by | Apr 1, 2022 | Evangelium

Saturday  02nd April 2022

 

St. Francis of Paola

(1436 – 1507)

 

He was born in Paola in Calabria. He founded the Order of Minims. He died on Good Friday, 2 April 1507, at Plessis in France.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 17: 5, 7

The waves of death rose about me; the pains of the netherworld surrounded me. In my anguish I called to the Lord, and from his holy temple he heard my voice.

 

Collect

May the working of your mercy, O Lord, we pray, direct our hearts aright, for without your grace we cannot find favour in your sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Jeremiah 11:18-20

The Lord revealed it to me; I was warned. O Lord, that was when you opened my eyes to their scheming. I for my part was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughter-house, not knowing the schemes they were plotting against me, ‘Let us destroy the tree in its strength, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name may be quickly forgotten!’ But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence, who probe the loins and heart, let me see the vengeance you will take on them, for I have committed my cause to you.

 

Psalm 7:2-3,9-12

R/   Lord God, I take refuge in you.

 

  1. Lord God, I take refuge in you. From my pursuer save me and rescue me, lest he tear me to pieces like a lion and drag me off with no one to rescue me.
  2. Give judgement for me, Lord; I am just and innocent of heart. Put an end to the evil of the wicked! Make the just stand firm, you who test mind and heart, O just God!
  3. God is the shield that protects me, who saves the upright of heart. God is a just judge slow to anger; but he threatens the wicked every day.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ezk33:11

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I take pleasure, not in the death of a wicked man – it is the Lord who speaks – but in the turning back of a wicked man who changes his ways to win life. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

 

Gospel : John 7:40-52

Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him. The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Be pleased, O Lord, we pray,  with these oblations you receive from our hands, and, even when our wills are defiant, constrain them mercifully to turn to you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. 1 Pt 1: 18-19

By the precious Blood of Christ, the Blood of a spotless and unblemished Lamb, we have been redeemed.

 

Prayer after Communion

May your holy gifts purify us, O Lord, we pray, and by their working render us fully pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer over the People    

Look upon your people, O Lord, and, as they draw near to the coming festivities, bestow upon them abundance of heavenly grace, that, helped by the consolations of this world, they may be impelled more readily towards higher goods that cannot be seen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Meditation

The Scripture is God’s guidance to mankind. We must be slow to judge and condemn others. Like the Pharisees did to Christ, many times we pass judgment with some prejudice in mind. Until we get rid of these prejudices, we would never make a fair judgment. This would also play out in our interpretation of Scripture, paving the way for unnecessary arguments. Each one of us is called to be a ‘Nicodemus’ wherever he/she may find themselves, bringing our friends to the right track, being slow to judge and condemn others. Scripture should never be used to pull others down or lead others astray through erroneous interpretation. We are invited to keep to the interpretation given to us by the teaching authority of the Church (Magisterium), so as not to be led astray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by | Mar 31, 2022 | Evangelium

Friday  01st April 2022

 

St. Ceallach

(1080 – 1129)

 

He became hereditary bishop of Armagh in 1105 and made many reforms; not least on his deathbed, when he abolished the hereditary principle by appointing St Malachy as his successor.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 53: 3-4

O God, save me by your name; by your power, defend my cause. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.

 

Collect

O God, who have prepared fitting helps for us in our weakness, grant, we pray, that we may receive their healing effects with joy and reflect them in a holy way of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Wisdom 2:1,12-22

The godless say to themselves, with their misguided reasoning: ‘Our life is short and dreary, nor is there any relief when man’s end comes, nor is anyone known who can give release from Hades. Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our breaches of the law and accuses us of playing false to our upbringing. He claims to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a son of the Lord. Before us he stands, a reproof to our way of thinking, the very sight of him weighs our spirits down; his way of life is not like other men’s, the paths he treads are unfamiliar. In his opinion we are counterfeit; he holds aloof from our doings as though from filth; he proclaims the final end of the virtuous as happy and boasts of having God for his father. Let us see if what he says is true, let us observe what kind of end he himself will have. If the virtuous man is God’s son, God will take his part and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies. Let us test him with cruelty and with torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his and put his endurance to the proof. Let us condemn him to a shameful death since he will be looked after – we have his word for it.’ This is the way they reason, but they are misled, their malice makes them blind. They do not know the hidden things of God, they have no hope that holiness will be rewarded, they can see no reward for blameless souls.

 

Psalm 33:16,18,19-21,23

R/ The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.

 

  1. The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth. They call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress.
  2. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. Many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him.
  3. He will keep guard over all his bones, not one of his bones shall be broken. The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants. Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Joel2:12-13

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart, for I am all tenderness and compassion. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

 

Gospel : John 7:1-2,10,25-30

Jesus stayed in Galilee; he could not stay in Judaea because the Jews were out to kill him. As the Jewish feast of Tabernacles drew near, however, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, but quite privately, without drawing attention to himself. Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Isn’t this the man they want to kill? And here he is, speaking freely, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have made up their minds that he is the Christ? Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from. Then, as Jesus taught in the Temple, he cried out: ‘Yes, you know me and you know where I came from. Yet I have not come of myself: no, there is one who sent me and I really come from him, and you do not know him, but I know him because I have come from him and it was he who sent me.’ They would have arrested him then, but because his time had not yet come no one laid a hand on him.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this sacrifice, almighty God, cleanse us by its mighty power and lead us to approach its source with ever greater purity. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Eph 1: 7

In Christ, we have redemption by his Blood, and forgiveness of our sins, in accord with the riches of his grace.

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, as we pass from old to new, so, with former ways left behind, we may be renewed in holiness of mind. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Prayer over the People    

Look upon your servants, O Lord, and in your goodness protect with heavenly assistance those who trust in your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

How do we reconcile Jesus’ birthplace and His identity? Discovering Jesus is a continuous journey we must embark on every day of our lives. For the Jews and for us, there is no lack of data as to where Jesus was born (in a small insignificant town called Nazareth), but there is a lack of faith in the true person of Christ. Just as Jesus was persecuted and no one dared to lay their hands on him, so too, in our moments of persecution- be they emotional, medical, from our marriages and relationships, ideological or of whatever kind-, not even the devil will lay a hand on us if God has not decreed it. Our own time will come. But we must know Jesus to withstand moments of persecution. How much do we know Him?

by | Mar 31, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Vendredi  01 avril 2022

 

St. Hugues, Évêque

 

Homme austère et droit, Hugues (1053-1132) fut choisi comme arbitre dans maints conflits. Se convaincant régulièrement d’être indigne de l’épiscopat alors qu’il fut désigné comme évêque de Grenoble, il prendra courageusement parti pour le pape Pascal aux prises avec l’empereur d’Allemagne Henri IV. 

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 53, 3-4

Dieu, par ton nom sauve-moi, rends-moi justice par ta puissance ; Dieu, entends ma prière, écoute les mots que je dis.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Tu as préparé, Seigneur, pour nous qui sommes faibles, les secours dont nous avons besoin; donne-nous d’accueillir avec joie notre relèvement et d’en témoigner par la fidélité de notre vie. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Sagesse 2, 1a.12-22

Les impies ne sont pas dans la vérité lorsqu’ils raisonnent ainsi en eux-mêmes : « Attirons le juste dans un piège, car il nous contrarie, il s’oppose à nos entreprises, il nous reproche de désobéir à la loi de Dieu, et nous accuse d’infidélités à notre éducation. Il prétend posséder la connaissance de Dieu, et se nomme lui-même enfant du Seigneur. Il est un démenti pour nos idées, sa seule présence nous pèse; car il mène une vie en dehors du commun, sa conduite est étrange. Il nous tient pour des gens douteux, se détourne de nos chemins comme de la boue. Il proclame heureux le sort final des justes et se vante d’avoir Dieu pour père. Voyons si ses paroles sont vraies, regardons comment il en sortira. Si le juste est fils de Dieu, Dieu l’assistera, et l’arrachera aux mains de ses adversaires. Soumettons-le à des outrages et à des tourments; nous saurons ce que vaut sa douceur, nous éprouverons sa patience. Condamnons-le à une mort infâme, puisque, dit-il, quelqu’un interviendra pour lui. » C’est ainsi que raisonnent ces gens-là, mais ils s’égarent ; leur méchanceté les a rendus aveugles. Ils ne connaissent pas les secrets de Dieu, ils n’espèrent pas que la sainteté puisse être récompensée, ils n’estiment pas qu’une âme irréprochable puisse être glorifiée.

 

Psaume : 33 (34), 17-18, 19-20, 21.23

R/ Le Seigneur est proche du cœur brisé.

 

  1. Le Seigneur affronte les méchants pour effacer de la terre leur mémoire. Le Seigneur entend ceux qui l’appellent : de toutes leurs angoisses, il les délivre.
  2. Il est proche du cœur brisé, il sauve l’esprit abattu. Malheur sur malheur pour le juste, mais le Seigneur chaque fois le délivre.
  3. Il veille sur chacun de ses os : pas un ne sera brisé. Le Seigneur rachètera ses serviteurs : pas de châtiment pour qui trouve en lui son refuge.

 

Acclamation

Ta Parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. L’homme ne vit pas seulement de pain, mais de toute parole qui sort de la bouche de Dieu. Ta Parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. (Mt 4, 4b)

 

Évangile : Jean 7, 1-2.10.14.25-30

En ce temps-là, Jésus parcourait la Galilée : il ne voulait pas parcourir la Judée car les Juifs cherchaient à le tuer. La fête juive des Tentes était proche. Lorsque ses frères furent montés à Jérusalem pour la fête, il y monta lui aussi, non pas ostensiblement, mais en secret. On était déjà au milieu de la semaine de la fête quand Jésus monta au Temple ; et là il enseignait. Quelques habitants de Jérusalem disaient alors: « N’est-ce pas celui qu’on cherche à tuer ? Le voilà qui parle ouvertement, et personne ne lui dit rien ! Nos chefs auraient-ils vraiment reconnu que c’est lui le Christ ? Mais lui, nous savons d’où il est. Or, le Christ, quand il viendra, personne ne saura d’où il est. » Jésus, qui enseignait dans le Temple, s’écria: « Vous me connaissez ? Et vous savez d’où je suis? Je ne suis pas venu de moi-même : mais il est véridique, Celui qui m’a envoyé, lui que vous ne connaissez pas. Moi, je le connais parce que je viens d’auprès de lui, et c’est lui qui m’a envoyé. » On cherchait à l’arrêter, mais personne ne mit la main sur lui parce que son heure n’était pas encore venue.

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Que ces mystères dont la force nous purifie, Seigneur tout-puissant, nous acheminent en nous purifiant encore jusqu’à la source dont ils descendent. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Ep 1,7

Elle est inépuisable, la grâce de Dieu. Par son sang, le Christ nous obtient la rédemption, le pardon de nos fautes.

 

Prière après la communion

Nous t’en prions, Seigneur, nous qui allons du passé vers ce qui est nouveau: fait-nous quitter ce qui ne peut que vieillir, mets-en nous un esprit de renouveau et de sainteté. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

L’attitude de Jésus dans l’Evangile de ce jour nous amène à réaliser que nous ne devons jamais reculer face aux obstacles que nous pouvons rencontrer dans notre mission.  En effet, malgré la menace de mort qui pesait sur lui, Jésus, accompagné de ses frères, se rend à la fête des Tentes. Une fois de plus, il essuie le rejet des siens qui s’étonnent du message de grâce qui sort de sa bouche et des signes qu’il accompli. Mais sans se décourager, Jésus va continuer à éclairer le peuple sur le mystère de sa personne.

by | Mar 30, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 31 March 2022

 

St. Benjamin

 

St. Benjamin was a saint of great faith and trust in the Lord, and one of the first Christian martyrs. St. Benjamin is a great example of having courage in declaring one’s faith, and is the patron saint of deacons.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 104: 3-4

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.

 

Collect

We invoke your mercy in humble prayer, O Lord, that you may cause us, your servants, corrected by penance and schooled by good works, to persevere sincerely in your commands and come safely to the paschal festivities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Exodus 32:7-14

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’ But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, “Ah, it was in treachery that he brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth”? Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.’ So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

 

Psalm 105:19-23

R/   O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.

 

  1. They fashioned a calf at Horeb and worshipped an image of metal, exchanging the God who was their glory for the image of a bull that eats grass.
  2. They forgot the God who was their Saviour, who had done such great things in Egypt, such portents in the land of Ham, such marvels at the Red Sea.
  3. For this he said he would destroy them, but Moses, the man he had chosen, stood in the breach before him, to turn back his anger from destruction.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn6:63,68

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

 

Gospel : John 5:31-47

Jesus said to the Jews: ‘Were I to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid; but there is another witness who can speak on my behalf, and I know that his testimony is valid. You sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth: not that I depend on human testimony; no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this. John was a lamp alight and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave. But my testimony is greater than John’s: the works my Father has given me to carry out, these same works of mine testify that the Father has sent me. Besides, the Father who sent me bears witness to me himself. You have never heard his voice, you have never seen his shape, and his word finds no home in you because you do not believe in the one he has sent. ‘You study the Scriptures, believing that in them you have eternal life; now these same Scriptures testify to me, and yet you refuse to come to me for life! As for human approval, this means nothing to me. Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you. I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else comes in his own name you will accept him. How can you believe, since you look to one another for approval and are not concerned with the approval that comes from the one God? Do not imagine that I am going to accuse you before the Father: you place your hopes on Moses, and Moses will be your accuser. If you really believed him you would believe me too, since it was I that he was writing about; but if you refuse to believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say?’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that what we offer in sacrifice may cleanse us in our frailty from every evil and always grant us your protection. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Jer 31: 33

I will place my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people, says the Lord.

 

Prayer after Communion

May this Sacrament we have received purify us, we pray, O Lord, and grant your servants freedom from all blame, that those bound by a guilty conscience may glory in the fullness of heavenly remedy. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

Jesus contrasts seeking praise from other people with seeking praise from God. When a person does something truly good, it is appropriate that praise be given to the person. However, the desire for fame and praise from people can be a powerful temptation to sin. It can lead us to do things so that others may approve of us. At a deeper level, the desire for fame can make us so self-absorbed that we lose sight of what is good and important in life-love of God and love of neighbour. On the other hand, seeking self-exaltation can make us slaves to others because we allow their opinions to determine how we should live and forget how God wants us to live. Jesus calls us this Lent to keep our priorities in order and to live according to God, who is truth and goodness itself.

by | Mar 30, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Jeudi 31 Mars 2022

 

 

St. Benjamin de Perse,

Diacre et martyr

 

Dans le contexte d’une persécution atroce menée en Perse par le roi Yezdigerd, Benjamin fut arrêté, soumis à la torture et condamné à mort parce que sa prédication convertissait beaucoup de mages adeptes du dieusoleil. Il les invitait à adorer le Christ plutôt que le soleil.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 104, 3-4

Soyez dans la joie, vous qui cherchez Dieu. Cherchez le Seigneur et sa force, sans vous lasser, recherchez son visage.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Nous t’adressons, Seigneur, cette humble prière: que tes serviteurs se purifient dans la pénitence et s’appliquent à faire ce qui est bon; donne-leur de rester dociles à ta volonté et d’arriver sans encombre aux fêtes de Pâques. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Ex 32, 7-14

En ces jours-là, le Seigneur parla à Moïse: « Va, descends, car ton peuple s’est corrompu, lui que tu as fait monter du pays d’Égypte. Ils n’auront pas mis longtemps à s’écarter du chemin que je leur avais ordonné de suivre! Ils se sont fait un veau en métal fondu et se sont prosternés devant lui. Ils lui ont offert des sacrifices en proclamant: “Israël, voici tes dieux, qui t’ont fait monter du pays d’Égypte.” »    Le Seigneur dit encore à Moïse: « Je vois que ce peuple est un peuple à la nuque raide. Maintenant, laisse-moi faire; ma colère va s’enflammer contre eux et je vais les exterminer! Mais, de toi, je ferai une grande nation. » Moïse apaisa le visage du Seigneur son Dieu en disant: « Pourquoi, Seigneur, ta colère s’enflammerait-elle contre ton peuple, que tu as fait sortir du pays d’Égypte par ta grande force et ta main puissante? Pourquoi donner aux Égyptiens l’occasion de dire: “C’est par méchanceté qu’il les a fait sortir; il voulait les tuer dans les montagnes et les exterminer à la surface de la terre” ? Reviens de l’ardeur de ta colère, renonce au mal que tu veux faire à ton peuple. Souviens-toi de tes serviteurs, Abraham, Isaac et Israël, à qui tu as juré par toi-même: “Je multiplierai votre descendance comme les étoiles du ciel; je donnerai, comme je l’ai dit, tout ce pays à vos descendants, et il sera pour toujours leur héritage.” » Le Seigneur renonça au mal qu’il avait voulu faire à son peuple.

 

Psaume : 105 (106), 4ab.6, 19-20, 21-22, 23

R/  Souviens-toi de nous, Seigneur, dans ta bienveillance pour ton peuple

 

  1. Souviens-toi de moi, Seigneur, dans ta bienveillance pour ton peuple. Avec nos pères, nous avons péché, nous avons failli et renié.
  2. À l’Horeb ils fabriquent un veau, ils adorent un objet en métal: ils échangeaient ce qui était leur gloire pour l’image d’un taureau, d’un ruminant.
  3. Ils oublient le Dieu qui les sauve, qui a fait des prodiges en Égypte, des miracles au pays de Cham, des actions terrifiantes sur la mer Rouge.
  4. Dieu a décidé de les détruire. C’est alors que Moïse, son élu, surgit sur la brèche, devant lui, pour empêcher que sa fureur les extermine.

 

Acclamation

Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire ! Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire ! Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire !

 

Évangile : Jn 5, 31-47

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait aux Juifs: « Si c’est moi qui me rends témoignage, mon témoignage n’est pas vrai; c’est un autre qui me rend témoignage, et je sais que le témoignage qu’il me rend est vrai.  Vous avez envoyé une délégation auprès de Jean le Baptiste, et il a rendu témoignage à la vérité. Moi, ce n’est pas d’un homme que je reçois le témoignage, mais je parle ainsi pour que vous soyez sauvés. Jean était la lampe qui brûle et qui brille, et vous avez voulu vous réjouir un moment à sa lumière. Mais j’ai pour moi un témoignage plus grand que celui de Jean: ce sont les œuvres que le Père m’a donné d’accomplir; les œuvres mêmes que je fais témoignent que le Père m’a envoyé. Et le Père qui m’a envoyé, lui, m’a rendu témoignage. Vous n’avez jamais entendu sa voix, vous n’avez jamais vu sa face, et vous ne laissez pas sa parole demeurer en vous, puisque vous ne croyez pas en celui que le Père a envoyé. Vous scrutez les Écritures parce que vous pensez y trouver la vie éternelle; or, ce sont les Écritures qui me rendent témoignage, et vous ne voulez pas venir à moi pour avoir la vie! La gloire, je ne la reçois pas des hommes; d’ailleurs je vous connais: vous n’avez pas en vous l’amour de Dieu. Moi, je suis venu au nom de mon Père, et vous ne me recevez pas; qu’un autre vienne en son propre nom, celui-là, vous le recevrez! Comment pourriez-vous croire, vous qui recevez votre gloire les uns des autres, et qui ne cherchez pas la gloire qui vient du Dieu unique? Ne pensez pas que c’est moi qui vous accuserai devant le Père. Votre accusateur, c’est Moïse, en qui vous avez mis votre espérance. Si vous croyiez Moïse, vous me croiriez aussi, car c’est à mon sujet qu’il a écrit. Mais si vous ne croyez pas ses écrits, comment croirez-vous mes paroles ? »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant, toi qui connais notre sacrifice: que l’offrande de notre sacrifice nous arrache au mal et nous protège toujours. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Jn 31, 33

Parole du Seigneur: Je mettrai ma Loi au plus profond d’eux-mêmes; et je l’inscrirai dans leur coeur. Je serai leur Dieu, et ils seront mon peuple.

 

Prière après la communion

Purifie-nous, Seigneur, par cette communion et libère-nous de toute faute: nous subissons encore l’emprise du péché, fais-nous connaître la joie d ’une guérisson parfaite. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Au centre de tout témoignage, dit saint Jean, il y a Jésus dont les Écritures et Jean-Baptiste font l’éloge. Dieu le Père lui-même l’honore à travers les œuvres qu’Il lui permet d’accomplir, et prouve que c’est lui le Sauveur, le Messie. Dans notre société actuelle, les témoignages à propos de Jésus sont multiples et divers. Nombreux sont ces prédicateurs que leurs propres figures font offices de dieu ou de sauveur car leurs prêches sont centrées sur eux-mêmes, leurs succès, leurs pouvoirs, leurs puissances, etc. au point d’en oublier le vrai Sauveur. Malheureusement ces témoignages sont appréciés des fidèles. Comme les juifs nous refusons, volontairement de faire un bon discernement et parfois même nous demandons de nouveaux signes afin de croire. Et si nous retournions à la source (l’Évangile) pour relire le témoignage de Dieu vis-à-vis de Jésus qui y fut consigné par les premiers témoins !

by | Mar 29, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 30 March 2022

 

St. Peter Regulatus

 

He was a Franciscan reformer born in Valladolid, Spain into a wealthy family. In his convent he lived a life of prayer and poverty. Thirty-six years after his death his body was found untouched by nature.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Ps 68: 14

I pray to you, O Lord, for a time of your favour. In your great mercy, answer me, O God, with your salvation that never fails.

 

Collect

O God, who reward the merits of the just and offer pardon to sinners who do penance, have mercy, we pray, on those who call upon you, that the admission of our guilt may serve to obtain your pardon for our sins. 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 49:8-15

Thus says the Lord: At the favourable time I will answer you, on the day of salvation I will help you. (I have formed you and have appointed you as covenant of the people.) I will restore the land and assign you the estates that lie waste. I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out’, to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ On every roadway they will graze, and each bare height shall be their pasture. They will never hunger or thirst, scorching wind and sun shall never plague them; for he who pities them will lead them and guide them to springs of water. I will make a highway of all the mountains, and the high roads shall be banked up. Some are on their way from afar, others from the north and the west, others from the land of Sinim. Shout for joy, you heavens; exult, you earth! You mountains, break into happy cries! For the Lord consoles his people and takes pity on those who are afflicted. For Zion was saying, ‘The Lord has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.’ Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you.

 

Psalm 144:8-9,13-14,17-18

R/   The Lord is kind and full of compassion.

 

  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. 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.
  3. The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Jn3:16

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son: everyone who believes in him has eternal life. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

 

Gospel : John 5:17-30

Jesus said to the Jews, ‘My Father goes on working, and so do I.’ But that only made them even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal. To this accusation Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: and whatever the Father does the Son does too. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does himself, and he will show him even greater things than these, works that will astonish you. Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses; for the Father judges no one; he has entrusted all judgement to the Son, so that all may honour the Son as they honour the Father. Whoever refuses honour to the Son refuses honour to the Father who sent him. I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgement he has passed from death to life. I tell you most solemnly, the hour will come – in fact it is here already – when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and all who hear it will live. For the Father, who is the source of life, has made the Son the source of life; and, because he is the Son of Man, has appointed him supreme judge. Do not be surprised at this, for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves at the sound of his voice: those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation. I can do nothing by myself; I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May the power of this sacrifice, O Lord, we pray, mercifully wipe away what is old in us, and increase in us grace of salvation and newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Jn 3: 17

God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

 

Prayer after Communion

May your heavenly gifts, O Lord, we pray, which you bestow as a heavenly remedy on your people, not bring judgement to those who receive them. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

What defines disciples and candidates for heaven is whether we hear the Son and believe the Father; “whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgement he has passed from death to life”. Sin or evil deeds prevent us from coming to the light, that is, from hearing the Son and believing the one who sent Him. If we wish to share in the resurrection of life we should make sure we do deeds that enable us to have faith in Jesus. Once we are walking in the light, clearly, those actions in keeping with God’s commands keep us open towards God. The lifestyle we are called to live, is one of moral purity, and constant consciousness of absolute and utter dependence on God. For as John (15:5) says, “Apart from me you can do nothing”.

by | Mar 29, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

MERCREDI 30 MARS 2022

BIENHEUREUX AMÉDÉE IX
A 17 ans, celui qui était Duc de Savoie épousa la sœur du roi Louis XII. Ils eurent sept enfants et formèrent un ménage heureux. Atteint d’épilepsie, il accepta cette maladie comme une participation à la souffrance du Christ. Il mourut en 1472.

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 68, 14
Je t’adresse ma prière, Seigneur, c’est l’heure, ô mon Dieu, pour ta grâce. En ton grand amour, réponds-moi,-toi qui peux vraiment me sauver.

Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui réponds à la pénitence en récompensant les justes et en pardonnant aux pécheurs, prends pitié de nous, écoute-nous ; que l’aveu de nos fautes nous obtienne la grâce de ton pardon. Par Jésus Christ.

1ère lecture : Isaïe 49, 8-15
Ainsi parle le Seigneur : Au temps favorable, je t’ai exaucé, au jour du salut, je t’ai secouru. Je t’ai façonné, établi, pour que tu sois l’alliance du peuple, pour relever le pays, restituer les héritages dévastés et dire aux prisonniers: « Sortez ! » aux captifs des ténèbres: « Montrez-vous ! » Au long des routes, ils pourront paître; sur les hauteurs dénudées seront leurs pâturages. Ils n’auront ni faim ni soif ; le vent brûlant et le soleil ne les frapperont plus. Lui, plein de compassion, les guidera, les conduira vers les eaux vives. De toutes mes montagnes, je ferai un chemin, et ma route sera rehaussée. Les voici : ils viennent de loin, les uns du nord et du couchant, les autres des terres du sud. Cieux, criez de joie ! Terre, exulte! Montagnes, éclatez en cris de joie! Car le Seigneur console son peuple ; de ses pauvres, il a compassion. Jérusalem disait : « Le Seigneur m’a abandonnée, mon Seigneur m’a oubliée. » Une femme peut-elle oublier son nourrisson, ne plus avoir de tendresse pour le fils de ses entrailles ? Même si elle l’oubliait, moi, je ne t’oublierai pas.

Psaume : 144 (145), 8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18
R/ Le Seigneur est tendresse et pitié, lent à la colère et plein d’amour. 144, 8

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. 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.
3. Le Seigneur est juste en toutes ses voies, fidèle en tout ce qu’il fait. Il est proche de ceux qui l’invoquent, de tous ceux qui l’invoquent en vérité.

Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, honneur, puissance et majesté ! Moi, je suis la résurrection et la vie, dit le Seigneur. Celui qui croit en moi ne mourra jamais. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, honneur, puissance et majesté ! (cf. Jn 11, 25a.26)

Évangile : Jean 5, 17-30
En ce temps-là, après avoir guéri le paralysé un jour de sabbat, Jésus déclara aux Juifs : « Mon Père est toujours à l’œuvre, et moi aussi, je suis à l’œuvre.» C’est pourquoi, de plus en plus, les Juifs cherchaient à le tuer, car non seulement il ne respectait pas le sabbat, mais encore il disait que Dieu était son propre Père, et il se faisait ainsi l’égal de Dieu. Jésus reprit donc la parole. Il leur déclarait : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis: le Fils ne peut rien faire de lui-même, il fait seulement ce qu’il voit faire par le Père ; ce que fait celui-ci, le Fils le fait pareillement. Car le Père aime le Filet lui montre tout ce qu’il fait. Il lui montrera des œuvres plus grandes encore, si bien que vous serez dans l’étonnement. Comme le Père, en effet, relève les morts et les fait vivre, ainsi le Fils, lui aussi, fait vivre qui il veut. Car le Père ne juge personne : il a donné au Fils tout pouvoir pour juger, afin que tous honorent le Fils comme ils honorent le Père. Celui qui ne rend pas honneur au Fils ne rend pas non plus honneur au Père, qui l’a envoyé. Amen, amen, je vous le dis : qui écoute ma parole et croit en Celui qui m’a envoyé, obtient la vie éternelle et il échappe au jugement, car déjà il passe de la mort à la vie. Amen, amen, je vous le dis : l’heure vient – et c’est maintenant – où les morts entendront la voix du Fils de Dieu, et ceux qui l’auront entendue vivront. Comme le Père, en effet, a la vie en lui-même, ainsi va-t-il donné au Fils d’avoir, lui aussi, la vie en lui-même ; et il lui a donné pouvoir d’exercer le jugement, parce qu’il est le Fils de l’homme. Ne soyez pas étonnés ; l’heure vient où tous ceux qui sont dans les tombeaux entendront sa voix ; alors, ceux qui ont fait le bien sortiront pour ressusciter et vivre, ceux qui ont fait le mal, pour ressusciter et être jugés. Moi, je ne peux rien faire de moi-même ; je rends mon jugement d’après ce que j’entends, et mon jugement est juste, parce que je ne cherche pas à faire ma volonté, mais la volonté de Celui qui m’a envoyé. »

Prière sur les offrandes
Que la puissance de ce sacrifice, nous t’en prions, Seigneur, nous débarrasse de tout vieillissement : qu’elle renouvelle en nous la vie et nous apporte le salut. Par Jésus.

Antienne de la communion : Ps 22, 1-2
Mon berger, c’est le Seigneur : je ne manque de rien ; sur de frais pâturages, il me laisse reposer. Il me mène auprès des eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre.

Prière après la communion : Jn 3, 17
Dieu a envoyé son Fils dans le monde, non pas pour condamner le monde, mais pour que, par lui, le monde soit sauvé.

Méditation
Être des disciples du Christ et croire en Lui est un pas décisif pour avoir la vie éternelle. Toutefois ne nous réjouissons pas assez rapidement car le Christ nous présente aussi d’autres critères pour notre salut. Ces critères sont de l’imiter, l’honorer et l’écouter comme lui-même a imité, honoré et écouté son Père, afin de jouir de toute son attention. Il n’a pas été facile pour certains juifs de voir en Jésus l’égal de Dieu et ceci les a poussés à comploter contre lui et à le condamner à mort. Ils sont encore nombreux de nos jours ceux qui refusent de croire que Jésus est Dieu, et bien qu’étant le Fils de Dieu, il est son égal. Prions pour ceux qui refusent de croire cette réalité. Prions pour nous aussi, afin que notre foi ne se limite pas uniquement aux paroles, mais qu’elle se transforme en véritables actions concrètes qui conduisent au salut.

by | Mar 28, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Mardi 29 mars 2022

 

ste. Gladys

 

Elle appartient à la lignée des reines des petits royaumes du pays des Galles. Sa fidélité conjugale laissa longtemps à désirer. Quand elle devint veuve, elle se fit ermite pour expier ses fautes et passa sa vie dans la solitude.

 

 

Antienne d’ouverture : cf Is 55, 1

«Vous tous qui avez soif, venez, voici de l’eau ! dit le Seigneur. Même si vous n’avez pas d’argent, venez et buvez avec joie.»

 

Prière d’ouverture

Donne à tes fidèles, Seigneur, en ce temps de pénitence, une vraie générosité à te servir ; qu’ils se disposent ainsi à recevoir dans un cœur purifié l’annonce du mystère pascal et à transmettre au monde la joyeuse nouvelle du salut. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Ez 47, 1-9.12

En ces jours- là, au cours d’une vision reçue du Seigneur, l’homme me fit revenir à l’entrée de la  Maison, et voici : sous le seuil de la Maison, de l’eau jaillissait vers l’orient, puisque la façade de la Maison était du côté de l’orient. L’eau descendait de dessous le côté droit de la Maison, au sud de l’autel. L’homme me fit sortir par la porte du nord et me fit faire le tour par l’extérieur, jusqu’à la porte qui fait face à l’orient, et là encore l’eau coulait du côté droit. L’homme s’éloigna vers l’orient, un cordeau à la main, et il mesura une distance de mille coudées; alors il me fit traverser l’eau: j’en avais jusqu’aux chevilles. Il mesura encore mille coudées et me fit traverser l’eau: j’en avais jusqu’aux genoux. Il mesura encore mille coudées et me fit traverser: j’en avais jusqu’aux reins. Il en mesura encore mille: c’était un torrent que je ne pouvais traverser; l’eau avait grossi, il aurait fallu nager :c’était un torrent infranchissable. Alors il me dit: « As-tu vu, fils d’homme ? » Puis il me ramena au bord du torrent. Quand il m’eut ramené, voici qu’il y avait au bord du torrent, de chaque côté, des arbres en grand nombre. Il me dit: « Cette eau coule vers la région de l’orient, elle descend dans la vallée du Jourdain, et se déverse dans la mer Morte, dont elle assainit les eaux. En tout lieu où parviendra le torrent, tous les animaux pourront vivre et foisonner. Le poisson sera très abondant, car cette eau assainit tout ce qu’elle pénètre, et la vie apparaît en tout lieu où arrive le torrent. Au bord du torrent, sur les deux rives, toutes sortes d’arbres fruitiers pousseront; leur feuillage ne se flétrira pas et leurs fruits ne manqueront pas. Chaque mois ils porteront des fruits nouveaux, car cette eau vient du sanctuaire. Les fruits seront une nourriture, et les feuilles un remède.»

 

Psaume : 45 (46), 2-3, 5-6, 8-9a.10a

R/   Il est avec nous, le Dieu de l’univers; citadelle pour nous, le Dieu de Jacob!

 

  1. Dieu est pour nous refuge et force, secours dans la détresse, toujours offert. Nous serons sans crainte si la terre est secouée, si les montagnes s’effondrent au creux de la mer.
  2. Le Fleuve, ses bras réjouissent la ville de Dieu, la plus sainte des demeures du Très- Haut. Dieu s’y tient : elle est inébranlable; quand renaît le matin, Dieu la secourt.
  3. Il est avec nous, le Seigneur de l’univers; citadelle pour nous, le Dieu de Jacob! Venez et voyez les actes du Seigneur, il détruit la guerre jusqu’au bout du monde.

 

Acclamation

Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant ! Crée en moi un cœur pur, ô mon Dieu ; rends- moi la joie d’être sauvé. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant !

 

Évangile : Jn 5, 1-16

À l’occasion d’une fête juive, Jésus monta à Jérusalem. Or, à Jérusalem, près de la porte des Brebis, il existe une piscine qu’on appelle en hébreu Bethzatha. Elle a cinq colonnades, sous lesquelles étaient couchés une foule de malades, aveugles, boiteux et impotents. Il y avait là un homme qui était malade depuis trente-huit ans. Jésus, le voyant couché là, et apprenant qu’il était dans cet état depuis longtemps, lui dit : « Veux- tu être guéri ? » Le malade lui répondit : « Seigneur, je n’ai personne pour me plonger dans la piscine au moment où l’eau bouillonne; et pendant que j’y vais, un autre descend avant moi. » Jésus lui dit: « Lève- toi, prends ton brancard, et marche. » Et aussitôt l’homme fut guéri. Il prit son brancard: il marchait ! Or, ce jour-là était un jour de sabbat. Les Juifs dirent donc à cet homme que Jésus avait remis sur pied: « C’est le sabbat ! Il ne t’est pas permis de porter ton brancard. » Il leur répliqua: « Celui qui m’a guéri, c’est lui qui m’a dit : “Prends ton brancard, et marche !” » Ils l’interrogèrent : « Quel est l’homme qui t’a dit: “Prends ton brancard, et marche” ? » Mais celui qui avait été rétabli ne savait pas qui c’était; en effet, Jésus s’était éloigné, car il y avait foule à cet endroit.  Plus tard, Jésus le retrouve dans le Temple et lui dit : « Te voilà guéri. Ne pèche plus, il pourrait t’arriver quelque chose de pire. » L’homme partit annoncer aux Juifs que c’était Jésus qui l’avait guéri. Et ceux-ci persécutaient Jésus parce qu’il avait fait cela le jour du sabbat.

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Nous te présentons, Seigneur, des biens que toi-même nous as donnés : qu’ils te disent notre reconnaissance devant tout ce que ta création nous propose pour assurer notre vie sur la terre ; qu’ils deviennent aussi le remède qui nous guérira et nous fera vivre éternellement. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Ps 22, 1-2

Mon berger, c’est le Seigneur : je ne manque de rien ; sur de frais pâturages, il me laisse reposer. Il me mène auprès des eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre.

 

Prière après la communion

Purifie nos esprits, Seigneur : que tes mystères les renouvellent ; fais que même nos corps y trouvent des forces pour aujourd’hui et pour l’éternité. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

La compassion de Jésus se met à l’œuvre face aux malades qui guettent l’action de Dieu au milieu d’eux. Dieu s’est fait homme pour apporter à tous le secours. Le désir infini d’aider pousse Jésus à demander à l’impotent s’il désirait être guéri. Il le voulait, mais ne savait pas que Jésus pouvait le guérir. Jésus, néanmoins, lui montre que Dieu est descendu du Ciel pour nous sauver, il n’est plus donc besoin de se jeter à la piscine ! Dieu est là au milieu de nous, il voit nos souffrances et nous demande si nous-mêmes nous désirons être guéris. Jésus n’est pas un simple thaumaturge (celui qui fait des miracles de guérison), il est surtout celui qui veut réconcilier notre être et notre âme avec Dieu. Ouvrons-nous à Lui sans rien Lui cacher, et disons : « si tu le veux Seigneur tu peux me guérir ».

by | Mar 28, 2022 | Evangelium

TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2022

ST. BERTHOLD

Ordained a priest, Berthold joined his brother, Aymeric, in Turkey on the Crusades. On Mount Carmel he found a group of hermits, joined them, and established a rule. He is considered by some historians to be the founder of the Carmelite Order.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Is 55: 1
All who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord. Though you have no money, come and drink with joy.

Collect
May the venerable exercises of holy devotion shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord, to welcome worthily the Paschal Mystery and proclaim the praises of your salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading : Ezekiel 47:1-9,12
The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side. The man went to the east holding his measuring line and measured off a thousand cubits; he then made me wade across the stream; the water reached my ankles. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across the stream again; the water reached my knees. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across again; the water reached my waist. He measured off another thousand; it was now a river which I could not cross; the stream had swollen and was now deep water, a river impossible to cross. He then said, ‘Do you see, son of man?’ He took me further, then brought me back to the bank of the river. When I got back, there were many trees on each bank of the river. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’

Psalm 45:2-3,5-6,8-9
R/ The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

1. God is for us a refuge and strength, a helper close at hand, in time of distress, so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea.
2. The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day.
3. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, consider the works of the Lord, the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.

Gospel Acclamation : Ps50:12,14
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! A pure heart create for me, O God, and give me again the joy of your help. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel : John 5:1-3,5-16
There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move; One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’ The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and walked away. Now that day happened to be the sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.’ He replied, ‘But the man who cured me told me, “Pick up your mat and walk.”’ They asked, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Pick up your mat and walk”?’ The man had no idea who it was, since Jesus had disappeared into the crowd that filled the place. After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, ‘Now you are well again, be sure not to sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.’ The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had cured him. It was because he did things like this on the sabbath that the Jews began to persecute Jesus.

Prayer over the Offerings
We offer to you, O Lord, these gifts which you yourself have bestowed; may they attest to your care as Creator for this our mortal life, and effect in us the healing that brings us immortality. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 22: 1-2
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.
Prayer after Communion
Purify our minds, O Lord, we pray, and renew them with this heavenly Sacrament, that we may find help for our bodies now and likewise in times to come. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
The Gospel presents a man in a situation of utter hopelessness and futility. But while the man cannot get to the pool, Jesus can get to him. The man is met by the One who is a stable, constant source not just of healing but also of life itself; indeed, of eternal life. By asking the man if he wants to get well, Jesus stresses both divine sovereignty and human responsibility human free will. Do we also want to be rid of our sicknesses, addictions and other sins? Or have we become so used to our illnesses, addictions and sins that we do not need healing? What we want or desire plays a vital role in determining whether we can recognise Christ and receive Him. God finds each of us as helpless as this man, but he desires to grant each of us life, not just mere healing in this life, but also eternal life beginning now. But, we must receive him. Are we ready for Christ?

by | Mar 27, 2022 | Evangelium

MONDAY 28 MARCH 2022

ST. VENTURINO
of Bergamo

He was a Dominican preacher and missionary crusader. He is also known for helping to organize a crusade, at the behest of Pope Clement VI against the Turks who were then menacing Europe.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 30: 7-8
As for me, I trust in the Lord. Let me be glad and rejoice in your mercy, for you have seen my affliction.

Collect
O God, who renew the world through mysteries beyond all telling, grant, we pray, that your Church may be guided by your eternal design and not be deprived of your help in this present age. 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 65:17-21
Thus says the Lord: Now I create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered, and will come no more to men’s minds. Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever for what I am creating, because I now create Jerusalem ‘Joy’ and her people ‘Gladness.’ I shall rejoice over Jerusalem and exult in my people. No more will the sound of weeping or the sound of cries be heard in her; in her, no more will be found the infant living a few days only, or the old man not living to the end of his days. To die at the age of a hundred will be dying young; not to live to be a hundred will be the sign of a curse. They will build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Psalm 29:2,4-6,11-13
R/ I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
1. I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.
2. Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life. At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.
3. The Lord listened and had pity. The Lord came to my help. For me you have changed my mourning into dancing: O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps129:5,7
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word, because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel : John 4:43-54
Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended. He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, ‘So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!’ ‘Sir,’ answered the official ‘come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go home,’ said Jesus ‘your son will live.’ The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way; and while he was still on the journey back his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. ‘The fever left him yesterday’ they said ‘at the seventh hour.’ The father realised that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, ‘Your son will live’; and he and all his household believed. This was the second sign given by Jesus, on his return from Judaea to Galilee.

Prayer over the Offerings
May we receive O Lord, we pray, the effects of this offering dedicated to you, so that we may be cleansed from old earthly ways and be renewed by growth in heavenly life. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Ez 36: 27
I will place my spirit within you and make you walk according to my laws; and my judgements you shall keep and observe, says the Lord.

Prayer after Communion
May your holy gifts, O Lord, we pray, give us life by making us new, and, by sanctifying us, lead us to things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
Faith is belief that God is who and what Jesus reveals Him to be: the loving Father. The court official seems to have this faith and passes the test of such a faith. He believes Jesus’ word alone; “The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way…” He believes Jesus can do it without coming with him. This faith is confirmed and deepened when he learns of his son’s recovery. Lent gives us an opportunity to grow in faith, through a more attentive listening to the Word of God and reception of the sacraments. This faith story illustrates a new dimension of believing: namely, believing without the immediacy of seeing. It foreshadows the concluding words of Jesus to Thomas; “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29).