by | May 30, 2022 | Evangelium

Tuesday 31 st may 2022

 

he Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we are celebrating the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:  Come let us sing to the Lord.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 65: 16

Come and hear, all who fear God; I will tell what the Lord did for my soul.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth, grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Zephaniah 3:14-18

Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.

 

Canticle : Isaiah 12

R/ The rejoicing of a redeemed people

 

  1. Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear. For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
  2. Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name! Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples! Declare the greatness of his name. Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
  3. Sing a psalm to the Lord for he has done glorious deeds; make them known to all the earth! People of Zion, sing and shout for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Lk1:45

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors – of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May our offering of this saving sacrifice be acceptable to your majesty, O Lord, as you were pleased to accept the charity of the most Blessed Mother of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

Communion Antiphon : Lk 1: 48-49

All generations will call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

 

Prayer after Communion

May your Church proclaim your greatness, O God, for you have done great things for your  faithful, and, as Saint John the Baptist leapt with joy when he first sensed the hidden presence of Christ, so may your Church rejoice to receive in this Sacrament the same ever-living Lord. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

 

Meditation

True love knows no boundary. Today we see it in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. We see Mary as caring and loving. Regardless of the fact that she was given the good news of her conception, she decides to forego her own excitement and accepts in without delay to assist and care for the aged Elizabeth. We can learn much from Mary. We are called upon to live in constant selflessness. How often are we willing to offer support to those who need it and those who do not necessarily deserve it due to their behaviour? Are we ready to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of others? In Mary is a clarion call to selfless giving of our time, talents and treasures.

by | May 30, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

 Mardi 31 Mai 2022

 

Visitation de la Vierge Marie

 

Deux femmes se rencontrent ; elles vont être mères, bien que l’une soit vierge et l’autre très âgée. Pourquoi saint Luc rapporte-t-il cette rencontre ? Parce que, dans le sein de la Vierge, la présence du Christ se révèle déjà par la joie qu’elle suscite. Jean, qui sera le précurseur de Jésus, tressaille d’allégresse et la vieille Élisabeth, qui le porte en elle, proclame qu’en Marie, le Seigneur est présent. Quant à la Vierge, elle chante son action de grâce pour le salut que son enfant accomplira.

 

Antienne d’ouverture

Venez, vous tous qui craignez Dieu ; écoutez, que je vous dis tout ce que le Seigneur a fait pour moi.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu tout puissant, tu as inspiré à la Vierge Marie qui porta en elle ton propre Fil, de visiter sa cousine Élisabeth ; accorde-nous d’être docile au souffle de l’Esprit afin de pouvoir nous aussi te magnifier éternellement. Par Jésus.

 

1ère lecture : Sophonie 3, 14-18

Pousse des cris de joie, fille de Sion! Éclate en ovations, Israël! Réjouis-toi, de tout ton cœur bondis de joie, fille de Jérusalem!  Le Seigneur a levé les sentences qui pesaient sur toi, il a écarté tes ennemis. Le roi d’Israël, le Seigneur, est en toi. Tu n’as plus à craindre le malheur.  Ce jour-là, on dira à Jérusalem: « Ne crains pas, Sion ! Ne laisse pas tes mains défaillir! Le Seigneur ton Dieu est en toi, c’est lui, le héros qui apporte le salut. Il aura en toi sa joie et son allégresse, il te renouvellera par son amour ; il exultera pour toi et se réjouira, comme aux jours de fête. » J’ai écarté de toi le malheur, pour que tu ne subisses plus l’humiliation.

 

Cantique : Is 12, 2, 3, 4abcd

R/ Il est grand au milieu de toi, le Dieu Saint d’Israël. (cf. Is 12, 6b)

 

  1. Voici le Dieu qui me sauve: j’ai confiance, je n’ai plus de crainte. Ma force et mon chant, c’est le Seigneur; il est pour moi le salut.
  2. Exultant de joie, vous puiserez les eaux aux sources du salut.
  3. Ce jour-là, vous direz : « Rendez grâce au Seigneur, proclamez son nom, annoncez parmi les peuples ses hauts faits ! »
  4. Redites-le : « Sublime est son nom ! » Jouez pour le Seigneur, il montre sa magnificence, et toute la terre le sait.
  5. Jubilez, criez de joie, habitants de Sion, car il est grand au milieu de toi, le Saint d’Israël !

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Heureuse es-tu, Vierge Marie, toi qui as cru que s’accompliraient pour toi les paroles du Seigneur. Alléluia. (cf. Lc 1, 45)

 

Évangile : Luc 1, 39-56

En ces jours-là, Marie se mit en route et se rendit avec empressement vers la région montagneuse, dans une ville de Judée. Elle entra dans la maison de Zacharie et salua Élisabeth. Or, quand Élisabeth entendit la salutation de Marie, l’enfant tressaillit en elle. Alors, Élisabeth fut remplie d’Esprit Saint, et s’écria d’une voix forte : « Tu es bénie entre toutes les femmes, et le fruit de tes entrailles est béni.   D’où m’est-il donné que la mère de mon Seigneur vienne jusqu’à moi ? Car, lorsque tes paroles de salutation sont parvenues à mes oreilles, l’enfant a tressailli d’allégresse en moi. Heureuse celle qui a cru à l’accomplissement des paroles qui lui furent dites de la part du Seigneur.  Marie dit alors : « Mon âme exalte le Seigneur, exulte mon esprit en Dieu, mon Sauveur ! Il s’est penché sur son humble servante ; désormais tous les âges me diront bienheureuse.  Le Puissant fit pour moi des merveilles; Saint est son nom ! Sa miséricorde s’étend d’âge en âge sur ceux qui le craignent. Déployant la force de son bras, il disperse les superbes. Il renverse les puissants de leurs trônes, il élève les humbles. Il comble de biens les affamés, renvoie les riches les mains vides Il relève Israël son serviteur, il se souvient de son amour de la promesse faite à nos pères, en faveur d’Abraham et sa descendance à jamais. » Marie resta avec Élisabeth environ trois mois, puis elle s’en retourna chez elle.

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Tu as aimé, Seigneur, l’empressement de la Vierge Marie ; accepte aussi avec bonté le sacrifice que nous offrons pour notre salut. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de communion

Que ton Eglise te magnifie, Seigneur, pour tant de merveille comme Jean Baptiste à tressaillir d’allégresse en discernant le Christ avec sa naissance, qu’elle accueille avec joie dans l’eucharistie ce même Christ toujours vivant. Lui qui règne.

 

Prière après la communion

Mon exalte le Seigneur, exulte mon esprit en Dieu mon sauveur !

 

Méditation

Marie et Élisabeth ont toutes deux bénéficié de la grâce de Dieu. elles se retrouvent et manifestent leur joie reçue de Dieu. Elles sont heureuses de voir que Dieu est à l’œuvre dans leur vie pour le salut de l’humanité. Si Élisabeth porte le dernier des prophètes, Marie porte le sauveur du monde. Par eux, une nouvelle ère s’ouvre pour le monde. Le temps de la présence de Dieu aux côtés de son peuple. Ainsi, la fête de la visitation n’est pas seulement Marie qui va à la rencontre d’Élisabeth, c’est déjà Dieu qui fait la rencontre de son peuple. Ouvrons nos cœurs pour l’accueillir et chantons le magnificat avec Marie.

by | May 29, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

 Lundi 30 Mai 2022

 

Ste. Jeanne d’Arc,

Vierge

 

Paysanne de Domremy, Jeanne (1412-1431) fait preuve d’une sagesse surnaturelle dans l’accomplissement d’une mission qu’elle dit avoir reçue du ciel et pour laquelle elle donnera sa vie. Condamnée par un tribunal ecclésiastique aux ordres de ses ennemis politiques, elle meurt sur le bûcher à Rouen en invoquant le nom de Jésus. Elle reste un modèle par sa pureté et sa force, sa fidélité à la volonté de Dieu et son sens de l’Église.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ac 1, 8

Vous allez recevoir une force, celle du Saint-Esprit qui viendra sur vous ; alors vous serez mes témoins jusqu’aux extrémités de la terre, alléluia

 

Prière d’ouverture

Seigneur, nous t’en prions : que descende sur nous la force de l’Esprit Saint pour que nous puissions discerner ta volonté et l’accomplir tout au long de notre vie. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Act. 19, 1-8

Pendant qu’Apollos était à Corinthe, Paul traversait le haut pays ; il arriva à Éphèse, où il trouva quelques disciples. Il leur demanda : « Lorsque vous êtes devenus croyants, avez-vous reçu l’Esprit Saint ? » Ils lui répondirent : « Nous n’avons même pas entendu dire qu’il y a un Esprit Saint. » Paul reprit : « Quel baptême avez-vous donc reçu ? » Ils répondirent: « Celui de Jean le Baptiste. » Paul dit alors : « Jean donnait un baptême de conversion :il disait au peuple de croire en celui qui devait venir après lui, c’est-à-dire en Jésus. » Après l’avoir entendu, ils se firent baptiser au nom du Seigneur Jésus. Et quand Paul leur eut imposé les mains, l’Esprit Saint vint sur eux, et ils se mirent à parler en langues mystérieuses et à prophétiser. Ils étaient une douzaine d’hommes au total. Paul se rendit à la synagogue où, pendant trois mois, il prit la parole avec assurance; il discutait et usait d’arguments persuasifs à propos du royaume de Dieu.

Psaume 67 (68), 2-3, 4-5, 6-7ab

R/ Royaumes de la terre, 67, 33a chantez pour le Seigneur.

ou : Alléluia !

 

  1. Dieu se lève et ses ennemis se dispersent, ses adversaires fuient devant sa face. Comme on dissipe une fumée, tu les dissipes ; comme on voit fondre la cire en face du feu, les impies disparaissent devant la face de Dieu.
  2. Mais les justes sont en fête, ils exultent ; devant la face de Dieu ils dansent de joie. Chantez pour Dieu, jouez pour son nom, frayez la route à celui qui chevauche les nuées. Son nom est Le Seigneur ; dansez devant sa face.
  3. Père des orphelins, défenseur des veuves, tel est Dieu dans sa sainte demeure. À l’isolé, Dieu accorde une maison ; aux captifs, il rend la liberté.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Si vous êtes ressuscités avec le Christ, recherchez les réalités d’en haut: c’est là qu’est le Christ, assis à la droite de Dieu. Alléluia. (Col 3, 1)

 

Évangile : Jean 16, 29-33

En ce temps-là, les disciples de Jésus lui dirent : « Voici que tu parles ouvertement et non plus en images. Maintenant nous savons que tu sais toutes choses et tu n’as pas besoin qu’on t’interroge : voilà pourquoi nous croyons que tu es sorti de Dieu. » Jésus leur répondit : «Maintenant vous croyez ! Voici que l’heure vient – déjà elle est venue –où vous serez dispersés chacun de son côté, et vous me laisserez seul ; mais je ne suis pas seul, puisque le Père est avec moi. Je vous ai parlé ainsi, afin qu’en moi vous ayez la paix. Dans le monde, vous avez à souffrir, mais courage! Moi, je suis vainqueur du monde. »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Que le sacrifice parfait de Jésus Christ nous purifie, Seigneur : qu’il donne à nos âmes l’énergie qui vient d’en haut. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de communion : Jn 14, 18; 16, 22

« Je ne vous laisserai pas orphelins, dit le Seigneur, je reviens vers vous, et votre joie, nul ne vous l’enlèvera», alléluia

 

Prière après la communion

Dieu très bon, reste auprès de ton peuple, car sans toi notre vie tombe en ruine ; fais passer à une vie nouvelle ceux que tu as initiées aux sacrements de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.

 

Méditation

Ce passage du livre des Actes des apôtres nous invite à grandir dans notre foi. Jésus vient de passer trois ans de formation de ses disciples. Il estime à présent qu’ils sont capables d’entendre les choses dites comme elles le sont. Nul n’est plus besoin d’utiliser des images. Plus nous grandissons dans notre relation avec Dieu, plus celui-ci se laisse trouver. Avançons donc chaque jour dans notre connaissance de Dieu, Il saura se révéler à nous.

by | May 29, 2022 | Evangelium

 

Monday 30th may 2022

 

  1. Luke Kirby

(c.1549-1582)

He was born in England and was ordained priest at Cambrai. In June 1580, he came to England He was immediately arrested and committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster. He died on May 1582.

Entrance Antiphon : Acts 1: 8

You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be my witnesses, even to the ends of the earth, alleluia.

 

Collect

May the power of the Holy Spirit come to us, we pray, O Lord, that we may keep your will faithfully in mind and express it in a devout way of 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 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men. He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.

 

Psalm 67(68):2-7

R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

 

  1. Let God arise, let his foes be scattered. Let those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is blown away so will they be blown away; like wax that melts before the fire, so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God.
  2. But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God, they shall exult and dance for joy. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name; rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
  3. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, such is God in his holy place. God gives the lonely a home to live in; he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Jn16:28

Alleluia, alleluia! I came from the Father  and have come into the world, and now I leave the world to go to the Father. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : John 16:29-33

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them: ‘Do you believe at last? Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already – when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May this unblemished sacrifice purify us, O Lord, and impart to our minds the force of grace from on high. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Jn 14: 18; 16: 22

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come to you again, and your heart will rejoice, 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 accustomed today to getting bad news. Even social media does not spare us. In the midst of all these I can be overwhelmed and may be tempted to be afraid and give up. Yet, Christ is assuring me in the Gospel not to give up because He has overcome the world. This means that while I have fears and troubles, anxieties and worries, I submit then to Jesus. Building on Jesus, encourages and helps me build confidently. Otherwise, I will build on sinking sand. Jesus leaves me His peace and courage. Peace comes from knowing that His peace will always be with us. Courage comes from knowing that when we try to live in the light of the Gospel, God’s strength will shine through our human weaknesses.

 

 

by | May 28, 2022 | Evangelium

Sunday 29th may 2022

 

7th Sunday of Easter,

Psalter III

 

Entrance Antiphon : Ps 26: 7 – 9

O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face; hide not your face from me, alleluia.

 

Collect

Graciously hear our supplications, O Lord, so that we, who believe that the Saviour of the human race is with you in your glory, may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, his abiding presence among us. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Acts 7:55-60

Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and with these words he fell asleep.

 

Psalm 96(97):1-2,6-7,9

R/  The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

 

  1. The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. His throne is justice and right.
  2. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. All you spirits, worship him.
  3. For you indeed are the Lord most high above all the earth, exalted far above all spirits.

 

Second reading : Apocalypse 22:12-14,16-17,20

I, John, heard a voice speaking to me: ‘Very soon now, I shall be with you again, bringing the reward to be given to every man according to what he deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Happy are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city.’ I, Jesus, have sent my angel to make these revelations to you for the sake of the churches. I am of David’s line, the root of David and the bright star of the morning. The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ Let everyone who listens answer, ‘Come.’ Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free. The one who guarantees these revelations repeats his promise: I shall indeed be with you soon. Amen; come, Lord Jesus.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn14:18

Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you,  and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : John 17:20-26

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Accept, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful with the sacrificial offerings, that through these acts of devotedness we may pass over to the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Jn 17:  22

Father, I pray that they may be one  as we also are one, alleluia.

 

Prayer after Communion

Hear us, O God our Saviour,  and grant us confidence, that through these sacred mysteries, there will be accomplished in the body of the whole Church what has already come to pass in Christ her Head. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

 

Meditation

What do I live for? What am I ready to die for? God expects your answer. To find the correct answer to these questions we need to ask the following questions. What is the most important thing for me? Does Jesus come first in my life? Does my being a follower of Christ envelope all I do? This week and beyond can I just try to make sure that Jesus is at the beginning and end of all that I think, do and say. This does not mean that we exclude or become passive towards other people and their need for love, but that Christ and anything Christ-like takes the first place in our Christian scale of preference. If something does not glorify Christ, I should not get into it. So God first, others second and self last. This means God becomes the mentor, guide and inspiration for all duties and responsibilities. When I put God first in everything, I also find him at the end of it all.