by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 22, 2022 | Evangelium
Wednesday 23 March 2022
St. Turibius
of Mogrovejo
(1538 – 1606)
He was born in Spain in about 1538 and studied law at the University of Salamanca. He was named bishop of Lima in 1580. He was full of apostolic zeal. He died in Lima on 23 March 1606.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 118: 133
Let my steps be guided by your promise; may evil never rule me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, schooled through Lenten observance and nourished by your word, through holy restraint, we may be devoted to you with all our heart and be ever united in prayer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First reading : Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9
Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. ‘See, as the Lord my God has commanded me, I teach you the laws and customs that you are to observe in the land you are to enter and make your own. Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.” And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today?’But take care what you do and be on your guard. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life; rather, tell them to your children and to your children’s children.’
Psalm 147:12-13,15-16,19-20
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
- O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates, He has blessed the children within you.
- He sends out his word to the earth And swiftly runs his command. He showers down snow white as wool, He scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
- He makes his word known to Jacob, To Israel his laws and decrees. He has not dealt thus with other nations; He has not taught them his decrees.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn8:12
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Gospel : Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the prayers of your people along with these sacrificial offerings, and defend those who celebrate your mysteries from every kind of danger. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 15: 11
You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly banquet, at which we have been fed, sanctify us, O Lord, and, cleansing us of all errors, make us worthy of your promises from on high. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Gospel reminds us today that God has not given us the right to pick and choose among His commandments. When we accept to be Christians/disciples, we must accept the whole package of faith which Jesus offers, and not pick and choose according to our feelings. God does not allow us the right to say, “I will obey His teaching about murder but not his teaching about adultery or fornication”; or, “I will obey His teaching about theft, but not about divorce”. To refuse His right to rule any of our ethics or behaviour is to deny His Lordship. Jesus also warns us against undermining the faith of others through what we teach or our bad examples. We must not only obey the commandments, but also “teach […] them” so that we “will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven”.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 22, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
Mercredi 23 mars 2022
- Victorien
Hunéric, roi des Vandales d’Afrique, demanda à Victorien, le gouverneur de Carthage d’emprisonner les chrétiens qui n’embrasseraient pas l’arianisme, à commencer par lui-même. Il refusa. La réponse de Hunéric fut de le mettre à mort ainsi que 4 riches commerçants : deux frères de la ville d’Aquarège et deux autres marchands nommés Frumence.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 118, 133
Que tes promesses orientent mes pas, Seigneur: ne laisse aucun mal me dominer.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, tu nous accordes ce temps de Carême pour nous former à la vie avec le Christ et nous alimenter de ta parole ; que notre effort de pénitence nous obtienne la fidélité à te servir et le goût de te prier d’un même cœur. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Dt 4, 1.5-9
Moïse disait au peuple: « Maintenant, Israël, écoute les décrets et les ordonnances que je vous enseigne pour que vous les mettiez en pratique. Ainsi vous vivrez, vous entrerez, pour en prendre possession, dans le pays que vous donne le Seigneur, le Dieu de vos pères. Voyez, je vous enseigne les décrets et les ordonnances que le Seigneur mon Dieu m’a donnés pour vous, afin que vous les mettiez en pratique dans le pays où vous allez entrer pour en prendre possession. Vous les garderez, vous les mettrez en pratique; ils seront votre sagesse et votre intelligence aux yeux de tous les peuples. Quand ceux- ci entendront parler de tous ces décrets, ils s’écrieront: “Il n’y a pas un peuple sage et intelligent comme cette grande nation !” Quelle est en effet la grande nation dont les dieux soient aussi proches que le Seigneur notre Dieu est proche de nous chaque fois que nous l’invoquons? Et quelle est la grande nation dont les décrets et les ordonnances soient aussi justes que toute cette Loi que je vous donne aujourd’hui? Mais prends garde à toi : garde-toi de jamais oublier ce que tes yeux ont vu; ne le laisse pas sortir de ton cœur un seul jour. Enseigne-le à tes fils, et aux fils de tes fils. »
Psaume : 147 (147b), 12-13, 15-16, 19-20
R/ Glorifie le Seigneur, Jérusalem ! Célèbre ton Dieu, ô Sion !
- Glorifie le Seigneur, Jérusalem! Célèbre ton Dieu, ô Sion! Il a consolidé les barres de tes portes, dans tes murs il a béni tes enfants.
- Il envoie sa parole sur la terre: rapide, son verbe la parcourt. Il étale une toison de neige, il sème une poussière de givre.
- Il révèle sa parole à Jacob, ses volontés et ses lois à Israël. Pas un peuple qu’il ait ainsi traité ; nul autre n’a connu ses volontés.
Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant ! Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie; tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant !
Évangile : Mt 5, 17-19
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples: « Ne pensez pas que je sois venu abolir la Loi ou les Prophètes: je ne suis pas venu abolir, mais accomplir. Amen, je vous le dis: Avant que le ciel et la terre disparaissent, pas un seul iota, pas un seul trait ne disparaîtra de la Loi jusqu’à ce que tout se réalise. Donc, celui qui rejettera un seul de ces plus petits commandements, et qui enseignera aux hommes à faire ainsi, sera déclaré le plus petit dans le royaume des Cieux. Mais celui qui les observera et les enseignera, celui-là sera déclaré grand dans le royaume des Cieux.»
Prière sur les offrandes
Avec ces offrandes, Seigneur, accepte les prières de ton peuple; et nous qui prenons part à cette Eucharistie, protège-nous de tout mal. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 15, 11
Tu m’as montré, Seigneur, la route de la vie ; en ta présence, la joie est sans mesure.
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion à ton Fils Jésus Christ nous sanctifie, Seigneur notre Dieu: après avoir effacé tous nos torts, qu’elle ouvre nos cœurs aux promesses de ton Règne. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Les grandes religions en général nous aident à nous rapprocher de Dieu à travers la perfection personnelle ou à travers des rituels bien ficelés dans le temps. Dans le judaïsme et le christianisme, on constate plutôt que c’est Dieu qui vient à nous et veut se faire connaître. Toutefois si Dieu est aussi proche de nous, nous ne devons pas pour autant le mépriser. Voilà pourquoi Jésus, Dieu fait homme, nous rappelle l’importance de la Loi. Il nous invite à la garder et à l’observer, à la divulguer sans y retrancher le plus petit commandement. Être disciple (accepter les commandements) et missionnaire (les proposer dans leur intégralité), voilà ce qui nous fera entrer dans le Royaume des cieux.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 21, 2022 | Evangelium
Tuesday 22 March 2022
St. Deogratias
(d. 457)
He was an outstanding priest, very much loved and supported by the people because of his charity and preaching. He later became bishop of diocese of Carthage.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8
To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; Turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; In the shadow of your wings protect me.
Collect
May your grace not forsake us, O Lord, we pray, but make us dedicated to your holy service and at all times obtain for us your help. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First reading : Daniel 3:25,34-43
Azariah stood in the heart of the fire, and he began to pray: Oh! Do not abandon us for ever, for the sake of your name; do not repudiate your covenant,do not withdraw your favour from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac your servant, and of Israel your holy one, to whom you promised descendants as countless as the stars of heaven and as the grains of sand on the seashore. Lord, now we are the least of all the nations, now we are despised throughout the world, today, because of our sins. We have at this time no leader, no prophet, no prince, no holocaust, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense, no place where we can offer you the first-fruits and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit be as acceptable to you as holocausts of rams and bullocks, as thousands of fattened lambs: such let our sacrifice be to you today, and may it be your will that we follow you wholeheartedly, since those who put their trust in you will not be disappointed. And now we put our whole heart into following you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more. Do not disappoint us; treat us gently, as you yourself are gentle and very merciful. Grant us deliverance worthy of your wonderful deeds, let your name win glory, Lord.
Psalm 24:4-6,7-9
R/ Remember your mercy, Lord.
- Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour.
- In you I hope all day long because of your goodness, O Lord. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth. In your love remember me.
- The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray, He guides the humble in the right path, He teaches his way to the poor.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Lk8:15
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel : Matthew 18:21-35
Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’ And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that this saving sacrifice may cleanse us of our faults and become an oblation pleasing to your almighty power. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 14: 1-2
Lord, who may abide in your tent, and dwell on your holy mountain? Whoever walks without fault and does what is just.
Prayer after Communion
May the holy partaking of this mystery give us life, O Lord, we pray, and grant us both pardon and protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Christian living or conduct in the community of disciples is to be patterned after the mercy and grace of God’s free forgiveness of sins – which is an important basis for the very existence of the community. As God freely forgives those who have sinned against Him, so are disciples to freely forgive those who sin against them. In both instances, the repentance of the sinner is assumed. The failure to forgive one who is repentant casts doubt on the genuineness of a person’s discipleship. The refusal to forgive others blocks God’s mercy from reaching us, too. Forgiveness must issue “from your heart”, it must be sincere. It is true some injuries are so deep and difficult to forget, but “the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession” (CCC, n. 2843).
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 21, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
MARDI 22 MARS 2022
STE. LÉA
Elle faisait partie de ces nobles dames romaines admiratrices de saint Jérôme. Admirative, elle écoutait les leçons d’Ecritures Saintes qu’il donnait à Rome. Devenue veuve, elle distribua ses biens aux pauvres et entra dans un monastère romain dont elle devint la supérieure. Saint Jérôme lui consacrera une lettre dithyrambique.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 16, 6-8
Je t’appelle, mon Dieu, toi qui peux me répondre : écoute-moi ! Entends ce que je dis ! Garde-moi comme la prunelle de l’œil ; sois mon abri, protège-moi.
Prière d’ouverture
Ne nous prive pas de ta grâce, Dieu fidèle : qu’elle nous consacre à ton service et nous assiste toujours. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Dn 3, 25.34-43
En ces jours- là, Azarias, debout, priait ainsi ; au milieu du feu, ouvrant la bouche, il dit : À cause de ton nom, ne nous livre pas pour toujours et ne romps pas ton alliance. Ne nous retire pas ta miséricorde, à cause d’Abraham, ton ami, d’Isaac, ton serviteur, et d’Israël que tu as consacré. Tu as dit que tu rendrais leur descendance aussi nombreuse que les astres du ciel, que le sable au rivage des mers. Or nous voici, ô Maître, le moins nombreux de tous les peuples, humiliés aujourd’hui sur toute la terre, à cause de nos péchés. Il n’est plus, en ce temps, ni prince ni chef ni prophète, plus d’holocauste ni de sacrifice, plus d’oblation ni d’offrande d’encens, plus de lieu où t’offrir nos prémices pour obtenir ta miséricorde. Mais, avec nos cœurs brisés, nos esprits humiliés, reçois-nous, comme un holocauste de béliers, de taureaux, d’agneaux gras par milliers. Que notre sacrifice, en ce jour, trouve grâce devant toi, car il n’est pas de honte pour qui espère en toi. Et maintenant, de tout cœur, nous te suivons, nous te craignons et nous cherchons ta face. Ne nous laisse pas dans la honte, agis envers nous selon ton indulgence et l’abondance de ta miséricorde. Délivre- nous en renouvelant tes merveilles, glorifie ton nom, Seigneur.
Psaume : 24 (25), 4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9
R/ Rappelle-toi, Seigneur, ta tendresse.
1. Seigneur, enseigne-moi tes voies, fais-moi connaître ta route. Dirige-moi par ta vérité, enseigne-moi, car tu es le Dieu qui me sauve.
2. Rappelle-toi, Seigneur, ta tendresse, ton amour qui est de toujours. Dans ton amour, ne m’oublie pas, en raison de ta bonté, Seigneur.
3. Il est droit, il est bon, le Seigneur, lui qui montre aux pécheurs le chemin. Sa justice dirige les humbles, il enseigne aux humbles son chemin.
Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, honneur, puissance et majesté ! Maintenant, dit le Seigneur, revenez à moi de tout votre cœur, car je suis tendre et miséricordieux. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, honneur, puissance et majesté !
Évangile : Mt 18, 21-35
En ce temps- là, Pierre s’approcha de Jésus pour lui demander : « Seigneur, lorsque mon frère commettra des fautes contre moi, combien de fois dois-je lui pardonner ? Jusqu’à sept fois ? » Jésus lui répondit : « Je ne te dis pas jusqu’à sept fois, mais jusqu’à 70 fois sept fois. Ainsi, le royaume des Cieux est comparable à un roi qui voulut régler ses comptes avec ses serviteurs. Il commençait, quand on lui amena quelqu’un qui lui devait dix mille talents (c’est-à-dire soixante millions de pièces d’argent). Comme cet homme n’avait pas de quoi rembourser, le maître ordonna de le vendre, avec sa femme, ses enfants et tous ses biens, en remboursement de sa dette. Alors, tombant à ses pieds, le serviteur demeurait prosterné et disait : “Prends patience envers moi, et je te rembourserai tout.” Saisi de compassion, le maître de ce serviteur le laissa partir et lui remit sa dette. Mais, en sortant, ce serviteur trouva un de ses compagnons qui lui devait cent pièces d’argent. Il se jeta sur lui pour l’étrangler, en disant : “Rembourse ta dette !” Alors, tombant à ses pieds, son compagnon le suppliait : “Prends patience envers moi, et je te rembourserai.” Mais l’autre refusa et le fit jeter en prison jusqu’à ce qu’il ait remboursé ce qu’il devait. Ses compagnons, voyant cela, furent profondément attristés et allèrent raconter à leur maître tout ce qui s’était passé. Alors celui-ci le fit appeler et lui dit : “Serviteur mauvais ! je t’avais remis toute cette dette parce que tu m’avais supplié. Ne devais-tu pas, à ton tour, avoir pitié de ton compagnon, comme moi-même j’avais eu pitié de toi ?” Dans sa colère, son maître le livra aux bourreaux jusqu’à ce qu’il eût remboursé tout ce qu’il devait. C’est ainsi que mon Père du ciel vous traitera, si chacun de vous ne pardonne pas à son frère du fond du cœur. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant : que ce sacrifice offert pour notre salut nous guérisse de toute faiblesse et attire sur nous ta puissance. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 14, 1-2
Qui sera reçu dans ta maison, Seigneur, qui habitera sur ta montagne sainte ? Tout homme qui se conduit bien, qui agit avec justice.
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion à ton mystère, Seigneur, nous fasse vivre davantage : qu’elle nous apporte à la fois la remise de nos dettes et ta protection pour l ’avenir. Par Jésus.
Méditation
« Tout ce que vous aurez fait à l’un de ces plus petits de mes frères, c’est à moi que vous l’avez fait » (Mt 25, 40). Matthieu nous révèle combien il est important pour tout disciple de vivre en parfaite relation avec son frère, pour bénéficier du Royaume des Cieux. Pardonner et accepter les autres est déjà une ouverture vers le Ciel que nous préparons. Pierre, en découvrant l’importance de la miséricorde dans les dits et faits de Jésus, semble convaincu que pardonner 7 fois est suffisant. Jésus lui fait comprendre qu’il en faut plus. Non seulement il doit être capable de pardonner chaque fois qu’il est offensé (70×7) ; il doit aussi croire que chaque fois qu’il demandera pardon à Dieu il lui sera fait miséricorde. « Pardonne-nous comme nous pardonnons… ». Parfois le pardon est tellement difficile à accorder… Seigneur vient à notre secours, nous t’en supplions !
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 20, 2022 | Evangelium
Monday 21 March 2022
St. Enda
(- 530)
He founded a monastery on the pagan island of Aran Mor in Galway Bay, which remained a centre for sanctity and learning for the next 300 years.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 83: 3
My soul is longing and yearning for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out to the living God.
Collect
May your unfailing compassion, O Lord, cleanse and protect your Church, and, since without you she cannot stand secure, may she be always governed by your grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First reading : 2 Kings 5: 1- 15
Naaman, army commander to the king of Aram, was a man who enjoyed his master’s respect and favour, since through him the Lord had granted victory to the Aramaeans. But the man was a leper. Now on one of their raids, the Aramaeans had carried off from the land of Israel a little girl who had become a servant of Naaman’s wife. ‘She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would approach the prophet of Samaria. He would cure him of his leprosy.’ Naaman went and told his master. ‘This and this’ he reported ‘is what the girl from the land of Israel said.’ ‘Go by all means,’ said the king of Aram ‘I will send a letter to the king of Israel.’ So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten festal robes. He presented the letter to the king of Israel. It read: ‘With this letter, I am sending my servant Naaman to you for you to cure him of his leprosy.’ When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his garments. ‘Am I a god to give death and life,’ he said ‘that he sends a man to me and asks me to cure him of his leprosy? Listen to this, and take note of it and see how he intends to pick a quarrel with me.’When Elisha heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent word to the king, ‘Why did you tear your garments? Let him come to me, and he will find there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his team and chariot and drew up at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent him a messenger to say, ‘Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will become clean once more.’ But Naaman was indignant and went off, saying, ‘Here was I thinking he would be sure to come out to me, and stand there, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the spot and cure the leprous part. Surely Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, are better than any water in Israel? Could I not bathe in them and become clean?’ And he turned round and went off in a rage. But his servants approached him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? All the more reason, then, when he says to you, “Bathe, and you will become clean.”’ So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do. And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child. Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and stood before him. ‘Now I know’ he said ‘that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. ’
Psalm 41: 2 – 3, 42: 3 – 4
R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?
- Like the deer that yearns for running streams, So my soul is yearning for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; When can I enter and see the face of God?
- O send forth your light and your truth; Let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
- And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.
Gospel Acclamation : 2Co : 6 – 2
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! Now is the favourable time:This is the day of salvation. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel : Luke 4, 24-30
Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country. ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’ When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
Prayer over the Offerings
May what we offer you, O Lord, in token of our service, Be transformed by you into the sacrament of salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 116:1,2
O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.
Prayer after Communion
May communion in this your Sacrament, we pray, O Lord, bring with it purification and the unity that is your gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus recalls the history of Israel in the period of Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17-18; 2 Kings 5:1-14). The lesson is a warning. The period was a low point in the nation’s life, when the rejection of God was at an all-time high and idolatry and unfaithfulness were rampant. Therefore, God moved His works of mercy outside the nation into Gentile regions, as only a widow in Sidon and Naaman the Syrian experienced God’s mercy and healing. The price of rejecting God’s message is severe; mercy and goodness move on to others. It is quite risky to walk away from God’s offer of deliverance. Jesus’ ministry presents a basic challenge to us and the choice He presents carries high stakes. Shall we take the opportunity He offers to benefit from God’s goodness and mercy, or respond in anger like the people of Nazara?
