by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 22, 2021 | Evangelium
23
December
St. John of Kęty (1390 – 1473)
O Emmanuel!
Violet
He was born in Kęty in the diocese of Kraków in 1390. He became a priest and for many years taught at the University of Kraków; later he became parish priest of Olkusz. He taught and researched in both physics and theology and excelled in holiness and in charity towards his neighbour, in which he was an example to his colleagues and pupils. He died in 1473.
Entrance Antiphon: Is 9: 5; Ps 71: 17
A child shall be born for us, and he will be called God, the Almighty; every tribe of the earth shall be blest in him.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, as we see how the Nativity of your Son according to the flesh draws near, we pray that to us, your unworthy servants, mercy may flow from your Word, who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary and establish among us his dwelling, Jesus Christ our Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Malachi 3:1-4,23-24
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. Know that I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before my day comes, that great and terrible day. He shall turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse.
Psalm 24(25):4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
R/ Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour.
2. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray, He guides the humble in the right path, He teaches his way to the poor.
3. His ways are faithfulness and love for those who keep his covenant and law. The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him; to them he reveals his covenant.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! King of the peoples and cornerstone of the Church, come and save man, whom you made from the dust of the earth. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 1:57-66
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy. Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said, ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May this oblation, by which divine worship in its fullness has been inaugurated for us, be our perfect reconciliation with you, O Lord, that we may celebrate with minds made pure the Nativity of our Redeemer. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon: Rv 3: 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door to me, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.
Prayer after Communion
Grant your peace, O Lord, to those you have nourished with these heavenly gifts, that we may be ready, with lighted lamps, to meet your dearly beloved Son at his coming. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The coming of John the Baptist was announced by the prophet Malachi, who in the first reading speaks of the coming of Elijah. When John was born, it was clear to everyone that he was destined for a great mission. This mission is outlined in the first reading – to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers. The message of John the Baptist is that we should turn back to God and learn once again to love him and to love our neighbour. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, God’s Word reminds us that on Christmas Day we will not see Jesus physically; he will come to us in the person of our fathers, mothers, children, neighbours – all those people we encounter daily and to whom we usually pay little attention. May Jesus come and give us the grace to see him and love him in all these people.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 21, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
22
Décembre
St. Chaeromon
O Rex gentium!
Violet
Fondatrice de la congrégation des « Sœurs missionnaires du Sacré-Cœur », elle fut missionnaire italienne aux USA, bien qu’elle eût souhaité l’être en Chine.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 23, 7
Portes, levez vos frontons ! Élevez-vous, portes éternelles : qu’il entre, le Roi de gloire !
Prière d’ouverture
Tu n’as pas supporté, Seigneur, que l’homme soit abandonné à la mort, mais tu as voulu le racheter en lui envoyant ton Fils unique ; accorde, nous t’en prions, à ceux qui s’inclineront devant l’enfant de Bethléem, de communier à la vie d’un tel Rédempteur. Lui qui règne.
Première lecture : 1 S 1, 24-28; 2, 1a
En ces jours-là, lorsque Samuel eut été sevré, Anne, sa mère, le conduisit à la maison du Seigneur, à Silo ; elle avait pris avec elle un taureau de trois ans, un sac de farine et une outre de vin. On offrit le taureau en sacrifice, et on présenta l’enfant au prêtre Éli. Anne lui dit alors : « Écoute-moi, mon seigneur, je t’en prie ! Aussi vrai que tu es vivant, je suis cette femme qui se tenait ici près de toi en priant le Seigneur. C’est pour obtenir cet enfant que je priais, et le Seigneur me l’a donné en réponse à ma demande. À mon tour je le donne au Seigneur. Il demeurera donné au Seigneur tous les jours de sa vie.» Alors ils se prosternèrent devant le Seigneur, et Anne fit cette prière :
Cantique : 1 S 2, 1, 4-5ab, 6-7, 8abcd
R/ Mon cœur exulte à cause du Seigneur c ’est lui qui me sauve.
1. Mon cœur exulte à cause du Seigneur ; mon front s’est relevé grâce à mon Dieu ! Face à mes ennemis, s’ouvre ma bouche : oui, je me réjouis de ta victoire !
2. L’arc des forts est brisé, mais le faible se revêt de vigueur. Les plus comblés s’embauchent pour du pain, et les affamés se reposent.
3. Le Seigneur fait mourir et vivre; il fait descendre à l’abîme et en ramène. Le Seigneur rend pauvre et riche ; il abaisse et il élève.
4. De la poussière il relève le faible, il retire le pauvre de la cendre pour qu’il siège parmi les princes et reçoive un trône de gloire.
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Viens, Roi de l’univers, pierre angulaire de l’Église ! À l’homme que tu as pétri de la terre viens apporter le salut. Alléluia.
Évangile : Lc 1, 46-56
Marie dit alors : «Mon âme exalte le Seigneur, mon esprit exulte en Dieu mon Sauveur. Il s’est penché sur son humble servante ; désormais tous les âges me diront bienheureuse. Le Puissant fit pour moi des merveilles ; Saint est son nom ! Son amour s’étend d’âge en âge sur ceux qui le craignent. Déployant la force de son bras, il disperse les superbes. Il renverse les puissants de leurs trônes, il élève les humbles. Il comble de bien les affamés, renvoie les riches les mains vides. Il relève Israël son serviteur, il se souvient de son amour, de la promesse faite à nos pères, en faveur d’Abraham et de sa race à jamais. » Marie demeura avec Élisabeth environ trois mois, puis elle s’en retourna chez elle.
Prière sur les offrandes
Confiants dans ton amour, Seigneur, nous venons à ton autel avec nos offrandes : puissions-nous, par un effet de ta grâce, être purifiés dans l’eucharistie que nous célébrons. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Lc 1, 46. 49
Mon âme exalte le Seigneur : le Puissant a fait pour moi des merveilles.
Prière après la communion
Dans cette communion, Seigneur, donne-nous le courage d’aller au-devant de notre Sauveur en faisant ce qui est bon pour obtenir le bonheur sans limite. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Marie est fille d’Abraham, le père de la Promesse. Dans ce chant du Magnificat, elle reconnaît en elle l’action bienveillante du Dieu Saint, qui a posé les yeux sur son humble servante. Son action de grâce reprend tous les grands thèmes de l’histoire du Salut présents dès le début de l’histoire sainte : elle est fille d’Israël, comme Rachel, Sara et Anne – la mère de Samuel -, qui ont enfanté avec l’aide du Seigneur. En elle s’accomplit le règne de Dieu, la Béatitude des pauvres et des humbles de cœur. Oui : la miséricorde de Dieu s’étend d’âge en âge sur ceux qui le craignent, renversant les puissants et les orgueilleux, faisant advenir la vie par le don de soi, l’humilité et la confiance. Accueillir ce chant du Magnificat nous fait déjà entrer dans la joie de la Nativité de notre Sauveur.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 21, 2021 | Evangelium
22
December
St. Chaeromon
O Rex gentium!
Violet
Bishop of Nilopolis, in Egypt. When the persecution was instituted by Emperor Trajanus Decius, St. Chaeromon was quite elderly. He and several companions fled into the Arabian desert and were never seen again. The bishop and his companions are listed as martyrs.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 23: 7
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
Collect
O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor may merit his company as their Redeemer. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First Reading : 1 Samuel 1:24-28
When Hannah had weaned Samuel, she took him up with her together with a three-year old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the temple of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was with them. They slaughtered the bull and the child’s mother came to Eli. She said, ‘If you please, my lord. As you live, my lord, I am the woman, who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. This is the child I prayed for, and the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.’ There she left him, for the Lord.
Canticle: 1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
R/ My heart exults in the Lord my saviour.
1. My heart exults in the Lord, I find my strength in my God; my mouth laughs at my enemies as I rejoice in your saving help.
2. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the weak are clothed with strength. Those with plenty must labour for bread, but the hungry need work no more. The childless wife has children now but the fruitful wife bears no more.
3. It is the Lord who gives life and death, he brings men to the grave and back; it is the Lord who gives poverty and riches. He brings men low and raises them on high.
4. He lifts up the lowly from the dust, from the dungheap he raises the poor to set him in the company of princes, to give him a glorious throne. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, on them he has set the world.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Root of Jesse, set up as a sign to the peoples, come to save us and delay no more. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 1:46-56
Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
Prayer over the Offerings
Trusting in your compassion, O Lord, we come eagerly with our offerings to your sacred altar, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 1: 46, 49
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Prayer after Communion
May reception of your Sacrament strengthen us, O Lord, so that we may go out to meet our Saviour with worthy deeds when he comes and merit the rewards of the blessed. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.” Today, Hannah and Mary teach us a precious lesson on gratitude. God answered Hannah’s request for a son by giving her Samuel, and in thanksgiving she dedicated Samuel to him and sang the hymn of praise which is today’s response to the first reading. God honoured Mary above all women by making her the mother of his Son, and in thanksgiving she sang the Magnificat. Our life as Christians is generally characterised by lots of asking and too little thanksgiving. We ask all the time, and we rarely take time to acknowledge what God has done for us and do something to show our gratitude. Count your blessings and thank God for them every day. Do not only ask God for this or that; ask yourself also, “How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?” (Ps 115:12)
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 20, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
21
Décembre
Saint Pierre Canisius, prêtre et docteur de l’Eglise
O Oriens!
Violet
Pierre Kanijs, dont le nom fut latinisé en Canisius (1521-1597), naquit à Nimègue. Jésuite, prêtre en 1546, il créa de nombreux collèges et travailla, par sa prédication et ses écrits de controverse, à répandre la foi catholique et à rétablir l’unité dans l’Église. On l’a appelé ‘’le nouveau Boniface’’. Il composa des catéchismes, si adaptés à leur but qu’en Allemagne on désignait un catéchisme par le mot ‘’ Canisius’’.
Antienne d’ouverture : Is 7, 14 : 8, 10
Voici venir le Seigneur Souverain : il aura pour nom Emmanuel car il sera : « Dieu avec nous ».
Prière d’ouverture
Écoute avec bonté, Seigneur, la prière de ton peuple qui se réjouit de la venue de ton Fils en notre chair ; puissions-nous obtenir le bonheur de la vie éternelle quand il viendra dans sa gloire. Lui qui règne.
Première lecture : Cantique des Cantiques 2, 8-14
La voix de mon bien-aimé ! C’est lui, il vient… Il bondit sur les montagnes, il court sur les collines, mon bien- aimé, pareil à la gazelle, au faon de la biche. Le voici, c’est lui qui se tient derrière notre mur: il regarde aux fenêtres, guette par le treillage. Il parle, mon bien-aimé, il me dit : Lève- toi, mon amie, ma toute belle, et viens…Vois, l’hiver s’en est allé, les pluies ont cessé, elles se sont enfuies. Sur la terre apparaissent les fleurs, le temps des chansons est venu et la voix de la tourterelle s’entend sur notre terre. Le figuier a formé ses premiers fruits, la vigne fleurie exhale sa bonne odeur. Lève- toi, mon amie, ma toute belle, et viens… Ma colombe, dans les fentes du rocher, dans les retraites escarpées, que je voie ton visage, que j’entende ta voix ! Ta voix est douce et ton visage, charmant.
Psaume : 32 (33), 2-3, 11-12, 20-21
R/ Criez de joie pour le Seigneur, cf. 32, 1a.3a chantez-lui le cantique nouveau.
1. Rendez grâce au Seigneur sur la cithare, jouez pour lui sur la harpe à dix cordes. Chantez-lui le cantique nouveau, de tout votre art soutenez l’ovation.
2. Le plan du Seigneur demeure pour toujours, les projets de son cœur subsistent d’âge en âge. Heureux le peuple dont le Seigneur est le Dieu, heureuse la nation qu’il s’est choisie pour domaine !
3. Nous attendons notre vie du Seigneur : il est pour nous un appui, un bouclier. La joie de notre cœur vient de lui, notre confiance est dans son nom très saint.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Viens, Emmanuel, notre Législateur et notre Roi ! Sauve- nous, Seigneur notre Dieu. Alléluia.
Évangile : Luc 1, 39-45
En ces jours- là, Marie se mit en route et se rendit avec empressement vers la région montagneuse, dans une ville de Judée. Elle entra dans la maison de Zacharie et salua Élisabeth. Or, quand Élisabeth entendit la salutation de Marie, l’enfant tressaillit en elle. Alors, Élisabeth fut remplie d’Esprit Saint, et s’écria d’une voix forte : « Tu es bénie entre toutes les femmes, et le fruit de tes entrailles est béni. D’où m’est- il donné que la mère de mon Seigneur vienne jusqu’à moi ? Car, lorsque tes paroles de salutation sont parvenues à mes oreilles, l’enfant a tressailli d’allégresse en moi. Heureuse celle qui a cru à l’accomplissement des paroles qui lui furent dites de la part du Seigneur. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur, tu as donné ces présents à ton Eglise pour quelle puisse te les offrir : daigne les accueillir favorablement ; qu’ils deviennent, par ta puissance, le sacrement de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : cf. Lc 1, 45
Bienheureuse, toi qui as cru a l’accomplissement des paroles qui te furent dites de la part du Seigneur.
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur, garde a jamais ton peuple ; qu’elle nous attache là ton service, et nous obtienne le salut de l’âme et du corps. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La mission chrétienne est parfois comparée à la Visitation : c’est très éclairant. Marie va trouver Elisabeth après avoir appris qu’elle était enceinte, elle aussi. Les deux femmes se rencontrent, portant en elles ce qu’elles ont de plus précieux, un enfant reçu de Dieu. L’enfant d’Elisabeth va prophétiser par la bouche de sa mère. En effet, en bougeant et en communiquant sa joie dans le sein de sa mère, il lui manifeste la présence du Sauveur dans le sein de Marie. Les paroles que prononce Elisabeth sont une révélation pour les deux mères. Il en va souvent de même pour nous : c’est quand nous allons à la rencontre les uns des autres, avec ce que nous sommes, que ce que nous portons de meilleur en nous nous est révélé par les autres.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 20, 2021 | Evangelium
21
December
St. Peter Canisius, priest, Doctor (1521 – 1597)
O Oriens!
Violet
He was born in Holland in 1521. He studied at Cologne and joined the Society of Jesus: he was ordained priest in 1546. He worked hard to defend and strengthen the Catholic faith both by writing and by preaching. He wrote many books, of which the Catechism is particularly noteworthy. He died at Fribourg in Switzerland on 21 November 1597.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Is 7: 14; 8: 10
The Lord and Ruler will be coming soon, and his name will be called Emmanuel, because he will be called God-with-us.
Collect
Hear in kindness, O Lord, the prayers of your people, that those who rejoice at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh may, when at last he comes in glory, gain the reward of 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 : Song of Songs 2:8-14
I hear my Beloved. See how he comes leaping on the mountains, bounding over the hills. My Beloved is like a gazelle, like a young stag. See where he stands behind our wall. He looks in at the window, he peers through the lattice. My Beloved lifts up his voice, he says to me, ‘Come then, my love, my lovely one, come. For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree is forming its first figs and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance. Come then, my love, my lovely one, come. My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock, in the coverts of the cliff, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.’
Psalm 32(33):2-3,11-12,20-21
R/ Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just, O sing him a song that is new.
1. Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. O sing him a song that is new, play loudly, with all your skill.
2. His own designs shall stand for ever, the plans of his heart from age to age. They are happy, whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own.
3. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. In him do our hearts find joy. We trust in his holy name.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Key of David, who open the gates of the eternal kingdom, come to liberate from prison, the captive who lives in darkness. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 1:39-45
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased, O Lord, to accept the offerings of your Church, for in your mercy, you have given them to be offered and by your power, you transform them into the mystery of our salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 1: 45
Blessed are you who have believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, may participation in this divine mystery provide enduring protection for your people, so that, being subject to your glorious majesty in dedicated service, they may know abundant health in mind and body. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Mary was blessed among all women because she believed in the promises of God. She became a source of blessing because when she visited Elisabeth, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and her unborn child leapt for joy. When we believe in God, he blesses us and we become channels of his blessings for others. Like the lover in the first reading who yearns for her beloved, let us ask Jesus to come to us today. May he come and strengthen our faith, so that we may always receive his blessings. May he bless all our endeavours and give us the peace and joy that he alone can give. May he help us to live in such a way that those we encounter may experience God and receive God’s blessings through us.
