by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 19, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
Vendredi 20 Mai 2022
St. Bernardin de Sienne,
Prêtre
Ce franciscain (1381-1444) savait se faire écouter pendant des heures, tant sa prédication était vivante, simple et pleine de verve. Son ardente dévotion au nom de Jésus, figuré par les lettres IHS, fut le prétexte dont se servirent ses ennemis pour le calomnier et jeter le soupçon sur sa foi, sans pouvoir troubler sa sérénité.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ap 5, 12
Il est digne, l’Agneau immolé, de recevoir puissance, divinité, sagesse, force et honneur, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant, conforme notre cœur à la vérité du mystère pascal que nous célébrons dans la joie : qu’il nous protège par sa force et nous apporte le salut. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Act 15, 22-31
En ces jours-là, les Apôtres et les Anciens décidèrent avec toute l’Église de choisir parmi eux des hommes qu’ils enverraient à Antioche avec Paul et Barnabé. C’étaient des hommes qui avaient de l’autorité parmi les frères : Jude, appelé aussi Barsabbas, et Silas. Voici ce qu’ils écrivirent de leur main : « Les Apôtres et les Anciens, vos frères, aux frères issus des nations, qui résident à Antioche, en Syrie et en Cilicie, salut ! Attendu que certains des nôtres, comme nous l’avons appris, sont allés, sans aucun mandat de notre part, tenir des propos qui ont jeté chez vous le trouble et le désarroi, nous avons pris la décision, à l’unanimité, de choisir des hommes que nous envoyons chez vous, avec nos frères bien-aimés Barnabé et Paul, eux qui ont fait don de leur vie pour le nom de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ. Nous vous envoyons donc Jude et Silas, qui vous confirmeront de vive voix ce qui suit : L’Esprit Saint et nous-mêmes avons décidé de ne pas faire peser sur vous d’autres obligations que celles-ci, qui s’imposent : vous abstenir des viandes offertes en sacrifice aux idoles, du sang, des viandes non saignées et des unions illégitimes. Vous agirez bien, si vous vous gardez de tout cela. Bon courage ! » On laissa donc partir les délégués, et ceux-ci descendirent alors à Antioche. Ayant réuni la multitude des disciples, ils remirent la lettre. À sa lecture, tous se réjouirent du réconfort qu’elle apportait.
Psaume 56 (57), 8-9, 10-12
R/ Je te rendrai grâce parmi les peuples, Seigneur.
Ou : Alléluia !
- Mon cœur est prêt, mon Dieu, mon cœur est prêt ! Je veux chanter, jouer des hymnes ! Éveille-toi, ma gloire ! Éveillez-vous, harpe, cithare, que j’éveille l’aurore !
- Je te rendrai grâce parmi les peuples, Seigneur, et jouerai mes hymnes en tous pays. Ton amour est plus grand que les cieux, ta vérité, plus haute que les nues.
- Dieu, lève-toi sur les cieux : que ta gloire domine la terre ! Alléluia.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Je vous appelle mes amis, dit le Seigneur, car tout ce que j’ai entendu de mon Père, je vous l’ai fait connaître. Alléluia. (Jn 15, 15b)
Évangile : Jean 15, 12-17
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Mon commandement, le voici : Aimez-vous les uns les autres comme je vous ai aimés. Il n’y a pas de plus grand amour que de donner sa vie pour ceux qu’on aime. Vous êtes mes amis si vous faites ce que je vous commande. Je ne vous appelle plus serviteurs, car le serviteur ne sait pas ce que fait son maître ; je vous appelle mes amis, car tout ce que j’ai entendu de mon Père, je vous l’ai fait connaître. Ce n’est pas vous qui m’avez choisi, c’est moi qui vous ai choisis et établis afin que vous alliez, que vous portiez du fruit, et que votre fruit demeure. Alors, tout ce que vous demanderez au Père en mon nom, il vous le donnera. Voici ce que je vous commande : c’est de vous aimer les uns les autres. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Dans ta bonté, Seigneur, sanctifie ces dons ; accepte le sacrifice spirituel de cette Eucharistie, et fais de nous- mêmes une éternelle offrande à ta gloire. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Celui que l’on avait crucifié, il est vivant pour toujours, et il nous a rachetés, alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement : que cette Eucharistie, offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.
Méditation
L’insistance du Christ sur la nécessité de vivre l’amour de Dieu et de ses frères montre que ceci lui tient à cœur. N’est-ce pas par amour qu’il s’est offert en sacrifice pour notre salut ? Le chrétien est appelé à mourir en lui-même, en son orgueil et en son égoïsme pour donner à la première place, celle de l’amour. Une vie vécue sans amour n’a pas de sens. Il est donc plus que jamais urgent de savoir lire dans ma vie les traces de l’amour de Dieu et de permettre que la vie de mes semblables en portent les mêmes. Ce n’est pas simplement un commandement à suivre, c’est un style de vie à adopter.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 19, 2022 | Evangelium
FRIDAY 20TH MAY 2022
ST. BERNARDINO OF SIENA
(1380 – 1444)
Bernardino (“Little Bernard”) was born in Tuscany. Inspired by St Vincent Ferrer, he was an energetic and popular preacher. He denounced usury, promoted peace, worked hard for the reform and discipline of the Franciscan order, and for church unity.
Entrance Antiphon : Rv 5: 12
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Collect
Grant us, Lord, we pray, that, being rightly conformed to the paschal mysteries, what we celebrate in joy may protect and save us with perpetual power. 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 15:22-31
The apostles and elders decided to choose delegates to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; the whole Church concurred with this. They chose Judas known as Barsabbas and Silas, both leading men in the brotherhood, and gave them this letter to take with them: ‘The apostles and elders, your brothers, send greetings to the brothers of pagan birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. We hear that some of our members have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds. They acted without any authority from us; and so we have decided unanimously to elect delegates and to send them to you with Barnabas and Paul, men we highly respect who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accordingly we are sending you Judas and Silas, who will confirm by word of mouth what we have written in this letter. It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials: you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols; from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from fornication. Avoid these, and you will do what is right. Farewell.’ The party left and went down to Antioch, where they summoned the whole community and delivered the letter. The community read it and were delighted with the encouragement it gave them.
Psalm 56:8-12
R/ I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples.
1. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. I will sing, I will sing your praise. Awake, my soul, awake, lyre and harp, I will awake the dawn.
2. I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples, among the nations I will praise you, for your love reaches to the heavens and your truth to the skies. O God, arise above the heavens; may your glory shine on earth!
Gospel Acclamation : Jn10:27
Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’
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
The Crucified is risen from the dead and has redeemed us, 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
Why all the wars that have characterised human history? None has ever been out of love? All have been caused by selfish reasons and the consequence has been the loss of lives and tension between countries, tribes, groups and individuals. In all these, the Lord still invites us to love one another. It is love for one another that is the cure of hatred. It is love for one another that defeats selfishness and makes us altruistic. It is love for one another that makes us perfect, strong and powerful. It is love for one another that builds true friendship and community and a firm spirit of patriotism. It is love for one another that brings us to salvation and the true enjoyment of the common good. It is love for one another that the world so badly needs today.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 18, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
Jeudi 19 Mai 2022
St. Yves, prêtre (en France)
Recteur breton d’une admirable charité envers les pauvres, Yves (1253-1303) était aussi un juriste de talent qui mit sa science au service des petits, en exerçant ses fonctions de juge ecclésiastique à Rennes, puis à Tréguier, son pays natal. Il est le patron des avocats.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ex 15, 1-2
Chantons le Seigneur : grande est sa victoire ; il est ma force, il est mon chant, je lui dois le salut, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui nous a sanctifiés et qui nous a donné le bonheur quand nous étions pécheurs et malheureux, prends soin de tes dons, prends soin de ton œuvre : à ceux que tu as justifiés par la foi, accorde la force de persévérer. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Act 15, 7-21
En ces jours-là, comme la conversion des païens provoquait, dans l’Église de Jérusalem, une intense discussion, Pierre se leva et leur dit : « Frères, vous savez bien comment Dieu, dans les premiers temps, a manifesté son choix parmi vous : c’est par ma bouche que les païens ont entendu la parole de l’Évangile : et sont venus à la foi. Dieu, qui connaît les cœurs, leur a rendu témoignage en leur donnant l’Esprit Saint tout comme à nous ; sans faire aucune distinction entre eux et nous, il a purifié leurs cœurs par la foi. Maintenant, pourquoi donc mettez-vous Dieu à l’épreuve en plaçant sur la nuque des disciples un joug que nos pères et nous-mêmes n’avons pas eu la force de porter ? Oui, nous le croyons, c’est par la grâce du Seigneur Jésus que nous sommes sauvés, de la même manière qu’eux. » Toute la multitude garda le silence, puis on écouta Barnabé et Paul exposer tous les signes et les prodiges que Dieu avait accomplis grâce à eux parmi les nations. Quand ils eurent terminé, Jacques prit la parole et dit : « Frères, écoutez-moi. Simon-Pierre vous a exposé comment, dès le début, Dieu est intervenu pour prendre parmi les nations un peuple qui soit à son nom. Les paroles des prophètes s’accordent avec cela, puisqu’il est écrit : Après cela, je reviendrai pour reconstruire la demeure de David, qui s’est écroulée ; j’en reconstruirai les parties effondrées, je la redresserai ; alors le reste des hommes cherchera le Seigneur, oui, toutes les nations sur lesquelles mon nom a été invoqué, – déclare le Seigneur, qui fait ces choses connues depuis toujours. Dès lors, moi, j’estime qu’il ne faut pas tracasser ceux qui, venant des nations, se tournent vers Dieu, mais écrivons-leur de s’abstenir des souillures des idoles, des unions illégitimes, de la viande non saignée et du sang. Car, depuis les temps les plus anciens, Moïse a, dans chaque ville, des gens qui proclament sa Loi, puisque, dans les synagogues, on en fait la lecture chaque sabbat. »
Psaume 95 (96), 1-2a, 2b-3, 10
R/ Racontez à tous les peuples les merveilles du Seigneur !
ou : Alléluia
- Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, chantez au Seigneur, terre entière, chantez au Seigneur et bénissez son nom !
- De jour en jour, proclamez son salut, racontez à tous les peuples sa gloire, à toutes les nations ses merveilles !
- Allez dire aux nations : « Le Seigneur est roi ! » Le monde, inébranlable, tient bon. Il gouverne les peuples avec droiture.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix, dit le Seigneur; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Alléluia. (Jn 15, 4a.5b)
Évangile : Jean 15, 9-11
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Comme le Père m’a aimé, moi aussi je vous ai aimés. Demeurez dans mon amour. Si vous gardez mes commandements, vous demeurerez dans mon amour, comme moi, j’ai gardé les commandements de mon Père, et je demeure dans son amour. Je vous ai dit cela pour que ma joie soit en vous, et que votre joie soit parfaite. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur notre Dieu, dans l’admirable échange du sacrifice eucharistique, tu nous fais participer à ta propre nature divine : puisque nous avons la connaissance de ta vérité, accorde-nous de lui être fidèles par toute notre vie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Cf. 2 Co 5, 15
Le Christ est mort pour tous, afin que notre vie ne soit plus à nous-mêmes, mais à lui qui est mort et ressuscité pour nous, alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Dieu très bon, reste auprès de ton peuple, car sans toi notre vie tombe en ruine ; fait passer à une vie nouvelle ceux que tu as initiés aux sacrements de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
Méditation
« J’estime qu’il ne faut pas tracasser ceux qui, venant des nations, se tournent vers Dieu » (Ac 15, 19). Le vécu de la foi doit être débarrassé de toute pesanteur inutile. Le Chrétien est appelé à revenir et à vivre l’essentiel qui est l’amour de Dieu et de ses semblables. Imposer aux autres nos conceptions et les légitimer par la foi est un manque de charité, surtout si nous sommes nous-mêmes incapables de suivre ces prescriptions. La suite du Christ doit être joyeuse car motivé par l’amour comme le plus haut degré de la vie chrétienne. Demeurons donc dans l’amour du Christ et permettons aux autres de le faire en vivant l’essentiel : l’amour.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 18, 2022 | Evangelium
Thursday 19th may 2022
St. Dunstan
(909 – 988)
He was born near Glastonbury, a member of a noble family. He became a monk of Glastonbury, where he later became abbot. He was the principal agent in the restoration of English monasticism following the devastation of the Viking invasions.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ex 15: 1-2
Let us sing to the Lord, for he has gloriously triumphed. The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation, alleluia.
Collect
O God, by whose grace, though sinners, we are made just and, though pitiable, made blessed, stand, we pray, by your works, stand by your gifts, that those justified by faith may not lack the courage of perseverance. 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 15:7-21
After the discussion had gone on a long time, Peter stood up and addressed the apostles and the elders.
‘My brothers,’ he said ‘you know perfectly well that in the early days God made his choice among you: the pagans were to learn the Good News from me and so become believers. In fact God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us. God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith. It would only provoke God’s anger now, surely, if you imposed on the disciples the very burden that neither we nor our ancestors were strong enough to support? Remember, we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus.’
This silenced the entire assembly, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the pagans.
When they had finished it was James who spoke. ‘My brothers,’ he said ‘listen to me. Simeon has described how God first arranged to enlist a people for his name out of the pagans. This is entirely in harmony with the words of the prophets, since the scriptures say:
After that I shall return and rebuild the fallen House of David; I shall rebuild it from its ruins and restore it. Then the rest of mankind, all the pagans who are consecrated to my name, will look for the Lord, says the Lord who made this known so long ago. ‘I rule, then, that instead of making things more difficult for pagans who turn to God, we send them a letter telling them merely to abstain from anything polluted by idols, from fornication, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has always had his preachers in every town, and is read aloud in the synagogues every sabbath.’
Psalm 95(96):1-3,10
R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
or
Alleluia!
- O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name.
- Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.
- Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn10:27
Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 15:9-11
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.’
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
Christ died for all, that those who live
may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and is risen, 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
God’s concern for humans is not just general. He loves, cares and watches over you personally – He knows you, and in spite of your weakness, He loves you unconditionally. No single human is outside of the love of God. A Nigerian artist once sang, “Jesus you love me too much”. His love for us is excess, unconditional, and abiding love. Even when we sin, experience hardship or sorrow, He does not love us less. He loves us for two main reasons: that we should be holy and happy. In this way, our joy in heaven and on earth will be complete. Do you believe in His love?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 17, 2022 | Evangelium
WEDNESDAY 18th may 2022
St. John I, Pope, Martyr
(- 526)
He was born in Tuscany and elected pope in 523. It was a time of high political and religious tension. He was a key figure in resolving the tensions provoked by the Arian heresy.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 70: 8, 23
Let my mouth be filled with your praise, that I may sing aloud; my lips shall shout for joy, when I sing to you, alleluia.
Collect
O God, restorer and lover of innocence, direct the hearts of your servants towards yourself, that those you have set free from the darkness of unbelief may never stray from the light of your truth. 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 15:1-6
Some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers, ‘Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.’ This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had had a long argument with these men it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the Church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders. All the members of the Church saw them off, and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they told how the pagans had been converted, and this news was received with the greatest satisfaction by the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the Church and by the apostles and elders, and gave an account of all that God had done with them. But certain members of the Pharisees’ party who had become believers objected, insisting that the pagans should be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders met to look into the matter.
Psalm 121:1-5
R/ I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
- I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
- Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
- For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David.
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 15:1-8
Jesus said: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you. Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit, and then you will be my disciples.’
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 Lord has risen and shone his light upon us, whom he has redeemed by his Blood, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Christ is the true vine. In Him, and only in Him do we bear fruits and never out of Him. To be away from Christ and expect to bear fruit is to move in a desert and expect to drink water and be alive. It just cannot work. We need to ask God for an opportunity to experience the grace of pruning. It is better to be pruned by God than to be enthroned by the devil. May the Lord prune every branch that does not yield fruit in us.
