by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 7, 2023 | Evangelium
MONday 08 MAY
Blessed Catherine of Saint Augustine
She was born in 1632 in France. She entered the Augustinian Hospitaller Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus in 1644. She spent her life ministering to the poor and sick in Quebec, and died there at the age of 36.
Entrance Antiphon
The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.
Collect
May your right hand, O Lord, we pray, encompass your family with perpetual help, so that, defended from all wickedness by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 14:5-18
Eventually with the connivance of the authorities a move was made by pagans as well as Jews to make attacks on the apostles and to stone them. When the apostles came to hear of this, they went off for safety to Lycaonia where, in the towns of Lystra and Derbe and in the surrounding country, they preached the Good News. A man sat there who had never walked in his life, because his feet were crippled from birth; and as he listened to Paul preaching, he managed to catch his eye. Seeing that the man had the faith to be cured, Paul said in a loud voice, “Get to your feet – stand up”, and the cripple jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done they shouted in the language of Lycaonia, “These people are gods who have come down to us disguised as men.” They addressed Barnabas as Zeus, and since Paul was the principal speaker they called him Hermes. The priests of Zeus-outside-the-Gate, proposing that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold. In the past he allowed each nation to go its own way; but even then he did not leave you without evidence of himself in the good things he does for you: he sends you rain from heaven, he makes your crops grow when they should, he gives you food and makes you happy.” Even this speech, however, was scarcely enough to stop the crowd offering them sacrifice.
Psalm 113B:1-4, 15-16
R/Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory.
Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory for the sake of your love and your truth, lest the heathen say: ‘Where is their God?’
But our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he wills. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
May you be blessed by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The heavens belong to the Lord but the earth he has given to men.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen and shone upon us whom he redeemed with his blood. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.” Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, “Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied: “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words. And my word is not my own: it is the word of the one who sent me. I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.”
Prayer over the Offerings
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord
Communion Antiphon: Jn 14: 27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament, and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation.
Imagine God the Father and the Son deciding to come to you today. Why would they do that? What do they think and say about you on their journey? What gifts do they choose for you? What do they find in you when they arrive? Should I not benefit of their presence, then I am the stumbling block to such great love. The Spirit of Divine Love comes to dwell in me, but does this Spirit encounter warm welcome in me or do I ignore Him? Am I a good child of God who wants to learn? What is the Spirit teaching me here and now at this of encounter? God invites us in Jesus: whoever keeps his commandments, God lives in them.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 6, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Dimanche 07 mai
5ème Dimanche de Pâques
Bienheureuse Gisèle
Elle fut l’épouse du roi saint Étienne de Hongrie, prince d’une grande bonté qui, dit-on, était toujours d’humeur joyeuse. Elle participa avec lui à l’évangélisation de son pays. A la mort du roi, elle fut chassée du royaume et se retira au monastère de Niederburg dont elle devint l’abbesse.
Blanc
Antienne d´ouverture : Ps 97, 1-2
Il est ressuscité, Jésus, le vrai Pasteur, lui qui a donné sa vie pour son troupeau, lui qui a choisi de mourir pour nous sauver, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu qui peux mettre au cœur de tes fidèles un unique désir, donne à ton peuple d’aimer ce que tu commandes et d’attendre ce que tu promets ; pour qu’au milieu des changements de ce monde, nos cœurs s’établissent fermement là où se trouvent les vraies joies. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Ac 6, 1-7
En ces jours-là, comme le nombre des disciples augmentait, les frères de langue grecque récriminèrent contre ceux de langue hébraïque, parce que les veuves de leur groupe étaient désavantagées dans le service quotidien. Les Douze convoquèrent alors l’ensemble des disciples et leur dirent : « Il n’est pas bon que nous délaissions la parole de Dieu pour servir aux tables. Cherchez plutôt, frères, sept d’entre vous, des hommes qui soient estimés de tous, remplis d’Esprit Saint et de sagesse, et nous les établirons dans cette charge. En ce qui nous concerne, nous resterons assidus à la prière et au service de la Parole. » Ces propos plurent à tout le monde, et l’on choisit : Étienne, homme rempli de foi et d’Esprit Saint, Philippe, Procore, Nicanor, Timon, Parménas et Nicolas, un converti au judaïsme, originaire d’Antioche. On les présenta aux Apôtres, et après avoir prié, ils leur imposèrent les mains. La parole de Dieu était féconde, le nombre des disciples se multipliait fortement à Jérusalem, et une grande foule de prêtres juifs parvenaient à l’obéissance de la foi.
Psaume 32 (33), 1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R/ Que ton amour, Seigneur, soit sur nous, comme notre espoir est en toi !
ou : Alléluia ! (Ps 32, 22)
Criez de joie pour le Seigneur, hommes justes ! Hommes droits, à vous la louange ! Rendez grâce au Seigneur sur la cithare, jouez pour lui sur la harpe à dix cordes.
Oui, elle est droite, la parole du Seigneur ; il est fidèle en tout ce qu’il fait. Il aime le bon droit et la justice ; la terre est remplie de son amour.
Dieu veille sur ceux qui le craignent, qui mettent leur espoir en son amour, pour les délivrer de la mort, les garder en vie aux jours de famine.
Deuxième lecture : 1 P 2, 4-9
Bien-aimés, approchez-vous du Seigneur Jésus : il est la pierre vivante rejetée par les hommes, mais choisie et précieuse devant Dieu. Vous aussi, comme pierres vivantes, entrez dans la construction de la demeure spirituelle, pour devenir le sacerdoce saint et présenter des sacrifices spirituels, agréables à Dieu, par Jésus Christ. En effet, il y a ceci dans l’Écriture : Je vais poser en Sion une pierre angulaire, une pierre choisie, précieuse ; celui qui met en elle sa foi ne saurait connaître la honte. Ainsi donc, honneur à vous les croyants, mais, pour ceux qui refusent de croire, il est écrit : La pierre qu’ont rejetée les bâtisseurs est devenue la pierre d’angle, une pierre d’achoppement, un rocher sur lequel on trébuche. Ils achoppent, ceux qui refusent d’obéir à la Parole, et c’est bien ce qui devait leur arriver. Mais vous, vous êtes une descendance choisie, un sacerdoce royal, une nation sainte, un peuple destiné au salut, pour que vous annonciez les merveilles de celui qui vous a appelés des ténèbres à son admirable lumière.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Moi, je suis le Chemin, la Vérité et la Vie, dit le Seigneur. Personne ne va vers le Père sans passer par moi. Alléluia. (Jn 14, 6)
Évangile (Jn 14, 1-12)
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Que votre cœur ne soit pas bouleversé : vous croyez en Dieu, croyez aussi en moi. Dans la maison de mon Père, il y a de nombreuses demeures ; sinon, vous aurais-je dit : ‘Je pars vous préparer une place’ ? Quand je serai parti vous préparer une place, je reviendrai et je vous emmènerai auprès de moi, afin que là où je suis, vous soyez, vous aussi. Pour aller où je vais, vous savez le chemin. » Thomas lui dit : « Seigneur, nous ne savons pas où tu vas. Comment pourrions-nous savoir le chemin ? » Jésus lui répond : « Moi, je suis le Chemin, la Vérité et la Vie ; personne ne va vers le Père sans passer par moi. Puisque vous me connaissez, vous connaîtrez aussi mon Père. Dès maintenant vous le connaissez, et vous l’avez vu. » Philippe lui dit : « Seigneur, montre-nous le Père ; cela nous suffit. » Jésus lui répond : « Il y a si longtemps que je suis avec vous, et tu ne me connais pas, Philippe ! Celui qui m’a vu a vu le Père. Comment peux-tu dire : ‘Montre-nous le Père’ ? Tu ne crois donc pas que je suis dans le Père et que le Père est en moi ! Les paroles que je vous dis, je ne les dis pas de moi-même ; le Père qui demeure en moi fait ses propres œuvres. Croyez-moi : je suis dans le Père, et le Père est en moi ; si vous ne me croyez pas, croyez du moins à cause des œuvres elles-mêmes. Amen, amen, je vous le dis : celui qui croit en moi fera les œuvres que je fais. Il en fera même de plus grandes, parce que je pars vers le Père »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Que nos prières montent vers toi, Seigneur, avec ces offrandes pour le sacrifice ; dans ta bonté, purifie-nous, et nous correspondrons davantage aux sacrements de ton amour. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 14, 27
« C’est la paix que je vous laisse, dit le Seigneur, c’est ma paix que je vous donne; ce n’est pas à la manière du monde que je vous la donne », alléluia
Prière après la communion :
Dieu tout-puissant, dans la résurrection du Christ, tu nous recrées pour la vie éternelle ; multiplie en nous les fruits du sacrement pascal : fais-nous prendre des forces neuves à cette nourriture qui apporte le salut. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
En parcourant les textes de ce jours, défaisons-nous de toute résistance et ouvrons nos cœurs à la présence aimante de Dieu et son action en nous à travers sa parole. En la relisant, une chose se dégage : en effet c’est le désir ardent de Jésus que nous croyions en Lui. Comment est ma foi en Jésus ? Est-elle faible ou forte ? Essayons de faire notre propre introspection. Aussi Jésus veut que nous soyons là où Il est. Quelle est ma motivation face à tous ces appels du Seigneur ?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 6, 2023 | Evangelium
SUNday 07 MAY
5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
SAINT John of Beverley
Psalter week I
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 97: 1-2
O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 6:1-7
About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them, “It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith.
Psalm 32(33):1-2,4-5,18-19
R/ May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for loyal hearts. Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
For the word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love.
The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.
Second reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house. As scripture says: See how I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his trust on it will not be disappointed. That means that for you who are believers, it is precious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has proved to be the keystone, a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down. They stumble over it because they do not believe in the word; it was the fate in store for them. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn14:6
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Alleluia!
Gospel: John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.” “Have I been with you all this time, Philip,” said Jesus to him “and you still do not know me? To have seen me is to have seen the Father, so how can you say, ‘Let us see the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason. I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father.”
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Jn 15: 1, 5
I am the true vine and you are the branches, says the Lord. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, bears fruit in plenty, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation.
We are invited today to meditate upon this Gospel passage. It is perhaps an invitation from the Holy Spirit to go deeper into where that passage leads. Clearly enough, we must let go of any resistance that lives within us and open our heart to God’s loving presence and action in us through his word. One thing stands out in this text: indeed, it is Jesus who is longs for me to believe in Him. How deep is my faith in Jesus? Is it weak or strong? Let us each do an introspection on our love for God. Jesus also wants me to be where He is. What is my motivation regarding all these calls from the Lord?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 5, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Samedi 06 mai
Bienheureuse Prudence ;
Saint Marien
Prudence rejoignit les ermites de saint augustin à Milan. Elle devint abbesse-fondatrice d’un nouveau couvent à Côme, en Italie.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 127, 1-2
Heureux qui craint le Seigneur et marche sur sa route. Il jouira du travail de ses mains. Heureux sera-t-il ! Il connaîtra le bonheur.
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu, Créateur de l’univers, tu veux que l’homme, par son travail, te rende gloire en continuant ton œuvre ; permets, en ta bonté, qu’à l’exemple de saint Joseph et sous sa protection, nous accomplissions les tâches que tu nous donnes, et recevions la joie promise au bon serviteur. Par Jésus Christ
Première lecture : Act 13, 44-52
Le sabbat qui suivait la première prédication de Paul à Antioche de Pisidie, presque toute la ville se rassembla pour entendre la parole du Seigneur. Quand les Juifs virent les foules, ils s’enflammèrent de jalousie ; ils contredisaient les paroles de Paul et l’injuriaient. Paul et Barnabé leur déclarèrent avec assurance : « C’est à vous d’abord qu’il était nécessaire d’adresser la parole de Dieu. Puisque vous la rejetez et que vous-mêmes ne vous jugez pas dignes de la vie éternelle, eh bien ! nous nous tournons vers les nations païennes. C’est le commandement que le Seigneur nous a donné : J’ai fait de toi la lumière des nations pour que, grâce à toi, le salut parvienne jusqu’aux extrémités de la terre. » En entendant cela, les païens étaient dans la joie et rendaient gloire à la parole du Seigneur ; tous ceux qui étaient destinés à la vie éternelle devinrent croyants. Ainsi la parole du Seigneur se répandait dans toute la région. Mais les Juifs provoquèrent l’agitation parmi les femmes de qualité adorant Dieu, et parmi les notables de la cité ; ils se mirent à poursuivre Paul et Barnabé, et les expulsèrent de leur territoire. Ceux-ci secouèrent contre eux la poussière de leurs pieds et se rendirent à Iconium, tandis que les disciples étaient remplis de joie et d’Esprit Saint.
Psaume 97 (98), 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R/ a terre tout entière a vu le salut que Dieu nous donne. Ou : Alléluia !
1. Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, car il a fait des merveilles ; par son bras très saint, par sa main puissante, il s’est assuré la victoire.
2. Le Seigneur a fait connaître sa victoire, et révélé sa justice aux nations ; il s’est rappelé sa fidélité, son amour, en faveur de la maison d’Israël.
3. La terre tout entière a vu la victoire de notre Dieu. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, sonnez, chantez, jouez !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Si vous demeurez dans ma parole, vous êtes vraiment mes disciples ; alors vous connaîtrez la vérité, dit le Seigneur. Alléluia. (Jn 8, 31b- 32)
Évangile : Jean 14, 7-14
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Puisque vous me connaissez, vous connaîtrez aussi mon Père. Dès maintenant vous le connaissez, et vous l’avez vu. » Philippe lui dit : « Seigneur, montre-nous le Père ; cela nous suffit. » Jésus lui répond : « Il y a si longtemps que je suis avec vous, et tu ne me connais pas, Philippe ! Celui qui m’a vu a vu le Père. Comment peux- tu dire : “Montre-nous le Père ?” Tu ne crois donc pas que je suis dans le Père et que le Père est en moi ! Les paroles que je vous dis, je ne les dis pas de moi-même ; le Père qui demeure en moi fait ses propres œuvres. Croyez-moi : je suis dans le Père, et le Père est en moi ; si vous ne me croyez pas, croyez du moins à cause des œuvres elles-mêmes. Amen, amen, je vous le dis : celui qui croit en moi fera les œuvres que je fais. Il en fera même de plus grandes, parce que je pars vers le Père, et tout ce que vous demanderez en mon nom, je le ferai, afin que le Père soit glorifié dans le Fils. Quand vous me demanderez quelque chose en mon nom, moi, je le ferai. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Seigneur, source de tout bienfait, regarde les présents déposés devant toi pour la fête de saint Joseph : permets que cette offrande devienne le secours dont nous avons besoin. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Col 3, 17
Tout ce que vous dites, tout ce que vous faites, que ce soit toujours au nom du Seigneur Jésus Christ, en offrant par lui votre action de grâce à Dieu le Père.
Prière après la communion :
Tu nous as donné, Seigneur, de goûter aux joies du ciel et nous te supplions encore : fais-nous témoigner, comme saint Joseph, de la charité que tu as répandue dans nos cœurs, et nous connaîtrons la paix qui n’a pas de fin. Par Jésus
MÉDITATION
Celui qui m’a vu a vu le Père. C’est l’une des déclarations importantes du Nouveau Testament. Jésus conseille que la meilleure façon de savoir qui est le Père c’est de le regarder et adopter la façon dont il s’est comporté. Quand nous voyons sa bonté, sa proximité avec les pécheurs et les marginalisés, quand nous voyons à quel point il était prêt à partager notre condition humaine, nous voyons le Père. Cela peut parfois me surprendre, mais cela m’ouvre certainement le cœur. Remercions Dieu de nous avoir permis de le connaître si facilement. « J’ai été avec toi tout ce temps, Philippe, et tu ne me connais toujours pas ? » Ces mots s’adressent aussi à nous. Je suis avec Jésus depuis tant d’années, mais est-ce que je le connais vraiment ? Comme toute autre relation, ma relation avec Jésus peut grandir, mais cela demande de l’engagement et du temps. Remercions donc le seigneur Jésus pour la qualité de notre relation, et demandons Lui de nous aider à le connaître encore plus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 5, 2023 | Evangelium
SATURday 06 MAY
Blessed François de Laval
He was the first bishop of New France. He founded a seminary and had schools and churches built. He resigned his bishopric in 1684 but remained in New France and acted as deputy to his successor.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. 1 Pt 2: 9
O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who in the celebration of Easter graciously give to the world the healing of heavenly remedies, show benevolence to your Church, that our present observance may benefit us for eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 13:44-52
The next Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, prompted by jealousy, used blasphemies and contradicted everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. “We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans. For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said: ‘I have made you a light for the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’” It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside. But the Jews worked upon some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in defiance and went off to Iconium; but the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 97(98):1-4
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.
The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
Gospel Acclamation: Rm6:9
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again. Death has no power over him anymore. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.” “Have I been with you all this time, Philip,” said Jesus to him, “and you still do not know me? To have seen me is to have seen the Father, so how can you say, ‘Let us see the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason. I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask for in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 17: 24
Father, I wish that, where I am, those you gave me may also be with me, that they may see the glory that you gave me, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
We have partaken of the gifts of this sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O Lord, that what your Son commanded us to do in memory of him may bring us growth in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation.
He who has seen me has seen the Father. This is one of the most important statements in the New Testament: Jesus tells us: the best way to know the Father is to look at him. When we see his goodness, his closeness to sinners and those marginalized by society, when we see how willing he is to share our human condition, we see the Father. This may surprise us at times, but it certainly opens our heart. Thank God for letting us to know him so easily. Jesus said to him: “I have been with you all this time, Philip, and you still don’t know me?” These words are being addressed to us today. I have been with Jesus for so many years, but do I really know him? Like any other relationship, my relationship with Jesus can grow, but it takes commitment and time. Thank Jesus for the quality of your relationship, and ask him to help you get to know him even better.
