by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 13, 2021 | Evangelium
Ascension Of The Lord White
Our Lady of Fátima
Entrance Antiphon: Acts 1: 11
Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia.
Collect
Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 1:1-11
In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. ‘It is,’ he had said, ‘what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’ As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’
Psalm 46 (47):2-3, 6-9
R/ God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
1. All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear, great king over all the earth.
2. God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Sing praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our king, sing praise.
3. God is king of all the earth, sing praise with all your skill. God is king over the nations; God reigns on his holy throne.
Second reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 28:19, 20
Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 16:15-20
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’ And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer sacrifice now in supplication, O Lord, to honour the wondrous Ascension of your Son: grant, we pray, that through this most holy exchange we, too, may rise up to the heavenly realms. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Mt 28: 20
Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who allow those on earth to celebrate divine mysteries, grant, we pray, that Christian hope may draw us onward to where our nature is united with you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
We share the psalmist’s joy: “… the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.” We celebrate the ascension of Christ. Jesus has completed his work and is going back to the Father and the Holy Spirit will come as promised to encourage us the more. Jesus, though not visibly present, is with us to the end of time. We are reminded of our mission: “Go into the world, preach the gospel to the whole creation.” Thus we become witnesses to Christ, living our lives in a manner befitting to our vocation for our lives are the scriptures people read.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 11, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
Saints Nérée et Achille, martyrs
Blanc / Rouge
Deux basiliques de Rome sont dédiées à ces soldats qui furent martyrisés durant la persécution de Dioclétien (vers 304). D’après l’inscription que le pape Damase (mort en 384) fit graver à leur mémoire, ils étaient encore païens et entrain d’exécuter les ordres sanguinaires de l’empereur quand ils se convertirent tout à coup et ‘’se réjouirent de proclamer les triomphes du Christ’’, sans crainte de la mort.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 50 ; 21, 23
Je te louerai, Seigneur, parmi les peuples, j’annoncerai ton nom à mes frères, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Puisque nous célébrons dans la foi, Seigneur, la résurrection de ton Fils, fais-nous partager la joie de tous les saints quand il apparaîtra sur les nuées du ciel. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Act 17, 15.22 – 18, 1
En ces jours-là, ceux qui escortaient Paule conduisirent jusqu’à Athènes. Puis ils s’en retournèrent, porteurs d’un message, avec l’ordre, pour Silas et Timothée, de rejoindre Paul le plus tôt possible Alors Paul, debout au milieu de l’Aréopage, fit ce discours: « Athéniens, je peux observer que vous êtes, en toutes choses, des hommes particulièrement religieux. En effet, en me promenant et en observant vos monuments sacrés, j’ai même trouvé un autel avec cette inscription : “Au dieu inconnu.” Or, ce que vous vénérez sans le connaître, voilà ce que, moi, je viens vous annoncer. Le Dieu qui a fait le monde et tout ce qu’il contient, lui qui est Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, n’habite pas des sanctuaires faits de main d’homme ; il n’est pas non plus servi par des mains humaines, comme s’il avait besoin de quoi que ce soit, lui qui donne à tous la vie, le souffle et tout le nécessaire. À partir d’un seul homme, il a fait tous les peuples pour qu’ils habitent sur toute la surface de la terre, fixant les moments de leur histoire et les limites de leur habitat ; Dieu les a faits pour qu’ils le cherchent et, si possible, l’atteignent et le trouvent, lui qui, en fait, n’est pas loin de chacun de nous. Car c’est en lui que nous avons la vie, le mouvement et l’être. Ainsi l’ont également dit certains de vos poètes : Nous sommes de sa descendance. Si donc nous sommes de la descendance de Dieu, nous ne devons pas penser que la divinité est pareil à une statue d’or, d’argent ou de pierre sculptée par l’art et l’imagination de l’homme. Et voici que Dieu, sans tenir compte des temps où les hommes l’ont ignoré, leur enjoint maintenant de se convertir, tous et partout. En effet, il a fixé le jour où il va juger la terre avec justice, par un homme qu’il a établi pour cela, quand il l’a accrédité auprès de tous en le ressuscitant d’entre les morts. » Quand ils entendirent parler de résurrection des morts, les uns se moquaient, et les autres déclarèrent : « Là-dessus nous t’écouterons une autre fois. » C’est ainsi que Paul, se retirant du milieu d’eux, s’en alla. Cependant quelques hommes s’attachèrent à lui et devinrent croyants. Parmi eux, il y avait Denys, membre de l’Aréopage, et une femme nommée Damaris, ainsi que d’autres avec eux. Après cela, Paul s’éloigna d’Athènes et se rendit à Corinthe.
Psaume : 148, 1-2, 11-12, 13.14b
R/ Le ciel et la terre sont remplis de ta gloire.
Ou : Alléluia ! (cf. 148,13c)
1. Louez le Seigneur du haut des cieux, louez-le dans les hauteurs.
2. Vous, tous ses anges, louez-le, louez-le, tous les univers.
3. Les rois de la terre et tous les peuples, les princes et tous les juges de la terre ; tous les jeunes gens et jeunes filles, les vieillards comme les enfants.
4. Qu’ils louent le nom du Seigneur, le seul au-dessus de tout nom ; sur le ciel et sur la terre, sa splendeur: louange de tous ses fidèles !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Moi, je prierai le Père, et il vous donnera un autre Défenseur qui sera pour toujours avec vous. Alléluia. (Jn 14, 16)
Évangile : Jean 16, 12-15
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « J’ai encore beaucoup de choses à vous dire, mais pour l’instant vous ne pouvez pas les porter. Quand il viendra, lui, l’Esprit de vérité, il vous conduira dans la vérité tout entière. En effet, ce qu’il dira ne viendra pas de lui-même : mais ce qu’il aura entendu, il le dira ; et ce qui va venir, il vous le fera connaître. Lui me glorifiera, car il recevra ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. Tout ce que possède le Père est à moi ; voilà pourquoi je vous ai dit : L’Esprit reçoit ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur notre Dieu, dans l’admirable échange du sacrifice eucharistique, tu nous fais participer à ta propre nature divine : puisque nous avons la connaissance de ta vérité, accorde-nous de lui être fidèles par toute notre vie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 15, 19. 16
« Je vous ai choisis, je vous ai pris dans le monde, dit le Seigneur, afin que vous partiez, que vous donniez du fruit et que votre fruit demeure », alléluia.
Prière après a communion
Dieu très bon, reste auprès de ton peuple, car sans toi notre vie tombe en ruine ; fais passer à une vie nouvelle ceux que tu as initiés aux sacrements de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Aucun homme sur terre ne peut sonder le mystère de Dieu, si Dieu lui-même ne lui vient en aide par sa grâce. Sans la grâce de Dieu, l’on demeure toujours réfractaire à sa parole. Nous avons en exemple les athéniens qui se moquent de saint Paul dans la première lecture, lorsque celui-ci leur parle de la Résurrection. Pour connaître Dieu, il nous faut implorer au préalable sa grâce. En effet, Jésus le dit clairement: « l’Esprit reçoit ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître ». Prions pour que cette grâce soit accordée à l’humanité.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 11, 2021 | Evangelium
SS Nereus
and Achilleus, Martyrs
White / Red
Many saints and martyrs died forgotten, and intercede for us anonymously in Heaven: we shall not know them until the day of judgement. Others are one degree less anonymous: we know their names, and we know that people whose judgement we trust regarded them as saints, but that is all.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 50; 21: 23
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, as we celebrate in mystery the solemnities of your Son’s Resurrection, so, too, we may be worthy to rejoice at his coming with all the Saints. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1
Paul’s escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy to rejoin Paul as soon as they could. So Paul stood before the whole Council of the Areopagus and made this speech: ‘Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it. Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he does not make his home in shrines made by human hands. Nor is he dependent on anything that human hands can do for him, since he can never be in need of anything; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything – including life and breath – to everyone. From one single stock he not only created the whole human race so that they could occupy the entire earth, but he decreed how long each nation should flourish and what the boundaries of its territory should be. And he did this so that all nations might seek the deity and, by feeling their way towards him, succeed in finding him. Yet in fact he is not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist, as indeed some of your own writers have said: “We are all his children.” Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man. God overlooked that sort of thing when men were ignorant, but now he is telling everyone everywhere that they must repent, because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged, and judged in righteousness, and he has appointed a man to be the judge. And God has publicly proved this by raising this man from the dead.’ At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, ‘We would like to hear you talk about this again.’ After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth.
1. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.
2. All earth’s kings and peoples, earth’s princes and rulers, young men and maidens, old men together with children.
3. Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted. The splendour of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.
4. He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.
Gospel Acclamation: Col 3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 15: 16, 19
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, and have appointed you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The world we live in now has rejected the truth and replaced it with lies. Anyone who stands for the truth is hated and despised by dubious and selfish men and women. St. Paul’s experience among the Athenians, to whom he points out that God who made heaven and earth does not live in shrines made by man, tells us how much people reject the truth. They made him a laughing stock by saying “We will hear you again on this issue” (Acts 17:32). St. Paul never gave up in saying the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. You can equally do that despite all odds.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 8, 2021 | Evangelium
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER:
Psalter II
Saint George Preca
(1880 – 1962)
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 48: 20
Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honour of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man after all!’ Then Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise,’ he said, ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.’ While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, ‘Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?’ He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.
Psalm 97(98):1-4
R/ The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.
3. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
Second reading: 1 John 4:7-10
My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 14:23
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 14: 15-16
If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
God’s love unites all people and this makes us all one family. In love, God grants the gifts of conversion and generously pours out the gifts of his Spirit on us. The family of Cornelius shows us this reality about God. It shows us that we are all God’s children, for God has no favourites. The blessing that Cornelius’ family received can be ours if we live in love, removing partiality in our lives as we learn to accommodate one another. When we practice justice, God takes control of our lives.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 7, 2021 | Evangelium
Blessed Catherine of Saint Augustine
(1632 – 1668)
White
She was born in 1632 in France. She entered the Augustinian Hospitaller Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus in 1644. She spent her life ministering to the poor and sick in Quebec, and died there at the age of 36.
Entrance Antiphon: Col 2: 12
You have been buried with Christ in Baptism, through which you also rose again by faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty and eternal God, who through the regenerating power of Baptism have been pleased to confer on us heavenly life, grant, we pray, that those you render capable of immortality by justifying them may by your guidance attain the fullness of glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 16:1-10
From Cilicia Paul went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra. Here there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess who had become a believer; but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy, and Paul, who wanted to have him as a travelling companion, had him circumcised. This was on account of the Jews in the locality where everyone knew his father was a Greek. As they visited one town after another, they passed on the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with instructions to respect them. So the churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers. They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia. When they reached the frontier of Mysia they thought to cross it into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas. One night Paul had a vision: a Macedonian appeared and appealed to him in these words, ‘Come across to Macedonia and help us.’ Once he had seen this vision we lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the Good News.
Psalm 99 (100):1-3, 5
R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
1. Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
2. ‘Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
3. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord, who hung for us upon the tree, has risen from the tomb. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will do all this, because they do not know the one who sent me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 17: 20-21
Father, I pray for them, that they may be one in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness, that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
As the life of Christ goes against worldly values, so also should be the life of Christians, who have made up their minds to follow and imitate Christ in doing good and standing for justice and truth. The Christian life is a life of warfare against the evil of this world, and as Christ warned, we shall face persecutions. However, like St. Paul who did not stop his mission of preaching the good news despite many persecutions, we too should not be stopped by troubles from in carrying out our mission as Christians for the Lord is with us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 7, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Désiré, évêque
Blanc
A l’époque mérovingienne, il contribua à rendra la Gaule chrétienne. Son épiscopat fut marqué par la conciliation et la paix. Il fut rappelé à Dieu en 550.
Antienne d’ouverture : Col 2, 12
Par le baptême, vous avez été mis au tombeau avec le Christ, avec lui vous avez été ressuscités, parce que vous avez cru en la force de Dieu qui a ressuscité le Christ d’entre les morts, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui donnes la vie éternelle aux hommes en les faisant renaître par le baptême, nous te prions : dans le Christ, tu nous as justifiés et rendus capables d’une existence immortelle ; conduis-nous désormais par ta grâce jusqu’à la gloire qu’il possède en plénitude. Lui qui.
Première lecture : Act 16, 1-10
En ces jours-là, Paul, qui avait quitté Antioche avec Silas, arriva ensuite à Derbé, puis à Lystres. Il y avait là un disciple nommé Timothée ; sa mère était une Juive devenue croyante, mais son père était grec. À Lystres et à Iconium, les frères lui rendaient un bon témoignage. Paul désirait l’emmener ; il le prit avec lui et le fit circoncire à cause des Juifs de la région, car ils savaient tous que son père était grec. Dans les villes où Paul et ses compagnons passaient, ils transmettaient les décisions prises par les Apôtres et les Anciens de Jérusalem, pour qu’elles entrent en vigueur. Les Églises s’affermissaient dans la foie le nombre de leurs membres augmentait chaque jour. Paul et ses compagnons traversèrent la Phrygie et le pays des Galates, car le Saint-Esprit les avait empêchés de dire la Parole dans la province d’Asie. Arrivés en Mysie, ils essayèrent d’atteindre la Bithynie, mais l’Esprit de Jésus s’y opposa. Ils longèrent alors la Mysie et descendirent jusqu’à Troas. Pendant la nuit, Paul eut une vision : un Macédonien lui apparut, debout, qui lui faisait cette demande : « Passe en Macédoine et viens à notre secours. » À la suite de cette vision de Paul, nous avons aussitôt cherché à partir pour la Macédoine, car nous en avons déduit que Dieu nous appelait à y porter la Bonne Nouvelle.
Psaume : 99 (100), 1-2, 3, 5
R/ Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière !
ou : Alléluia ! (99, 1)
1. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, servez le Seigneur dans l’allégresse, venez à lui avec des chants de joie !
2. Reconnaissez que le Seigneur est Dieu : il nous a faits, et nous sommes à lui, nous, son peuple, son troupeau.
3. Oui, le Seigneur est bon, éternel est son amour, sa fidélité demeure d’âge en âge.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Si vous êtes ressuscités avec le Christ, recherchez les réalités d’en haut: c’est là qu’est le Christ, assis à la droite de Dieu. Alléluia. (Col 3, 1)
Évangile : Jean 15, 18-21
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Si le monde a de la haine contre vous, sachez qu’il en a eu d’abord contre moi. Si vous apparteniez au monde, le monde aimerait ce qui est à lui. Mais vous n’appartenez pas au monde, puisque je vous ai choisis en vous prenant dans le monde ; voilà pourquoi le monde a de la haine contre vous. Rappelez-vous la parole que je vous ai dite : un serviteur n’est pas plus grand que son maître. Si l’on m’a persécuté, on vous persécutera, vous aussi. Si l’on a gardé ma parole, on gardera aussi la vôtre. Les gens vous traiteront ainsi à cause de mon nom, parce qu’ils ne connaissent pas Celui qui m’a envoyé. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois avec bonté, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple : garde le sous ta protection, pour qu’il ne perde aucun des biens que tu lui donnes, et découvre ceux qui demeurent toujours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 17, 20-21
Jésus priait ainsi : « Pour ceux qui croiront en moi, je te demande, Père, qu’ils soient un en nous, afin que le monde reconnaisse que tu m’as envoyé », alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Ne cesse pas de protéger avec amour, Seigneur, ceux que tu as sauvés : la passion de ton Fils les a rachetés, qu’ils mettent leur joie dans sa résurrection. Lui qui.
Méditation
Paul et ses compagnons parcouraient des villes pour les informer des décisions prises par les Apôtres et les anciens de Jérusalem. Grâce à ces décisions inspirées par l’Esprit Saint, les Eglises s’affermissaient et s’agrandissaient de jour en jour pour la cause de la Bonne Nouvelle prêchée. La mission des apôtres ne pouvait pas être sans obstacles car ceux qui ne connaissent pas encore Dieu étaient animés par la haine contre eux. D’ailleurs, si le Christ-Jésus a connu la persécution, c’est à cause de l’ignorance et de la dureté des cœurs de certains hommes qui ne croyaient pas en Lui, l’envoyé de Dieu.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 29, 2021 | Evangelium
Pope St. Pius V (1504 – 1572)
A Dominican, he was elected Pope in 1566. He strenuously promoted the Catholic Reformation that was started by the Council of Trent. He encouraged missionary work and reformed the liturgy.
Entrance Antiphon Rv 5: 9-10
You have redeemed us, Lord, by your Blood, from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us into a kingdom, priests for our God, alleluia.
O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation, listen to the voice of our pleading and grant that those you have redeemed by the shedding of your Son’s Blood may have life through you and, under your protection, rejoice for ever unharmed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 13:26-33
Paul stood up in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, held up a hand for silence and began to speak: ‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you. What the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did, though they did not realise it, was in fact to fulfil the prophecies read on every sabbath. Though they found nothing to justify his death, they condemned him and asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out everything that scripture foretells about him they took him down from the tree and buried him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and it is these same companions of his who are now his witnesses before our people. We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise but it is to us, their children, that he has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus from the dead. As scripture says in the second psalm: You are my son: today I have become your father.’
R/ You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.
1. ‘It is I who have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’ I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.
2. ‘Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them, shatter them like a potter’s jar.’
3. Now, O kings, understand, take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe and trembling, pay him your homage.
Gospel Acclamation Col3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rm 4: 25
Christ our Lord was handed over for our transgressions and was raised again for our justification, alleluia.
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness, that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
In Jesus’ farewell discourse, he speaks words of encouragement, kindness and promise to the disturbed disciples. Jesus knows we experience a lot of heartaches, but he says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Though all sorts of things go wrong for us, we are not abandoned. We are destined for a blessed future, because he will come again and take us to himself. Lord, I often wonder what way to go in life. May I always turn to you for guidance, and whatever way I choose, may I try to live your commandment of love.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 28, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380)
Born in Siena, she entered Third Order of the Dominicans. She is remembered for her burning love of God and neighbour and contributions to doctrine. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ, alleluia.
O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion and her service of your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 13:13-25
Paul and his friends went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to go back to Jerusalem. The others carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the sabbath and took their seats. After the lessons from the Law and the Prophets had been read, the presidents of the synagogue sent them a message: ‘Brothers, if you would like to address some words of encouragement to the congregation, please do so.’ Paul stood up, held up a hand for silence and began to speak: ‘Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen! The God of our nation Israel chose our ancestors, and made our people great when they were living as foreigners in Egypt; then by divine power he led them out, and for about forty years took care of them in the wilderness. When he had destroyed seven nations in Canaan, he put them in possession of their land for about four hundred and fifty years. After this he gave them judges, down to the prophet Samuel. Then they demanded a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years, he deposed him and made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.”’
Psalm 88(89):2-3,21,22,25,27
R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
1. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
2. I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.
3. My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: ‘You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.’
Gospel Acclamation: cf.Rv1:5
Alleluia, alleluia! You, O Christ, are the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. Alleluia!
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them: ‘I tell you most solemnly, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him. Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me. I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He. I tell you most solemnly, whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the saving sacrifice we offer in commemoration of Saint Catherine, so that, instructed by her teaching, we may give ever more fervent thanks to you, the one true God. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Jn 1: 7
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, alleluia.
May the heavenly table at which we have been fed, O Lord, confer eternal life upon us, as even in this world it nourished the life of Saint Catherine. Through Christ our Lord.
Though we are well into the Easter season, this gospel reminds us of that wonderful night when Jesus ate and drank with his friends, and prepared them for the Passover. Jesus displayed a sense of humility by washing the feet of his disciples. Jesus wants us to remember this lesson as a central part of his teaching. We are called to wash each other’s feet. We are also called to imbibe and live in humility at the service of others.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 27, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Peter Chanel (1803 – 1841)
Peter Chanel was born in France in 1803. He had been a priest for three years when he was accepted by the Marists and sent to evangelize the Pacific. There he was killed, becoming the first martyr of the South Seas.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 50; 21: 23
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.
O God, life of the faithful, glory of the humble, blessedness of the just, listen kindly to the prayers of those who call on you, that they who thirst for what you generously promise may always have their fill of your plenty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 12:24-13:5
The word of God continued to spread and to gain followers. Barnabas and Saul completed their task and came back from Jerusalem, bringing John Mark with them. In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So these two, sent on their mission by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. They landed at Salamis and proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; John acted as their assistant.
R/ Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
1. O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your saving help.
2. Let the nations be glad and exult for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth.
3. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. May God still give us his blessing till the ends of the earth revere him.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! ‘You believe, Thomas, because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Alleluia!
Jesus declared publicly: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me. I, the light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall condemn him, since I have come not to condemn the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. For what I have spoken does not come from myself; no, what I was to say, what I had to speak, was commanded by the Father who sent me, and I know that his commands mean eternal life. And therefore what the Father has told me is what I speak.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 15: 16, 19
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, and have appointed you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia.
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Today Jesus is presented as the light that has come into the world. Just as natural light reveals what is hidden in the dark, God’s word reveals what is hidden from us. The light of the gospel brings growth to our spirits. We equally see in this passage, the contrast between those who open themselves to the light and those who remain in darkness. As children of the light, we should be drawn into intimacy with Jesus and engage in the mission of the one who has come to save us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 26, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Asicus
He was converted to Christianity by St Patrick, who made him bishop of Elphin. He is the patron saint of that diocese.
White
Entrance Antiphon Rv 19: 7, 6
Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to God, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns, alleluia.
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s Resurrection, we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 11:19-26
Those who had escaped during the persecution that happened because of Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they usually proclaimed the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus to them as well. The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord. The Church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord. Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that Church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
R/ O praise the Lord, all you nations!
1. On the holy mountain is his city cherished by the Lord. The Lord prefers the gates of Zion. To all Jacob’s dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God!
2. ‘Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me; Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, these will be her children and Zion shall be called “Mother” for all shall be her children.’
3. It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place. In his register of peoples, he writes: ‘These are her children,’ and while they dance, they will sing: ‘In you all find their home.’
Gospel Acclamation Jn10:27
Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me Alleluia!
It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied: ‘I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Lk 24: 46, 26
The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory, alleluia.
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is very committed, protective and watchful over those he has been sent to save. He appreciates their being receptive to His voice (‘they hear my voice and they follow me’). He waits for the time when we shall enter into communion with him and live his life. Time spent with Jesus, in listening to his word, in peaceful silence or in conversation with him, is never wasted. Prayer builds a comforting relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. Let us learn to harken to his voice.
