by | Apr 21, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Vendredi  22 avril 2022

 

  1. Alexandre

 

Martyr à Lyon avec Epipode. Deux jeunes chrétiens qui avaient échappé au carnage dont fut victime saint Pothin, leur évêque. Saint Epipode fut décapité et saint Alexandre crucifié.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 77, 52-53

Tel un berger, le Seigneur emmène son peuple, il le rassure, tandis que les flots de la mer recouvrent l’ennemi, alléluia.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, tu as offert aux hommes le sacrement de Pâques pour les rétablir dans ton alliance ; accorde-nous d’exprimer par toute notre vie ce mystère que nous célébrons dans la foi. Par Jésus Christ…

 

1ère lecture : Act 4, 1-12

En ces jours-là, après la guérison de l’infirme, comme Pierre et Jean parlaient encore au peuple, les prêtres survinrent, avec le commandant du Temple et les sadducéens ; ils étaient excédés de les voir enseigner le peuple et annoncer, en la personne de Jésus, la résurrection d’entre les morts. Ils les firent arrêter et placer sous bonne garde jusqu’au lendemain, puisque c’était déjà le soir. Or, beaucoup de ceux qui avaient entendu la Parole devinrent croyants ; à ne compter que les hommes, il y en avait environ cinq mille. Le lendemain se réunirent à Jérusalem les chefs du peuple, les anciens et les scribes. Il y avait là Hanne le grand prêtre, Caïphe, Jean, Alexandre, et tous ceux qui appartenaient aux familles de grands prêtres. Ils firent amener Pierre et Jean au milieu d’eux et les questionnèrent : «Par quelle puissance, par le nom de qui, avez-vous fait cette guérison?»Alors Pierre, rempli de l’Esprit Saint, leur déclara: «Chefs du peuple et anciens, nous sommes interrogés aujourd’hui pour avoir fait du bien à un infirme, et l’on nous demande comment cet homme a été sauvé. Sachez-le donc, vous tous, ainsi que tout le peuple d’Israël : c’est par le nom de Jésus le Nazaréen, lui que vous avez crucifié mais que Dieu a ressuscité d’entre les morts, c’est par lui que ces hommes trouvent là, devant vous, bien portant. Ce Jésus est la pierre méprisée de vous, les bâtisseurs, mais devenue la pierre d’angle. En nul autre que lui, il n’y a de salut, car, sous le ciel, aucun autre nom n’est donné aux hommes, qui puisse nous sauver. »

 

Psaume 117 (118), 1-2.4, 22-24, 25-27a

R/ La pierre qu’ont rejetée les bâtisseurs   est devenue la pierre d’angle. ou : Alléluia ! 117,22

 

  1. Rendez grâce au Seigneur : Il est bon! Éternel est son amour ! Oui, que le dise Israël : Éternel est son amour ! Qu’ils le disent, ceux qui craignent le Seigneur: Éternel est son amour!
  2. La pierre qu’ont rejetée les bâtisseurs est devenue la pierre d’angle: c’est là l’œuvre du Seigneur, la merveille devant nos yeux. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie !
  3. Donne, Seigneur, donne le salut ! Donne, Seigneur, donne la victoire! Béni soit au nom du Seigneur celui qui vient ! De la maison du Seigneur, nous vous bénissons ! Dieu, le Seigneur, nous illumine.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie! Alléluia. ((Ps 117, 24)

 

Évangile :  Jean 21, 1-14

En ce temps-là, Jésus se manifesta encore aux disciples sur le bord de la mer de Tibériade, et voici comment. Il y avait là, ensemble, Simon-Pierre, avec Thomas, appelé Didyme (c’est-à-dire Jumeau), Nathanaël, de Cana de Galilée, les fils de Zébédée, et deux autres de ses disciples. Simon-Pierre leur dit: « Je m’en vais à la pêche. » Ils lui répondent : «Nous aussi, nous allons avec toi. » Ils partirent et montèrent dans la barque ; or, cette nuit-là, ils ne prirent rien. Au lever du jour, Jésus se tenait sur le rivage, mais les disciples ne savaient pas que c’était lui. Jésus leur dit : « Les enfants, auriez-vous quelque chose à manger ?» Ils lui répondirent : « Non. » Il leur dit: « Jetez le filet à droite de la barque, et vous trouverez. » Ils jetèrent donc le filet, et cette fois ils n’arrivaient pas à le tirer, tellement il y avait de poissons. Alors, le disciple que Jésus aimait dit à Pierre: « C’est le Seigneur ! » Quand Simon-Pierre entendit que c’était le Seigneur, il passa un vêtement, car il n’avait rien sur lui, et il se jeta à l’eau. Les autres disciples arrivèrent en barque, traînant le filet plein de poissons ; la terre n’était qu’à une centaine de mètres. Une fois descendus à terre, ils aperçoivent, disposé là, un feu de braise avec du poisson posé dessus, et du pain. Jésus leur dit : « Apportez donc de ces poissons que vous venez de prendre. » Simon-Pierre remonta et tira jusqu’à terre le filet plein de gros poissons : il y en avait cent cinquante-trois. Et, malgré cette quantité, le filet ne s’était pas déchiré. Jésus leur dit alors : « Venez manger. » Aucun des disciples n’osait lui demander: « Qui es-tu ? » Ils savaient que c’était le Seigneur. Jésus s’approche; il prend le pain et le leur donne ; et de même pour le poisson. C’était la troisième fois que Jésus ressuscité d’entre les morts se manifestait à ses disciples.

Prière sur les offrandes

Accomplis en nous, Seigneur très bon, l’échange que nous attendons de cette offrande pascale ; transfigure en amour du ciel l’amour que nous portons au monde. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : cf. Jn 21, 12-13

Au bord du lac, Jésus invite ses disciples: « Venez et mangez. » Puis il prend le pain et le leur donne, 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 règne.

 

 

Méditation

Christ est Ressuscité. Nous sommes pleinement dans le temps pascal, qui n’est autre que le temps du quotidien. Nous devons réaliser que le Christ Ressuscité est là agissant, il se tient en chacune de nos vies. Le temps de Pâques nous amène à prendre conscience de la présence du Ressuscité dans notre quotidien. Ses premières apparitions nous aident à entrer en relation avec Lui, à pouvoir certainement lui répondre, là où nous sommes. Le Seigneur fait preuve d’une grande délicatesse, d’une grande douceur, il va nourrir ses disciples, leur donner de laisser naître en eux la parole véritable, celle d’une liberté libre qui s’adresse à une autre liberté libre, l’entrée dans ce dialogue qui n’aura plus jamais de fin, ce dialogue que nous présentons, ce dialogue qui peut légitimement nous effrayer, ce dialogue éternel dans lequel nous entrons en balbutiant.

by | Apr 21, 2022 | Evangelium

Friday  22nd April 2022

 

St. Abdiesus

 

He was a deacon in the Christian community of Persia who was caught up in the persecutions conducted by King Shapur II.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 77: 53

The Lord led his people in hope, while the sea engulfed their foes, alleluia.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, who gave us the Paschal Mystery in the covenant you established for reconciling the human race, so dispose our minds, we pray, that what we celebrate by professing the faith, we may express in deeds. 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 4:1-12

While Peter and John were talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next day. But many of those who had listened to their message became believers, the total number of whom had now risen to something like five thousand. The next day the rulers, elders and Scribes had a meeting in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families. They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, ‘By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, ‘Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.’

 

Psalm 117:1-2,4,22-27

R/   The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.

 

  1. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
  2. The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
  3. O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps117:24

Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : John 21:1-14

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Perfect within us, O Lord, we pray,  the solemn exchange brought about by these paschal offerings, that we may be drawn from earthly desires to a longing for the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Jn 21: 12-13

Jesus said to his disciples: Come and eat. And he took bread and gave it to them, alleluia.

 

Prayer after Communion

Keep safe, O Lord, we pray,  those whom you have saved by your kindness that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

 

Meditation

There are places and aspects of our lives where and in which we feel we can go back to and may feel a sense of security. We are always free to go back, for we have free will. But if we do, then we may lose the little we may have started building from our spiritual resources. We have to weigh the options; which one is more important? It may be an unappealing habit, a deviant lifestyle, an unwelcomed manner of approach or non-fraternal way of correction, a usually nasty behaviour, a craving for power just for oppression, influence or some vainglorious end, bottling up evil intentions against others, lying, stealing, murder, treating others with contempt, disrespect and unkindliness, sadistic behaviour, going back to activities and places which contradict our lives as Christians, and many other aspects of our lives in which we feel more comfortable and seemingly unchallenged. People influence us either positively or negatively. Beware!!!

by | Apr 20, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Jeudi  21 avril 2022

 

  1. Anselme,

évêque et docteur de l’Église

 

Chercher à comprendre ce que l’on croit ! Répondre à cette exigence de l’esprit, parce que c’est aussi l’exigence d’une foi authentique, tel fut le projet théologique d’Anselme (1033- 1109), originaire d’Aoste, moine puis abbé de l’abbaye bénédictine du Bec (Normandie), et enfin archevêque de Cantorbéry.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Sg 10, 20-21

Afin que tous proclament, Seigneur, la puissance que tu as déployée pour notre salut, la Sagesse a ouvert la bouche des muets, et délié la langue des tout petits, alléluia.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu qui as unis tant de peuples divers dans la même confession  de  ton  nom,  accorde  à tous  les  baptisés d’avoir au cœur la même foi et dans la vie le même amour.

 

1ère lecture : Ac 3, 11-26

En ces jours-là, l’infirme que Pierre et Jean venaient de guérir ne les lâchait plus. Tout le peuple accourut vers eux au Portique dit de Salomon. Les gens étaient stupéfaits. Voyant cela, Pierre  interpella le peuple : « Hommes d’Israël, pourquoi vous étonner ? Pourquoi fixer les yeux sur nous, comme si c’était en vertu de notre puissance personnelle ou de notre piété que nous lui avons donné de marcher ? Le Dieu d’Abraham, d’Isaac et de Jacob, le Dieu de nos pères, a glorifié son serviteur Jésus, alors que vous, vous l’aviez livré, vous l’aviez renié en présence de Pilate qui était décidé à le relâcher. Vous avez renié le Saint et le Juste, et vous avez demandé qu’on vous accorde la grâce d’un meurtrier. Vous avez tué le Prince de la vie, lui que Dieu a ressuscité d’entre les morts, nous en sommes témoins. Tout repose sur la foi dans le nom de Jésus Christ : c’est ce nom lui-même qui vient d’affermir cet  homme que vous regardez et connaissez ; oui, la foi qui vient par Jésus l’a rétabli dans son intégrité physique, en votre présence à tous. D’ailleurs, frères, je sais bien que vous avez agi dans l’ignorance, vous et vos chefs. Mais Dieu a ainsi accompli ce qu’il avait d’avance annoncé par la bouche de tous les prophètes : que le Christ, son Messie souffrirait. Convertissez-vous et tournez-vous vers Dieu pour que vos péchés soient effacés. Ainsi viendront les temps de la fraîcheur de la part du Seigneur, et il enverra le Christ Jésus qui vous est destiné. Il faut en effet que le ciel l’accueille jusqu’à l’époque où tout sera rétabli, comme Dieu l’avait dit par la bouche des saints, ceux d’autrefois, ses prophètes. Moïse a déclaré : Le Seigneur votre Dieu suscitera pour vous, du milieu de vos frères, un prophète comme moi : vous l’écouterez en tout ce qu’il vous dira. Quiconque n’écoutera pas ce prophète sera retranché du peuple. Ensuite, tous les prophètes qui ont parlé depuis Samuel et ses successeurs, aussi nombreux furent-ils, ont annoncé les jours où nous sommes. C’est vous qui êtes les fils des prophètes et de  l’Alliance que Dieu a conclue avec vos pères, quand il disait à Abraham : En ta descendance seront bénies toutes les familles de la terre. C’est pour vous d’abord que Dieu a suscité son Serviteur, et il l’a envoyé vous bénir, pourvu que chacun de vous se détourne de sa méchanceté. »

 

Psaume : 8, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R/ Ô Seigneur notre Dieu, qu’il est grand, ton nom, par toute la terre !

 

  1. À voir ton ciel, ouvrage de tes doigts, la lune et les étoiles que tu fixas, qu’est-ce que l’homme pour que tu penses à lui, le fils d’un homme, que tu en prennes souci ?
  2. Tu l’as voulu un peu moindre qu’un dieu, le couronnant de gloire et d’honneur ; tu l’établis sur les œuvres de tes mains, tu mets toute chose à ses pieds.
  3. Les troupeaux de bœufs et de brebis, et même les bêtes sauvages, les oiseaux du ciel et les poissons de la mer, tout ce qui va son chemin dans les eaux.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie! Alléluia. ((Ps 117, 24)

 

Évangile :  Lc 24, 35-48

En ce temps-là, les disciples qui rentraient d’Emmaüs racontaient aux onze Apôtres et à leurs  compagnons ce qui s’était passé sur la route, et comment le Seigneur s’était fait reconnaître par eux à la fraction du pain. Comme ils en parlaient encore, lui-même fut présent au milieu d’eux, et leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous ! » Saisis de frayeur et de crainte, ils croyaient voir un esprit. Jésus leur dit : « Pourquoi êtes-vous bouleversés ? Et pourquoi ces pensées qui surgissent dans votre cœur ? Voyez mes mains et mes pieds : c’est bien moi ! Touchez-moi, regardez : un esprit n’a pas de chair ni d’os comme vous constatez que j’en ai. » Après cette parole, il leur montra ses mains et ses pieds. Dans leur joie, ils n’osaient pas encore y croire, et restaient saisis d’étonnement. Jésus leur dit : « Avez-vous ici quelque chose à manger ? » Ils lui présentèrent une part de poisson grillé qu’il prit et mangea devant eux. Puis il leur déclara : « Voici les paroles que je vous ai dites quand j’étais encore avec vous : “Il faut que s’accomplisse tout ce qui a été écrit à mon sujet dans la loi de Moïse, les Prophètes et les Psaumes.” » Alors il ouvrit leur intelligence à la compréhension des Écritures. Il leur dit : « Ainsi est-il écrit que le Christ souffrirait, qu’il ressusciterait d’entre les morts le troisième jour, et que la  conversion serait proclamée en son nom, pour le pardon des péchés, à toutes les nations, en  commençant par Jérusalem. À vous d’en être les témoins.»

 

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Accueille avec bonté, Seigneur, le sacrifice que nous offrons pour te rendre grâce, à toi qui fais renaître tes enfants par le baptême et qui t’empresses de soutenir ton Église. Par Jésus

 

Antienne de la communion : 1 P 2, 9

Nous sommes le peuple qui appartient à Dieu ; nous sommes chargés d’annoncer les merveilles de celui qui nous a appelés des ténèbres à son admirable 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.

 

 

Méditation

Apres sa résurrection, Jésus appelle les apôtres à devenir témoins de ce qu’ils ont vu et entendu. Il leur donne une responsabilité. Il les rétablit dans leur dignité. Après le temps de désolation vécu après la crucifixion, voici le temps du courage, du témoignage. Nous de même, en devenant témoins du Ressuscité, nous communiquons sa joie. Et cette joie nous construit aussi intérieurement. Elle grandit si nous la partageons. Au lendemain de Pâques, quelle est le signe de ta présence ?

by | Apr 20, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday  21st April 2022

 

St. Anselm

(1033 – 1109)

 

After some years as abbot, he succeeded his master Lanfranc as archbishop of Canterbury. He died at Canterbury on 21 April 1109. He is remembered for his theological learning and writings.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Wis 10: 20-21

They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord, for wisdom opened mouths that were mute and gave eloquence to the tongues of infants, alleluia.

 

Collect

O God, who have united the many nations in confessing your name, grant that those reborn in the font of Baptism may be one in the faith of their hearts and the homage of their deeds. 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 3:11-26

Everyone came running towards Peter and John in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John. When Peter saw the people he addressed them, ‘Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses; and it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see. ‘Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus, whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets. Moses, for example, said: The Lord God will raise up a prophet like myself for you, from among your own brothers; you must listen to whatever he tells you. The man who does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from the people. In fact, all the prophets that have ever spoken, from Samuel onwards, have predicted these days. ‘You are the heirs of the prophets, the heirs of the covenant God made with our ancestors when he told Abraham: in your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed. It was for you in the first place that God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.’

 

Psalm 8:2,5-9

R/   How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth!

 

  1. How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth! What is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him?
  2. Yet you have made him little less than a god; with glory and honour you crowned him, gave him power over the works of your hand, put all things under his feet.
  3. All of them, sheep and cattle, yes, even the savage beasts, birds of the air, and fish that make their way through the waters.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps117:24

Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 24:35-48

The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes. Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Graciously be pleased, O Lord, to accept the sacrificial gifts we offer joyfully both for those who have been reborn and in hope of your increased help from heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion 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.

 

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

Jesus’ greeting – “peace be with you” is simply that which must counter every other thing opposed to Christ in our lives: fear, anxiety, being lukewarm, anger, etc. Fright can change our course in life. We, therefore, need peace to reset our lives. Sometimes when we lack faith in the power of the risen Jesus, we give way to fright and in our daily experiences, we lose grip of things. Christ, by His presence and just by the mention of His name, lightens and brightens up our lives, just like during the Easter Vigil when we moved from darkness into light. Jesus comes to shed light in the areas of our lives where no one can offer a human explanation for things happening to and around us. Let us usher in the ‘Peace’ of Christ in our lives especially today.

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday  20th April 2022

 

Sts. Marcellinus, Vincent & Domninus

(- 374)

 

Marcellinus with two fellow missionaries, Vincent and Domninus, left their native Africa in order to bring the faith to Gaul (now France). Marcellinus was named the first bishop of the Diocese of Embrum on account of his missionary zeal and holiness.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Mt 25: 34

Come, you blessed of my Father; receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, alleluia.

 

Collect

O God, who gladden us year by year with the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection, graciously grant that, by celebrating these present festivities, we may merit through them to reach eternal joys. 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 3:1-10

Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the prayers at the ninth hour, it happened that there was a man being carried past. He was a cripple from birth; and they used to put him down every day near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in. When this man saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple he begged from them. Both Peter and John looked straight at him and said, ‘Look at us.’ He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them, but Peter said, ‘I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!’ Peter then took him by the hand and helped him to stand up. Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone could see him walking and praising God, and they recognised him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. They were all astonished and unable to explain what had happened to him.

 

Psalm 104:1-4,6-9

R/   Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.

 

  1. Give thanks to the Lord, tell his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. O sing to him, sing his praise; tell all his wonderful works!
  2. Be proud of his holy name, let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.
  3. O children of Abraham, his servant, O sons of the Jacob he chose. He, the Lord, is our God: his judgements prevail in all the earth.
  4. He remembers his covenant for ever, his promise for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps117:24

Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 24:13-35

Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’ Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the Scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’ They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, we pray, O Lord, the sacrifice which has redeemed the human race, and be pleased to accomplish in us salvation of mind and body. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Lk 24: 35

The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread, alleluia.

 

Prayer after Communion

We pray, O Lord, that the reverent reception of the Sacrament of your Son may cleanse us from our old ways and transform us into a new creation. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

The journey to Emmaus is also symbolic of our journey of faith with others, discussing matters that pertain to the faith we profess in the risen Jesus and how they affect our daily lives. And Jesus meets us on our journey just at moments when we need Him, moments when we seem downtrodden by the daily happenings of our world (such as we currently experience), when we feel insecure, when we feel things are not going the right way, when we lose a loved one on account of a disease an accident or some other cause, when we find it hard to put the family together, when we strive to bring our strayed ones back to the right track, when we struggle with studies, business, feeding our hungry children, living with challenges in our neighborhood, moments when we struggle with understanding the Church (Christ), the Faith and Scripture, etc. Jesus is always there to help us out, and the perfect place to seek understanding of these issues that confront us is at the proclamation of the word and the breaking of the Bread (Holy Mass).