by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 2, 2022 | Evangelium
St. Blaise
He was bishop of Sebaste and was martyred in the fourth century. Devotion to him spread throughout the Church during the middle Ages. He is invoked for disorders of the throat.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. 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 Kings 2:1-4,10-12
As David’s life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon, ‘I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the Law of Moses, that so you may be successful in all you do and undertake, so that the Lord may fulfil the promise he made me, “If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you shall never lack for a man on the throne of Israel.”’ So David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the Citadel of David. David’s reign over Israel lasted forty years: he reigned in Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three. Solomon was seated upon the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
R/ You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
1. May you be blessed, O Lord, the God of Israel, our father, forever, for ages unending!
2. Yours, Lord, are greatness and power, and splendour, triumph, and glory. All is yours, in heaven and on earth.
3. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are supreme above all. Both honour and riches come from you.
4. You are the ruler of all, from your hand come strength and power; from your hand come greatness and might.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn15:15
Alleluia, alleluia! I call you friends, says the Lord, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 6:7-13
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
David, as his life comes to an end, speaks words of wisdom to his son, connecting him deeply to God and showing him the way to a life of success. He shows him the source of his strength if he must succeed his father and carry on his father’s legacy rightly. David not only teaches his son what he knows, but also gives him words that would guide him away from his father’s mistakes and regrets. For the African, a man’s last words or the wishes of a dying person are never taken lightly. This is important. What legacy are we building for our children? How well do we steer them away from the sins we committed, and what measures do we take to help them make the right choices in life?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 1, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
Présentation du Seigneur au Temple
Journée Internationale de la Vie Consacrée
Fête
Pour accomplir la loi juive, Marie et Joseph viennent au Temple avec Jésus, car celui-ci, étant un premier-né, doit y être présenté. Luc relate cet événement pour mettre en relief le chemin par lequel Jésus passera pour accomplir sa mission de Sauveur universel. En effet, au moment où la Sainte Famille pénètre dans le Temple, l’Esprit Saint fait parler un vieillard qui reconnaît en Jésus le Serviteur annoncé par le livre d’Isaïe. Comme ce Serviteur, le fils de Marie souffrira la contradiction.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 47,10-11
Nous rappelons ton amour, Seigneur, au milieu de ton temple; Sur toute la terre, ceux qui t’ont rencontré proclament ta louange: tu es toute justice.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, nous t’adressons cette humble prière: puisque ton Fils unique, ayant revêtu notre chair, fut en ce jour présenté dans le Temple, fais que nous puissions aussi, avec une âme purifiée, nous présenter devant toi. Par Jésus Christ, ton Fils, notre Seigneur.
1ère lecture : Ml 3, 1-4
Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu: Voici que j’envoie mon messager pour qu’il prépare le chemin devant moi; et soudain viendra dans son Temple le Seigneur que vous cherchez. Le messager de l’Alliance que vous désirez, le voici qui vient – dit le Seigneur de l’univers. Qui pourra soutenir le jour de sa venue? Qui pourra rester debout lorsqu’il se montrera? Car il est pareil au feu du fondeur, pareil à la lessive des blanchisseurs. Il s’installera pour fondre et purifier: il purifiera les fils de Lévi, il les affinera comme l’or et l’argent; ainsi pourront-ils, aux yeux du Seigneur, présenter l’offrande en toute justice. Alors, l’offrande de Juda et de Jérusalem sera bien accueillie du Seigneur, comme il en fut aux jours anciens, dans les années d’autrefois.
Psaume : 23 (24), 7, 8, 9, 10
R/ C’est le Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers; c’est lui, le roi de gloire.
1. Portes, levez vos frontons, élevez-vous, portes éternelles: qu’il entre, le roi de gloire!
2. Qui est ce roi de gloire? C’est le Seigneur, le fort, le vaillant, le Seigneur, le vaillant des combats.
3. Portes, levez vos frontons, levez-les, portes éternelles: qu’il entre, le roi de gloire !
4. Qui donc est ce roi de gloire? C’est le Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers; c’est lui, le roi de gloire.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia! Lumière qui se révèle aux nations et donne gloire à ton peuple Israël. Alléluia. (Lc 2, 32)
Évangile : Lc 2, 22-40
Quand fut accompli le temps prescrit par la loi de Moïse pour la purification, les parents de Jésus l’amenèrent à Jérusalem pour le présenter au Seigneur, selon ce qui est écrit dans la Loi: Tout premier-né de sexe masculin sera consacré au Seigneur. Ils venaient aussi offrir le sacrifice prescrit par la loi du Seigneur: un couple de tourterelles ou deux petites colombes. Or, il y avait à Jérusalem un homme appelé Siméon. C’était un homme juste et religieux, qui attendait la Consolation d’Israël, et l’Esprit Saint était sur lui. Il avait reçu de l’Esprit Saint l’annonce qu’il ne verrait pas la mort avant d’avoir vu le Christ, le Messie du Seigneur. Sous l’action de l’Esprit, Siméon vint au Temple. Au moment où les parents présentaient l’enfant Jésus pour se conformer au rite de la Loi qui le concernait, Siméon reçut l’enfant dans ses bras, et il bénit Dieu en disant: «Maintenant, ô Maître souverain, tu peux laisser ton serviteur s’en aller en paix, selon ta parole. Car mes yeux ont vu le salut que tu préparais à la face des peuples: lumière qui se révèle aux nations et donne gloire à ton peuple Israël.» Le père et la mère de l’enfant s’étonnaient de ce qui était dit de lui. Siméon les bénit, puis il dit à Marie sa mère: «Voici que cet enfant provoquera la chute et le relèvement de beaucoup en Israël. Il sera un signe de contradiction – et toi, ton âme sera traversée d’un glaive – : ainsi seront dévoilées les pensées qui viennent du cœur d’un grand nombre.» Il y avait aussi une femme prophète, Anne, fille de Phanuel, de la tribu d’Aser. Elle était très avancée en âge; après sept ans de mariage, demeurée veuve, elle était arrivée à l’âge de 84 ans. Elle ne s’éloignait pas du Temple, servant Dieu jour et nuit dans le jeûne et la prière. Survenant à cette heure même, elle proclamait les louanges de Dieu et parlait de l’enfant à tous ceux qui attendaient la délivrance de Jérusalem. Lorsqu’ils eurent achevé tout ce que prescrivait la loi du Seigneur, ils retournèrent en Galilée, dans leur ville de Nazareth. L’enfant, lui, grandissait et se fortifiait, rempli de sagesse, et la grâce de Dieu était sur lui.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille, Seigneur, avec bonté les dons de ton Église en fête: elle te les présente pour le sacrifice de ton Fils unique, puisque tu as voulu qu’il s’offre à toi comme l’Agneau sans tâche pour le salut du monde. Lui qui règne avec toi pour les siècles des siècles.
Antienne de la communion : Lc 2, 30-31
Nos yeux, Seigneur, ont vu ton salut, que tu as préparé à la face de tous les peuples.
Prière après la communion
Par cette communion, Seigneur, prolonge en nous l’œuvre de ta grâce, toi qui as répondu à l’espérance de Siméon: tu n’as pas voulu qu’il meure avant d’avoir accueilli le Messie; puissions-nous aussi obtenir la vie éternelle, en allant à la rencontre du Christ. Lui qui règne avec toi pour les siècles des siècles.
Méditation
Bien-aimés dans le Seigneur, nous célébrons en ce jour la Fête de la Présentation de Jésus au Temple, mieux connue sous le nom de la Fête de la Lumière. 40 jours après sa naissance, conformément à la coutume juive, le Messie envoyé, annoncé par les prophètes (Malachie) et dont Jean-Baptiste a préparé la venue, rencontre son peuple, représenté par les deux vieillards Siméon et Anne présents au Temple. Par cet événement, Jésus, offrande ou don agréable de Dieu pour son humanité, est consacré par le Seigneur pour la vie de celle-ci. Aujourd’hui, cette fête est une invitation lancée à tous les fidèles de se solidariser de notre monde en détresse, en partageant la souffrance de nos frères et sœurs.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 1, 2022 | Evangelium
PResentation of the lord
world day of consecrated
Life
The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is, rotate, also the Purification of Mary. The biblical account of the Presentation is the source for the “two turtle doves” in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” for the sword piercing Mary’s Immaculate Heart in Catholic iconography, for the Fourth Joyful Mystery of the rosary, and for the Canticle prayed by all the world’s priests and nuns every single night of their lives.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. 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 : Malachi 3:1-4
The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.
Psalm 23(24): 7-10
R/ Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.
1. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
2. Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
3. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
4. Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Gospel Acclamation : Lk2:32
Alleluia, alleluia! The light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 2:22-40
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offering made with exultation by your Church be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, for you willed that your Only Begotten Son be offered to you for the life of the world as the Lamb without blemish. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 2: 30-31
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.
Prayer after Communion
By these holy gifts which we have received, O Lord, bring your grace to perfection within us, and, as you fulfilled Simeon’s expectation that he would not see death until he had been privileged to welcome the Christ, so may we, going forth to meet the Lord, obtain the gift of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Simeon, like any other ordinary human had his many ambitions and goals and worked hard for them. However, in his declaration, “go in peace” we arrive at a fascinating truth: that the fullness of life comes at our encountering Christ. Our calling and purpose is to ultimately receive Jesus in the temple of our hearts, praising and worshipping Him for all to see. God has a perfect plan for us that He will reveal to us through faith; hence we must continue to listen, anticipate, and act in faith as it unfolds.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 31, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
Bienheureux Philippe de Jésus Munárriz Azcona, presbytre,
et compagnons, religieux et martyrs
Le bienheureux Philippe de Jésus Munárriz Azcona, supérieur du “Séminaire des Martyrs” de Barbastro et 183 membres de la Congrégation des Missionnaires Fils du Cœur Immaculé de Marie (Clarétains) ont été martyrisés lors de la persécution religieuse contre l’Église au Mexique (1927) et en Espagne (1936-1939). Tous sont restés fidèles à leur vocation missionnaire et ont donné un témoignage clair de pardon à leurs bourreaux, d’amour du Cœur de Marie et de l’Église, de préoccupation pour les pauvres et de zèle missionnaire fervent.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 105, 47
Sauve-nous, Seigneur notre Dieu; rassemble tes enfants dispersés. Nous rendrons grâce à ton saint nom, nous te bénirons dans la joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de pouvoir t’adorer sans partage, et d’avoir pour tout homme une vraie charité. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 S 18, 9-10. 14b. 24-25a. 30–19, 4
En ces jours-là, dans sa fuite, Absalom se retrouva par hasard en face des serviteurs de David. Il montait un mulet, et le mulet s’engagea sous la ramure d’un grand térébinthe. La tête d’Absalom se prit dans les branches, et il resta entre ciel et terre, tandis que le mulet qui était sous lui continuait d’avancer. Quelqu’un l’aperçut et avertit Joab: «Je viens de voir Absalom suspendu dans un térébinthe.» Joab se saisit de trois épieux qu’il planta dans le cœur d’Absalom, David était assis à l’intérieur de la double porte de la ville. Un guetteur allait et venait sur la terrasse de la porte, au-dessus du rempart; comme il regardait au loin, il aperçut un homme seul qui courait. Le guetteur cria pour avertir le roi, et le roi dit: «S’il est seul, c’est qu’il a une bonne nouvelle à nous annoncer.» Le roi lui dit: «Écarte-toi et tiens-toi là.» Il s’écarta et attendit. Alors arriva l’Éthiopien, qui déclara: «Bonne nouvelle pour mon seigneur le roi! Le Seigneur t’a rendu justice aujourd’hui, en t’arrachant aux mains de tous ceux qui se dressaient contre toi.» Le roi demanda: «Le jeune Absalom est-il en bonne santé?» Et l’Éthiopien répondit: «Qu’ils aient le sort de ce jeune homme, les ennemis de mon seigneur le roi, et tous ceux qui se sont dressés contre toi pour le mal!» Alors le roi fut bouleversé, il monta dans la salle au-dessus de la porte, et il se mit à pleurer. Tout en marchant, il disait: «Mon fils Absalom! mon fils! mon fils Absalom! Pourquoi ne suis-je pas mort à ta place? Absalom, mon fils ! mon fils!» On alla prévenir Joab: «Voici que le roi pleure : il est en deuil d’Absalom.» La victoire, ce jour-là, se changea en deuil pour toute l’armée, car elle apprit ce jour-là que le roi était dans l’affliction à cause de son fils. Et ce jour-là, l’armée rentra dans la ville à la dérobée, comme se dérobe une armée qui s’est couverte de honte en fuyant durant la bataille.
Psaume : 85, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R/ Écoute, Seigneur, réponds-moi !
1. Écoute, Seigneur, réponds-moi, car je suis pauvre et malheureux. Veille sur moi qui suis fidèle, ô mon Dieu, sauve ton serviteur qui s’appuie sur toi.
2. Prends pitié de moi, Seigneur, toi que j’appelle chaque jour. Seigneur, réjouis ton serviteur: vers toi, j’élève mon âme !
3. Toi qui es bon et qui pardonnes, plein d’amour pour tous ceux qui t’appellent, écoute ma prière, Seigneur, entends ma voix qui te supplie.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia! Le Christ a pris nos souffrances, il a porté nos maladies. Alléluia. (Mt 8, 17)
Évangile : Mc 5, 21-43
En ce temps-là, Jésus regagna en barque l’autre rive, et une grande foule s’assembla autour de lui. Il était au bord de la mer. Arrive un des chefs de synagogue, nommé Jaïre. Voyant Jésus, il tombe à ses pieds et le supplie instamment: «Ma fille, encore si jeune, est à la dernière extrémité. Viens lui imposer les mains pour qu’elle soit sauvée et qu’elle vive.» Jésus partit avec lui, et la foule qui le suivait était si nombreuse qu’elle l’écrasait. Or, une femme, qui avait des pertes de sang depuis douze ans… – elle avait beaucoup souffert du traitement de nombreux médecins, et elle avait dépensé tous ses biens sans avoir la moindre amélioration; au contraire, son état avait plutôt empiré –… cette femme donc, ayant appris ce qu’on disait de Jésus, vint par derrière dans la foule et toucha son vêtement. Elle se disait en effet: «Si je parviens à toucher seulement son vêtement, je serai sauvée.» À l’instant, l’hémorragie s’arrêta, et elle ressentit dans son corps qu’elle était guérie de son mal. Aussitôt Jésus se rendit compte qu’une force était sortie de lui. Il se retourna dans la foule, et il demandait: «Qui a touché mes vêtements?» Ses disciples lui répondirent: «Tu vois bien la foule qui t’écrase, et tu demandes : “Qui m’a touché ?» Mais lui regardait tout autour pour voir celle qui avait fait cela. la femme, saisie de crainte et toute tremblante, sachant ce qui lui était arrivé, vint se jeter à ses pieds et lui dit toute la vérité. Jésus lui dit alors: «Ma fille, ta foi t’a sauvée. Va en paix et sois guérie de ton mal.» Comme il parlait encore, des gens arrivent de la maison de Jaïre, le chef de synagogue, pour dire à celui-ci: «Ta fille vient de mourir. À quoi bon déranger encore le Maître?» Jésus, surprenant ces mots, dit au chef de synagogue: «Ne crains pas, crois seulement.» Il ne laissa personne l’accompagner, sauf Pierre, Jacques, et Jean, le frère de Jacques. Ils arrivent à la maison du chef de synagogue. Jésus voit l’agitation, et des gens qui pleurent et poussent de grands cris. Il entre et leur dit: « Pourquoi cette agitation et ces pleurs? L’enfant n’est pas morte: elle dort.» Mais on se moquait de lui. Alors il met tout le monde dehors, prend avec lui le père et la mère de l’enfant, et ceux qui étaient avec lui; puis il pénètre là où reposait l’enfant. Il saisit la main de l’enfant, et lui dit: «Talitha koum», ce qui signifie: «Jeune fille, je te le dis, lève-toi!» Aussitôt la jeune fille se leva et se mit à marcher – elle avait en effet douze ans. Ils furent frappés d’une grande stupeur. Et Jésus leur ordonna fermement de ne le faire savoir à personne ; puis il leur dit de la faire manger.
Prière sur les offrandes
Pour te servir, Seigneur, nous déposons nos offrandes sur ton autel : accueille-les avec indulgence, pour qu’elles deviennent le sacrement de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 30, 17-18
Seigneur, que ton visage s’éclaire en faveur de tes fidèles. Sauve-nous dans ta bonté, ne déçois pas notre prière.
Prière après la communion
Nous avons été fortifiés, Seigneur, par le sacrement de notre Rédemption ; permets que cet aliment de salut éternel nous fasse progresser dans la vraie foi. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Nous sommes sauvés par la foi (Rm 3, 28), c’est l’enseignement fondamental de l’évangile de ce jour. La petite fille du chef de la synagogue est sauvée par la foi de son père Jaïre. Ce dernier tombe à ses pieds et le supplie parce qu’il est convaincu que Jésus a la dernière parole sur la vie de sa fille. De même pour la femme au flux de sang. Elle sait qu’en touchant les vêtements de Jésus, elle sera sauvée. Elle est guérie à cause de sa foi : « Ma fille, ta foi t’a sauvée. Va en paix et sois guérie de ton mal », lui dit Jésus. Et nous aujourd’hui, face au mal qui ronge et aux maladies qui nous affectent, quel est le degré de notre foi ? Que le Seigneur Dieu augmente notre foi en son Fils afin que nous bénéficions de son salut et de sa libération. Amen !
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 31, 2022 | Evangelium
Blessed Philip of Jesus Munárriz Azcona, presbyter,
and companions, religious and martyrs
Blessed Philip de Jesus Munárriz Azcona, Superior of the “Martyr Seminary” of Barbastro and 183 members of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) were martyred in the religious persecution against the Church in Mexico (1927) and in Spain (1936-1939). All of them remained faithful to their missionary vocation and gave clear testimony of forgiveness to their executioners, love of the Heart of Mary and the Church, concern for the poor and fervent missionary zeal.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind,and love everyone in truth of heart. 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 : 2 Samuel 18:9-10,14, 24-25, 30-19:3
Absalom happened to run into some of David’s followers. Absalom was riding a mule and the mule passed under the thick branches of a great oak. Absalom’s head caught fast in the oak and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule he was riding went on. Someone saw this and told Joab. ‘I have just seen Absalom’ he said ‘hanging from an oak.’ Joab took three lances in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive there in the oak tree. David was sitting between the two gates. The lookout had gone up to the roof of the gate, on the ramparts; he looked up and saw a man running all by himself. The watch called out to the king and told him. The king said, ‘If he is by himself, he has good news to tell.’ The king told the man, ‘Move aside and stand there.’ He moved aside and stood waiting. Then the Cushite arrived. ‘Good news for my lord the king!’ cried the Cushite. ‘The Lord has vindicated your cause today by ridding you of all who rebelled against you.’ ‘Is all well with young Absalom?’ the king asked the Cushite. ‘May the enemies of my lord the king’ the Cushite answered ‘and all who rebelled against you to your hurt, share the lot of that young man.’ The king shuddered. He went up to the room over the gate and burst into tears, and weeping said, ‘My son Absalom! My son! My son Absalom! Would I had died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!’ Word was brought to Joab, ‘The king is now weeping and mourning for Absalom.’ And the day’s victory was turned to mourning for all the troops, because they learned that the king was grieving for his son. And the troops returned stealthily that day to the town, as troops creep back ashamed when routed in battle.
Psalm 85 (86):1-6
R/ Turn your ear, Lord, and give answer.
1. Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am faithful; save the servant who trusts in you.
2. You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Give joy to your servant, O Lord, for to you I lift up my soul.
3. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call. Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my voice.
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 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him. Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’ While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
This is the story of David’s mistake and his inability to keep his house in check. That very sin of adultery opens up a big pathway to so much ill in his life: the loss of his moral authority over his children, hence his inability do anything about the incest committed by his son Ammon, which is the very root of the trouble between him and his son Absalom. Parents must always remember that they live their lives not only for themselves but also for those to whom they owe a responsibility most especially their children. The effect of sin goes beyond what we consider at each moment and has the possibility of affecting people and places.
