by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 23, 2022 | Evangelium
St. John Theristus
He was a Benedictine monk of Calabrian lineage, born in Sicily. At a young age he became a monk. He helped to miraculously harvest a large crop ahead of destructive weather, saving the locals from starvation. There he remained until his death of natural causes, in 1129.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 12: 6
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. 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 : James 5:1-6
An answer for the rich. Start crying, weep for the miseries that are coming to you. Your wealth is all rotting, your clothes are all eaten up by moths. All your gold and your silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be your own sentence, and eat into your body. It was a burning fire that you stored up as your treasure for the last days. Labourers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realise that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart’s content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them; they offered you no resistance.
Psalm 48(49) :14-20
R/ How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1. This is the lot of those who trust in themselves, who have others at their beck and call. Like sheep they are driven to the grave, where death shall be their shepherd and the just shall become their rulers.
2. With the morning their outward show vanishes and the grave becomes their home. But God will ransom me from death and take my soul to himself.
3. Then do not fear when a man grows rich, when the glory of his house increases. He takes nothing with him when he dies, his glory does not follow him below.
4. Though he flattered himself while he lived: ‘Men will praise me for all my success,’ yet he will go to join his fathers, who will never see the light any more.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Lk8:15
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward. ‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate your mysteries, O Lord, with the observance that is your due, we humbly ask you, that what we offer to the honour of your majesty may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 9: 2-3
I will recount all your wonders, I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may experience the effects of the salvation which is pledged to us by these mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Salus animarum supremae lex – the salvation of souls is the supreme law of the church. This is the message that cuts across today’s liturgical celebration. St. James insists on doing the right thing at the right time to save lives. In the same vein, the gospel underlines the significance of salvation by striving us to strive towards things that last, and cutting off the transient burdens of life. So, let’s be the saving face of humanityand salt of the earth.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 22, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
St. Polycarpe, Evêque et Martyr, Mémoire,
Vieil Evêque de Smyrne, disciple direct de l’Apôtre Jean, Polycarpe, dont le nom signifie ‘’qui porte beaucoup de fruit’’, ajouta aux mérites de sa vie sainte le fruit du martyre : il fut brûlé vif le 23 février 155. Amené dans l’amphithéâtre, Polycarpe répondit au proconsul qui le pressait d’abandonner ‘’l’athéisme’’ en sacrifiant aux dieux et en blasphémant le Christ :’’Il y a quatre-vingt-six ans que je sers le Christ et il ne m’a jamais fait aucun mal. Comment pourrais-je blasphémer mon Sauveur et mon Roi ?
Antienne d’ouverture : PS 12, 6
Seigneur, je suis sûr de ton amour : mon cœur est dans la joie, car tu me sauves ; je veux chanter au Seigneur tout le bien qu’il m’a fait.
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Dieu tout-puissant, de conformer à ta volonté nos paroles et nos actes dans une inlassable recherche des biens spirituels. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Jc 4,13-17
Bien-aimés, vous autres, maintenant, vous dites : « Aujourd’hui ou demain nous irons dans telle ou telle ville, nous y passerons l’année, nous ferons du commerce et nous gagnerons de l’argent », alors que vous ne savez même pas ce que sera votre vie demain ! Vous n’êtes qu’un peu de brume, qui paraît un instant puis disparaît. Vous devriez dire au contraire : « Si le Seigneur le veut bien, nous serons en vie et nous ferons ceci ou cela. » Et voilà que vous mettez votre fierté dans vos vantardises. Toute fierté de ce genre est mauvaise ! Être en mesure de faire le bien et ne pas le faire, c’est un péché.
Psaume : 48,2-3.6-11
R/ Pitié, Seigneur, car nous avons péché !
1. Écoutez ceci, tous les peuples, entendez bien, habitants de l’univers, gens illustres, gens obscurs, riches et pauvres, tous ensemble.
2. Pourquoi craindre aux jours de malheur ces fourbes qui me talonnent pour m’encercler, ceux qui s’appuient sur leur fortune et se vantent de leurs grandes richesses ?
3. Nul ne peut racheter son frère ni payer à Dieu sa rançon : aussi cher qu’il puisse payer, toute vie doit finir.
4. Peut-on vivre indéfiniment sans jamais voir la fosse ? Vous voyez les sages mourir : comme le fou et l’insensé ils périssent, laissant à d’autres leur fortune.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia! Moi, je suis le Chemin, la Vérité et la Vie, dit le Seigneur. Personne ne va vers le Père sans passer par moi. Alléluia. (2 Tm 1, 10)
Évangile : Mc 9, 38-40
En ce temps-là, Jean, l’un des Douze, disait à Jésus : « Maître, nous avons vu quelqu’un expulser les démons en ton nom ; nous l’en avons empêché, car il n’est pas de ceux qui nous suivent. » Jésus répondit : « Ne l’en empêchez pas, car celui qui fait un miracle en mon nom ne peut pas, aussitôt après, mal parler de moi ; celui qui n’est pas contre nous est pour nous. »
Prière sur les offrandes
En célébrant avec respect tes mystères, Seigneur, nous te supplions humblement : que les dons offerts pour te glorifier servent à notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 9, 2-3
Pour moi, Seigneur, tu as dressé la table, et ma coupe me remplit de joie.
Prière après la communion
Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant, donne-nous de recueillir tous les fruits de salut dont ces mystères sont déjà la promesse et le gage. Par Jésus.
Méditation
S’adressant aux gens qui étaient avides de profit et qui faisaient de multiples projets, saint Jacques, dans la première lecture, les invite à savoir que la vie appartient à Dieu et qu’ils doivent se référer à Lui. Si Dieu est le seul maître de la vie, en élaborant tous nos projets, nous devons toujours nous confier à Lui et les abandonner à sa Providence. Un appel qui nous est lancé pour vivre la pauvreté du cœur, laquelle nous appelle à centrer notre vie sur Dieu. Dans l’évangile selon saint Marc, en réaction au comportement des Douze, Jésus nous amène à respecter les autres qui agissent en son nom et qui n’appartiennent pas à notre cercle des disciples du Christ.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 22, 2022 | Evangelium
St. Polycarp
(155)
He was a disciple of the Apostles. He bears witness to the beliefs of the early Christians and the early stages of the development of doctrine. He was martyred in about 155.
Entrance Antiphon
This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock.
Collect
God of all creation, who were pleased to give the Bishop Saint Polycarp a place in the company of the Martyrs, grant, through his intercession, that, sharing with him in the chalice of Christ, we may rise through the Holy Spirit to eternal life. 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 : James 4:13-17
Here is the answer for those of you who talk like this: ‘Today or tomorrow, we are off to this or that town; we are going to spend a year there, trading, and make some money.’You never know what will happen tomorrow: you are no more than a mist that is here for a little while and then disappears. The most you should ever say is: ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we shall still be alive to do this or that.’ But how proud and sure of yourselves you are now! Pride of this kind is always wicked. Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and doesn’t do it commits a sin.
Psalm 48(49): 2-3, 6-11
R/ How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1. Hear this, all you peoples, give heed, all who dwell in the world, men both low and high, rich and poor alike!
2. Why should I fear in evil days the malice of the foes who surround me, men who trust in their wealth, and boast of the vastness of their riches?
3. For no man can buy his own ransom, or pay a price to God for his life. The ransom of his soul is beyond him. He cannot buy life without end, nor avoid coming to the grave.
4. He knows that wise men and fools must both perish and leave their wealth to others.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn14:6
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Sanctify our offerings by your blessing, O Lord, we pray, and by your grace may we be set afire with that flame of your love through which Saint Polycarp. overcame every bodily torment. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Mt 16: 24
Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May the sacred mysteries of which we have partaken, O Lord, we pray, give us that determination which made your Saint Polycarp. faithful in your service and victorious in suffering. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Procrastination is a danger to man’s progress. It steals blessings that are naturally ours. For this reason, the letter of James exaults us to do what we can to make humanity progress. Now this is confirmed in Jesus’ response to the apostles: “Anyone who is not against me is for me” Whoever works miracles in his name is for him. For through his actions humanity is emancipated. St. Polycarp gives us a striking example in his self-giving for the growth of the Gospel.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 21, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
Chaire de St. Pierre
Fête
Dès son jeune âge, Bienheureuse Isabelle, sœur du roi Saint Louis fut attirée par les choses célestes. Elle devint plus tard religieuse clarisse.
Antienne d’ouverture : Lc 22, 32
Le Seigneur Jésus dit à Pierre : « J’ai prié pour toi, afin que ta foi ne sombre pas. Toi donc, quand tu seras revenu, affermis tes frères. »
Prière d’ouverture
Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant : fais que rien ne parvienne à nous ébranler, puisque la pierre sur laquelle tu nous as fondés, c’est la foi de l’Apôtre saint Pierre. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 P 5, 1-4
Bien-aimés, les anciens en fonction parmi vous, je les exhorte, moi qui suis ancien comme eux et témoin des souffrances du Christ, communiant à la gloire qui va se révéler : soyez les pasteurs du troupeau de Dieu qui se trouve chez vous ; veillez sur lui, non par contrainte mais de plein gré, selon Dieu ; non par cupidité mais par dévouement ; non pas en commandant en maîtres à ceux qui vous sont confiés, mais en devenant les modèles du troupeau. Et, quand se manifestera le Chef des pasteurs, vous recevrez la couronne de gloire qui ne se flétrit pas.
Psaume : Ps 22 (23), 1-2b, 2c-3, 4, 5, 6
R/ Le Seigneur est mon berger : rien ne saurait me manquer. (cf. Ps 22, 1)
1. Le Seigneur est mon berger : je ne manque de rien. Sur des prés d’herbe fraîche, il me fait reposer.
2. Il me mène vers les eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre ; il me conduit par le juste chemin pour l’honneur de son nom.
3. Si je traverse les ravins de la mort, je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es avec moi : ton bâton me guide et me rassure.
4. Tu prépares la table pour moi devant mes ennemis ; tu répands le parfum sur ma tête, ma coupe est débordante.
5. Grâce et bonheur m’accompagnent tous les jours de ma vie ; j’habiterai la maison du Seigneur pour la durée de mes jours.
Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, gloire à toi! Tu es Pierre, et sur cette pierre je bâtirai mon Église ;et la puissance de la Mort ne l’emportera pas sur elle. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, gloire à toi ! (Mt 16, 18)
Évangile : Mt 16, 13-19
En ce temps-là, Jésus, arrivé dans la région de Césarée-de-Philippe, demandait à ses disciples : « Au dire des gens, qui est le Fils de l’homme ? » Ils répondirent : « Pour les uns, Jean le Baptiste ; pour d’autres, Élie ; pour d’autres encore, Jérémie ou l’un des prophètes. » Jésus leur demanda : « Et vous, que dites-vous ? Pour vous, qui suis-je ? » Alors Simon-Pierre prit la parole et dit : « Tu es le Christ, le Fils du Dieu vivant ! » Prenant la parole à son tour, Jésus lui dit : « Heureux es-tu, Simon fils de Yonas : ce n’est pas la chair et le sang qui t’ont révélé cela, mais mon Père qui est aux cieux. Et moi, je te le déclare : Tu es Pierre, et sur cette pierre je bâtirai mon Église ; et la puissance de la Mort ne l’emportera pas sur elle. Je te donnerai les clés du royaume des Cieux : tout ce que tu auras lié sur la terre sera lié dans les cieux, et tout ce que tu auras délié sur la terre sera délié dans les cieux. » – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes
Daigne accepter, Seigneur, l’offrande et la prière de ton Église : elle tient de l’enseignement de Pierre une foi inébranlable ; permets qu’en demeurant sous sa conduite elle parvienne à l’héritage éternel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Mt 16, 16. 18
Pierre dit à Jésus : « Tu es le Messie, le Fils du Dieu vivant. » Jésus lui répondit : « Tu es Pierre, et sur cette pierre je bâtirai mon Église. »
Prière après la communion
Tu nous as fortifiés, Seigneur notre Dieu, en cette fête du bienheureux Apôtre Pierre par la communion au corps et au sang du Christ ; que cet échange où s’accomplit notre salut soit pour nous le sacrement d’unité et de paix. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Célébrer la Chaire de Saint Pierre, c’est célébrer le pouvoir et l’autorité que Jésus lui a donné dans son Eglise. Pierre est doté du pouvoir des clés. Aujourd’hui, les textes liturgiques mettent l’accent non seulement sur la foi de Pierre, le rocher sur lequel repose l’Eglise, mais aussi sur sa mission ou sa responsabilité de paître le troupeau. La mission de saint Pierre est de communiquer la foi en Jésus-Christ (Ac 2, 14-36), d’affermir la foi de ses frères et de garder cette foi jusqu’à la fin des temps. Sa mission est de rappeler aux pasteurs d’être des bergers du troupeau, qui le guident, qui veillent sur lui en étant eux-mêmes des modèles à suivre. Que le Seigneur conduise le successeur de Pierre et les pasteurs à être de bons bergers pour son peuple.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 21, 2022 | Evangelium
St. Peter’s Chair
This feast has been celebrated in Rome since at least the fourth century. It signifies the unity of the Church founded upon the Apostles.
Entrance Antiphon : Lk 22: 32
The Lord says to Simon Peter: I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and, once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that no tempests may disturb us, for you have set us fast on the rock of the Apostle Peter’s confession of faith. 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 : 1 Peter 5:1-4
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Psalm 22(23)
R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
2. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
3. You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt16:18
Alleluia, alleluia! You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept with favour, O Lord, we pray, the prayers and offerings of your Church, that, with Saint Peter as her shepherd, she may come to an eternal inheritance, for it is through his teaching that she holds the faith in its integrity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Mt 16: 16, 18
Peter said to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus replied: You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who at our celebration of the feast day of the blessed Apostle Peter have nourished us by communion in the Body and Blood of Christ, grant, we pray, that this redeeming exchange may be for us a Sacrament of unity and peace. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The celebration of the chair of St. Peter signifies the authority of a servant-leader whose fundamental function is service to God and humanity. This reminds us to implement the unity which Christ prayed for: ‘ that they may be one as we are one.’ It is a call to identify who Christ is on our earthly pilgrimage. And so, the local church is all over the world, in union with the Church of Rome, encourage service to one another as they lead people to God and God to the people.
