by | Mar 17, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Vendredi 18 mars 2022

 

St. Cyrille de Jérusalem,

évêque et docteur de l’Eglise

 

 

C’est un spécialiste de la catéchèse des adultes qui, vers 350, devint évêque de Jérusalem, sa ville natale. Cyrille (313-386) avait préparé les candidats au baptême en leur expliquant, d’une manière directe et très simple, les mystères de la foi et les sacrements de l’initiation chrétienne. Ses Catéchèses, qui sont parvenues jusqu’à nous, sont le vivant écho de sa parole. 

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 30, 2.5

J’ai un recours auprès de toi, Seigneur : que jamais plus je ne sois humilié. Tu m’arraches au filet qu’on m’a tendu, c’est toi qui me protèges.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant : purifie-nous au long de ce Carême, pour que nous parvenions avec un cœur limpide aux fêtes pascales qui approchent.  Par Jésus.

 

1ère lecture : Gn 37, 3-4.12-13a.17b-28

Israël, c’est-à-dire Jacob, aimait Joseph plus que tous ses autres enfants, parce qu’il était le fils de sa vieillesse, et il lui fit faire une tunique de grand prix. En voyant qu’il leur préférait Joseph, ses autres fils se mirent à détester celui-ci, et ils ne pouvaient plus lui parler sans hostilité. Les frères de Joseph étaient allés à Sichem faire paître le troupeau de leur père. Israël dit à Joseph : « Tes frères ne gardent-ils pas le troupeau à Sichem ? Va donc les trouver de ma part ! » Joseph les trouva à Dotane. Ceux-ci l’aperçurent de loin et, avant qu’il arrive près d’eux, ils complotèrent de le faire mourir. Ils se dirent l’un à l’autre : « Voici l’expert en songes qui arrive ! C’est le moment, allons-y, tuons-le, et jetons-le dans une de ces citernes. Nous dirons qu’une bête féroce l’a dévoré, et on verra ce que voulaient dire ses songes ! » Mais Roubène les entendit, et voulut le sauver de leurs mains. Il leur dit : « Ne touchons pas à sa vie. » Et il ajouta : « Ne répandez pas son sang : jetez-le dans cette citerne du désert, mais ne portez pas la main sur lui. » Il voulait le sauver de leurs mains et le ramener à son père. Dès que Joseph eut rejoint ses frères, ils le dépouillèrent de sa tunique, la tunique de grand prix qu’il portait, ils se  saisirent de lui et le jetèrent dans la citerne, qui était vide et sans eau. Ils s’assirent ensuite pour  manger. En levant les yeux, ils virent une caravane d’Ismaélites qui venait de Galaad. Leurs chameaux étaient chargés d’aromates, de baume et de myrrhe qu’ils allaient livrer en Égypte. Alors Juda dit à ses frères : « Quel profit aurions-nous à tuer notre frère et à dissimuler sa mort ? Vendons-le plutôt aux Ismaélites et ne portons pas la main sur lui, car il est notre frère, notre propre chair. » Ses frères l’écoutèrent. Des marchands madianites qui passaient par là retirèrent Joseph de la citerne, ils le vendirent pour vingt pièces d’argent aux Ismaélites, et ceux-ci l’emmenèrent en Égypte.

 

Psaume : 104 (105), 4a.5a.6, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R/   Souvenez-vous des merveilles que le Seigneur a faites.

 

  1. Cherchez le Seigneur et sa puissance, souvenez-vous des merveilles qu’il a faites, vous, la race d’Abraham son serviteur, les fils de Jacob, qu’il a choisis.
  2. Il appela sur le pays la famine, le privant de toute ressource. Mais devant eux il envoya un homme, Joseph, qui fut vendu comme esclave.
  3. On lui met aux pieds des entraves, on lui passe des fers au cou ; il souffrait pour la parole du Seigneur, jusqu’au jour où s’accomplit sa prédiction.
  4. Le roi ordonne qu’il soit relâché, le maître des peuples, qu’il soit libéré. Il fait de lui le chef de sa maison, le maître de tous ses biens.

 

Acclamation : Jn 3,16

Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire! Dieu a tellement aimé le monde qu’il a donné son Fils unique,  afin que ceux qui croient en lui aient la vie éternelle. Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire!

 

Évangile : Mt 21, 33-43. 45-46

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait aux grands prêtres et aux anciens du peuple : « Écoutez cette parabole : Un homme était propriétaire d’un domaine ; il planta une vigne, l’entoura d’une clôture, y creusa un pressoir et bâtit une tour de garde. Puis il loua cette vigne à des vignerons, et partit en voyage. Quand arriva le temps des fruits, il envoya ses serviteurs auprès des vignerons pour se faire remettre le produit de sa vigne. Mais les vignerons se saisirent des serviteurs, frappèrent l’un, tuèrent l’autre, lapidèrent le troisième. De nouveau, le propriétaire envoya d’autres serviteurs plus nombreux que les premiers; mais on les traita de la même façon. Finalement, il leur envoya son fils, en se disant : “Ils respecteront mon fils.” Mais, voyant le fils, les vignerons se dirent entre eux : “Voici l’héritier : venez ! tuons-le, nous aurons son héritage !” Ils se saisirent de lui, le jetèrent hors de la vigne et le tuèrent. Eh bien!  quand le maître de la vigne viendra, que fera-t-il à ces vignerons ? » On lui répond : « Ces misérables, il les fera périr misérablement. Il louera la vigne à d’autres vignerons, qui lui en remettront le produit en temps voulu. » Jésus leur dit : « N’avez-vous jamais lu dans les Écritures : 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 ! Aussi, je vous le dis : Le royaume de Dieu vous sera enlevé pour être donné à une nation qui lui fera produire ses fruits. »  En entendant les paraboles de Jésus, les grands prêtres et les pharisiens avaient bien compris qu’il parlait d’eux. Tout en cherchant à l’arrêter, ils eurent peur des foules, parce qu’elles le tenaient pour un prophète.

Prière sur les offrandes

Que ton amour, Seigneur, devance tes serviteurs pour leur permettre de bien célébrer ces mystères ; et qu’il les aide à rester partout à ton service. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Jn 4, 10

Dieu nous a aimés et il a envoyé son Fils qui est la victime offerte pour nos péchés.

 

Prière après la communion

C’est déjà le salut éternel, Seigneur, que nous commençons de recevoir: accorde-nous de tendre vers lui de manière à le posséder. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Dieu a créé l’Univers et en a confié la gestion à l’Homme. De manière particulière, Il a choisi et choyé le peuple juif pendant des siècles, protégé, conduit, libéré du joug de l’esclavage, etc. Il l’a chargé, dans son ensemble, d’entretenir une bonne relation avec Dieu et son prochain, à poser les preuves concrètes de conversion et les actes de bontés. Mais quand Dieu a envoyé ses messagers pour avertir son peuple afin qu’il vive selon ses commandements, le peuple a refusé et même tué ces envoyés et le Fils. Cette situation tragique nous montre, néanmoins, que le refus de Dieu n’empêchera en aucun moment que sa parole soit proclamée, que son Fils occupe la place spéciale dans l’œuvre du salut. Toutefois, si nous vivons comme des insensés et inconscients, notre condamnation sera la conséquence de notre mauvaise gestion des dons que Dieu nous a accordés. Seigneur aide moi à t’écouter et à me convertir !

by | Mar 17, 2022 | Evangelium

Friday 18 March 2022

St. Cyril

of Jerusalem

(315 – 386)

 

He was born in 315 and became bishop of Jerusalem in 348. He was active in the Arian controversy. He is respected by both the Catholics and the Orthodox, and he was declared a Doctor of the Church by the Pope in 1883.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 30: 2, 5

In you, O Lord, I put my trust, let me never be put to shame; release me from the snare  they have hidden for me, for you indeed are my refuge.

 

Collect

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, purifying us by the sacred practice of penance, You may lead us in sincerity of heart  to attain the holy things to come. 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 : Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28

Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. But his brothers, seeing how his father loved him more than all his other sons, came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him. His brothers went to pasture their father’s flock at Shechem. Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers with the flock at Shechem? Come, I am going to send you to them.’ So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. They saw him in the distance, and before he reached them they made a plot among themselves to put him to death. ‘Here comes the man of dreams’ they said to one another. ‘Come on, let us kill him and throw him into some well; we can say that a wild beast devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams.’ But Reuben heard, and he saved him from their violence. ‘We must not take his life’ he said. ‘Shed no blood,’ said Reuben to them ‘throw him into this well in the wilderness, but do not lay violent hands on him’ – intending to save him from them and to restore him to his father. So, when Joseph reached his brothers, they pulled off his coat, the coat with long sleeves that he was wearing, and catching hold of him they threw him into the well, an empty well with no water in it. They then sat down to eat. Looking up they saw a group of Ishmaelites who were coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, tragacanth, balsam and resin, which they were taking down into Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘What do we gain by killing our brother and covering up his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let us not do any harm to him. After all, he is our brother, and our own flesh.’ His brothers agreed. Now some Midianite merchants were passing, and they drew Joseph up out of the well. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver pieces, and these men took Joseph to Egypt.

 

Psalm 104:16-21

R/   Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

 

  1. The Lord called down a famine on the land. He broke the staff that supported them. He had sent man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave.
  2. His feet were put in chains, his neck was bound with iron, until what he said came to pass and the word of the Lord proved him true.
  3. Then the King sent and released him, the ruler of the people set him free, making him master of his house and ruler of all he possessed.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Jn3:16

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! God loved the world so much that he gave  His only Son: everyone who believes in him has eternal life. Praise and honour  To you, Lord Jesus!

 

Gospel : Matthew 21:33-43,45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When  vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one,  killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: It was the stone rejected by the builders That became the keystone. This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see?’ I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’ When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the Scribes realized he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

May your merciful grace prepare your servants, O God, for the worthy celebration of  these mysteries, and lead them to it by a devout way of life. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : 1 Jn 4: 10

God loved us, and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

 

Prayer after Communion

Having received this pledge of eternal salvation, we pray, O Lord, That we may set our course so well as to attain the redemption you promise. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

In today’s Gospel, Jesus borrows the imagery of Isaiah (5:1-7), and adapts it so that the primary evildoers represent not Israel as a whole, but its leaders. Israel was unprepared for its Master because Israel’s leaders failed in their stewardship to acknowledge the true Lord. However, when the cat is gone, the mice will play, but a day of reckoning is coming. This threat from Jesus’ day also provides a warning for Christian leaders in Matthew’s day and in our time. The Church and many of her leaders have repeated Israel’s disobedience enough in history and, to a great extent, continue to do so today. Many ministers and leaders regard the Church as “our” field of ministry rather than keeping in mind who our Lord is. The Gospel has a repeated emphasis on the need to produce and offer the fruits God requires. Only people that perform deeds of justice and mercy expected by God will inherit the Kingdom.

by | Mar 16, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 17 March 2022

 

St. Patrick

(385 – 461)

He was born in Roman Britain around the end of the 4th century, and died in Ireland about the middle of the 5th century. He is remembered for his simplicity and pastoral care of people.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 138: 23-24

Test me, O God, and know my thoughts. See that my path is not wicked, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Collect

O God, who delight in innocence and restore it, direct the hearts of your servants to yourself, that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit, we may be found steadfast in faith and effective in works. 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 : Jeremiah 17:5-10

The Lord says this: ‘A curse on the man who puts his trust in man, who relies on things of flesh, whose heart turns from the Lord. He is like dry scrub in the wastelands: if good comes, he has no eyes for it, he settles in the parched places of the wilderness, a salt land, uninhabited. ‘A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: when the heat comes it feels no alarm, its foliage stays green; it has no worries in a year of drought, and never ceases to bear fruit. ‘The heart is more devious than any other thing, perverse too: who can pierce its secrets? I, the Lord, search to the heart, I probe the loins, to give each man what his conduct and his actions deserve.’

 

Psalm 1:1-4,6

R/  Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

 

  1. Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night.
  2. He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that he does shall prosper.
  3. Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind: for the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Lk4:17

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’ Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

 

Gospel : Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. ‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.” ‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

By this present sacrifice, we pray, O Lord, sanctify our observance, that what Lenten discipline outwardly declares it may inwardly bring about. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 118: 1

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

 

 

Prayer after Communion

May this sacrifice, O God, remain active in its effects and work ever more strongly within us. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

Reading through our Gospel today, one can be tempted to say that all rich people are condemned to hell and all poor people will go to heaven. That will be a very bad way to interpret the great story of the rich man and Lazarus. There is no harm in being rich. Dives was not condemned because of his riches. He might have gained his riches through honest means. Why then was he condemned? First of all he was overtaken by the disease of egocentricism which prevented him from seeing poor Lazarus. He was too much absorbed in himself and was unable to see the beggar at his doorstep. Secondly, Dives’ selfishness caused him to lose the capacity to sympathise with his poor neighbour. The moral of the story is that we must develop a “fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives” (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 1)

by | Mar 16, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Jeudi 17 mars 2022

 

St. Patrice, évêque

 

Patrice ou Patrick, natif de Grande-Bretagne (vers 385-461), est vendu comme esclave en Irlande par les pirates qui l’ont enlevé alors qu’il avait quinze ans. Sept ans après, il s’évade, va se former au monastère de Lérins et à Auxerre près de Saint Germain, et reçoit l’épiscopat. Il part alors évangéliser l’Irlande encore païenne, dont il fait cette ‘’île des saints’’ où le zèle missionnaire demeure si ardent.

 

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 138, 23-24

Scrute-moi, mon Dieu, et tu connaîtras mon cœur. Vois si le mal ne fait pas en moi son chemin et conduis-moi sur le chemin d’éternité.

 

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu qui aimes l’innocence et la fais recouvrer, oriente vers toi le cœur de tes fidèles, pour que, dociles à ton Esprit, ils soient fermes dans la foi et vraiment efficaces. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Jr 17, 5-10

Ainsi parle le Seigneur : Maudit soit l’homme qui met sa foi dans un mortel, qui s’appuie sur un être de chair, tandis que son cœur se détourne du Seigneur. Il sera comme un buisson sur une terre désolée, il ne verra pas venir le bonheur. Il aura pour demeure les lieux arides du désert, une terre salée, inhabitable. Béni soit l’homme qui met sa foi dans le Seigneur, dont le Seigneur est la confiance. Il sera comme un arbre, planté près des eaux, qui pousse, vers le courant, ses racines. Il ne craint pas quand vient la chaleur: son feuillage reste vert. L’année de la sécheresse, il est sans inquiétude : il ne manque pas de porter du fruit. Rien n’est plus faux que le cœur de l’homme, il est incurable. Qui peut le connaître ? Moi, le Seigneur, qui pénètre les cœurs et qui scrute les reins, afin de rendre à chacun selon sa conduite, selon le fruit de ses actes.

 

Psaume : 1, 1-2, 3, 4.6

R/   Heureux est l’homme qui met sa foi dans le Seigneur.

 

  1. Heureux est l’homme qui n’entre pas au conseil des méchants, qui ne suit pas le chemin des pécheurs, ne siège pas avec ceux qui ricanent, mais se plaît dans la loi du Seigneur et murmure sa loi jour et nuit !
  2. Il est comme un arbre planté près d’un ruisseau, qui donne du fruit en son temps, et jamais son feuillage ne meurt ; tout ce qu’il entreprend réussira, tel n’est pas le sort des méchants.
  3. Mais ils sont comme la paille balayée par le vent : au jugement, les méchants ne se lèveront pas, ni les pécheurs au rassemblement des justes. Le Seigneur connaît le chemin des justes, mais le chemin des méchants se perdra.

 

Acclamation : Lc 8,15

Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. Heureux ceux qui ont entendu la Parole dans un cœur bon et généreux, qui la retiennent et portent du fruit par leur persévérance. Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance.

 

Évangile : Lc 16, 19-31

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait aux pharisiens : « Il y avait un homme riche, vêtu de pourpre et de lin fin, qui faisait chaque jour des festins somptueux. Devant son portail gisait un pauvre nommé Lazare, qui était couvert d’ulcères. Il aurait bien voulu se rassasier de ce qui tombait de la table du riche ; mais les chiens, eux, venaient lécher ses ulcères. Or le pauvre mourut, et les anges l’emportèrent auprès  d’Abraham. Le riche mourut aussi, et on l’enterra. Au séjour des morts, il était en proie à la torture ; levant les yeux, il vit Abraham de loin et Lazare tout près de lui. Alors il cria : “Père Abraham, prends pitié de moi et envoie Lazare tremper le bout de son doigt dans l’eau pour me rafraîchir la langue, car je souffre terriblement dans cette fournaise. – Mon enfant, répondit Abraham, rappelle- toi : tu as reçu le bonheur pendant ta vie, et Lazare, le malheur pendant la sienne. Maintenant, lui, il trouve ici la  consolation, et toi, la souffrance. Et en plus de tout cela, un grand abîme a été établi entre vous et nous, pour que ceux qui voudraient passer vers vous ne le puissent pas, et que, de là- bas non plus, on ne traverse pas vers nous.” Le riche répliqua : “Eh bien ! père, je te prie d’envoyer Lazare dans la maison de mon père. En effet, j’ai cinq frères : qu’il leur porte son témoignage, de peur qu’eux aussi ne viennent dans ce lieu de torture !” Abraham lui dit: “Ils ont Moïse et les Prophètes: qu’ils les écoutent! – Non, père Abraham, dit- il, mais si quelqu’un de chez les morts vient les trouver, ils se convertiront.” Abraham répondit : “S’ils n’écoutent pas Moïse ni les Prophètes, quelqu’un pourra bien ressusciter d’entre les morts : ils ne seront pas convaincus.” »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Par cette Eucharistie, Seigneur, sanctifie nos œuvres de pénitence, pour que l’entraînement du carême aboutisse à la vraie conversion du cœur. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion : Ps 118,1

Heureux, les hommes d’une conduite irréprochable qui suivent la loi du Seigneur.

 

Prière après la communion

Que cette communion, Seigneur, demeure agissante en nous et prolonge son effet dans notre vie. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Dans cette parabole trois éléments caractérisent le riche : le luxe, l’indifférence et l’égoïsme. Il vit préoccupé par son ventre et le paraître, au point qu’il ne peut baisser les yeux pour voir le pauvre Lazare qui ne cherche qu’à se nourrir. Même après sa mort, il veut que Dieu envoie quelqu’un de chez les morts pour avertir ses cinq frères. La leçon que Jésus nous enseigne est que nous devons vivre non pas seulement pour nous-mêmes et nos proches ; vivre en étant une aide véritable pour tous ceux et celles qui sont dans le besoin. “Amen, je vous le dis : chaque fois que vous l’avez fait à l’un de ces plus petits de mes frères, c’est à moi que vous l’avez fait.” (Mt 25, 40). C’est en mettant en pratique l’évangile et le commandement de la charité que nous prendrons part au festin du Royaume. Que ce temps de carême nous aide à y parvenir.

by | Mar 15, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 16 March 2022

 

St. Abban

Born in Ireland, Abban resided in Abingdon, England before the era of St. Patrick. Abban is part of the great panorama of early Irish Christians who served as models for European monasticism and faith.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 37: 22-23

Forsake me not, O Lord! My God, be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation!

 

Collect

Keep your family, O Lord, schooled always in good works, and so comfort them with your protection here as to lead them graciously to gifts on high. 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 : Jeremiah 18:18-20

‘Come on,’ they said, ‘let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah; the priest will not run short of instruction without him, nor the sage of advice, nor the prophet of the word. Come on, let us hit at him with his own tongue; let us listen carefully to every word he says.’Listen to me, O Lord, Hear what my adversaries are saying. Should evil be returned for good? For they are digging a pit for me. Remember how I stood in your presence to plead on their behalf,  to turn your wrath away from them.

 

Psalm 30:5-6,14-16

R/  Save me in your love, O Lord.

 

  1. Release me from the snares they have hidden for you are my refuge, Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
  2. I have heard the slander of the crowd, Fear is all around me, As they plot together against me, As they plan to take my life.
  3. But as for me, I trust in you, Lord; I say: ‘You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me From the hands of those who hate me.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn6:63,68

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Your words are spirit, Lord, and They are life; You have the message of eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!

 

Gospel : Matthew 20:17-28

Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’ When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Look with favour, Lord, on the sacrificial gifts we offer you, And by this holy exchange, undo the bonds of our sins. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Mt 20: 28

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, And to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

Prayer after Communion

Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that what you have given us as the pledge of immortality may work for our eternal salvation. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

Meditation

The request made on behalf of James and John reflects the depth of fallen human state, wherein the greatest good appears to be that which serves the self, that is, honour, position, glory, and prestige. It is the perception that dominates the pagan world and its powerful rulers and seems to be dominating our Christian community today. The kingdom brought by Jesus defines greatness in an entirely opposite way, in terms of servanthood. This way is foreign to the world and to our human nature. Yet it is the way of Jesus, and it is, thus, the way of His disciples. The disciples are to be marked by the humility, servanthood, and obedience to death that characterised Jesus, in the knowledge that to suffer with Him may mean to drink the cup that He drank before ultimately reigning with Him. Proper Christian ethics is summarised by “to serve is to reign” (servire est regnare).