by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 30, 2022 | Evangelium
St. John Bosco
(1815 – 1888)
He was born in Piedmont of a peasant family, and he was brought up by his widowed mother. He became a priest, and his particular concern was for the young.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 131: 9
Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice; your holy ones shall ring out their joy.
Collect
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant, we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. 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 15:13-14, 30 16:5-13
A messenger came to tell David, ‘The hearts of the men of Israel are now with Absalom.’ So David said to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem, ‘Let us be off, let us fly, or we shall never escape from Absalom. Leave as quickly as you can in case he mounts a surprise attack and worsts us and puts the city to the sword.’ David then made his way up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, his head covered and his feet bare. And all the people with him had their heads covered and made their way up, weeping as they went. As David was reaching Bahurim, out came a man of the same clan as Saul’s family. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he came he uttered curse after curse and threw stones at David and at all King David’s officers, though the whole army and all the champions flanked the king right and left. The words of his curse were these, ‘Be off, be off, man of blood, scoundrel! the Lord has brought on you all the blood of the House of Saul whose sovereignty you have usurped; and the Lord has transferred that same sovereignty to Absalom your son. Now your doom has overtaken you, man of blood that you are.’ Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Is this dead dog to curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off.’ But the king replied, ‘What business is it of mine and yours, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse. If the Lord said to him, “Curse David,” what right has anyone to say, “Why have you done this?”’ David said to Abishai and all his officers, ‘Why, my own son, sprung from my body, is now seeking my life; so now how much the more this Benjaminite? Let him curse on if the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and repay me with good for his curse today.’ So David and his men went on their way.
Psalm 3:2-8
R/ Arise, Lord; save me, my God.
1. How many are my foes, O Lord! How many are rising up against me! How many are saying about me: ‘There is no help for him in God.’
2. But you, Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, who lift up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord. He answers from his holy mountain.
3. I lie down to rest and I sleep. I wake, for the Lord upholds me. I will not fear even thousands of people who are ranged on every side against me. Arise, Lord; save me, my God.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn17:17
Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord: consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 5:1-20
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings placed on your altar in commemoration of blessed N., so that, as you brought him glory, you may, through these sacred mysteries, grant to us your pardon. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Mt 24: 46-47
Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking at the heavenly table, almighty God, confirm and increase strength from on high in all who celebrate the feast day of blessed N., that we may preserve in integrity the gift of faith and walk in the path of salvation you trace for us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus has inaugurated the reign of God. Despite the strength of the demoniac and the terrifying description He is given, he fell at the feet of Jesus. Remembering that we belong to the kingdom of God, and are always accompanied by the Lord, we are invited to distance ourselves from the works of darkness and to walk courageously as sons and daughters of God. We notice that after liberating the man, he opts to follow Him, but Jesus sends him back to his people. The initiative to undertake any mission or ministry is always the Lord’s. When He sends us, He walks with us and works in and through us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 30, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
St. Jean Bosco,
prêtre
Dès son enfance, Jean Bosco (1815-1888) est attiré par le sacerdoce. Il se consacre à l’apostolat de la jeunesse populaire avec un sens pédagogique remarquable, une sérénité communicative nuancée d’humour et un dévouement sans limite. Dieu le soutient en multipliant les miracles en sa faveur.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 95, 1-6
« Laissez les enfants venir à moi, dit le Seigneur. Ne les empêchez pas, car le Royaume de Dieu est à ceux qui leur ressemblent. »
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as suscité saint Jean Bosco pour donner à la jeunesse un maître et un père, inspire-nous le même amour qui nous fera chercher le salut de nos frères en ne servant que toi seul. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 S 15, 13-14. 30 ; 16, 5-13a
En ces jours-là, un messager vint annoncer à David: «Le cœur des hommes d’Israël a pris parti pour Absalom» Alors David dit à tous ses serviteurs, qui étaient avec lui à Jérusalem: «Debout, fuyons! Autrement nous n’échapperons pas à Absalom. Vite, partez ! Sans quoi, il nous gagnera de vitesse, il nous précipitera dans le malheur et passera la ville au fil de l’épée.» David montait par la montée des Oliviers; il montait en pleurant, la tête voilée ; il marchait pieds nus. Tous ceux qui l’accompagnaient avaient la tête voilée; et ils montaient en pleurant. Comme le roi David atteignait Bahourim, il en sortit un homme du même clan que la maison de Saül. Il s’appelait Shiméï, fils de Guéra. Tout en sortant, il proférait des malédictions. Il lançait des pierres à David et à tous les serviteurs du roi, tandis que la foule et les guerriers entouraient le roi à droite et à gauche. Shiméï maudissait le roi en lui criant: «Va-t’en, va-t’en, homme de sang, vaurien! Le Seigneur a fait retomber sur toi tout le sang de la maison de Saül dont tu as usurpé la royauté; c’est pourquoi le Seigneur a remis la royauté entre les mains de ton fils Absalom. Et te voilà dans le malheur, car tu es un homme de sang.» Abishaï, fils de Cerouya, dit au roi: «Comment ce chien crevé peut-il maudire mon seigneur le roi? Laisse-moi passer, que je lui tranche la tête.» Mais le roi répondit: « Que me voulez-vous, fils de Cerouya? S’il maudit, c’est peut-être parce que le Seigneur lui a ordonné de maudire David. Alors, qui donc pourrait le lui reprocher?» David dit à Abishaï et à tous ses serviteurs: «Même celui qui est mon propre fils s’attaque à ma vie: à plus forte raison ce descendant de benjamin ! Laissez-le maudire, si le Seigneur le lui a ordonné. Peut-être que le Seigneur considérera ma misère et me rendra le bonheur au lieu de sa malédiction d’aujourd’hui.» David et ses hommes continuèrent leur chemin.
Psaume : 3, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R/ Lève-toi, Seigneur ! Sauve-moi, mon Dieu !
1. Seigneur, qu’ils sont nombreux mes adversaires, nombreux à se lever contre moi, nombreux à déclarer à mon sujet : « Pour lui, pas de salut auprès de Dieu ! »
2. Mais toi, Seigneur, mon bouclier, ma gloire, tu tiens haute ma tête. À pleine voix je crie vers le Seigneur; il me répond de sa montagne sainte.
3. Et moi, je me couche et je dors; je m’éveille : le Seigneur est mon soutien. Je ne crains pas ce peuple nombreux qui me cerne et s’avance contre moi.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia! Un grand prophète s’est levé parmi nous, et Dieu a visité son peuple. Alléluia. (Lc 7, 16)
Évangile : Mc 5, 1-20
En ce temps-là, Jésus et ses disciples arrivèrent sur l’autre rive, de l’autre côté de la mer de Galilée, dans le pays des Géraséniens. Comme Jésus sortait de la barque, aussitôt un homme possédé d’un esprit impur s’avança depuis les tombes à sa rencontre; il habitait dans les tombeaux et personne ne pouvait plus l’attacher, même avec une chaîne; en effet on l’avait souvent attaché avec des fers aux pieds et des chaînes, mais il avait rompu les chaînes, brisé les fers, et personne ne pouvait le maîtriser. Sans arrêt, nuit et jour, il était parmi les tombeaux et sur les collines, à crier, et à se blesser avec des pierres. Voyant Jésus de loin, il accourut, se prosterna devant lui et cria d’une voix forte: «Que me veux-tu, Jésus, Fils du Dieu Très-Haut? Je t’adjure par Dieu, ne me tourmente pas!» Jésus lui disait en effet: «Esprit impur, sors de cet homme!» Et il lui demandait: «Quel est ton nom?» L’homme lui dit: «Mon nom est Légion, car nous sommes beaucoup.» Et ils suppliaient Jésus avec insistance de ne pas les chasser en dehors du pays. Or, il y avait là, du côté de la colline, un grand troupeau de porcs qui cherchait sa nourriture. Alors, les esprits impurs supplièrent Jésus: «Envoie-nous vers ces porcs, et nous entrerons en eux.» Il le leur permit. Ils sortirent alors de l’homme et entrèrent dans les porcs. Du haut de la falaise, le troupeau se précipita dans la mer : il y avait environ deux mille porcs, et ils se noyaient dans la mer. Ceux qui les gardaient prirent la fuite, ils annoncèrent la nouvelle dans la ville et dans la campagne, et les gens vinrent voir ce qui s’était passé. Ils arrivent auprès de Jésus, ils voient le possédé assis, habillé, et revenu à la raison, lui qui avait eu la légion de démons, et ils furent saisis de crainte. Ceux qui avaient vu tout cela leur racontèrent l’histoire du possédé et ce qui était arrivé aux porcs. Alors ils se mirent à supplier Jésus de quitter leur territoire. Comme Jésus remontait dans la barque, le possédé le suppliait de pouvoir être avec lui. Il n’y consentit pas, mais il lui dit: «Rentre à la maison, auprès des tiens, annonce-leur tout ce que le Seigneur a fait pour toi dans sa miséricorde.» Alors l’homme s’en alla, il se mit à proclamer dans la région de la Décapole ce que Jésus avait fait pour lui, et tout le monde était dans l’admiration.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur, le sacrifice que ton peuple consacré t’offre aujourd’hui en l’honneur de saint Jean Bosco ; que notre participation à ce mystère fasse de nous les témoins de ta charité. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« Si vous ne changez pas pour devenir comme les petits enfants, dit le Seigneur, vous n’entrerez pas dans le Royaume des cieux. »
Prière après la communion
Dieu tout-puissant, fais que nous trouvions un soutien dans ce repas sacré
Méditation
Jésus, ayant fait taire les puissances déchaînées des eaux qui allaient l’engloutir avec ses disciples, passe sur l’autre rive. Jésus va dans un pays étranger, celui des Géraséniens, des païens. Passer sur l’autre rive ici est symboliquement passer sur la rive de la mort. Ils découvrent là un être enchaîné qui n’a plus rien d’humain, vivant au milieu des morts. Or, les forces du mal reconnaissent Jésus et redoutent sa puissance : tout un corps de l’armée romaine occupe alors le pays. Pourtant, ils supplient Jésus. Mais comment avoir encore peur quand les démons demandent comme ultimes refuge un troupeau de cochons impurs pour les juifs ? La fin de ce voyage sur l’autre rive est surprenante : panique des habitants face à cette puissance inconnue. Admirable demande de l’homme libéré devenu disciple, « Permets-moi de te suivre.» Jésus l’exauce à sa manière : « Va trouver tes frères maintenant que tu as retrouvé la vie » et « témoigne par toute ta vie que Dieu est miséricorde.»
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 29, 2022 | Evangelium
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time,
Psalter IV
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, o 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 : Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19
In the days of Josiah, the word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations. ‘So now brace yourself for action. Stand up and tell them all I command you. Do not be dismayed at their presence, or in their presence I will make you dismayed. ‘I, for my part, today will make you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze. to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the country people. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks.’
Psalm 70(71): 1-6, 15, 17
R/ My lips will tell of your help.
1. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed to me and save me.
2. Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked.
3. It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
4. My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still.
Second reading : 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them. If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect; but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will disappear. When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me. Now we are seeing a dim reflection in a mirror; but then we shall be seeing face to face. The knowledge that I have now is imperfect; but then I shall know as fully as I am known. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.
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 : Luke 4:21-30
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’ But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’ And he went on, ‘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
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
Called for a difficult mission among His people, the Lord hints to the Prophet Jeremiah on what to expect. But He also reassures him; they will fight against you but shall not overcome you. In the Gospel, the people’s reaction to the message of Jesus does not deter Him. They cannot imagine a humble carpenter’s son doing what he was doing. At times we tend to overlook the truth in what people say and instead we attack their personality. By doing so, we hope to shield ourselves from the painful truth. Familiarity is one of the factors that could also affect how we listen to and evaluate others. But openness to the truth of the Gospel would facilitate our growth through conversion.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 29, 2022 | Agenda Biblique
4ème Semaine du
Temps Ordinaire
Psautier IV
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 : Jr 1, 4-5.17-19
Au temps de Josias, la parole du Seigneur me fut adressée : « Avant même de te façonner dans le sein de ta mère, je te connaissais ; avant que tu viennes au jour, je t’ai consacré ; je fais de toi un prophète pour les nations. Toi, mets ta ceinture autour des reins et lève-toi, tu diras contre eux tout ce que je t’ordonnerai. Ne tremble pas devant eux, sinon c’est moi qui te ferai trembler devant eux. Moi, je fais de toi aujourd’hui une ville fortifiée, une colonne de fer, un rempart de bronze, pour faire face à tout le pays, aux rois de Juda et à ses princes, à ses prêtres et à tout le peuple du pays. Ils te combattront, mais ils ne pourront rien contre toi, car je suis avec toi pour te délivrer – oracle du Seigneur. »
Psaume : 70 (71), 1-2, 3, 5-6ab, 15ab.17
R/ Sans fin, je proclamerai ta justice et ton salut. (cf. Ps 70, 15).
1. En toi, Seigneur, j’ai mon refuge: garde-moi d’être humilié pour toujours. Dans ta justice, défends-moi, libère-moi, tends l’oreille vers moi, et sauve-moi.
2. Sois le rocher qui m’accueille, toujours accessible ; tu as résolu de me sauver : ma forteresse et mon roc, c’est toi !
3. Seigneur mon Dieu, tu es mon espérance, mon appui dès ma jeunesse. Toi, mon soutien dès avant ma naissance, tu m’as choisi dès le ventre de ma mère.
4. Ma bouche annonce tout le jour tes actes de justice et de salut. Mon Dieu, tu m’as instruit dès ma jeunesse, jusqu’à présent, j’ai proclamé tes merveilles.
2ème lecture : 1 Co 12, 31 – 13, 13
Frères, recherchez avec ardeur les dons les plus grands. Et maintenant, je vais vous indiquer le chemin par excellence. J’aurais beau parler toutes les langues des hommes et des anges, si je n’ai pas la charité, s’il me manque l’amour, je ne suis qu’un cuivre qui résonne, une cymbale retentissante. J’aurais beau être prophète, avoir toute la science des mystères et toute la connaissance de Dieu, j’aurais beau avoir toute la foi jusqu’à transporter les montagnes, s’il me manque l’amour, je ne suis rien. J’aurais beau distribuer toute ma fortune aux affamés, j’aurais beau me faire brûler vif, s’il me manque l’amour, cela ne me sert à rien. L’amour prend patience ; l’amour rend service ; l’amour ne jalouse pas ; il ne se vante pas, ne se gonfle pas d’orgueil ; il ne fait rien d’inconvenant ; il ne cherche pas son intérêt ; il ne s’emporte pas ; il n’entretient pas de rancune ; il ne se réjouit pas de ce qui est injuste, mais il trouve sa joie dans ce qui est vrai ; il supporte tout, il fait confiance en tout, il espère tout, il endure tout. L’amour ne passera jamais. Les prophéties seront dépassées, le don des langues cessera, la connaissance actuelle sera dépassée. En effet, notre connaissance est partielle, nos prophéties sont partielles. Quand viendra l’achèvement, ce qui est partiel sera dépassé. Quand j’étais petit enfant, je parlais comme un enfant, je pensais comme un enfant, je raisonnais comme un enfant. Maintenant que je suis un homme, j’ai dépassé ce qui était propre à l’enfant. Nous voyons actuellement de manière confuse, comme dans un miroir ; ce jour-là, nous verrons face à face. Actuellement, ma connaissance est partielle ; ce jour-là, je connaîtrai parfaitement, comme j’ai été connu. Ce qui demeure aujourd’hui, c’est la foi, l’espérance et la charité ; mais la plus grande des trois, c’est la charité.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia! Le Seigneur m’a envoyé, porter la Bonne Nouvelle aux pauvres, annoncer aux captifs leur libération. Alléluia. (Lc 4, 18cd)
Évangile : Lc 4, 21-30
En ce temps-là, dans la synagogue de Nazareth, après la lecture du livre d’Isaïe, Jésus déclara : « Aujourd’hui s’accomplit ce passage de l’Écriture que vous venez d’entendre » Tous lui rendaient témoignage et s’étonnaient des paroles de grâce qui sortaient de sa bouche. Ils se disaient : « N’est-ce pas là le fils de Joseph ? » Mais il leur dit : « Sûrement vous allez me citer le dicton : ‘Médecin, guéris-toi toi-même’, et me dire : ‘Nous avons appris tout ce qui s’est passé à Capharnaüm : fais donc de même ici dans ton lieu d’origine !’ » Puis il ajouta : « Amen, je vous le dis : aucun prophète ne trouve un accueil favorable dans son pays.. En vérité, je vous le dis : Au temps du prophète Élie, lorsque pendant trois ans et demi le ciel retint la pluie, et qu’une grande famine se produisit sur toute la terre, il y avait beaucoup de veuves en Israël ; pourtant Élie ne fut envoyé vers aucune d’entre elles, mais bien dans la ville de Sarepta, au pays de Sidon, chez une veuve étrangère. Au temps du prophète Élisée, il y avait beaucoup de lépreux en Israël ; et aucun d’eux n’a été purifié, mais bien Naaman le Syrien. » À ces mots, dans la synagogue, tous devinrent furieux. Ils se levèrent, poussèrent Jésus hors de la ville, et le menèrent jusqu’à un escarpement de la colline où leur ville est construite, pour le précipiter en bas. Mais lui, passant au milieu d’eux, allait son chemin.
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
« Le Prophète » est celui qui annonce et se fait l’interprète de Dieu. Comment accepter que le prophète soit justement le tout proche qui en sache tellement plus que nous ? Ce premier scandale se double ici d’un second : annoncer que ceux qui accueilleront le Royaume ne sont pas ici. Décidément, ce Jésus fils de Joseph doit être ramené à la raison, c’est-à-dire au silence définitif. Nous avons beaucoup à apprendre de ce récit. Que veut dire le mystère de la Pentecôte sinon que désormais l’Esprit court librement parmi nous comme un feu dans le buisson ? D’où vient la prophétie ? De partout. Qui la reçoit ? N’importe quel pauvre au cœur ouvert. A chacun d’examiner ses préjugés. Qui est pour nous celui qui peut parler au nom de Dieu, dire quelque chose de sa joie et de sa liberté ? Et qui selon nous est incapable d’entendre ? Un jour, Jésus vint chez lui en homme libre. Même ceux qui semblaient bien disposés n’étaient pas prêts à l’entendre. De nos jours Jésus revient sous des divers masques. Et si c’était justement lorsque le masque est trop familier qu’il a le moins de chance d’être reconnu ?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 28, 2022 | Evangelium
Ss. Sarbelius & Barbea
Two martyrs, brother and sister, who were put to death at Edessa during the persecutions of Emperor Trajan. Sarbelius, also called Sharbel, was a high priest at Edessa, in Mesopotamia.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good 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 : 2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17
The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David. He came to him and said: ‘In the same town were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great abundance; the poor man had nothing but a ewe lamb, one only, a small one he had bought. This he fed, and it grew up with him and his children, eating his bread, drinking from his cup, sleeping on his breast; it was like a daughter to him. When there came a traveller to stay, the rich man refused to take one of his own flock or herd to provide for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.’ David’s anger flared up against the man. ‘As the Lord lives,’ he said to Nathan ‘the man who did this deserves to die! He must make fourfold restitution for the lamb, for doing such a thing and showing no compassion.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man. So now the sword will never be far from your House, since you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” ‘Thus the Lord speaks, “I will stir up evil for you out of your own House. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. You worked in secret, I will work this in the face of all Israel and in the face of the sun.”’David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord, for his part, forgives your sin; you are not to die. Yet because you have outraged the Lord by doing this, the child that is born to you is to die.’ Then Nathan went home.The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David and it fell gravely ill. David pleaded with the Lord for the child; he kept a strict fast and went home and spent the night on the bare ground, covered with sacking. The officials of his household came and stood round him to get him to rise from the ground, but he refused, nor would he take food with them.
Psalm 50 (51): 12-17
R/ A pure heart create for me, O God.
1. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
2. Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you.
3. O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps26:11
Alleluia, alleluia! Instruct me, Lord, in your way; on an even path lead me. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 4:35-41
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 33: 6
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Meditation
A life-threatening incident prompts the disciples to call the attention of Jesus. It began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. Jesus’ presence in the boat did not shield them from having the experience. He was with them as they had the rough experience. The words of the disciples to the Lord might explain the anger, fear and frustration that surge in our hearts when we feel abandoned and do not get the response we expect from the Lord. However, the Lord does not respond to their question but calms the situation. And they are filled with awe. Who can this be? He is Jesus Christ, Emmanuel (God with us).
