by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 7, 2019 | Evangelium
St John of God (1495 – 1550)
He was born to a poor but devout family in Portugal in 1495. After serving as a soldier, he founded a hospital in Granada and a circle of disciples formed round him, which later became the Order of Hospitallers.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 29: 11
The Lord heard and had mercy on me; the Lord became my helper.
Collect
Show gracious favour, O Lord, we pray, to the works of penance we have begun, that we may have strength to accomplish with sincerity the bodily observances we undertake. 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 58:1-9a
Thus says the Lord Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet. Proclaim their faults to my people, their sins to the House of Jacob. They seek me day after day, they long to know my ways, like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the law of its God. They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near: ‘Why should we fast if you never see it, why do penance if you never notice?’ Look, you do business on your fast-days, you oppress all your workmen; look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast and strike the poor man with your fist. Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high. Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men? Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks –to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over. Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. Cry, and the Lord will answer; call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’
Psalm 50 (51):3-6, 18-19
R/ A humbled, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.
1)Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
2) My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done.
3) For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse, my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Ps. 129:5, 7
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word, because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer, O Lord, the sacrifice of our Lenten observance, praying that it may make our intentions acceptable to you and add to our powers of self-restraint. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps. 24: 4
O Lord, make me know your ways, teach me your paths.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, almighty God, that, through partaking of this mystery, we may be cleansed of all our misdeeds, and so be suited for the remedies of your compassion. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
For your mighty deeds, O God of mercy, may your people offer endless thanks, and, by observing the age-old disciplines along their pilgrim journey, may they merit to come and behold you for ever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
When this Gospel is read, one beautiful biblical text comes into mind: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the lamb” (Rev 19:9). Today’s Gospel distinguishes between two periods; that of joy which signifies the presence of bridegroom who is Jesus, and that of mourning which signifies his absence. Looking at these periods, the important one is the period of joy and excitement when the bridegroom is still mingling with the attendants in the wedding party. Who in his right mind can fast at a time like this? Anyone who would fast would be identified as someone’s else follower not a follower of Jesus, because in the eyes of the disciples of Jesus, just as joy has its time, mourning too has its time; but that time is not now!
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 7, 2019 | Evangelium
St Peter Thomas (1305-1366)
Peter Thomas was born into a poor peasant family in southern Périgord region in France. His piety and skill as a teacher attracted the attention of the Carmelite prior of Bergérac, who invited him to join the Carmelite community there at age twenty-one. He taught in various houses of study until he was sent to University in Paris for advanced scholarship. While his studies were still in progress he was elected by the Order as its procurator general to the Papal Court at Avignon in 1345.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 117: 26-27
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: The Lord is God and has given us light.
Collect
O God, whose Only Begotten Son has appeared in our very flesh, grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformed through him whom we recognize as outwardly like ourselves. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First 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.
Psalm 71 (72):1-4,7-8
R/ All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
1. O God, give your judgement to the king, to a king’s son your justice, that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgement.
2. May the mountains bring forth peace for the people and the hills, justice. May he defend the poor of the people and save the children of the needy.
3. In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails. He shall rule from sea to sea, from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
Gospel Acclamation cf.: Mt4:23
Alleluia, alleluia!Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom and cured all kinds of diseases among the people. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 6:34-44
As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late, So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ How many loaves have you?’ he asked ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Eph 2: 4; Rm 8: 3
Because of that great love of his with which God loved us, he sent his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who touch us through our partaking of your Sacrament, work, we pray, the effects of its power in our hearts, that we may be made fit to receive your gift through this very gift itself. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The First Letter of Saint John is a veritable hymn of love. In it we find the statement, “God is love”, which according to St. Augustine is the summary of all Scripture. To say that God is love is to say that God loved us to the point of giving his Son for us, and we should return that love by loving one another. In 1 Jn 3: 8, God tells us that our love should not be mere words, but should be expressed in concrete action. Jesus shows the example; moved by pity, he taught the crowd many things, and then he fed it. He thus performed a spiritual work of mercy (instructing the ignorant) and a corporal work of mercy (feeding the hungry). Let us show love through concrete actions in favour of those around us. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy can be guide for us to put love into practice.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 7, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Lucien de Beauvais
Originaire d’une famille romaine il s’appelait Lucius qu’il changea en Lucien. Prédicateur itinérant il parcourt l’Italie. Il fut victime d’une persécution à Parme où il fut emprisonné et s’évade le soir même. Il fut ordonné évêque vers 250. Il sillonna la France et s’installa à Caesaromagus, l’actuel Beauvais.
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tienne D’ouverture : Ps 117, 26-27
Béni soit au nom du Seigneur celui qui vient : Dieu le Seigneur, nous donne sa lumière.
Prière D’ouverture
Dieu éternel, c’est dans la réalité de notre chair que ton Fils unique est apparu. Puisque nous reconnaissons que son humanité fut semblable à la nôtre, donne-nous d’être transformés par lui au plus intime de notre cœur. Par Jésus, le Christ, notre Seigneur.
Première lecture : 1 Jean 4, 7-10
Bien-aimés, aimons-nous les uns les autres, puisque l’amour vient de Dieu. Celui qui aime est né de Dieu et connaît Dieu. Celui qui n’aime pas n’a pas connu Dieu, car Dieu est amour. Voici comment l’amour de Dieu s’est manifesté parmi nous : Dieu a envoyé son Fils unique dans le monde pour que nous vivions par lui. Voici en quoi consiste l’amour : ce n’est pas nous qui avons aimé Dieu, c’est lui qui nous a aimés, et il a envoyé son Fils en sacrifice de pardon pour nos péchés.
Psaume 71 (72), 1-2, 3-4, 7-8
R/ Tous les rois se prosterneront devant lui, tous les pays le serviront. 71, 11
1. Dieu, donne au roi tes pouvoirs, à ce fils de roi ta justice. Qu’il gouverne ton peuple avec justice, qu’il fasse droit aux malheureux !
2. Montagnes, portez au peuple la paix, collines, portez-lui la justice! Qu’il fasse droit aux malheureux de son peuple, qu’il sauve les pauvres gens, qu’il écrase l’oppresseur !
3. En ces jours-là, fleurira la justice, grande paix jusqu’à la fin des lunes ! Qu’il domine de la mer à la mer, et du Fleuve jusqu’au bout de la terre !
Acclamation
Alléluia, Alléluia.Le Seigneur m’a envoyé porter la Bonne Nouvelle aux pauvres, annoncer aux captifs leur libération. Alléluia. (Lc 4, 18cd)
Évangile : Marc 6, 34-44
En ce temps-là, Jésus vit une grande foule. Il fut saisi de compassion envers eux, parce qu’ils étaient comme des brebis sans berger. Alors, il se mit à les enseigner longuement. Déjà l’heure était avancée; s’étant approchés de lui, ses disciples disaient : «L’endroit est désert et déjà l’heure est tardive. Renvoie-les : qu’ils aillent dans les campagnes et les villages des environs s’acheter de quoi manger.» Il leur répondit : « Donnez-leur vous-mêmes à manger. » Ils répliquent : « Irons-nous dépenser le salaire de deux cents journées pour acheter des pains et leur donner à manger?» Jésus leur demande : « Combien de pains avez-vous ? Allez voir. » S’étant informés, ils lui disent : « Cinq, et deux poissons. » Il leur ordonna de les faire tous asseoir par groupes sur l’herbe verte. Ils se disposèrent par carrés de cent et de cinquante. Jésus prit les cinq pains et les deux poissons, et, levant les yeux au ciel, il prononça la bénédiction et rompit les pains ; il les donnait aux disciples pour qu’ils les distribuent à la foule. Il partagea aussi les deux poissons entre eux tous. Ils mangèrent tous et ils furent rassasiés. Et l’on ramassa les morceaux de pain qui restaient, de quoi remplir douze paniers, ainsi que les restes des poissons. Ceux qui avaient mangé les pains étaient au nombre de cinq mille hommes.
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois favorablement, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple, pour qu’il obtienne dans le mystère eucharistique les biens auxquels il croit de tout son cœur. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ep 2, 4
A cause du grand amour dont il nous a aimes, Dieu a envoyé son Fis partager notre condition humaine en toute chose, excepte le péché.
Prière après la communion
Quand nous participons a ton Eucharistie, Seigneur, c’est toi qui viens a notre rencontre ; produis en nos cœur le fruit de ce sacrement, car seule ta grâce peut nous préparer à recevoir tes grâces. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Jésus manifeste par le geste de la multiplication des pains sa tendresse, sa compassion et sa miséricorde envers son peuple. Le fait qu’il nourrit d’abord la foule par son enseignement et lui donne du pain par la suite, montre que la Table de la Parole précède et prépare la Table de l’Eucharistie. Par ce miracle, une allusion à l’Eucharistie apparait de façon évidente, nous y retrouvons les quatre gestes essentiels de la liturgie eucharistique : prendre le pain, prononcer la bénédiction, rompre le pain et le donner aux disciples pour qu’ils le distribuent. Ce miracle, révèle Jésus comme le Berger véritable et attentionné envers ses brebis pour lesquelles il se fait nourriture dans l’Eucharistie.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 6, 2019 | Evangelium
St Raymond of Peñafort
(c.1175 – 1275)
Psalter Week II
St Raymond of Peñafort (c.1175 – 1275) was a Spanish Dominican friar in the 13th-century, who compiled a collection of canon laws that remained a major part of Church law until the 20th century. He is the patron saint of lawyers, especially canon lawyers.
White
Entrance Antiphon
A holy day has dawned upon us: Come, you nations, and adore the Lord, for a great light has come down upon the earth.
Collect
O God, whose eternal Word adorns the face of the heavens yet accepted from the Virgin Mary the frailty of our flesh, grant, we pray, that he who appeared among us as the splendour of truth may go forth in the fullness of power for the redemption of the world. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 3:22-4:6
Whatever we ask God, we shall receive, because we keep his commandments and live the kind of life that he wants. His commandments are these: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another as he told us to. Whoever keeps his commandments lives in God and God lives in him. We know that he lives in us by the Spirit that he has given us. It is not every spirit, my dear people, that you can trust; test them, to see if they come from God, there are many false prophets, now, in the world. You can tell the spirits that come from God by this: every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus the Christ has come in the flesh is from God; but any spirit which will not say this of Jesus is not from God, but is the spirit of Antichrist, whose coming you were warned about. Well, now he is here, in the world. Children, you have already overcome these false prophets, because you are from God and you have in you one who is greater than anyone in this world; as for them, they are of the world, and so they speak the language of the world and the world listens to them. But we are children of God, and those who know God listen to us; those who are not of God refuse to listen to us. This is how we can tell the spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood.
Psalm 2:7-8,10-11
R/ I will give you the nations for your heritage.
1. The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession.’
2. Now, O kings, understand, take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe and trembling, pay him your homage.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt4:16
Alleluia, alleluia!The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17,23-25
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive our oblation, O Lord, by which is brought about a glorious exchange, that, by offering what you have given, we may merit to receive your very self. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Jn. 1: 14
We have seen his glory, the glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with grace and truth.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, by the power of these holy mysteries, our life may be constantly sustained. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Why did Jesus not begin his ministry in Nazareth, his hometown? Charity begins at home, we often say. But he left his hometown. Moreover, he went to begin his ministry in Galilee, which was a Gentile town. He left his family, he left the Jews who were his fellow people and who were convinced that they were the Chosen People, and he went to those whom the Jews despised and rejected. Herein lies an important lesson; Jesus’ message of conversion concerns our attitudes towards the people we meet. Jesus wants us to change the way we look at and relate to the people we meet. He is inviting us to stop paying attention only to the people we get along with, who belong to the same social or professional milieu as us. He wants us to leave these comfort zones and to reach out, like him, to those whom society rejects, to those we would rather avoid. He invites us to reach out to these people, so that through us they too can experience his light.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 6, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Raymond de Penyafort, Prêtre Dominicain Catalan (1175-1275)
Maître général des Dominicains. Il fut l’un des grands maîtres de la théologie morale et du droit canonique. Il rédige, à la demande du pape Grégoire IX, une « Somme des cas pénitentiaux » et les « Décrétales » qui serviront de Code de Droit canonique à l’Église jusqu’en 1917. Il fut canonisé en 1601 par Clément VIII
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture
Un jour très saint, a brillé à nos yeux: que toutes les nations viennent, qu’elles adorent le Seigneur : une grande lumière est descendue sur la terre.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, nous t’en prions, éclaire nos cœurs de ta lumière souveraine: nous trouverons alors la force d’avancer dans un monde obscur pour atteindre le pays du jour sans déclin.
Première lecture : Jean 3, 22 – 4, 6
Bien-aimés, quoi que nous demandions à Dieu, nous le recevons de lui, parce que nous gardons ses commandements, et que nous faisons ce qui est agréable à ses yeux. Or, voici son commandement: mettre notre foi dans le nom de son Fils Jésus Christ, et nous aimer les uns les autres comme il nous l’a commandé. Celui qui garde ses commandements demeure en Dieu, et Dieu en lui ; et voilà comment nous reconnaissons qu’il demeure en nous, puisqu’il nous a donné part à son Esprit. Bien-aimés, ne vous fiez pas à n’importe quelle inspiration, mais examinez les esprits pour voir s’ils sont de Dieu, car beaucoup de faux prophètes se sont répandus dans le monde. Voici comment vous reconnaîtrez l’Esprit de Dieu : tout esprit qui proclame que Jésus Christ est venu dans la chair, celui-là est de Dieu. Tout esprit qui refuse de proclamer Jésus, celui-là n’est pas de Dieu : c’est l’esprit de l’anti-Christ, dont on vous a annoncé la venue et qui, dès maintenant, est déjà dans le monde. Vous, petits enfants, vous êtes de Dieu, et vous avez vaincu ces gens-là ; car Celui qui est en vous est plus grand que celui qui est dans le monde. Eux, ils sont du monde ; voilà pourquoi ils parlent le langage du monde, et le monde les écoute. Nous, nous sommes de Dieu; celui qui connaît Dieu nous écoute ; celui qui n’est pas de Dieu ne nous écoute pas. C’est ainsi que nous reconnaissons l’esprit de la vérité et l’esprit de l’erreur.
Psaume 2, 7bc-8, 10-11
R/ Tu es mon fils ; je te donne en héritage les nations. cf. 2, 7b.8a
1. Le Seigneur m’a dit : « Tu es mon fils; moi, aujourd’hui, je t’ai engendré. Demande, et je te donne en héritage les nations, pour domaine la terre tout entière. »
2. Maintenant, rois, comprenez, reprenez-vous, juges de la terre. Servez le Seigneur avec crainte, rendez-lui votre hommage en tremblant.
Acclamation
Alléluia, Alléluia.Jésus proclamait l’Évangile du Royaume, et guérissait toute maladie dans le peuple. Alléluia.(cf. Mt 4, 23)
Évangile: Mathieu 4, 12-17.23-25
En ce temps-là, quand Jésus apprit l’arrestation de Jean le Baptiste, il se retira en Galilée. Il quitta Nazareth et vint habiter à Capharnaüm, ville située au bord de la mer de Galilée, dans les territoires de Zabulon et de Nephtali. C’était pour que soit accomplie la parole prononcée par le prophète Isaïe : Pays de Zabulon et pays de Nephtali, route de la mer et pays au-delà du Jourdain, Galilée des nations! Le peuple qui habitait dans les ténèbres a vu une grande lumière. Sur ceux qui habitaient dans le pays et l’ombre de la mort, une lumière s’est levée. À partir de ce moment, Jésus commença à proclamer : « Convertissez-vous, car le royaume des Cieux est tout proche. » Jésus parcourait toute la Galilée ; il enseignait dans leurs synagogues, proclamait l’Évangile du Royaume, guérissait toute maladie et toute infirmité dans le peuple. Sa renommée se répandit dans toute la Syrie. On lui amena tous ceux qui souffraient, atteints de maladies et de tourments de toutes sortes : possédés, épileptiques, paralysés. Et il les guérit. De grandes foules le suivirent, venues de la Galilée, de la Décapole, de Jérusalem, de la Judée, et de l’autre côté du Jourdain.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur notre Dieu, ce que nous présentons pour cette eucharistie où s’accomplit un admirable échange : En offrant ce que tu nous as donné, puissions-nous te recevoir toi-même. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Jn 1, 14
Nous avons vu la gloire du Verbe fait chair, la gloire qu’il tient de son Père comme Fils unique, plein de grâce et de vérité
Prière après la communion
Dieu tout-puissant, nous t’en prions: fais que la communion à tes mystères sacrés soutienne constamment notre vie. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
L’installation de Jésus à Capharnaüm, ville située dans la région de la Galilée est d’une portée symbolique inouïe. Galilée en hébreu signifie «carrefour des nations » (Is 8, 23). La Galilée était une région de brassage culturel, où Juifs et païens venant de différentes régions se côtoyaient, sans forcément s’apprécier. Le choix de Jésus d’inaugurer sa prédication en Galilée exprime son ouverture missionnaire. C’est à toutes les nations que Jésus apporte le salut. La mission constitue le fondement de l’Église. L’Église n’existe que parce qu’elle est missionnaire. C’est pourquoi, comme nous le rappelle le Pape François, nous sommes invités à aller aux «périphéries». Où se trouve la périphérie ou la «Galilée » vers laquelle je suis appelé à aller ? Ma Galilée peut être un lieu géographique mais aussi toute autre situation existentielle personnelle qui me répugne ou que je redoute d’affronter.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 5, 2019 | Evangelium
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Solemnity, PSALTER PROPER
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Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Mal 3: 1; 1 Chr 29:12
Behold, the Lord, the Mighty One, has come; and kingship is in his grasp, and power and dominion.
Collect
O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy, that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime 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: Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. Above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears. The nations come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness. Lift up your eyes and look around: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away and your daughters being tenderly carried. At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart throbbing and full; since the riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations come to you; camels in throngs will cover you, and dromedaries of Midian and Ephab; everyone in Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing the praise of the Lord.
Psalm 71 (72) :1-2.7-8.10-13
R/ All the nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
1.O God, give your judgement to the king, to a king’s son your justice, that he may judge your people in justice, and your poor in tight judgement.
2.In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea, from the Great Sea to earth’s bounds.
3.The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts, shall pay him tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba, shall bring him gifts. Before him all kings shall fall prostrate, all nations shall serve him.
4.For he shall save the people when they cry, and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak, and save the lives of the poor.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 2:2
Alleluia, alleluia!We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him, ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel. ‘Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, Lord, we pray, on these gifts of your Church, in which are offered now not gold or frankincense or myrrh, but he who by them is proclaimed, sacrificed and received, Jesus Christ. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Mt 2: 2
We have seen his star in the East, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Go before us with heavenly light, O Lord, always and everywhere, that we may perceive with clear sight and revere with true affection the mystery in which you have willed us to participate. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
On Christmas Day, we celebrated the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; today, we celebrate his manifestation to the world. On Christmas Day, we welcomed the one whose coming was predicted by the prophets to Israel; today, we learn that this Messiah did not come only for the Jews or any particular group of people, but for all of humanity. Isaiah tells the people of Jerusalem that the glory of the Lord will shine in their city and will attract people from every nation. This means that God’s glory is not reserved for the Israelites alone. Paul says the same thing to the Ephesians: the pagans have received the same promise of eternal life as the Jews. The pagans are represented by the three wise men, who are guided by the star to Jesus and who pay him homage. Jesus is the light of the world, and his light shines on everybody, regardless of race or origin. All those who believe in him will inherit the gifts he has brought for mankind. The light of the star which guided the wise men to him is the light of the Gospel; let us all follow this light and let it lead us to the Saviour of the world.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 5, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
L’Épiphanie du Seigneur – Année C, Psautier Propre
Balthazar, Gaspard, Melchior
Blanc
ntienne d’ouverture : Ml 3, 1; 1 Ch. 19, 12
Voici venir le Seigneur souverain ; il tient en main la royauté, la puissance et l’empire.
Prière d’ouverture
Aujourd’hui, Seigneur, tu as révélé ton Fils unique aux nations, grâce à l’étoile qui les guidait ; Daigne nous accorder, à nous qui te connaissons déjà par la foi, d’être conduits jusqu’à la claire vision de ta splendeur. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Is 60, 1-6
Debout, Jérusalem, resplendis ! Elle est venue, ta lumière, et la gloire du Seigneur s’est levée sur toi. Voici que les ténèbres couvrent la terre, et la nuée obscure couvre les peuples. Mais sur toi se lève le Seigneur, sur toi sa gloire apparaît. Les nations marcheront vers ta lumière, et les rois, vers la clarté de ton aurore. Lève les yeux alentour, et regarde tous, ils se rassemblent, ils viennent vers toi ; tes fils reviennent de loin, et tes filles sont portées sur la hanche. Alors tu verras, tu seras radieuse, ton cœur frémira et se dilatera. Les trésors d’au-delà des mers afflueront vers toi, vers toi viendront les richesses des nations. En grand nombre, des chameaux t’envahiront, de jeunes chameaux de Madiane et d’Épha. Tous les gens de Saba viendront, apportant l’or et l’encens ; ils annonceront les exploits du Seigneur.
Psaume 71 (72)
R/ Toutes les nations, Seigneur, se prosterneront devant toi. (cf. Ps 71,11)
1.Dieu, donne au roi tes pouvoirs, à ce fils de roi ta justice. Qu’il gouverne ton peuple avec justice, qu’il fasse droit aux malheureux
2.En ces jours-là, fleurira la justice, grande paix jusqu’à la fin des lunes ! Qu’il domine de la mer à la mer, et du Fleuve jusqu’au bout de la terre !
3.Les rois de Tarsis et des Îles apporteront des présents. Les rois de Saba et de Seba feront leur offrande. Tous les rois se prosterneront devant lui, tous les pays le serviront.
4.Il délivrera le pauvre qui appelle et le malheureux sans recours. Il aura souci du faible et du pauvre, du pauvre dont il sauve la vie.
Deuxième lecture : Eph 3, 2-3a.5-6
Frères, vous avez appris, je pense, en quoi consiste la grâce que Dieu m’a donnée pour vous : par révélation, il m’a fait connaître le mystère. Ce mystère n’avait pas été porté à la connaissance des hommes des générations passées, comme il a été révélé maintenant à ses saints Apôtres et aux prophètes, dans l’Esprit. Ce mystère, c’est que toutes les nations sont associées au même héritage, au même corps, au partage de la même promesse, dans le Christ Jésus, par l’annonce de l’Évangile.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.Nous avons vu son étoile à l’orient, et nous sommes venus adorer le Seigneur. Alléluia.(cf. Mt 2, 2)
Évangile : Mt 2, 1-12
Jésus était né à Bethléem en Judée, au temps du roi Hérode le Grand. Or, voici que des mages venus d’Orient arrivèrent à Jérusalem et demandèrent : «Où est le roi des Juifs qui vient de naître ? Nous avons vu son étoile à l’orient et nous sommes venus nous prosterner devant lui. » En apprenant cela, le roi Hérode fut bouleversé, et tout Jérusalem avec lui. Il réunit tous les grands prêtres et les scribes du peuple, pour leur demander où devait naître le Christ. Ils lui répondirent: « À Bethléem en Judée, car voici ce qui est écrit par le prophète : Et toi, Bethléem, terre de Juda, tu n’es certes pas le dernier parmi les chefs-lieux de Juda, car de toi sortira un chef, qui sera le berger de mon peuple Israël. » Alors Hérode convoqua les mages en secret pour leur faire préciser à quelle date l’étoile était apparue ; puis il les envoya à Bethléem, en leur disant : «Allez-vous renseigner avec précision sur l’enfant. Et quand vous l’aurez trouvé, venez me l’annoncer pour que j’aille, moi aussi, me prosterner devant lui. » Après avoir entendu le roi, ils partirent. Et voici que l’étoile qu’ils avaient vue à l’orient les précédait, jusqu’à ce qu’elle vienne s’arrêter au-dessus de l’endroit où se trouvait l’enfant. Quand ils virent l’étoile, ils se réjouirent d’une très grande joie. Ils entrèrent dans la maison, ils virent l’enfant avec Marie sa mère ; et, tombant à ses pieds, ils se prosternèrent devant lui. Ils ouvrirent leurs coffrets, et lui offrirent leurs présents : de l’or, de l’encens et de la myrrhe. Mais, avertis en songe de ne pas retourner chez Hérode, ils regagnèrent leur pays par un autre chemin.
Prière sur les offrandes
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église qui ne t’offre plus ni l’or, ni l’encens, ni la myrrhe, Mais celui que ces présents révélaient, qui s’immole et se donne en nourriture : Jésus, le Christ, notre Seigneur. Lui qui.
Antienne de la communion : Mt 2, 2
Comme les mages guidés par l’étoile, nous sommes venus avec des présents adorer le Seigneur.
Prière après la communion
Que la clarté d’en haut, Seigneur, nous dirige en tous temps et en tous lieux, Et puisque tu nous fais communier à ce mystère, puissions-nous désormais le pénétrer d’un regard pur et l’accueillir dans un cœur plus aimant. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
L’Épiphanie désigne la fête de la manifestation de Jésus au monde, aux nations païennes. Cette fête nous aide à approfondir le mystère de l’Incarnation. S’il est vrai qu’à Noël, c’est Dieu qui vient à la rencontre de l’humanité, cette rencontre doit être dynamique et transformatrice. Autant le Seigneur vient à nous autant nous devons aller vers lui. Oui, même si c’est Lui qui nous trouve en premier, nous avons à chercher sans cesse Dieu. «Vous me chercherez et vous me trouverez, car vous me chercherez de tout votre cœur, je me laisserai trouver par vous» (Jr 29, 13). Pour rencontrer Jésus, nous devons nécessairement nous mettre en route, nous devons bouger, nous déplacer. Pas de rencontre véritable avec le Seigneur sans mouvement, sans déplacement. Suis-je capable, en ce temps de la Nativité, d’identifier concrètement ce qui a bougé en moi ?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 4, 2019 | Evangelium
St. John Neumann,
This American saint was born in Bohemia in 1811. John was appointed bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Fluent in many languages, he was dedicated to helping the poor and most abandoned. John died on January 5, 1860 at the age of 48.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Gal 4: 4-5
God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading 1 John 3:11-21
This is the message as you heard it from the beginning: that we are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brother’s throat; cut his brother’s throat simply for this reason, that his own life was evil and his brother lived a good life. You must not be surprised, brothers, when the world hates you; we have passed out of death and into life, and of this we can be sure because we love our brothers. If you refuse to love, you must remain dead; to hate your brother is to be a murderer, and murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them. This has taught us love –that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers. If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be living in him? My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence, whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything. My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence.
Psalm 99 100:1-5
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. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
4. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb 1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia!At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:43-51
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn. 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
After Andrew and Simon, Philip and Nathanael are the next to become followers of Jesus. They respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me.” They are able to see in Jesus something that they do not see in others. After meeting Jesus, Andrew told his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” Philip realises that Jesus is the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. Nathanael recognises Jesus as the Son of God and the king of Israel. Jesus invites us, just as he invited them, to follow him. And following Jesus means taking on a new life, a life driven by love. When we hate, when we are jealous, when we exploit, we destroy our brothers, just like Cain killed his brother. However, when we love, when we show concern and sympathy, when we show mercy and seek justice, we give life, just as Jesus gave life to us. Let us become followers of Jesus; let us love one another.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 4, 2019 | Evangelium
St. John Neumann,
This American saint was born in Bohemia in 1811. John was appointed bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Fluent in many languages, he was dedicated to helping the poor and most abandoned. John died on January 5, 1860 at the age of 48.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Gal 4: 4-5
God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading 1 John 3:11-21
This is the message as you heard it from the beginning: that we are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brother’s throat; cut his brother’s throat simply for this reason, that his own life was evil and his brother lived a good life. You must not be surprised, brothers, when the world hates you; we have passed out of death and into life, and of this we can be sure because we love our brothers. If you refuse to love, you must remain dead; to hate your brother is to be a murderer, and murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them. This has taught us love –that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers. If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be living in him? My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence, whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything. My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence.
Psalm 99 100:1-5
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.Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
4.Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb 1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia!At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:43-51
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn. 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
After Andrew and Simon, Philip and Nathanael are the next to become followers of Jesus. They respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me.” They are able to see in Jesus something that they do not see in others. After meeting Jesus, Andrew told his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” Philip realises that Jesus is the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. Nathanael recognises Jesus as the Son of God and the king of Israel. Jesus invites us, just as he invited them, to follow him. And following Jesus means taking on a new life, a life driven by love. When we hate, when we are jealous, when we exploit, we destroy our brothers, just like Cain killed his brother. However, when we love, when we show concern and sympathy, when we show mercy and seek justice, we give life, just as Jesus gave life to us. Let us become followers of Jesus; let us love one another.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 3, 2019 | Evangelium
saturday 04 JANUARY 2020
St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 – 1821)
he was born in New York into an Episcopalian family, who ostracized her and left her penniless when she became a Catholic in 1805. Seton was the first native-born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
White
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Gal 4: 4-5
God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 John 3:7-10
My children, do not let anyone lead you astray: to live a holy life is to be holy just as he is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil, since the devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that the devil has done that the Son of God appeared. No one who has been begotten by God sins; because God’s seed remains inside him, he cannot sin when he has been begotten by God. In this way we distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil: anybody not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God’s.
Psalm 97:1,7-9
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
- Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
- Let the sea and all within it thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy
- At the presence of the Lord: for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 1:14,12
Alleluia, alleluia! The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. 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
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Jn 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today, John the Baptist tells his disciples to abandon him and follow Jesus for he is the ‘Lamb of God.’ John saw his role as that of pointing the way to Christ. Our life is to reflect this same virtue of pointing the way to Christ. When Andrew was called he did not think only of himself. The first thing he did was to seek out his brother Simon and tell him. That is the spirit of community, the spirit of the Church. We never stand alone in our relationship with God. It is a relationship we enjoy in union with all the members of the Church.
