by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 12, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
JEUDI 13 AVRIL
Saint Martin 1er,
Pape et Martyr
Elu pape en 649, Martin 1er condamna l’hérésie monothélite qui niait l’existence d’une volonté humaine dans le Christ. L’empereur Constant II le fit arrêter à Rome. Déclaré déchu du pontificat et rapidement oublié du clergé romain, Martin fut exilé en Crimée où il mourut de privations, le 13 avril 656. Il est le dernier des papes martyrs.
Antienne d’ouverture : cf. Sg 10, 20-21
Afin que tous proclament, Seigneur, la puissance que tu as déployée pour notre salut, la Sagesse a ouvert la bouche des muets, et délié la langue des tout petits, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as unis tant de peuples divers dans la même confession de ton nom, accorde à tous les baptisés d’avoir au cœur la même foi et dans la vie le même amour. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Act 3, 11-26
En ces jours-là, l’infirme que Pierre et Jean venaient de guérir ne les lâchait plus. Tout le peuple accourut vers eux au Portique dit de Salomon. Les gens étaient stupéfaits. Voyant cela, Pierre interpella le peuple : « Hommes d’Israël, pourquoi vous étonner ? Pourquoi fixer les yeux sur nous, comme si c’était en vertu de notre puissance personnelle ou de notre piété que nous lui avons donné de marcher ? Le Dieu d’Abraham, d’Isaac et de Jacob, le Dieu de nos pères, a glorifié son serviteur Jésus, alors que vous, vous l’aviez livré, vous l’aviez renié en présence de Pilate qui était décidé à le relâcher. Vous avez renié le Saint et le Juste, et vous avez demandé qu’on vous accorde la grâce d’un meurtrier. Vous avez tué le Prince de la vie, lui que Dieu a ressuscité d’entre les morts, nous en sommes témoins. Tout repose sur la foi dans le nom de Jésus Christ : c’est ce nom lui-même qui vient d’affermir cet homme que vous regardez et connaissez; oui, la foi qui vient par Jésus l’a rétabli dans son intégrité physique, en votre présence à tous. D’ailleurs, frères, je sais bien que vous avez agi dans l’ignorance, vous et vos chefs. Mais Dieu a ainsi accompli ce qu’il avait d’avance annoncé par la bouche de tous les prophètes : que le Christ, son Messie souffrirait. Convertissez-vous et tournez-vous vers Dieu pour que vos péchés soient effacés. Ainsi viendront les temps de la fraîcheur de la part du Seigneur, et il enverra le Christ Jésus qui vous est destiné. Il faut en effet que le ciel l’accueille jusqu’à l’époque où tout sera rétabli, comme Dieu l’avait dit par la bouche des saints, ceux d’autrefois, ses prophètes. Moïse a déclaré : Le Seigneur votre Dieu suscitera pour vous, du milieu de vos frères, un prophète comme moi : vous l’écouterez en tout ce qu’il vous dira. Quiconque n’écoutera pas ce prophétisera retrancher du peuple. Ensuite, tous les prophètes qui ont parlé depuis Samuel et ses successeurs, aussi nombreux furent-ils, ont annoncé les jours où nous sommes. C’est vous qui êtes les fils des prophètes et de l’Alliance que Dieu a conclue avec vos pères, quand il disait à Abraham : En ta descendance seront bénies toutes les familles de la terre. C’est pour vous d’abord que Dieu a suscité son Serviteur, et il l’a envoyé vous bénir, pourvu que chacun de vous se détourne de sa méchanceté. »
Psaume : 8, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R/ Ô Seigneur notre Dieu, qu’il est grand, ton nom, par toute la terre !
Ou: Alléluia !
À voir ton ciel, ouvrage de tes doigts, la lune et les étoiles que tu fixas, qu’est-ce que l’homme pour que tu penses à lui, le fils d’un homme, que tu en prennes souci ?
Tu l’as voulu un peu moindre qu’un dieu, le couronnant de gloire et d’honneur ; tu l’établis sur les œuvres de tes mains, tu mets toute chose à ses pieds.
Les troupeaux de bœufs et de brebis, et même les bêtes sauvages, les oiseaux du ciel et les poissons de la mer, tout ce qui va son chemin dans les eaux.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie ! Alléluia. (Ps 117, 24)
Évangile : Luc 24, 35-48
En ce temps-là, les disciples qui rentraient d’Emmaüs racontaient aux onze Apôtres et à leurs compagnons ce qui s’était passé sur la route, et comment le Seigneur s’était fait reconnaître par eux à la fraction du pain. Comme ils en parlaient encore, lui-même fut présent au milieu d’eux, et leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous ! » Saisis de frayeur et de crainte, ils croyaient voir un esprit. Jésus leur dit : « Pourquoi êtes-vous bouleversés? Et pourquoi ces pensées qui surgissent dans votre cœur ? Voyez mes mains et mes pieds : c’est bien moi ! Touchez-moi, regardez : un esprit n’a pas de chair ni d’os comme vous constatez que j’en ai. » Après cette parole, il leur montra ses mains et ses pieds. Dans leur joie, ils n’osaient pas encore y croire, et restaient saisis d’étonnement. Jésus leur dit : « Avez-vous ici quelque chose à manger ? » Ils lui présentèrent une part de poisson grillé qu’il prit et mangea devant eux. Puis il leur déclara: « Voici les paroles que je vous ai dites quand j’étais encore avec vous : “Il faut que s’accomplisse tout ce qui a été écrit à mon sujet dans la loi de Moïse, les Prophètes et les Psaumes.” » Alors il ouvrit leur intelligence à la compréhension des Écritures. Il leur dit : « Ainsi est-il écrit que le Christ souffrirait, qu’il ressusciterait d’entre les morts le troisième jour, et que la conversion serait proclamée en son nom, pour le pardon des péchés, à toutes les nations, en commençant par Jérusalem. À vous d’en être les témoins. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille avec bonté, Seigneur, le sacrifice que nous offrons pour te rendre grâce, à toi qui fais renaître tes enfants par le baptême et qui t’empresses de soutenir ton Église. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : 1 P 2, 9
Nous sommes le peuple qui appartient à Dieu ; nous sommes chargés d’annoncer les merveilles de celui qui nous a appelés des ténèbres à son admirable lumière, alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Écoute nos prières, Seigneur : que cet échange mystérieux où l’homme est racheté nous soutienne durant la vie présente et nous apporte les joies éternelles. Par Jésus.
Méditation
« La paix soit avec vous ! » c’est le tout premier don du ressuscité à ses disciples réunis. « Que votre cœur ne se trouble pas » leur avait-il déjà dit avant sa mort. Sa mort les a tous troublés mais il est vivant au milieu d’eux ; il n’est pas un esprit mais sa résurrection, accomplissement de toute les Ecritures, révèle sa nature divine aux yeux de tous. Il est glorifié dans son corps et dans cette humanité qu’il a assumée pour que désormais tous les hommes deviennent participants de sa nature divine. Sa paix redonne ainsi à ses disciples et plus encore à toute personne désespérée l’assurance et le goût d’un nouveau départ, d’une nouvelle vie. Dieu réalise son projet de salut par des voies parfois insondables ; mais il nous fait toujours découvrir ses volontés et nous associe à sa mise en œuvre. Devenir donc témoins du kérygme et de la paix du ressuscité c’est accueillir toutes les Ecritures comme Bonne Nouvelle pour l’homme. « À vous d’en être les témoins. »
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 12, 2023 | Evangelium
THURSday 13 APRIL
SAINT Martin
He was born in Todi in Umbria and elected Pope in 649. He called a synod to combat the Monothelite heresy concerning the nature of Christ. He died on in 655.
Entrance Antiphon: Wis 10: 20-21
They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord, for wisdom opened mouths that were mute and gave eloquence to the tongues of infants, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who have united the many nations in confessing your name, grant that those reborn in the font of Baptism may be one in the faith of their hearts and the homage of their deeds. 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: Acts 3:11-26
Everyone came running towards Peter and John in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John. When Peter saw the people he addressed them, “Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses; and it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see. Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus, whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets. Moses, for example, said: ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet like myself for you, from among your own brothers; you must listen to whatever he tells you. The man who does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from the people.’ In fact, all the prophets that have ever spoken, from Samuel onwards, have predicted these days. You are the heirs of the prophets, the heirs of the covenant God made with our ancestors when he told Abraham: in your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed. It was for you in the first place that God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
Psalm 8:2, 5-9
R/ How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth!
How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth! What is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god; with glory and honour you crowned him, gave him power over the works of your hand, put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and cattle, yes, even the savage beasts, birds of the air, and fish that make their way through the waters.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you!” In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, “Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes. Then he told them, “This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.” He then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he said to them, “So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously be pleased, O Lord, to accept the sacrificial gifts we offer joyfully both for those who have been reborn and in hope of your increased help from heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Pt 2: 9
O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Peace be with you” is the very first gift of the Risen One to his gathered disciples. “Let not your hearts be troubled” he had already said to them before his death. His death troubled them all, but he is alive in their midst, he is not a spirit. His resurrection is a fulfilment the Scriptures and a revelation of his divine nature to all. He is glorified in his body and in this humanity that he assumed, so that from now on, all men become participants of his divine nature. His peace thus gives his disciples, and even more so to every desperate person, the assurance and the taste of a new beginning, of a new life with God. God carries out his plan of salvation in ways that are sometimes unfathomable, but he always makes us discover his will and involves us in its implementation. To become witnesses of the kerygma and the peace of the Risen One is to accept all the Scriptures as Good News for man. It is up to you to be witnesses of it.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 11, 2023 | Evangelium
WEDNESday 12 APRIL
SAINT Zeno of Verona
Zeno, a native of North Africa, was appointed bishop of Verona (Northern Italy) in 362. He preached much against Arianism and fostered the growth of missionary activity in his area. He died in 371.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Mt 25: 34
Come, you blessed of my Father; receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who gladden us year by year with the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection, graciously grant that, by celebrating these present festivities, we may merit through them to reach eternal joys. 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: Acts 3:1-10
Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the prayers at the ninth hour, it happened that there was a man being carried past. He was a cripple from birth; and they used to put him down every day near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in. When this man saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple he begged from them. Both Peter and John looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.” He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them, but Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!” Peter then took him by the hand and helped him to stand up. Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone could see him walking and praising God, and they recognised him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. They were all astonished and unable to explain what had happened to him.
Psalm 104:1-4, 6-9
R/ Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Give thanks to the Lord, tell his name. Make known his deeds among the peoples. O sing to him, sing his praise; tell all his wonderful works!
Be proud of his holy name, let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.
O children of Abraham, his servant, O sons of the Jacob he chose. He, the Lord, is our God: his judgements prevail in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant for ever, his promise for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, “What matters are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped short, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, “You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.” “What things?” he asked. “All about Jesus of Nazareth” they answered “who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.” Then he said to them, “You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?” Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the Scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. “It is nearly evening” they said “and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, “Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, we pray, O Lord, the sacrifice which has redeemed the human race, and be pleased to accomplish in us salvation of mind and body. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Lk 24: 35
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, O Lord, that the reverent reception of the Sacrament of your Son may cleanse us from our old ways and transform us into a new creation. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“And we who hoped that it was he who would deliver Israel!” A sigh of despair, an expression of loss of the essential. Cleophas’ words remind us that Israel’s long messianic expectation, which has never been a quiet river, seems to have been disappointed once again. The two friends walk sadly along a deserted road. Discouraged, disillusioned, they return home, everything is over, they have to start all over again. It had been a new world with Jesus, but he died crucified and his tomb is empty. Yet it is on this road of discouragement, where all seems lost, that the risen one comes to them, opens their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures and makes himself known at the meal. It is there that their Passover and their resurrection take place; they return to Jerusalem and testify full of confidence and enthusiasm. May the Risen One always be with us on our human journey and reveal himself to us in the Eucharist. But first, we must, like the disciples of Emmaus, listen to him and welcome him into our homes.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 10, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
MARDI 11 AVRIL
saint Stanislas,
Evêque et Martyr
Fils d’une riche famille polonaise, Stanislas (1030-1079) distribue ses biens aux pauvres. Évêque de Cracovie en 1072, il entre en conflit avec Boleslas II, monarque injuste et débauché, dont il dénonce les fautes pour défendre le peuple opprimé. Quand il doit en venir à excommunier le roi, celui-ci le tue de sa main, alors que l’évêque célébrait la messe. Stanislas est un des patrons de la Pologne.
.
Antienne D’ouverture : cf. Si 15, 3-4
Par l’eau du baptême, Dieu a répondu à notre soif du Christ. Les baptisés peuvent s’appuyer sur le Christ, ils ne fléchiront pas, ils ne seront jamais déçus, alléluia.
Prière D’ouverture
Dieu qui nous as fait passer de la mort à la vie, en nous offrant les sacrements de Pâques, poursuis toujours l’œuvre de ta grâce: que ton peuple trouve une liberté parfaite, et parvienne à la joie du ciel dont tu lui donnes déjà le goût sur la terre. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Act 2, 36-41
Le jour de la Pentecôte, Pierre disait à la foule : « Que toute la maison d’Israël le sache donc avec certitude : Dieu l’a fait Seigneur et Christ, ce Jésus que vous aviez crucifié. » Les auditeurs furent touchés au cœur; ils dirent à Pierre et aux autres Apôtres: « Frères, que devons-nous faire ? » Pierre leur répondit : « Convertissez-vous, et que chacun de vous soit baptisé au nom de Jésus Christ pour le pardon de ses péchés; vous recevrez alors le don du Saint-Esprit. Car la promesse est pour vous, pour vos enfants et pour tous ceux qui sont loin, aussi nombreux que le Seigneur notre Dieu les appellera. » Par bien d’autres paroles encore, Pierre les adjurait et les exhortait en disant : « Détournez-vous de cette génération tortueuse, et vous serez sauvés. » Alors, ceux qui avaient accueilli la parole de Pierre furent baptisés. Ce jour-là, environ trois mille personnes se joignirent à eux.
Psaume : 32 (33), 4-5, 18-19, 20.22
R/ Toute la terre, Seigneur, est remplie de ton amour.
Ou : Alléluia !
Oui, elle est droite, la parole du Seigneur ; il est fidèle en tout ce qu’il fait. Il aime le bon droit et la justice; la terre est remplie de son amour.
Dieu veille sur ceux qui le craignent, qui mettent leur espoir en son amour, pour les délivrer de la mort, les garder en vie aux jours de famine.
Nous attendons notre vie du Seigneur : il est pour nous un appui, un bouclier. Que ton amour, Seigneur, soit sur nous comme notre espoir est en toi !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie ! Alléluia.
(Ps 117, 24)
Évangile : Jean 20, 11-18
En ce temps-là, Marie Madeleine se tenait près du tombeau, au-dehors, tout en pleurs. Et en pleurant, elle se pencha vers le tombeau. Elle aperçoit deux anges vêtus de blanc, assis l’un à la tête et l’autre aux pieds, à l’endroit où avait reposé le corps de Jésus. Ils lui demandent : « Femme, pourquoi pleures-tu ? » Elle leur répond: «On a enlevé mon Seigneur, et je ne sais pas où on l’a déposé.» Ayant dit cela, elle se retourna ; elle aperçoit Jésus qui se tenait là, mais elle ne savait pas que c’était Jésus. Jésus lui dit : « Femme, pourquoi pleures-tu? Qui cherches-tu ? » Le prenant pour le jardinier, elle lui répond: « Si c’est toi qui l’as emporté, dis-moi où tu l’as déposé, et moi, j’irai le prendre.» Jésus lui dit alors: « Marie! » S’étant retournée, elle lui dit en hébreu : « Rabbouni! », c’est-à-dire : Maître. Jésus reprend: « Ne me retiens pas, car je ne suis pas encore monté vers le Père. Va trouver mes frères pour leur dire que je monte vers mon Père et votre Père, vers mon Dieu et votre Dieu. » Marie Madeleine s’en va donc annoncer aux disciples : « J’ai vu le Seigneur ! », et elle raconta ce qu’il lui avait dit.
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois avec bonté, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple : garde-le sous ta protection, pour qu’il ne perde aucun des biens que tu lui donnes, et qu’il découvre ceux qui demeurent toujours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : cf. Col 3, 1-2
Ressuscités avec le Christ, recherchons les réalités d’en-haut: c’est là qu’est le Christ, assis à la droite de Dieu. Alléluia.
Prière après La communion
Écoute notre prière, Dieu tout-puissant : toi qui as donné à tes fidèles la grâce incomparable du baptême, prépare-les au bonheur éternel. Par Jésus.
Méditation
« Femme, pourquoi pleures-tu ? Qui cherches-tu ? » ; la mort de Jésus a laissé un vide douloureux et le tombeau vide désespère davantage. Marie-Madeleine pleure, cherchant son Seigneur dit-elle. La résurrection pour elle demeure encore un mystère. Elle pleure la vie perdue, elle pleure un amour. Mais elle apprend bientôt que si du sein de la femme naît la vie, du tombeau aussi, jaillit la vie par la puissance de l’Esprit. Jésus l’appelle : « Marie ». Comme le Bien-aimé du livre des Cantique sa voix résonne dans son cœur, il parle, il lui dit : Lève-toi, mon amie, ma toute belle, et viens…Vois, l’hiver s’en est allé, les pluies ont cessé, sur la terre apparaissent les fleurs… (cf. Ct 12, 8-12). Marie a tout compris : C’est lui ! « Rabbouni ! » s’écrit-elle ! Elle témoigne « J’ai vu le Seigneur ! ». Puissions-nous comme Marie-Madeleine chercher sans cesse le Visage du Seigneur ressuscité, croire ce que nous avons vu et témoigner de ce que nous avons cru.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 10, 2023 | Evangelium
TUESday 11 APRIL
SAINT Stanislas
He was born in Poland in 1036. He became bishop of Krakow 1072. He ruled the church as a good shepherd and gave help to the poor. He was murdered as he was celebrating Mass on 8 May 1079.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 15: 3-4
He gave them the water of wisdom to drink; it will be made strong in them and will not be moved; it will raise them up for ever, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who have bestowed on us paschal remedies, endow your people with heavenly gifts, so that, possessed of perfect freedom, they may rejoice in heaven over what gladdens them now on earth. 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: Acts 2: 36-41
On the day of Pentecost, Peter spoke to the Jews: “The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, “What must we do, brothers?” “You must repent,” Peter answered, “and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.” He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation.” They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
Psalm 32:4-5, 18-20, 22
R/The Lord fills the earth with his love.
The word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love.
The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 20:11-18
Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” “They have taken my Lord away” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.” Jesus said, “Mary!” She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbuni!” – which means Master. Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care, they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Col 3: 1-2
If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God; mind the things that are above, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear us, almighty God, and, as you have bestowed on your family the perfect grace of Baptism, so prepare their hearts for the reward of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Woman, why are u crying? Who are you looking for?” The death of Jesus has left a painful void and the empty tomb makes one even more desperate. Mary Magdalene weeps, looking for her Lord. She does not yet know about the mystery of the resurrection. She weeps, out of love, for the life lost. But she soon learns that, if from the womb life is born, from the tomb too, life springs forth by the power of the Spirit. Jesus calls her: “Mary”. Like the Beloved of the Book of Songs, his voice resounds in her heart, he speaks, he says to her: Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come… See, the winter has gone, the rains have stopped, the flowers are appearing on the earth… (cf. Ct 12, 8-12). Mary understood everything: It’s him! “Rabbuni!” she exclaimed. She testifies: “I have seen the Lord!” May we, like Mary Magdalene, seek unceasingly the Face of the Risen Lord, believe what we have seen and bear witness to what we have believed.
