plus considéré que toi. Alors, celui qui vous a invités, toi et lui, viendra te dire : ‘Cède-lui ta place’ ; et, à ce moment, tu iras, plein de honte, prendre la dernière place. Au contraire, quand tu es invité, va te mettre à la dernière place. Alors, quand viendra celui qui t’a invité, il te dira : ‘Mon ami, avance plus haut’, et ce sera pour toi un honneur aux yeux de tous ceux qui seront à la table avec toi. En effet, quiconque s’élève sera abaissé ; qui s’abaisse sera élevé. » Jésus disait aussi à celui qui l’avait invité : « Quand tu donnes un déjeuner ou un dîner, n’invite pas tes amis, ni tes frères, ni tes parents, ni de riches voisins ; sinon, eux aussi te rendraient l’invitation et ce serait pour toi un don en retour. Au contraire, quand tu donnes une réception, invite des pauvres, des estropiés, des boiteux, des aveugles; heureux seras-tu, parce qu’ils n’ont rien à te donner en retour : cela te sera rendu à la résurrection des justes. »

 

Prière  sur  les  offrandes

Que l’offrande eucharistique, Seigneur, nous apporte toujours la grâce du salut; Que ta puissance accomplisse elle-même ce que nous célébrons dans cette liturgie. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne  de  communion

Qu’elle est grande, Seigneur, ta bonté envers ceux qui t’adorent! Ps 30, 20

 

Prière  après  la  communion

Rassasiés par le pain de la vie, nous te prions, Seigneur: Que cette nourriture fortifie l’amour en nos cours, et nous incite à te servir dans nos frères. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

En observant les efforts des invités qui recherchent les premières places, Jésus saisit l’occasion pour indiquer la vraie grandeur de l’être humain. Il ne s’agit pas de choisir la dernière place pour être ensuite propulsé plus haut, mais de reconnaître nos limites et d’utiliser nos talents pour le bien des autres. Notre monde serait meilleur si, au lieu de lutter toute notre vie pour obtenir une première place bien éphémère, nous cherchions la place la plus utile pour le bien de tous. « Les rois des nations dominent sur elles… Mais pour vous, il n’en va pas ainsi. Au contraire, que le plus grand parmi vous se comporte comme le plus jeune, et celui qui gouverne comme celui qui sert… Et moi, je suis au milieu de vous comme celui qui sert ! »

 

 

by | Aug 27, 2022 | Evangelium

Sunday 28 th august 2022

 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalter II

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 85: 3, 5

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.

 

Collect

God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. 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 : Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver. The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord; for great though the power of the Lord is, he accepts the homage of the humble. There is no cure for the proud man’s malady, since an evil growth has taken root in him. The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables, an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.

 

Psalm 67(68):4-7,10-11

R/ In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.

 

  1. The just shall rejoice at the presence of God, they shall exult and dance for joy. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name; rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
  2. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, such is God in his holy place. God gives the lonely a home to live in; he leads the prisoners forth into freedom:
  3. You poured down, O God, a generous rain: when your people were starved you gave them new life. It was there that your people found a home, prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor.

 

Second reading : Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24

What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Jn14:23

Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 14:1,7-14

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’ Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this sacred offering, O Lord, confer on us always the blessing of salvation, that what it celebrates in mystery it may accomplish in power. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 30: 20

How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.

 

Prayer after Communion

Renewed by this bread from the heavenly table, we beseech you, Lord, that, being the food of charity, it may confirm our hearts and stir us to serve you in our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Our readings today invite us to cultivate the virtue of humility. In our First Reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, Sirach teaches us that if we perform our tasks with humility, we will be loved by those whom God accepts. The greater you are, the humbler you should be. (Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31). Jesus in the Gospel (Luke 14:1,7-14) gives us some practical rules of humility, especially during celebrations. We have the “high table syndrome” in many of our cultures. We live in a stratified society in which some privileged few represent the multitude on a special table get the best of benefits. We are afraid to lose face or status. We connive with an unjust status quo, while pretending to be Christians. Jesus condemns this and teaches us that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted. In many instances in the Bible, Jesus asks us to imitate Children: “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Mt. 18:2-4).

by | Aug 26, 2022 | Evangelium

Saturday 27 th august 2022

 

St. Monica

(331 – 387)

 

She was born at Thagaste in Africa of a Christian family. She was the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, who when young was intelligent but weak in morals. With many tears she prayed unceasingly to God for his conversion and her prayers were answered shortly before she died.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Prov 31: 30, 28

The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises.

 

Collect

O God, who console the sorrowful and who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through the intercession of them both, that we may bitterly regret our sins and find the grace of your pardon. 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: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As Scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.

 

Psalm 32:12-13,18-21

R/  Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

 

  1. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own. From the heavens the Lord looks forth, he sees all the children of men.
  2. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.
  3. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. In him do our hearts find joy. We trust in his holy name.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ph2:15-16

Alleluia, alleluia! You will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life.Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out. ‘The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” ‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” ‘Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” ‘Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

We bring you these sacrificial gifts, O Lord, to commemorate St. Monica, humbly entreating that they may bestow on us both pardon and salvation. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Mt 13: 45-46

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant who travels in search of fine pearls and who, on finding one of great price, sold everything and bought it.

 

Prayer after Communion

May the working of this divine Sacrament enlighten and inflame us, almighty God, on this feast day of St. Monica, that we may be ever fervent with holy desires and abound in good works. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

St Matthew instructs us that there are different ways of keeping the memory of the Lord at heart, one that paralyses (fear and dread), and another that releases energies (confidence). The call to vigilance, to keep the memory of the Lord in mind as we await his glorious return, is not an invitation to torture our minds about a probable date, let alone to allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the insecurity of the time or the threats. For none of this will produce any good fruit. The parable of the talents shows us that each of the servants acts according to the image of God that he carries in his heart, and the fruit of his work corresponds to the positive or negative image that he has of his God.