by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 16, 2021 | Evangelium
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Psalter I
Green
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 65: 4
All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Samuel 3:3-10,19
Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the Lord, where the ark of God was, when the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He answered, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call. Go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down. Once again the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ He replied, ‘I did not call you, my son; go back and lie down.’ Samuel had as yet no knowledge of the Lord and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Once again the Lord called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli then understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, and he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.
Psalm 39(40):2,4,7-10
R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
- I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry. He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God.
- You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, here am I.
- In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart.
- Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord.
Second reading : 1 Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20
The body is not meant for fornication: it is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. God, who raised the Lord from the dead, will by his power raise us up too. You know, surely, that your bodies are members making up the body of Christ; do you think I can take parts of Christ’s body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Never! But anyone who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Keep away from fornication. All the other sins are committed outside the body; but to fornicate is to sin against your own body. Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God.
Gospel Acclamation : 1S3:9, Jn6:68
Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:35-42
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see,’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 22: 5
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
Prayer after Communion
Pour on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this one heavenly Bread one in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The other gospels present an automatic response from Andrew and Simon when they are called by Christ (Cf. Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:2-11). Today, we are presented with the account of the gospel of John. Here, Andrew follows Jesus out of curiosity and then brings his brother Simon to Jesus. The essential thing is not the details of the call but the message John sends out. Does our following of Jesus improve our relationship with our brothers and sisters? If no, then we definitely need to review our concept of discipleship as far as Jesus is concerned.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 15, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Fursa (- c.650) B.V.M
He was an Irish monk who did much to establish Christianity throughout the British Isles and particularly in East Anglia, at a time when a high Christian civilisation existed in Ireland but had been largely wiped out elsewhere.
Green / White
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 : Hebrews 4:12-16
The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finely: it can slip through the place where the soul is divided from the spirit, or joints from the marrow; it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing can hide from him; everything is uncovered and open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves. Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
Psalm 18 (19) :8-10,15
R/ Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.
- The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple.
- The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes.
- The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just.
- May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favour in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock!
Gospel Acclamation : Ps 118:36, 29
Alleluia, alleluia! Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 2:13-17
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus makes his intentions clear: he is out to save sinners, since the righteous have already secured their salvation. This is not a license to sin in order that Jesus may save us. No! As followers of Jesus, we do not assume or presume righteousness. We must work for perfection in all that we do.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 15, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Marcel 1er, pape et martyr ; saint Honorat.
Natif de Rome, il fut le 30e pape (308-309). Il se consacra à la réorganisation de l’Église ravagée par la persécution de Dioclétien. Il géra les cas des chrétiens apostats lors de la persécution de Dèce. Il n’exigea d’eux qu’un acte de pénitence. Ce qui lui valut une animosité de plusieurs chrétiens qui le dénoncèrent à l’empereur. Il fut condamné à être esclave, chargé d’entretenir des écuries dans sa propre église.
Vert
Antienne d’ouverture : Mt 3, 16-17
Portons notre regard vers l’homme à qui le ciel est donné pour trône ; la foule des anges l’adore en chantant d’une seule voix : « Voici Celui dont le pouvoir subsiste pour les siècles ».
Aux appels de ton peuple en prière, réponds, Seigneur, en ta bonté: Donne à chacun la claire vision de ce qu’il doit faire et la force de l’accomplir. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : He 4, 12-16
Frères, elle est vivante, la parole de Dieu, énergique et plus coupante qu’une épée à deux tranchants ; elle va jusqu’au point de partage de l’âme et de l’esprit, des jointures et des moelles ; elle juge des intentions et des pensées du cœur. Pas une créature n’échappe à ses yeux, tout est nu devant elle, soumis à son regard ; nous aurons à lui rendre des comptes. En Jésus, le Fils de Dieu, nous avons le grand prêtre par excellence, celui qui a traversé les cieux ; tenons donc ferme l’affirmation de notre foi. En effet, nous n’avons pas un grand prêtre incapable de compatir à nos faiblesses, mais un grand prêtre éprouvé en toutes choses, à notre ressemblance, excepté le péché. Avançons-nous donc avec assurance vers le Trône de la grâce, pour obtenir miséricorde et recevoir, en temps voulu, la grâce de son secours.
R/ Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie
1. La loi du Seigneur est parfaite, qui redonne vie ; la charte du Seigneur est sûre, Qui rend sage les simples.
2. Les préceptes du Seigneur sont droits, ils réjouissent le Cœur ; le commandement du Seigneur est limpide, il clarifie le regard.
3. La crainte qu’il inspire est proche, elle est là pour toujours ; les décisions du Seigneur sont justes et vraiment équitables.
4. Accueil les paroles de ma bouche, le murmure de mon Cœur ; Qu’il parvienne devant toi, Seigneur, mon rocher, mon défenseur.
Alléluia. Alléluia. Le Seigneur m’a envoyé porter la Bonne Nouvelle aux pauvres, annoncer aux captifs leur libération » Alléluia. (Cf. Lc 4,17)
En ce temps-là, Jésus sortit de nouveau le long de la mer ; toute la foule venait à lui, et il les enseignait. En passant, il aperçut Lévi, fils d’Alphée, assis au bureau des impôts. Il lui dit : « Suis-moi. » L’homme se leva et le suivit. Comme Jésus était à table dans la maison de Lévi, beaucoup de publicains (c’est-à-dire des collecteurs d’impôts) et beaucoup de pécheurs vinrent prendre place avec Jésus et ses disciples, car ils étaient nombreux à le suivre. Les scribes du groupe des pharisiens, voyant qu’il mangeait avec les pécheurs et les publicains, disaient à ses disciples : « Comment! Il mange avec les publicains et les pécheurs ! » Jésus, qui avait entendu, leur déclara : « Ce ne sont pas les gens bien portants qui ont besoin du médecin, mais les malades. Je ne suis pas venu appeler des justes, mais des pécheurs. »
Daigne accepter, Seigneur, l’offrande de ton peuple : Qu’elle contribue à le sanctifier et lui obtienne ce qu’il demande avec confiance. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion: Ps 35, 10
De toi, Seigneur, jaillit la vie, dans ta lumière, nous voyons la lumière.
Prière après la communion
Nous t’en supplions, Dieu tout-puissant: Toi qui refais nos forces par tes sacrements, donne-nous aussi de pouvoir te servir par une vie qui te plaise. Par Jésus.
En disant qu’il n’est pas venu appeler des justes mais des pécheurs, Jésus montre par là-même la grande miséricorde du Père. Seuls les pécheurs peuvent se convertir. Aussi, seuls les malades peuvent guérir. Il s’agit d’abord d’un effort de vérité sur nous-mêmes, ensuite d’un engagement résolu à nous convertir. Nos limites constituent désormais des occasions de croissances et des raisons d’un plus être chrétien. Les erreurs ne devront pour aucune raison paralyser la volonté et l’intention droite. Toute erreur est à considérer comme un rendez-vous divin au sein duquel la main tendue du Christ est toujours prête à nous relever et à nous conduire
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 14, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Remi, évêque
Issu d’une grande famille gallo-romaine de la région de Laon, il avait pour mère, sainte Céline. À vingt-deux ans, il est choisi comme évêque de Reims pendant 74 ans et son activité missionnaire s’étend jusqu’en Belgique. C’est lui qui baptisa le roi Clovis
Vert
Antienne d’ouverture : Mt 3, 16-17
Portons notre regard vers l’homme à qui le ciel est donné pour trône ; la foule des anges l’adore en chantant d’une seule voix : «Voici Celui dont le pouvoir subsiste pour les siècles ».
Aux appels de ton peuple en prière, réponds, Seigneur, en ta bonté: Donne à chacun la claire vision de ce qu’il doit faire et la force de l’accomplir. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : He 4, 1-5, 11
Frères, craignons donc, tant que demeure la promesse d’entrer dans le repos de Dieu, craignons que l’un d’entre vous n’arrive, en quelque sorte, trop tard. Certes, nous avons reçu une Bonne Nouvelle, comme ces gens-là ; cependant, la parole entendue ne leur servit à rien, parce qu’elle ne fut pas accueillie avec foi par ses auditeurs. Mais nous qui sommes venus à la foi, nous entrons dans le repos dont il est dit: Dans ma colère, j’en ai fait le serment: On verra bien s’ils entreront dans mon repos! Le travail de Dieu, assurément, était accompli depuis la fondation du monde, comme l’Écriture le dit à propos du septième jour : Et Dieu se reposa le septième jour de tout son travail. Et dans le psaume, de nouveau: On verra bien s’ils entreront dans mon repos! Empressons-nous donc d’entrer dans ce repos-là, afin que plus personne ne tombe en suivant l’exemple de ceux qui ont refusé de croire.
R/ N’oubliez pas les exploits du Seigneur (Ps. 77, 7)
1. Nous avons entendu et nous savons ce que nos pères nous ont raconté ; les titres de gloire du Seigneur, sa puissance et les merveilles qu’il a faites.
2. Pour que l’âge suivant les connaisse, et leur descendance à venir, qu’ils n’oublient pas les exploits du Seigneur mais observent ses commandements
3. Qu’ils ne soient pas, comme leur père, une génération indocile et rebelle, génération de cœurs inconstants et d’esprit infidèles à Dieu.
Alléluia. Alléluia « Un grand prophète s’est levé parmi nous, et Dieu a visité son peuple. » Alléluia. (Lc 7, 16)
Quand Jésus revint à Capharnaüm, et l’on apprit qu’il était à la maison. Tant de monde s’y rassembla qu’il n’y avait plus de place, pas même devant la porte, et il leur annonçait la Parole. Arrivent des gens qui lui amènent un paralysé, porté par quatre hommes. Comme ils ne peuvent l’approcher à cause de la foule, ils découvrent le toit au-dessus de lui, ils font une ouverture, et descendent le brancard sur lequel était couché le paralysé. Voyant leur foi, Jésus dit au paralysé: « Mon enfant, tes péchés sont pardonnés.» Or, il y avait quelques scribes, assis là, qui raisonnaient en eux-mêmes: « Pourquoi celui-là parle-t-il ainsi? Il blasphème. Qui donc peut pardonner les péchés, sinon Dieu seul ? » Percevant aussitôt dans son esprit les raisonnements qu’ils se faisaient, Jésus leur dit : « Pourquoi tenez-vous de tels raisonnements? Qu’est-ce qui est le plus facile? Dire à ce paralysé : “Tes péchés sont pardonnés”, ou bien lui dire : “Lève-tôt, prends ton brancard et marche”? Eh bien ! Pour que vous sachiez que le Fils de l’homme a autorité pour pardonner les péchés sur la terre… – Jésus s’adressa au paralysé – je te le dis, lève-tôt, prends ton brancard, et rentre dans ta maison. » Il se leva, prit aussitôt son brancard, et sortit devant tout le monde. Tous étaient frappés de stupeur et rendaient gloire à Dieu, en disant : « Nous n’avons jamais rien vu de pareil. »
Daigne accepter, Seigneur, l’offrande de ton peuple : Qu’elle contribue à le sanctifier et lui obtienne ce qu’il demande avec confiance. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 35, 10
De toi, Seigneur, jaillit la vie, dans ta lumière, nous voyons la lumière.
Prière après la communion
Nous t’en supplions, Dieu tout-puissant : Toi qui refais nos forces par tes sacrements, donne-nous aussi de pouvoir te servir par une vie qui te plaise. Par Jésus.
Tout homme pardonné par le Christ est appelé à se lever, prendre son brancard et poursuivre sa marche. Désormais cet homme porte son brancard. Oui, le support est devenu le supporté. Voilà le changement de paradigme qui advient lorsque nous bénéficions du pardon divin. Les événements qui constituaient notre cadre de vie prennent une autre signification. La personne humaine est protagoniste de son avenir, elle porte le souvenir de son infirmité comme signe de salut et de libération. La vie humaine devrait tenir compte de cette force du pardon reçu. Le pardon en effet, renverse le cours des évènements et des situations existentielles qui semblaient irréversibles.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 14, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Ita (c.475 – 570)
She was born in County Waterford and founded a community of women in County Limerick, at a place now called Killeedy after her. She was known for her sanctity and for her gift of prophecy and was held in veneration by a large number of saints, both men and women.
Green
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 : Hebrews 4:1-5,11
Be careful: the promise of reaching the place of rest that God had for the Israelites still holds good, and none of you must think that he has come too late for it. We received the Good News exactly as they did; but hearing the message did them no good because they did not share the faith of those who listened. We, however, who have faith, shall reach a place of rest, as in the text: And so, in anger, I swore that not one would reach the place of rest I had for them. God’s work was undoubtedly all finished at the beginning of the world; as one text says, referring to the seventh day: After all his work God rested on the seventh day. The text we are considering says: They shall not reach the place of rest I had for them. We must therefore do everything we can to reach this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of disobedience and be lost.
Psalm 77 (78) :3-4,6-8
R/ Never forget the deeds of the Lord.
- The things we have heard and understood, the things our fathers have told us, these we will not hide from their children but will tell them to the next generation: The glories of the Lord and his might and the marvellous deeds he has done.
- They too should arise and tell their sons that they too should set their hope in God and never forget God’s deeds but keep every one of his commands,
- So that they might not be like their fathers, a defiant and rebellious race, a race whose heart was fickle, whose spirit was unfaithful to God.
Gospel Acclamation : cf. Ep 1:17,18
Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The words of Christ, “My child, your sins are forgiven”, shocks the scribes. For them, only God can forgive and Jesus was not God to them, thus Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus shocks them further not only by revealing his knowledge of their thoughts but also by healing the paralytic. By Jesus’ action, he makes it clear to the scribes that he is the healer of body and soul; he is God. As Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic and heals him, so does he forgive our sins and heal us whenever we turn to him in faith.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 13, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Athanasius (295 – 373)
Athanasius was born in Alexandria. He assisted Bishop Alexander at the Council of Nicaea, and later succeeded him as bishop. He fought hard against Arianism all his life, undergoing many sufferings and spending a total of 17 years in exile. He wrote outstanding works to explain and defend orthodoxy.
Green
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 : Hebrews 3:7-14
The Holy Spirit says: If only you would listen to him today; do not harden your hearts, as happened in the Rebellion, on the Day of Temptation in the wilderness, when your ancestors challenged me and tested me, though they had seen what I could do for forty years. That was why I was angry with that generation and said: How unreliable these people who refuse to grasp my ways! And so, in anger, I swore that not one would reach the place of rest I had for them. Take care, brothers, that there is not in any one of your community a wicked mind, so unbelieving as to turn away from the living God. Every day, as long as this ‘today’ lasts, keep encouraging one another so that none of you is hardened by the lure of sin, because we shall remain co-heirs with Christ only if we keep a grasp on our first confidence right to the end.
Psalm: 94(95):6-11
R/ that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
- Come in; let us bow and bend low; let us kneel before the God who made us: for he is our God and we the people who belong to his pasture, the flock that is led by his hand.
- O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the desert when your fathers put me to the test; when they tried me, though they saw my work.
- For forty years I was wearied of these people and I said: “Their hearts are astray, these people do not know my ways.” Then I took an oath in my anger: “Never shall they enter my rest.”’
Gospel Acclamation Ps 118:88
Alleluia, alleluia! Because of your love give me life, and I will do your will. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said, ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Weddings are joyful ceremonies. We do not go to weddings to fast. We go to celebrate the joy and the love uniting the bride and the bridegroom. In today’s Gospel, Jesus referred to himself as the bridegroom in a wedding celebration. So long as the celebration was on, the guests had no cause to fast. Jesus is not condemning or playing down on fasting. Fasting is a biblical discipline that can be defended from both the Old and the New Testament. Christ expected his disciples to fast (Mt 9:14-15) and issued instructions for how they should do so (Mt 6:16-18). Jesus wants those who fast to place its purpose in perspective or else he or she would miss the point. In the light of the new dispensation, old practices must be re-evaluated.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 13, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Nina
Diminutif de Kristina. Jeune captive chrétienne qui vécut au IVe siècle en Ibérie région intérieure de l’actuelle Géorgie, sur le continent asiatique. Après avoir guéri la reine Nana, elle obtint sa conversion puis celle du roi qui, ayant demandé un évêque à l’Archevêque de Constantinople, entreprit de faire évangéliser le royaume.
Vert
Antienne d’ouverture : Mt 3, 16-17
Portons notre regard vers l’homme à qui le ciel est donné pour trône ; la foule des anges l’adore en chantant d’une seule voix : « Voici Celui dont le pouvoir subsiste pour les siècles».
Aux appels de ton peuple en prière, réponds, Seigneur, en ta bonté: Donne à chacun la claire vision de ce qu’il doit faire et la force de l’accomplir. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : He 3, 7-14
Comme le dit l’Esprit Saint dans un psaume : Aujourd’hui, si vous entendez sa voix, n’endurcissez pas votre cœur comme au temps du défi, comme au jour de l’épreuve dans le désert, quand vos pères m’ont mis à l’épreuve et provoqué. Alors ils m’ont vu à l’œuvre pendant quarante ans ; oui, je me suis emporté contre cette génération, et j’ai dit : Toujours ils ont le cœur égaré, ils n’ont pas connu mes chemins. Dans ma colère, j’en ai fait le serment : On verra bien s’ils entreront dans mon repos ! Frères, veillez à ce que personne d’entre vous n’ait un cœur mauvais que le manque de foi sépare du Dieu vivant. Au contraire, encouragez-vous les uns l’autre jour après jour, aussi longtemps que retentit « aujourd’hui » de ce psaume, afin que personne parmi vous ne s’endurcisse en se laissant tromper par le péché. Car nous sommes devenus les compagnons du Christ, si du moins nous maintenons fermement, jusqu’à la fin, notre engagement premier.
R/ Aujourd’hui ne fermez pas votre cœur, mais écoutez la voix du Seigneur (Ps. 94, 8)
1. Entrez, inclinez-vous, prosternez-vous, adorons le Seigneur qui nous a faits. Oui, il est notre Dieu ; nous sommes le peuple qu’il conduit, le troupeau guidé par sa main.
2. Aujourd’hui écouterez-vous sa parole ? « Ne fermez pas votre cœur comme au désert, comme au jour de tentation et de défi, où vos pères m’ont tenté et provoqué, et pourtant ils avaient vu mon exploit.
3. « Quarante ans leur génération m’a déçu, et j’ai dit : Ce peuple a le cœur égaré, il n’a pas connu mes chemins. Dans ma colère, j’en ai fait le serment : Jamais ils n’entreront dans mon repos. »
Alléluia. Alléluia Jésus parcourait toute la Galilée ; il enseignait dans leurs synagogues, proclamait l’Évangile du Royaume, guérissait toute maladie et toute infirmité dans le peuple. Alléluia. (Mt 4, 23)
Un lépreux vint auprès de Jésus ; il le supplia et, tombant à ses genoux, lui dit : « Si tu le veux, tu peux me purifier. » Saisi de compassion, Jésus étendit la main, le toucha et lui dit : « Je le veux, sois purifié. » À l’instant même, la lèpre le quitta et il fut purifié. Avec fermeté, Jésus le renvoya aussitôt en lui disant : «Attention, ne dis rien à personne, mais va te montrer au prêtre, et donne pour ta purification ce que Moïse a prescrit dans la Loi : cela sera pour les gens un témoignage.» Une fois parti, cet homme se mit à proclamer et à répandre la nouvelle, de sorte que Jésus ne pouvait plus entrer ouvertement dans une ville, mais restait à l’écart, dans des endroits déserts. De partout cependant on venait à lui.
Daigne accepter, Seigneur, l’offrande de ton peuple : Qu’elle contribue à le sanctifier et lui obtienne ce qu’il demande avec confiance. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 35, 10
De toi, Seigneur, jaillit la vie, dans ta lumière, nous voyons la lumière.
Prière après la communion
Nous t’en supplions, Dieu tout-puissant : Toi qui refais nos forces par tes sacrements, donne-nous aussi de pouvoir te servir par une vie qui te plaise. Par Jésus.
Saisi de compassion, Jésus étendit la main et toucha le lépreux ; des préliminaires à la libération par sa parole restauratrice. L’invitation qui nous est lancée est claire. La compassion précède le rapprochement qui, à son tour, ouvre au touché. La proximité missionnaire n’est pas anonyme. Elle se fait à l’imitation du Christ. De plus en plus certains fidèles ont tendance à euthanasier leur compassion et si elle résiste encore à la forme, ils tendent à la rendre infructueuse. Or, une vraie compassion devrait conduire à la proximité évangélique et au tactile dans la perspective du Christ. Que signifient donc toutes ces pseudo-compassions qui tendent à se désengager de la cause des plus fragiles ?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 12, 2021 | Gouvernement de Délégation
Missionnaires… En Communauté
Ut Unum Sint
2021, UNE BELLE ANNÉE POUR NOUS TOUS !
À l’entame de cette nouvelle année 2021, que vous dire à vous mes frères ? Que pouvons-nous nous souhaiter mutuellement ? Spontanément, deux mots me viennent à l’esprit : Fraternité et Communion.
Tout récemment dans sa dernière encyclique Fratelli tutti, le Pape François faisait écho de ces paroles « Tous, vous êtes frères ». Bien que la fraternité universelle reste loin d’être une réalité, nous, clarétains, nous nous devons de la garder comme une exigence. Dès lors, chers confrères, « Gardons l’unité de l’esprit dans le lien de la paix avec les frères dont l’origine, l’âge, la culture et les opinions sont différentes des nôtres… Accueillons d’un cœur fraternel les frères qui arrivent à la maison ; et quand nous allons à une autre maison sachons apporter avec nous la paix du Seigneur » (CC 17).
Chers frères, soyons acteurs d’une fraternité solidaire car nous sommes tous enfants d’un même Dieu et Père. Dans tout contexte de division, vivons toujours la communion. Efforçons-nous de bâtir la communion fraternelle en Dieu. Chers frères, au-delà de leurs différences les premiers chrétiens sont restés Un. Nous sommes donc appelés à plus de vigilance, à construire la communion fraternelle comme le Christ nous l’a enseignée.
Nous devons sans cesse, tous et chacun, collaborer à l’édification de la Communauté. (CC 16). La communauté Clarétaine n’est pas un simple groupe humain. Elle est une communauté suscitée par l’Esprit dans l’Église à travers Saint Antoine Marie Claret.
Avec le Pape François, travaillons ensemble pour la paix dans le monde. Pour ce faire, nous devons nous engager dans la culture du soin, prendre soin de l’autre, prendre soin de nous-mêmes, car « il n’y a pas de paix sans la culture du soin… engageons-nous chaque jour concrètement pour former une communauté composée de frères qui s’accueillent réciproquement, en prenant soin les uns des autres » (Message du Pape François pour la LIVe Journée mondiale de la paix).
Que la Vierge Marie nous couvre de son Cœur Immaculé. Et que saint Antoine Marie Claret et nos martyrs intercèdent toujours pour nous.
Soyez assurés de mes vœux les meilleurs pour l’année 2021.
Missionnaires… En Communauté
Ut Unum Sint
Fait à Yaoundé, le 1er janvier 2021 en la Solennité de Marie Mère de Dieu.
Jude Thaddeus Langeh, cmf
Supérieur Majeur
Missionaries… In Community
Ut Unum Sint
2021, A GREAT YEAR FOR ALL OF US!
At the beginning of this new year 2021, what can I say to you brothers? What can we wish each other? Spontaneously, two words come to mind: Fraternity and Communion.
Pope Francis echoed these words in his latest encyclical Fratelli tutti: “All of you are brothers”. Although universal fraternity is still far from being a reality, we Claretians must keep it as a requirement. Therefore, dear confreres, “in dealing with any of our brothers whose origins, age, cultural background or opinions differ from our own, let us preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds us together…. We should offer a warm, fraternal welcome to any member who visits our house. When we ourselves are visiting another house, we should bring the Lord’s peace to it.” (CC 17).
Dear brothers, let us be actors of a fraternity of solidarity, because we are all children of the same God and Father. In any context of division, let us always live communion. Let us strive to build fraternal communion in God. Dear brothers, beyond their differences, the first Christians have remained One. We are therefore called to be more vigilant, to build fraternal communion as Christ taught us.
Each and every one of us should continually work together to build community (CC 16). The Claretian community is not a simple human group. It is a community raised up by the Spirit in the Church through St. Anthony Mary Claret.
With Pope Francis, let us work together for peace in the world. In order to do this, we must commit ourselves to the culture of care, taking care of others, taking care of ourselves, because “There can be no peace without a culture of care… may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another” (Message of Pope Francis for the IV World Day of Peace).
May the Virgin Mary cover us with her Immaculate Heart. May Saint Anthony Mary Claret and our martyrs always intercede for us.
Be assured of my best wishes for the year 2021.
Missionaries… In Community
Ut Unum Sint
Done at Yaounde on the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, 1st January 2021.
Jude Thaddeus Langeh, cmf
Major Superior
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 12, 2021 | PROCLADE CAMEROON
PROJET DES ETANGS DE POISSON A KOSALA-KUMBA
Un projet financé par la fondation PROCLADE INTERNATIONALE ONLUS.\
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 12, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Hilary, Bishop,Doctor
Hilary was born at the beginning of the fourth century. He was elected Bishop of Poitiers in 350. He fought strongly against Arianism and was exiled by the Emperor Constantius. His works are full of wisdom and learning, directed to the strengthening of the Catholic faith and the right interpretation of Scripture. He died in 367. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1851.
Green / White
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 : Hebrews 2:14-18
Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.
Psalm 104 (105) :1-4, 6-9
R/ The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
- Give thanks to the Lord, tell his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. O sing to him, sing his praise; tell all his wonderful works!
- Be proud of his holy name, let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.
- O children of Abraham, his servant, O sons of the Jacob he chose. He, the Lord, is our God: his judgements prevail in all the earth.
- He remembers his covenant for ever, his promise for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, he oath he swore to Isaac.
Gospel Acclamation : Col 3:16a, 17
Alleluia, alleluia! Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you; through him give thanks to God the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straight away. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was. In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus’ reputation as a healer is rapidly growing. His services are in high demand. Yet, instead of focusing on his growing fame, Jesus decides to go elsewhere. This indicates that Jesus does not pay attention to fame or profit but to the purpose of his mission: he is out to do the Father’s will. By our baptism, we share in the mission of Christ. As we spread the Good News, heal and liberate others, we are not to pay attention to the fame that may come with it, but to the will of God for us.
