by | Apr 11, 2022 | Evangelium

Tuesday  12th April 2022

 

St. Zeno of Verona

(d. 371)

 

Zeno, a native of North Africa, was appointed bishop of Verona (Northern Italy) in 362. He preached much against Arianism and fostered the growth of missionary activity in his area. He died in 371.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 26: 12

Do not leave me to the will of my foes, O Lord, for false witnesses rise up against me and they breathe out violence.

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion that we may merit to receive your pardon. 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 : Isaiah 49:1-6

Islands, listen to me, pay attention, remotest peoples. The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name. He made my mouth a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, ‘You are my servant (Israel) in whom I shall be glorified’; while I was thinking, ‘I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing’; and all the while my cause was with the Lord, my reward with my God. I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength. And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him: ‘It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’

 

Psalm 70:1-6,15,17

R/ My lips will tell of your help.

 

  1. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed to me and save me.
  2. Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked.
  3. It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
  4. My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still.

 

Gospel Acclamation

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Hail to you, our King! Obedient to the Father, you were led to your crucifixion as a meek lamb is led to the slaughter. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

 

Gospel : John 13:21-33,36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means’, so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, ‘Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen. When he had gone Jesus said: ‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified.  If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon. ‘My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, And, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.’ Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him, ‘Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ ‘Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Look favourably, O Lord, we pray, on these offerings of your family, and to those you make partakers of these sacred gifts grant a share in their fullness. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Communion Antiphon : Rm 8: 32

God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all.

 

Prayer after Communion

Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament, with which you have fed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer over the People

May your mercy, O God, cleanse the people that are subject to you from all seduction of former ways and make them capable of new holiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Meditation

It is always night when we walk away from He who is ‘light’ and whom the prophets had foretold (Jesus). We all refer to the evil act of Judas as a betrayal and this is a sin. And St Augustine would say that sin is “a love of self to the point of despising God.” This is evidenced in the act put up by Judas and this is true of all of us. Whenever we sin, we betray the love of Jesus. Let us not allow ‘night’ to meet us (when we keep far from the light – Jesus) but let us be closer to Jesus, reclining on Him like John the beloved Apostle or like every other Apostle who did not hasten to give in to human weakness and self-interest. Our conversion is very important; let us not wait for the end of our lives to meet us at night. Seeking Jesus is the best and that’s conversion.

by | Apr 11, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Mardi  12 avril 2022

 

St. Jules 1er, pape 

Il travailla à affermir la foi en combattant l’arianisme qui professait que si le Christ était parfait, en revanche il n’était pas divin. Son mérite fut d’avoir maintenu le mystère de la Sainte Trinité contre ceux qui tentaient de faire de la doctrine chrétienne un monothéisme à moitié rationaliste, acceptable par tous sans doute, mais éloigné des paroles du Christ lui-même dans leur interprétation fondamentale.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 26, 11-12

Montre-moi, Seigneur, ton chemin, conduis-moi par des routes sûres, malgré ceux qui me guettent. Ne me laisse pas à la merci de l’adversaire.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Aide-nous, Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, à célébrer les mystères de la passion du Seigneur de telle sorte que nous obtenions le pardon. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Isaïe 49, 1-6

Écoutez-moi, îles lointaines ! Peuples éloignés, soyez attentifs ! J’étais encore dans le sein maternel quand le Seigneur m’a appelé ; j’étais encore dans les entrailles de ma mère quand il a prononcé mon nom. Il a fait de ma bouche une épée tranchante, il m’a protégé par l’ombre de sa main; il a fait de moi une flèche acérée, il m’a caché dans son carquois. Il m’a dit : « Tu es mon serviteur, Israël, en toi je manifesterai ma splendeur. » Et moi, je disais : « Je me suis fatigué pour rien, c’est pour le néant, c’est en pure perte que j’ai usé mes forces. » Et pourtant, mon droit subsistait auprès du Seigneur, ma récompense, auprès de mon Dieu. Maintenant le Seigneur parle, lui qui m’a façonné dès le sein de ma mère pour que je sois son serviteur, que je lui ramène Jacob, que je lui rassemble Israël. Oui, j’ai de la valeur aux yeux du Seigneur, c’est mon Dieu qui est ma force. Et il dit : « C’est trop peu que tu sois mon serviteur pour relever les tribus de Jacob, ramener les rescapés d’Israël : je fais de toi la lumière des nations, pour que mon salut parvienne jusqu’aux extrémités de la terre. »

Psaume : 70 (71), 1-2, 3, 5a.6, 15ab.17

R/ Ma bouche annonce ton salut, Seigneur.  cf. 70,15ab

 

  1. En toi, Seigneur, j’ai mon refuge: garde moi d’être humilié pour toujours. Dans ta justice, défends-moi, libère-moi, tends l’oreille vers moi, et sauve-moi.
  2. Sois le rocher qui m’accueille, toujours accessible ; tu as résolu de me sauver : ma forteresse et mon roc, c’est toi !
  3. Seigneur mon Dieu, tu es mon espérance, Toi, mon soutien dès avant ma naissance, tu m’as choisi dès le ventre de ma mère; tu seras ma louange toujours !
  4. Ma bouche annonce tout le jour tes actes de justice et de salut ; Mon Dieu, tu m’as instruit dès ma jeunesse, jusqu’à présent, j’ai proclamé tes merveilles.

 

Acclamation

Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire! Salut, ô Christ, notre Roi : obéissant au Père ; comme l’agneau vers l’abattoir, tu te laisses conduire à la croix. Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire!.

 

Évangile : Jean 13, 21-33.36-38

En ce temps-là, au cours du repas que Jésus prenait avec ses disciples, il fut bouleversé en son esprit, et il rendit ce témoignage : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis: l’un de vous me livrera.» Les disciples se regardaient les uns les autres avec embarras, ne sachant pas de qui Jésus parlait. Il y avait à table, appuyé contre Jésus, l’un de ses disciples, celui que Jésus aimait. Simon-Pierre lui fait signe de demander à Jésus de qui il veut parler. Le disciple se penche donc sur la poitrine de Jésus et lui dit : « Seigneur, qui est-ce?» Jésus lui répond : « C’est celui à qui je donnerai la bouchée que je vais tremper dans le plat. » Il trempe la bouchée, et la donne à Judas, fils de Simon l’Iscariote. Et, quand Judas eut pris la bouchée, Satan entra en lui. Jésus lui dit alors : « Ce que tu fais, fais-le vite.» Mais aucun des convives ne comprit pourquoi il lui avait dit cela. Comme Judas tenait la bourse commune, certains pensèrent que Jésus voulait lui dire d’acheter ce qu’il fallait pour la fête, ou de donner quelque chose aux pauvres.  Judas prit donc la bouchée, et sortit aussitôt. Or il faisait nuit. Quand il fut sorti, Jésus déclara : « Maintenant le Fils de l’homme est glorifié, et Dieu est glorifié en lui. Si Dieu est glorifié en lui, Dieu aussi le glorifiera ; et il le glorifiera bientôt.  Petits enfants, c’est pour peu de temps encore que je suis avec vous. Vous me chercherez, et, comme je l’ai dit aux Juifs : “Là où je vais, vous ne pouvez pas aller”, je vous le dis maintenant à vous aussi. »  Simon-Pierre lui dit : « Seigneur, où vas-tu ? » Jésus lui répondit : « Là où je vais, tu ne peux pas me suivre maintenant ; tu me suivras plus tard. »  Pierre lui dit : « Seigneur, pourquoi ne puis-je pas te suivre à présent? Je donnerai ma vie pour toi ! » Jésus réplique : « Tu donneras ta vie pour moi ? Amen, amen, je te le dis: le coq ne chantera pas avant que tu m’aies renié trois fois. »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Regarde avec amour, Seigneur, le sacrifice offert par ta famille ; toi qui nous donnes déjà de participer à tes sacrements, accorde-nous encore la grâce de parvenir aux biens dont ils sont le signe. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion

Dieu n’a pas refusé son propre Fils, il l’a livré pour nous tous : en nous le donnant, il nous a tout donné.

 

Prière après la communion

Tu nous as nourris, Seigneur, de ton Eucharistie, et nous en appelons à ta miséricorde: par le sacrement, qui déjà nous donne ta force, rends-nous participants de la vie éternelle. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Aujourd’hui Jésus nous invite à nous aimer les uns les autres. Même dans ce monde si compliqué où nous vivons, compliqué à cause du bien et du mal qui s’y mêlent et s’y amalgament. Fréquemment, nous sommes tentés de le regarder comme une fatalité, une mauvaise nouvelle, alors que nous, les chrétiens, sommes censés apporter la Bonne Nouvelle de Jésus-Christ dans notre monde violent et injuste. En effet, Jésus nous dit «de nous aimer les uns les autres, comme Il nous a aimés» (Jn 13,34). Et une bonne façon de nous aimer, de mettre en pratique la Parole de Dieu, c’est d’annoncer, à toute heure, en tout lieu, la Bonne Nouvelle, l’Évangile, qui n’est que Jésus-Christ lui-même.

by | Apr 10, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Lundi  11 avril 2022

 

St. Stanislas,

évêque et martyr

 

Fils d’une riche famille polonaise, Stanislas (1030-1079) distribue ses biens aux pauvres. Évêque de Cracovie en 1072, il entre en conflit avec Boleslas II, monarque injuste et débauché, dont il dénonce les fautes pour défendre le peuple opprimé. Quand il doit en venir à excommunier le roi, celui-ci le tue de sa main, alors que l’évêque célébrait la messe. Stanislas est un des patrons de la Pologne.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Cf 34, 11.12.23

De faux témoins se sont levés : on me rend le mal pour le bien ; je n’ai plus d’appui. Éveille-toi : lève-toi pour me défendre, et pour juger, Seigneur, mon Dieu.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu tout-puissant, nous t’en supplions : quand nous tombons à cause de notre faiblesse, donne-nous de reprendre vie par la passion de ton Fils bien-aimé. Lui qui.

 

1ère lecture : Isaïe 42, 1-7

Ainsi parle le Seigneur : « Voici mon serviteur que je soutiens, mon élu qui a toute ma faveur. J’ai fait reposer sur lui mon esprit ; aux nations, il proclamera le droit. Il ne criera pas, il ne haussera pas le ton, il ne fera pas entendre sa voix au-dehors. Il ne brisera pas le roseau qui fléchit, il n’éteindra pas la mèche qui faiblit, il proclamera le droit en vérité. Il ne faiblira pas, il ne fléchira pas, jusqu’à ce qu’il établisse le droit sur la terre, et que les îles lointaines aspirent à recevoir ses lois. » Ainsi parle Dieu, le Seigneur, qui crée les cieux et les déploie, qui affermit la terre et ce qu’elle produit ; il donne le souffle au peuple qui l’habite, et l’esprit à ceux qui la parcourent : «Moi, le Seigneur, je t’ai appelé selon la justice ; je te saisis par la main, je te façonne, je fais de toi l’alliance du peuple, la lumière des nations tu ouvriras les yeux des aveugles, tu feras sortir les captifs de leur prison, et, de leur cachot, ceux qui habitent les ténèbres. »

Psaume 26 (27), 1, 2, 3, 13-14

R/ Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut.   26,1a

 

  1. Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut ; de qui aurais-je crainte ? Le Seigneur est le rempart de ma vie; devant qui tremblerais-je ?
  2. Si des méchants s’avancent contre moi pour me déchirer, ce sont eux, mes ennemis, mes adversaires, qui perdent pied et
  3. Succombent. Qu’une armée se déploie devant moi, mon cœur est sans crainte; que la bataille s’engage contre moi, je garde confiance.
  4. J’en suis sûr, je verrai les bontés du Seigneur sur la terre des vivants. « Espère le Seigneur, sois fort et prends courage ; espère le Seigneur.»

 

Acclamation

Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire! Salut, ô Christ, notre Roi: toi seul as pris en pitié nos égarements. Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire!.

 

Évangile : Jean 12, 1-11

Six jours avant la Pâque, Jésus vint à Béthanie où habitait Lazare, qu’il avait réveillé d’entre les morts. On donna un repas en l’honneur de Jésus. Marthe faisait le service, Lazare était parmi les convives avec Jésus. Or, Marie avait pris une livre d’un parfum très pur et de très grande valeur ;elle répandit le parfum sur les pieds de Jésus, qu’elle essuya avec ses cheveux ;la maison fut remplie de l’odeur du parfum. Judas Iscariote, l’un de ses disciples, celui qui allait le livrer, dit alors : « Pourquoi n’a-t-on pas vendu ce parfum pour trois cents pièces d’argent, que l’on aurait données à des pauvres ? » Il parla ainsi, non par souci des pauvres, mais parce que c’était un voleur: comme il tenait la bourse commune, il prenait ce que l’on y mettait. Jésus lui dit : « Laisse-la observer cet usage en vue du jour de mon ensevelissement ! Des pauvres, vous en aurez toujours avec vous, mais moi, vous ne m’aurez pas toujours. » Or, une grande foule de Juifs apprit que Jésus était là, et ils arrivèrent, non seulement à cause de Jésus, mais aussi pour voir ce Lazare qu’il avait réveillé d’entre les morts. Les grands prêtres décidèrent alors de tuer aussi Lazare, parce que beaucoup de Juifs, à cause de lui, s’en allaient, et croyaient en Jésus.

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, les mystères que nous célébrons ; pour réparer les dommages de nos fautes, tu as voulu ce sacrifice du Christ : fais-lui produire en nous des fruits qui demeurent. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion

Ne me cache pas ton visage le jour où la détresse me prend ! Le jour où je t’appelle, écoute-moi: n’attends pas pour me répondre !

 

Prière après la communion

Reste au milieu de ton peuple, Seigneur; veille avec une fidélité de chaque instant sur nos cœurs sanctifiés dans cette Eucharistie: et puisque tu nous as donné le sacrement de notre guérison éternelle, aide-nous, par ta grâce, à ne jamais le renier. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Trois des quatre évangélistes mentionnent l’onction de Jésus par une femme, une semaine avant la Pâques : Matthieu 26, Marc 14 et Jean 12. La venue de cette femme, le geste qu’elle accomplit ne relèvent pas d’un petit surplus émotionnel au moment où le drame va commencer. Ils contribuent bien plutôt à la “grande entrée” selon une expression des liturgies orientales : l’Époux va “entrer dans sa gloire” (Luc 24, 26) par sa passion, sa croix et sa résurrection, et cet Époux ne s’y avance pas sans une Épouse à ses côtés. Jésus, “fils d’Adam, fils de Dieu” (Luc 3, 38), accomplit les noces de l’Agneau ; une femme, “chair de sa chair” (cf Genèse 2, 23), est présente pour témoigner de sa chair d’homme qui va passer de la mort à la Vie.

by | Apr 10, 2022 | Evangelium

Monday 11th April 2022

 

St. StanisLaw

(1036 – 1079)

 

He was born in Poland in 1036. He became bishop of Krakow 1072. He ruled the church as a good shepherd and gave help to the poor. He was murdered as he was celebrating Mass on 8 May 1079.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 34: 1-2; 139: 8

Contend, O Lord, with my contenders; fight those who fight me. Take up your buckler and shield; arise in my defence, Lord, my mighty help.

 

Collect

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, though in our weakness we fail, we may be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Isaiah 42:1-7

Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations. He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets. He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame. Faithfully he brings true justice; he will neither waver, nor be crushed until true justice is established on earth, for the islands are awaiting his law. Thus says God, the Lord, he who created the heavens and spread them out, who gave shape to the earth and what comes from it, who gave breath to its people and life to the creatures that move in it: ‘I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right; I have taken you by the hand and formed you; I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations, ‘to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.’

Psalm 26:1-3,13-14

R/ The Lord is my light and my help.

 

  1. The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
  2. When evil-doers draw near to devour my flesh, it is they, my enemies and foes, who stumble and fall.
  3. Though an army encamp against me, my heart would not fear. Though war break out against me, even then would I trust.
  4. I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

 

Gospel Acclamation

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! Hail to you, our King! You alone have had compassion on our sins. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

 

Gospel : John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’ Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Look graciously, O Lord, upon the sacred mysteries we celebrate here, and may what you have mercifully provided to cancel the judgement we incurred, bear for us fruit in eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 101: 3

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.  Turn your ear towards me; on the day when I call, speedily answer me.

 

Prayer after Communion

Visit your people, O Lord, we pray, and with ever-watchful love, look upon the hearts dedicated to you by means of these sacred mysteries, so that under your protection, we may keep safe this remedy of eternal salvation, which by your mercy we have received. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Prayer over the People    

May your protection, O Lord, we pray, defend the humble and keep ever safe those who trust in your mercy, that they may celebrate the paschal festivities not only with bodily observance but above all with purity of mind. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Meditation

As we would notice, Judas criticizes not because he has a good reason but because of his malicious intent. Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ (John 12:4-5). It is much easier to criticize than to find a better way of handling a situation. The intention behind criticism matters a great deal. Whatever our form of protest or criticism, we must make sure it is an act of responsibility (constructive criticism), one that can move things to a better level for the good of all. Otherwise, we may just be making complaints against those who try to do things the best possible way they can, whereas we could do no better.

 

 

 

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Evangelium

Sunday  10th April 2022

 

PALM SUNDAY

PSALTER II

 

Gospel: Luke 19:28-40

Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If any one asks you, “Why are you untying it?” you shall say this, “The Lord has need of it.”’ So those who were sent went away and found it as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ And they said, ‘The Lord has need of it.’ And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their garments on the colt they set Jesus upon it. And as he rode along, they spread their garments on the road. As he was drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.’

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Jn 12: 1, 12-13; Ps 23: 9-10

Six days before the Passover, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, the children ran to meet him; in their hands they carried palm branches and with a loud voice cried out: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy! O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is this king of glory? He, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!

 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to follow caused our Saviour to take flesh and submit to the Cross, graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed.

 

Psalm 21:8-9,17-20,23-24

R/   My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

 

  1. All who see me deride me. They curl their lips, they toss their heads. ‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him; let him release him if this is his friend.’
  2. Many dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and my feet, I can count every one of my bones.
  3. They divide my clothing among them. They cast lots for my robe. O Lord, do not leave me alone, my strength, make haste to help me!
  4. I will tell of your name to my brethren and praise you where they are assembled. ‘You who fear the Lord give him praise; all sons of Jacob, give him glory. Revere him, Israel’s sons.

 

Second reading: Philippians 2:6-11

His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Gospel Acclamation: Phil 2:8-9

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

 

 

 

Gospel : Luke 22:14-23:56

 

Key: N. Narrator.  Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

 

  1. When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them,  I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. N. Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said,    Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes. N. Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,    This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me. N. He did the same with the cup after supper, and said,    This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you. And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed! N. And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing. A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them,   Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves! You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers. N. He answered, O. Lord, I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death. N. Jesus replied,    I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me. N. He said to them,   When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything? N. They answered, C. No. N. He said to them,  But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: He let himself be taken for a criminal. Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment. N. They said, C. Lord, there are two swords here now. N. He said to them,   That is enough! N. He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them,    Pray not to be put to the test. N. Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed, saying,    Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine. N. Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. He said to them,    Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test. N. He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said,   Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?  N. His followers, seeing what was happening, said, C. Lord, shall we use our swords? N. And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. But at this Jesus spoke:    Leave off! That will do! N. And touching the man’s ear he healed him. Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. He said,   Am I a brigand, that you had to set out with swords and clubs? When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.  N. They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said, O. This person was with him too. N. But he denied it. O. Woman, I do not know him. N. Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said, O. You are another of them. N. But Peter replied, O. I am not, my friend. N. About an hour later another man insisted, saying, O. This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean. N. Peter said, O. My friend, I do not know what you are talking about. N. At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly. Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, C. Play the prophet. Who hit you then? N. And they continued heaping insults on him. When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, and they said to him, C. If you are the Christ, tell us. N. He replied,   If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.  N. Then they all said, C. So you are the Son of God then? N. He answered:    It is you who say I am. N. They said, C. What need of witnesses have we now? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips. N. The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate. They began their accusation by saying, C. We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king. N. Pilate put to him this question: O. Are you the king of the Jews? N. He replied,    It is you who say it. N. Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd, O. I find no case against this man. N. But they persisted, C. He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here. N. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day. Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said, O. You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go. N. But as one man they howled, C. Away with him! Give us Barabbas!  N. (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)  Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back, C. Crucify him! Crucify him! N. And for the third time he spoke to them, O. Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go. N. But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder. Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased. As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,   Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry? N. Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed. When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,    Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing. N. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing. The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying, C. He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One. N. The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said, C. If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. N. Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying, O. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well. N. But the other spoke up and rebuked him: O. Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. N. He replied,   Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise. N. It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,   Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. N. With these words he breathed his last.

All kneel and pause a moment When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, O. This was a great and good man. N. And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts. All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen. Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent. Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son, O Lord, may our reconciliation with you be near at hand, so that, though we do not merit it by our own deeds, yet by this sacrifice made once for all, we may feel already the effects of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Mt 26: 42

Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.

 

Prayer after Communion

Nourished with these sacred gifts, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, just as through the death of your Son you have brought us to hope for what we believe, so by his Resurrection you may lead us to where you call. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer over the People

Look, we pray, O Lord, on this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of the wicked and submit to the agony of the Cross. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

 

Meditation

With the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we celebrate a joyful procession to remember the jubilant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and into his passion. Many of us who believe in Jesus get swayed by the allurements of this world. Many of us would worship the Lord but then would succumb to temptations and give in to sin. We notice a sudden change in the mood of the celebration – from a triumphant, happy, glorious, and joyful shout of Hosanna to a mood of rejection, abandonment, and betrayal. But Jesus remained focused on the mission. Why do we easily get swayed by the empty promises and events of this world? We make efforts to worship the Lord, no doubt, but we soon afterwards succumb to temptations and give in to things that are not our focus. Let us remain focused on the reason we exist, on the task we have as parents, Christians, members of different groups, as students, as governing bodies, etc. and not be carried away by distraction.