by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 19, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
SAMEDI 20 AOÛT 2022
St. Bernard, abbé et docteur de l’Église
Bernard (1090-1153), ce contemplatif dont les écrits, notamment le commentaire sur le Cantique, révèlent l’expérience mystique et la science théologique, était aussi un homme d’action intervenant partout où l’Église était en péril. Abbé de Clairvaux, il a souvent été sur les routes, fondant soixante-cinq monastères, mais aussi prêchant la seconde croisade, jouant un rôle de prophète auprès des papes et des princes, et dénonçant toutes les injustices.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 23, 5-6
Saint Bernard a reçu la bénédiction du Seigneur : il a trouvé grâce devant Dieu son Sauveur : car il appartient à la race de ceux qui cherchent Dieu.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, tu as voulu que saint Bernard, rempli d’amour pour ton Église, soit dans ta maison la lampe qui brûle et qui éclaire ; accorde- nous, par son intercession, la même ferveur de l’esprit, afin de vivre comme des fils de la lumière. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ez 43, 1-7a
L’homme me conduisit vers la porte, celle qui fait face à l’orient; et voici que la gloire du Dieu d’Israël arrivait de l’orient. Le bruit qu’elle faisait ressemblait au bruit des grandes eaux, et la terre resplendissait de cette gloire. Cette vision ressemblait à celle que j’avais eue lorsque le Seigneur était venu détruire la ville; elle ressemblait aussi à la vision que j’avais eue quand j’étais au bord du fleuve Kebar. Alors je tombai face contre terre. La gloire du Seigneur entra dans la Maison par la porte qui fait face à l’orient. L’esprit m’enleva et me transporta dans la cour intérieure: voici que la gloire du Seigneur remplissait la Maison. Et j’entendis une voix qui venait de la Maison, tandis que l’homme se tenait près de moi. Cette voix me disait : « Fils d’homme, c’est ici le lieu de mon trône, le lieu sur lequel je pose les pieds, et là je demeurerai au milieu des fils d’Israël, pour toujours. »
Psaume : 84 (85), 9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14
R/ La gloire du Seigneur habitera notre terre.
- J’écoute : que dira le Seigneur Dieu ? Ce qu’il dit, c’est la paix pour son peuple et ses fidèles. Son salut est proche de ceux qui le craignent, et la gloire habitera notre terre.
- Amour et vérité se rencontrent, justice et paix s’embrassent ; la vérité germera de la terre et du ciel se penchera la justice.
- Le Seigneur donnera ses bienfaits, et notre terre donnera son fruit. La justice marchera devant lui, et ses pas traceront le chemin.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Vous n’avez qu’un seul Père, celui qui est aux cieux ; vous n’avez qu’un seul maître, le Christ. Alléluia.
Évangile : Mt 23, 1-12
En ce temps-là, Jésus s’adressa aux foules et à ses disciples, et il déclara : « Les scribes et les pharisiens enseignent dans la chaire de Moïse. Donc, tout ce qu’ils peuvent vous dire, faites-le et observez-le. Mais n’agissez pas d’après leurs actes, car ils disent et ne font pas. Ils attachent de pesants fardeaux, difficiles à porter, et ils en chargent les épaules des gens ; mais eux-mêmes ne veulent pas les remuer du doigt. Toutes leurs actions, ils les font pour être remarqués des gens : ils élargissent leurs phylactères et rallongent leurs franges ; ils aiment les places d’honneur dans les dîners, les sièges d’honneur dans les synagogues et les salutations sur les places publiques ; ils aiment recevoir des gens le titre de Rabbi. Pour vous, ne vous faites pas donner le titre de Rabbi, car vous n’avez qu’un seul maître pour vous enseigner, et vous êtes tous frères. Ne donnez à personne sur terre le nom de père, car vous n’avez qu’un seul Père, celui qui est aux cieux. Ne vous faites pas non plus donner le titre de maîtres, car vous n’avez qu’un seul maître, le Christ. Le plus grand parmi vous sera votre serviteur. Qui s’élèvera sera abaissé, qui s’abaissera sera élevé. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Nous te présentons, Seigneur tout- puissant, le sacrement de l’unité et de la paix, en ce jour où nous fêtons saint Bernard, lui qui travailla de toutes ses forces, par la parole et par l’action, à favoriser la paix de ton Église. Par Jésus..
Antienne de la communion : Mt 19, 27-29
« Vraiment, dit le Seigneur, vous qui avez tout quitté pour me suivre, vous recevrez le centuple et vous aurez en héritage la vie éternelle. »
Prière après la communion
Seigneur, fais-nous profiter de cette nourriture que nous avons reçue en la fête de saint Bernard: encouragés par ses exemples et guides par ses conseils, nous serons saisis d’amour pour ton Verbe incarné. Lui qui…
Méditation
L’erreur des scribes et des pharisiens était enracinée dans la contradiction entre ce qu’ils disaient et ce qu’ils faisaient. Avec le Christ c’était tout le contraire en parole et en acte il enseignait la vérité, servait au lieu de se servir, et l’a fait jusqu’à donner sa vie pour l’humanité. En cela, il est devenu le plus grand. Le Christ nous invite en ce jour à l’humilité et à la vérité.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 19, 2022 | Evangelium
Saturday 20 th august 2022
St. Bernard
of Clairvaux
(1090 – 1153)
He was born in France. In 1112 he joined the new monastery at Cîteaux. Within three years he had been sent out to found a new monastery at Clairvaux, in Champagne, where he remained abbot for the rest of his life. By the time of his death, the Cistercian Order had grown from one house to 343, of which 68 were daughter houses of Clairvaux itself.
Entrance Antiphon
Filled by the Lord with a spirit of understanding, blessed Bernard ministered streams of clear teaching to the people of God.
Collect
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard a man consumed with zeal for your house and a light shining and burning in your Church, grant, through his intercession, that we may be on fire with the same spirit and walk always as children of light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Ezekiel 43:1-7
The angel took me to the gate, the one facing east. I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. A sound came with it, like the sound of the ocean, and the earth shone with his glory. This vision was like the one I had seen when I had come for the destruction of the city, and like the one I had seen on the bank of the river Chebar. Then I prostrated myself. The glory of the Lord arrived at the Temple by the east gate. The spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; I saw the glory of the Lord fill the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from the Temple while the man stood beside me. The voice said, ‘Son of man, this is the dais of my throne, the step on which I rest my feet. I shall live here among the sons of Israel for ever.’
Psalm 84:9-14
R/ The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
- I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace, peace for his people and his friends. His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our land.
- Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven.
- The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:36,29
Alleluia, alleluia! Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 23:1-12
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer to your majesty, O Lord, the Sacrament of unity and peace, as we celebrate the Memorial of the Abbot Saint Bernard, a man outstanding in word and deed, who strove to bring order and concord to your Church. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Jn 15: 9
As the Father loves me, so I also love you; remain in my love, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May the food we have received, O Lord, as we honour Saint Bernard, work its effect in us, so that, strengthened by his example and instructed by his teaching, we may be caught up in love of your incarnate Word. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The issue of humility is clearly presented at the end of the text. Christ describes societal gestures that we find very normal and that we can easily classify as acts of politeness. Giving a place of honour; what could be more normal in a society as stratified as ours? One would start by noticing that even in our churches, seats are often offered according to the posture of the person, on pain committing a crime of lèse majesté. The reverse is also true. When men of the Church are in administrative services, they want politeness to be returned to them and, above all, they want to be served with the utmost diligence. We want our titles (Father, Master, Lord) to suffer no diminution. And God only knows how much more the counter-testimony marks consciences, while wanting to engrave itself in a definitive way.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 18, 2022 | Evangelium
Friday 19 th august 2022
St. John Eudes
(1601 – 1680)
He was born and died in Normandy. He was ordained priest and spent many years preaching parish missions. He organized a congregation of nuns that grew into the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, dedicated to the care of women rescued from a disorderly life, and a congregation of priests dedicated to the running of seminaries.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 83: 10-11
Turn your eyes, O God, our shield; and look on the face of your anointed one; one day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
Collect
O God, who have prepared for those who love you, good things which no eye can see; fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love, so that, loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises which surpass every human desire. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was laid on me, and he carried me away by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley, a valley full of bones. He made me walk up and down among them. There were vast quantities of these bones on the ground the whole length of the valley; and they were quite dried up. He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘You know, Lord.’ He said, ‘Prophesy over these bones. Say, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. The Lord says this to these bones: I am now going to make the breath enter you, and you will live. I shall put sinews on you, I shall make flesh grow on you, I shall cover you with skin and give you breath, and you will live; and you will learn that I am the Lord.”’ I prophesied as I had been ordered. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a sound of clattering; and the bones joined together. I looked, and saw that they were covered with sinews; flesh was growing on them and skin was covering them, but there was no breath in them. He said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man. Say to the breath, “The Lord says this: Come from the four winds, breath; breathe on these dead; let them live!”’ I prophesied as he had ordered me, and the breath entered them; they came to life again and stood up on their feet, a great, an immense army. Then he said, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole House of Israel. They keep saying, “Our bones are dried up, our hope has gone; we are as good as dead.” So prophesy. Say to them, “The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, the Lord, have said and done this – it is the Lord who speaks.”’
Psalm 106(107):2-9
R/ O give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
- Let them say this, the Lord’s redeemed, whom he redeemed from the hand of the foe and gathered from far-off lands, from east and west, north and south.
- Some wandered in the desert, in the wilderness, finding no way to a city they could dwell in. Hungry they were and thirsty; their soul was fainting within them.
- Then they cried to the Lord in their need and he rescued them from their distress and he led them along the right way, to reach a city they could dwell in.
- Let them thank the Lord for his love, for the wonders he does for men: for he satisfies the thirsty soul; he fills the hungry with good things.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:18
Alleluia, alleluia! Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’
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 : Ps 129: 7
With the Lord there is mercy; in him is plentiful redemption.
Prayer after Communion
Made partakers of Christ through these Sacraments, we humbly implore your mercy, Lord, that, conformed to his image on earth, we may merit also to be his coheirs in heaven. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Jesus sums up the essentials of faith and religion in an original response involving the commandment of love. Everything in Christianity must be oriented towards this love of God and neighbour: prayer, listening to the word of God, the sacraments, the Eucharist, all of this is aimed at making this love of God and neighbour grow in us. It is very common these days to see that everything around us is changing, even in religion and in civilisation. Jesus tells us again this morning: What does not change are these two commandments of love: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart… and you must love your neighbour as yourself.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 18, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
VENDREDI 19 AOÛT 2022
St. Jean Eudes, prêtre
D’abord entré à l’Oratoire, où il fut disciple de Bérulle, Jean Eudes (1601-1680) fonda en 1642 la congrégation des prêtres de Jésus et de Marie (Eudistes), pour travailler à la réforme du clergé et prêcher des missions populaires. Il fonda aussi la congrégation féminine de Notre-Dame-de-Charité, dont sortira celle du Bon-Pasteur, pour accueillir les prostituées. Jean Eudes est le promoteur du culte liturgique des Cœurs de Jésus et Marie.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 83, 10-11
Dieu, notre bouclier, regarde : vois le visage de ton Christ. Un jour passé dans ta maison en vaut pour moi plus que mille.
Prière d’ouverture
Pour ceux qui t’aiment, Seigneur, tu as préparé des biens que l’œil ne peut voir : Répands en nos cœurs la ferveur de ta charité, afin que t’aimant en toute chose et par-dessus tout, nous obtenions de toi l’héritage promis qui surpasse tout désir. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ez 37 : 1-14
En ces jours- là, la main du Seigneur se posa sur moi, par son esprit il m’emporta et me déposa au milieu d’une vallée ; elle était pleine d’ossements. Il me fit circuler parmi eux ; le sol de la vallée en était couvert, et ils étaient tout à fait desséchés. Alors le Seigneur me dit : « Fils d’homme, ces ossements peuvent-i ls revivre ? » Je lui répondis : « Seigneur Dieu, c’est toi qui le sais ! » Il me dit alors : « Prophétise sur ces ossements. Tu leur diras : Ossements desséchés, écoutez la parole du Seigneur : Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu à ces ossements : Je vais faire entrer en vous l’esprit, et vous vivrez. Je vais mettre sur vous des nerfs, vous couvrir de chair, et vous revêtir de peau ; je vous donnerai l’esprit, et vous vivrez. Alors vous saurez que Je suis le Seigneur. » Je prophétisai, comme j’en avais reçu l’ordre. Pendant que je prophétisais, il y eut un bruit, puis une violente secousse, et les ossements se rapprochèrent les uns des autres. Je vis qu’ils se couvraient de nerfs, la chair repoussait, la peau les recouvrait, mais il n’y avait pas d’esprit en eux. Le Seigneur me dit alors : « Adresse une prophétie à l’esprit, prophétise, fils d’homme. Dis à l’esprit : Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu : Viens des quatre vents, esprit ! Souffle sur ces morts, et qu’ils vivent ! » Je prophétisai, comme il m’en avait donné l’ordre, et l’esprit entra en eux ; ils revinrent à la vie, et ils se dressèrent sur leurs pieds : c’était une armée immense ! Puis le Seigneur me dit : « Fils d’homme, ces ossements, c’est toute la maison d’Israël. Car ils disent : “Nos ossements sont desséchés, notre espérance est détruite, nous sommes perdus !” C’est pourquoi, prophétise. Tu leur diras : Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu : Je vais ouvrir vos tombeaux et je vous en ferai remonter, ô mon peuple, et je vous ramènerai sur la terre d’Israël. Vous saurez que Je suis le Seigneur, quand j’ouvrirai vos tombeaux et vous en ferai remonter, ô mon peuple ! Je mettrai en vous mon esprit, et vous vivrez ; je vous donnerai le repos sur votre terre. Alors vous saurez que Je suis le Seigneur : j’ai parlé et je le ferai – oracle du Seigneur. »
Psaume : 106 : 2-3. 4-5. 6-7. 8-9
R/ Rendez grâce au Seigneur : Il est bon ! Éternel est son amour !
ou : Alléluia !
- Ils le diront, les rachetés du Seigneur, qu’il racheta de la main de l’oppresseur, qu’il rassembla de tous les pays, du nord et du midi, du levant et du couchant.
- Certains erraient dans le désert sur des chemins perdus, sans trouver de ville où s’établir : ils souffraient la faim et la soif, ils sentaient leur âme défaillir.
- Dans leur angoisse, ils ont crié vers le Seigneur, et lui les a tirés de la détresse : il les conduit sur le bon chemin, les mène vers une ville où s’établir.
- Qu’ils rendent grâce au Seigneur de son amour, de ses merveilles pour les hommes : car il étanche leur soif, il comble de bien les affamés !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia! Fais-moi connaître ta route, mon Dieu ; dirige-moi par ta vérité. Alléluia! (Ps 24, 4b.5a)
Évangile : Matthieu 22, 34-40
En ce temps-là, les pharisiens, apprenant que Jésus avait fermé la bouche aux sadducéens, se réunirent, et l’un d’entre eux, un docteur de la Loi, posa une question à Jésus pour le mettre à l’épreuve : « Maître, dans la Loi, quel est le grand commandement?» Jésus lui répondit: « Tu aimeras le Seigneur ton Dieu de tout ton cœur, de toute ton âme et de tout ton esprit. Voilà le grand, le premier commandement. Et le second lui est semblable : Tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-même. De ces deux commandements dépend toute la Loi, ainsi que les Prophètes. »
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 communion : Ps 129, 7
Auprès du Seigneur est la grâce, l’abondance du rachat.
Prière après la communion
Par cette eucharistie, Seigneur, tu nous as unis davantage au Christ, et nous te supplions encore : Accorde-nous de lui ressembler sur la terre et de partager sa gloire dans le ciel. Lui qui.
Méditation
« Maître, dans la Loi, quel est le grand commandement ? » Le Christ établit clairement la priorité absolue des commandements de l’amour de Dieu et du prochain. Il fait de ces deux commandements le principe unificateur de son évangile. Il nous ramène à l’essentiel de la religion : L’amour de Dieu et du prochain, qui sont entretenus par la prière, l’écoute de la parole de Dieu, les sacrements et l’eucharistie.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Aug 17, 2022 | Evangelium
Thursday 18 th august 2022
St. Helena
She was a native of Bithynia, who married the then Roman general Constantius I. She converted to Christianity and performed many acts of charity, including building churches in Rome and in the Holy Land.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 83: 10-11
Turn your eyes, O God, our shield; and look on the face of your anointed one; one day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
Collect
O God, who have prepared for those who love you, good things which no eye can see; fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love, so that, loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises which surpass every human desire. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Ezekiel 36:23-28
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘I mean to display the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. And the nations will learn that I am the Lord–it is the Lord who speaks– when I display my holiness for your sake before their eyes. Then I am going to take you from among the nations and gather you together from all the foreign countries, and bring you home to your own land. I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in you, and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances. You will live in the land which I gave your ancestors. You shall be my people and I will be your God.’
Psalm 50:12-15,18-19
R/ I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.
- A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
- Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you.
- 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 : Ps118:27
Alleluia, alleluia! Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
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 : Ps 129: 7
With the Lord there is mercy; in him is plentiful redemption.
Prayer after Communion
Made partakers of Christ through these Sacraments, we humbly implore your mercy, Lord, that, conformed to his image on earth, we may merit also to be his coheirs in heaven. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Blessed are we to be invited to the Lord’s Supper! We know the invitation that the priest extends after the Lamb of God. This invitation is addressed to us who have heard the Lord’s call and who are gathered here. It is also addressed to this innumerable crowd, precisely the crowd of those who have put on the garment of good works, the crowd of those who are going to take part in the meal of the lamb. Yes, there are countless guests at the Lord’s Supper. Each of our Eucharists is like an announcement and an anticipation of this great wedding feast.
