by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 30, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
LUNDI 01 MAI
SAINT JOSEPH TRAVAILLEUR
Saint Joseph, travailleur Instituée par Pie XII en 1955, cette fête a pour but de rendre lucide et efficace la lutte des chrétiens pour libérer les travailleurs de toute oppression. Fêter Saint Joseph dans son rôle de charpentier, de travailleur manuel, c’est rappeler dans quel milieu Jésus a voulu naître, a reçu sa formation humaine, a vécu trente ans de sa vie ; il a vraiment partagé la condition ouvrière de Joseph, après avoir beaucoup reçu de cet artisan qui joua auprès de lui le rôle de père. Mais si le travail est pour l’homme source de sagesse et moyen de servir la communauté de ses frères, il y a des conditions de travail déshumanisantes, qui réduisent l’ouvrier à un asservissement incompatible avec la dignité humaine.
Antienne d’ouverture
Que ma bouche soit remplie de ta louange ; Seigneur, tu m’as rendu la vie : sur mes lèvres la joie chantera, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui aimes l’innocence et la fais recouvrer, oriente vers toi le cœur de tes fidèles : tu les as libérés des ténèbres de l’incroyance, fais qu’ils n’abandonnent jamais la lumière de ta vérité. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Act. 15, 1-6
En ces jours-là, des gens, venus de Judée à Antioche, enseignaient les frères en disant :« Si vous n’acceptez pas la circoncision selon la coutume qui vient de Moïse, vous ne pouvez pas être sauvés. » Cela provoqua un affrontement ainsi qu’une vive discussion engagée par Paul et Barnabé contre ces gens-là. Alors on décida que Paul et Barnabé, avec quelques autres frères, monteraient à Jérusalem auprès des Apôtres et des Anciens pour discuter de cette question. L’Église d’Antioche facilita leur voyage. Ils traversèrent la Phénicie et la Samarie en racontant la conversion des nations, ce qui remplissait de joie tous les frères. À leur arrivée à Jérusalem, ils furent accueillis par l’Église, les Apôtres et les Anciens, et ils rapportèrent tout ce que Dieu avait fait avec eux. Alors quelques membres du groupe des pharisiens qui étaient devenus croyants intervinrent pour dire qu’il fallait circoncire les païens et leur ordonner d’observer la loi de Moïse. Les Apôtres et les Anciens se réunirent pour examiner cette affaire.
Psaume 121 (122), 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R/ Dans la joie, nous irons à la maison du Seigneur.
Ou : Alléluia
Quelle joie quand on m’a dit: « Nous irons à la maison du Seigneur ! » Maintenant notre marche prend fin devant tes portes, Jérusalem !
Jérusalem, te voici dans tes murs: ville où tous ensemble ne fait qu’un ! C’est là que montent les tribus, les tribus du Seigneur.
C’est là qu’Israël doit rendre grâce au nom du Seigneur. C’est là le siège du droit, le siège de la maison de David.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Demeurez-en moi, comme moi en vous, dit le Seigneur ; celui qui demeure en moi porte beaucoup de fruit.Alléluia. (Jn 15, 4a.5b)
Évangile : Jean 15, 1-8
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Moi, je suis la vraie vigne, et mon Père est le vigneron. Tout sarment qui est en moi, mais qui ne porte pas de fruit, mon Père l’enlève ; tout sarment qui porte du fruit, il le purifie en le taillant, pour qu’il en porte davantage. Mais vous, déjà vous voici purifiés grâce à la parole que je vous ai dite. Demeurez-en moi, comme moi en vous. De même que le sarment ne peut pas porter de fruit par lui-même s’il ne demeure pas sur la vigne, de même vous non plus, si vous ne demeurez pas en moi. Moi, je suis la vigne, et vous, les sarments. Celui qui demeure en moi et en qui je demeure, celui-là porte beaucoup de fruit, car, en dehors de moi, vous ne pouvez rien faire. Si quelqu’un ne demeure pas en moi, il est, comme le sarment, jeté dehors, et il se dessèche. Les sarments secs, on les ramasse, on les jette au feu, et ils brûlent. Si vous demeurez en moi, et que mes paroles demeurent en vous, demandez tout ce que vous voulez, et cela se réalisera pour vous. Ce qui fait la gloire de mon Père, c’est que vous portiez beaucoup de fruit et que vous soyez pour moi des disciples. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Donne-nous, Seigneur, de te rendre grâce toujours par ces mystères de Pâques ; ils continuent en nous ton œuvre de rédemption, qu’ils nous soient une source intarissable de joie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Rm 6, 8
Le Seigneur est ressuscité, et nous qu’il a rachetés par son sang, il nous remplit de sa lumière, alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Écoute nos prières, Seigneur : que cet échange mystérieux où l’homme est racheté nous soutienne durant la vie présente et nous apporte les joies éternelles. Par Jésus
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 30, 2023 | Evangelium
monday 01 MAY
SAINT Joseph the Worker
The feast of St. Joseph the Worker was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in order to Christianize the concept of labour and give to all workmen a model and a protector
Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Collect
O God, perfect light of the blessed, by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to rejoice in the full measure of your grace for ages unending. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 11:1-18
The apostles and the brothers in Judaea heard that the pagans too had accepted the word of God, and when Peter came up to Jerusalem the Jews criticised him and said, ‘So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them, have you?’ Peter in reply gave them the details point by point: ‘One day, when I was in the town of Jaffa,’ he began ‘I fell into a trance as I was praying and had a vision of something like a big sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. This sheet reached the ground quite close to me. I watched it intently and saw all sorts of animals and wild beasts – everything possible that could walk, crawl or fly. Then I heard a voice that said to me, “Now, Peter; kill and eat!” But I answered: Certainly not, Lord; nothing profane or unclean has ever crossed my lips. And a second time the voice spoke from heaven, “What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane.” This was repeated three times, before the whole of it was drawn up to heaven again. ‘Just at that moment, three men stopped outside the house where we were staying; they had been sent from Caesarea to fetch me, and the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going back with them. The six brothers here came with me as well, and we entered the man’s house. He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, “Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter; he has a message for you that will save you and your entire household.” ‘I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I realised then that God was giving them the identical thing he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?’ This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’
Psalm 41:2-3, 42:3-4
R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?
O send forth your light and your truth; let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:11-18
Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. ‘The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation.
Today again, Jesus identifies himself with the Shepherd who spends most of his life with his sheep. His responsibility is to protect us. So, Jesus is with us all the time, and he shields us from the dangers of life. He protects us – his sheep – from the wolves and all the predators who want to snatch us away from Him. However, it is up to us to choose him over ourselves and everything around us. Otherwise, we become an obstacle for God to love us. We must feel safe with our God because He is our true refuge. He never tires of taking care of us. He knows us and calls us to him by name. Let us listen to Him and seal a true bond with Him as our Shepherd. Let us implore Him through the intercession of St. Joseph to respond courageously to His voice. Amen.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 29, 2023 | Evangelium
SUNday 30 APRIL
4th Sunday of Easter
Psalter iv
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 32: 5-6
The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 2:14,36-41
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: “The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, “What must we do, brothers?” “You must repent,” Peter answered “and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.” He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation.” They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
Psalm 22(23)
R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Second reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing punishment patiently when you are punished after doing your duty. This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Jesus said: “I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.” Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them. So Jesus spoke to them again: “I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look upon your flock, kind Shepherd, and be pleased to settle in eternal pastures, the sheep you have redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
On this fourth Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Good Shepherd. Jesus’ teaching is clear that he who does not enter through the gate is a thief. Only the true shepherd can call each of his sheep by name; intimacy is established between the shepherd and the sheep. In both cases, Jesus is the true shepherd who knows and cares for the sheep. And he affirms that he is the door through which the sheep go. In other words, he is the one who opens to freedom. With him, a believer is not a prisoner of himself, nor of his sins, nor of his humanity. In Jesus, we have the perfect man. Through him, we have access to the Father, and to His divinity.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 28, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAMEDI 29 AVRIL
SAINTE Catherine de Sienne,
Vierge et Docteur de l’Église
L’interdiction d’accéder aux ordres sacrés n’a pas empêché des femmes, à la personnalité très forte, de jouer un rôle important dans l’histoire de l’Église. Ce fut le cas d’une jeune Siennoise, tertiaire dominicaine, morte à trente-trois ans. A vingt ans déjà, Catherine Benincasa (1347-1380) groupait autour d’elle toute une ‘’famille’’ de disciples attirés par sa vie de prière et de pénitence.
Antienne d’ouverture : Col 2;12
Par le baptême, vous avez été mis au tombeau avec le Christ, avec lui vous avez été ressuscités, parce que vous avez cru en la force de Dieu qui a ressuscité le Christ d’entre les morts, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui renouvelles par le Baptême ceux qui croient en toi, protège leur naissance dans le Christ : défends-les contre les assauts du mal pour qu’ils répondent fidèlement à ta grâce. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Ac 9, 31-42
En ces jours-là, l’Église était en paix dans toute la Judée, la Galilée et la Samarie ; elle se construisait et elle marchait dans la crainte du Seigneur; réconfortée par l’Esprit Saint, elle se multipliait. Or, il arriva que Pierre, parcourant tout le pays, se rendit aussi chez les fidèles qui habitaient Lod. Il y trouva un homme du nom d’Énéas, alité depuis huit ans parce qu’il était paralysé. Pierre lui dit: « Énéas, Jésus Christ te guérit, lève-toi et fais ton lit toi-même. » Et aussitôt il se leva. Alors tous les habitants de Lod et de la plaine de Sarone purent le voir, et ils se convertirent en se tournant vers le Seigneur. Il y avait aussi à Jaffa une femme disciple du Seigneur nommée Tabitha, ce qui se traduit : Dorcas (c’est-à-dire: Gazelle). Elle était riche des bonnes œuvres et des aumônes qu’elle faisait. Or, il arriva en ces jours-là qu’elle tomba malade et qu’elle mourut. Après la toilette funèbre, on la déposa dans la chambre haute. Comme Lod est près de Jaffa, les disciples, apprenant que Pierre s’y trouvait, lui envoyèrent deux hommes avec cet appel : « Viens chez nous sans tarder. » Pierre se mit en route avec eux. À son arrivée on le fit monter à la chambre haute. Toutes les veuves en larmes s’approchèrent de lui ; elles lui montraient les tuniques et les manteaux confectionnés par Dorcas quand celle-ci était avec elles. Pierre mit tout le monde dehors; il se mit à genoux et pria ; puis il se tourna vers le corps, et il dit : « Tabitha, lève-toi! » Elle ouvrit les yeux et, voyant Pierre, elle se redressa et s’assit. Pierre, lui donnant la main, la fit lever. Puis il appela les fidèles et les veuves et la leur présenta vivante. La chose fut connue dans toute la ville de Jaffa, et beaucoup crurent au Seigneur.
Psaume : 115 (116b), 12-13, 14-15
R/ Comment rendrai-je au Seigneur tout le bien qu’il m’a fait ?
Comment rendrai-je au Seigneur tout le bien qu’il m’a fait ? J’élèverai la coupe du salut, j’invoquerai le nom du Seigneur.
Je tiendrai mes promesses au Seigneur, oui, devant tout son peuple ! Il en coûte au Seigneur de voir mourir les siens !
Ne suis-je pas, Seigneur, ton serviteur, moi, dont tu brisas les chaînes ? Je t’offrirai le sacrifice d’action de grâce, j’invoquerai le nom du Seigneur.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie. Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 6, 63c.68c)
Evangile : Jn 6, 60-69
En ce temps-là, Jésus avait donné un enseignement dans la synagogue de Capharnaüm. Beaucoup de ses disciples, qui avaient entendu, déclarèrent: « Cette parole est rude ! Qui peut l’entendre ? » Jésus savait en lui- même que ses disciples récriminaient à son sujet. Il leur dit : « Cela vous scandalise ? Et quand vous verrez le Fils de l’homme monter là où il était auparavant !… C’est l’esprit qui fait vivre, la chair n’est capable de rien. Les paroles que je vous ai dites sont esprit et elles sont vie. Mais il y en a parmi vous qui ne croient pas.» Jésus savait en effet depuis le commencement quels étaient ceux qui ne croyaient pas, et qui était celui qui le livrerait. Il ajouta: « Voilà pourquoi je vous ai dit que personne ne peut venir à moi si cela ne lui est pas donné par le Père.» À partir de ce moment, beaucoup de ses disciples s’en retournèrent et cessèrent de l’accompagner. Alors Jésus dit aux Douze : « Voulez-vous partir, vous aussi? » Simon-Pierre lui répondit: « Seigneur, à qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. Quant à nous, nous croyons, et nous savons que tu es le Saint de Dieu. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois avec bonté, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple : garde-le sous ta protection, pour qu’il ne perde aucun des biens que tu lui donnes, et découvre ceux qui demeurent toujours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Jésus priait ainsi : « Pour ceux qui croiront en moi, je te demande, Père, qu’ils soient un en nous, afin que le monde reconnaisse que tu m’as envoyé », alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Ne cesse pas de protéger avec amour, Seigneur, ceux que tu as sauvés : la passion de ton Fils les a rachetés, qu’ils mettent leur joie dans sa résurrection. Lui qui.
Méditation
Jesus se tourne vers les douze : « Voulez partir, vous aussi ? » . Cette question invite à prendre une décision personnelle de foi, à faire un choix et à s’engager à la suite de Jésus. L’évangile de Jean met son lecteur face à un choix : croire en Jésus ou ne pas croire, sachant que choisir le Christ c’est choisir la vie et la lumière. Simon Pierre, quoi que l’enseignement de Jésus est difficile et radical, croit ferment qu’il n’y a pas de vie en dehors de Jésus ; il va répondre au nom des douze : « Seigneur, à qui irions-nous ? Par leur fidélité, les Douze témoignent de leur attachement au Maître et Seigneur. Ils iront jusqu’au bout avec lui et découvriront jour après jour le bonheur de partager sa vie jusqu’à donner leur vie pour lui. Si la radicalité évangélique invite à un dépassent de soi et un défi dans une monde de facilité et de légèreté, la foi par laquelle nous restons fidèle au Christ est aussi un acte de Confiance en Jésus qui fait notre force.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 28, 2023 | Evangelium
SATURday 29 APRIL
SAINT Catherine OF SienA
Born in Siena, she entered Third Order of the Dominicans. She is remembered for her burning love of God and neighbour and contributions to doctrine. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Entrance Antiphon
Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion and her service of your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 9:31-42
The Churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Peter visited one place after another and eventually came to the saints living down in Lydda. There he found a man called Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you: get up and fold up your sleeping mat.” Aeneas got up immediately; everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they were all converted to the Lord. At Jaffa there was a woman disciple called Tabitha, or Dorcas in Greek, who never tired of doing good or giving in charity. But the time came when she got ill and died, and they washed her and laid her out in a room upstairs. Lydda is not far from Jaffa, so when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men with an urgent message for him, “Come and visit us as soon as possible.” Peter went back with them straightaway, and on his arrival they took him to the upstairs room, where all the widows stood round him in tears, showing him tunics and other clothes Dorcas had made when she was with them. Peter sent them all out of the room and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the dead woman and said, “Tabitha, stand up.” She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to her feet, then he called in the saints and widows and showed them she was alive. The whole of Jaffa heard about it and many believed in the Lord.
Psalm 115:12-17
R/ How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! We know that Christ is truly risen from the dead: have mercy on us, triumphant King. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6:60-69
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, “This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?” Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, “Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, “This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.” After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him. Then Jesus said to the Twelve, “What about you, do you want to go away too?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the saving sacrifice we offer in commemoration of Saint Catherine, so that, instructed by her teaching, we may give ever more fervent thanks to you, the one true God. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Jn 1: 7
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly table at which we have been fed, O Lord, confer eternal life upon us, as even in this world it nourished the life of Saint Catherine. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus has just told the disciples that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood to have life. For many, this is intolerable. They decide to leave him. Jesus respects the freedom of his disciples and lets them go. Then he turns to the twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” (Jn 6: 67). This question invites them to make a personal decision of faith, to make a choice and to follow Jesus. John’s Gospel confronts his readers with a choice: to believe in Jesus or not, knowing that to choose Christ is to choose life and light. Simon Peter knows this; even though Jesus’ teaching is difficult and radical, he firmly believes that there is no life outside of Jesus; so he answers on behalf of the twelve: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. As for us, we believe, and we know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6: 68-69) By their faithfulness, the Twelve testify their attachment to the Master and Lord. They will go to the end with him and will discover day after day the joy of sharing his life to the point of giving their lives for him. If the radical nature of the Gospel invites us to go beyond and to challenge ourselves in a world of ease and lightness, the faith by which we remain faithful to Christ is also an act of trust in Jesus which makes us strong.
