by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 12, 2021 | Evangelium
13
December
St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr
Red
She was martyred in Syracuse, probably during the persecution of Diocletian (which started in 303). Devotion to her spread rapidly across practically the whole Church and her name is included in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.
Collect
May the glorious intercession of the Virgin and Martyr Saint Lucy give us new heart, we pray, O Lord, so that we may celebrate her heavenly birthday in this present age and so behold things eternal. 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 : Numbers 24:2-7,15-17
Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel, encamped by tribes; the spirit of God came on him and he declaimed his poem. He said: ‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened. How fair are your tents, O Jacob! How fair your dwellings, Israel! Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens by the banks of a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters! A hero arises from their stock, he reigns over countless peoples. His king is greater than Agag, his majesty is exalted.’ Then Balaam declaimed his poem again. He said: ‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes, the oracle of one who hears the word of God, of one who knows the knowledge of the Most High. He sees what Shaddai makes him see, receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened. I see him – but not in the present, I behold him – but not close at hand: a star from Jacob takes the leadership, a sceptre arises from Israel.’
Psalm 24(25):4-6,7a-9
R/ Lord, make me know your ways.
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 In you I hope all day long because of your goodness, O Lord. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth. In your love remember me.
3. 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.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia! The Lord will come, go out to meet him. Great is his beginning and his reign will have no end. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I,’ replied Jesus, ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offerings we bring in celebration of Saint Lucy win your gracious acceptance, O Lord, we pray, just as the struggle of her suffering and passion was pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Rv 7: 17
The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who bestowed on Saint Lucy a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom, grant, we pray, through the power of this Sacrament, that, bravely overcoming every evil, we may attain the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Pharisees could not openly admit that John’s baptism came from God because they had rejected him just as they rejected Jesus, and they could not say came from men because everybody else believed John was a prophet. In fact, Jesus wanted to make them see that his authority to teach and perform miracles had the same origin as John’s baptism – God the Father in heaven. The words and actions of Jesus come from God. Jesus is the hero, the star, the sceptre that was to arise from Israel according to the prophecy of Balaam, recorded in the Book of Numbers. The light which Jesus brings is meant to shine in the whole world, and his sceptre of command gives him authority over all mankind. He stands at the door of your heart, knocking and waiting for you to respond. Do not be hard-hearted like the Pharisees. Open the door of your heart and let him in.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 11, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
12
Décembre
3ème Dimanche de l’Avent
Psautier III
Saint Corentin
Violet
Antienne d’ouverture : Ph 4, 4. 5
Soyez dans la joie du Seigneur, soyez toujours dans la joie, le Seigneur est proche.
Prière d’ouverture
Tu le vois, Seigneur, ton peuple se prépare à célébrer la naissance de ton Fils; Dirige notre joie vers la joie d’un si grand mystère: pour que nous fêtions notre salut avec un cœur vraiment nouveau. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : So 3, 14-18a
Pousse des cris de joie, fille de Sion ! Éclate en ovations, Israël ! Réjouis-toi, de tout ton cœur bondis de joie, fille de Jérusalem ! Le Seigneur a levé les sentences qui pesaient sur toi, il a écarté tes ennemis. Le roi d’Israël, le Seigneur, est en toi. Tu n’as plus à craindre le malheur. Ce jour-là, on dira à Jérusalem : « Ne crains pas, Sion ! Ne laisse pas tes mains défaillir ! Le Seigneur ton Dieu est en toi, c’est lui, le héros qui apporte le salut. Il aura en toi sa joie et son allégresse, il te renouvellera par son amour ; il exultera pour toi et se réjouira, comme aux jours de fête. »
Cantique : Is 12, 2-3, 4bcde, 5-6
R/ Jubile, crie de joie, car il est grand au milieu de toi, le Saint d’Israël.
1. Voici le Dieu qui me sauve : j’ai confiance, je n’ai plus de crainte. Ma force et mon chant, c’est le Seigneur ; il est pour moi le salut. Exultant de joie, vous puiserez les eaux aux sources du salut.
2. « Rendez grâce au Seigneur, proclamez son nom, annoncez parmi les peuples ses hauts faits!» Redites-le : « Sublime est son nom! »
3. Jouez pour le Seigneur, il montre sa magnificence, et toute la terre le sait.Jubilez, criez de joie, habitants de Sion, car il est grand au milieu de toi, le Saint d’Israël !
2ème lecture : Ph 4, 4-7
Frères, soyez toujours dans la joie du Seigneur ; je le redis : soyez dans la joie. Que votre bienveillance soit connue de tous les hommes. Le Seigneur est proche. Ne soyez inquiets de rien, mais, en toute circonstance, priez et suppliez, tout en rendant grâce, pour faire connaître à Dieu vos demandes. Et la paix de Dieu, qui dépasse tout ce qu’on peut concevoir, gardera vos cœurs et vos pensées dans le Christ Jésus.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia. L’Esprit du Seigneur est sur moi : il m’a envoyé porter la Bonne Nouvelle aux pauvres. Alléluia. (cf. Is 61, 1)
Évangile : Lc 3, 10-18
En ce temps-là, les foules qui venaient se faire baptiser par Jean lui demandaient : « Que devons-nous faire ? » Jean leur répondait : « Celui qui a deux vêtements, qu’il partage avec celui qui n’en a pas ; et celui qui a de quoi manger, qu’il fasse de même ! » Des publicains (c’est-à-dire des collecteurs d’impôts) vinrent aussi pour être baptisés ; ils lui dirent: « Maître, que devons-nous faire ? » Il leur répondit : « N’exigez rien de plus que ce qui vous est fixé. » Des soldats lui demandèrent à leur tour : « Et nous, que devons-nous faire ? » Il leur répondit : « Ne faites violence à personne, n’accusez personne à tort; et contentez-vous de votre solde.» Or le peuple était en attente, et tous se demandaient en eux-mêmes si Jean n’était pas le Christ. Jean s’adressa alors à tous : « Moi, je vous baptise avec de l’eau ; mais il vient, celui qui est plus fort que moi. Je ne suis pas digne de dénouer la courroie de ses sandales. Lui vous baptisera dans l’Esprit Saint et le feu. Il tient à la main la pelle à vanner pour nettoyer son aire à battre le blé, et il amassera le grain dans son grenier ; quant à la paille, il la brûlera au feu qui ne s’éteint pas. » Par beaucoup d’autres exhortations encore, il annonçait au peuple la Bonne Nouvelle.
Prière sur les offrandes
Permets, Seigneur, que le sacrifice de nos eucharisties te soit toujours offert dans ton Église, Pour accomplir le sacrement que tu nous as donné et pour réaliser la merveille de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Is 35, 4
Dites aux esprits abattus: Prenez courage, ne craignez pas; voici notre Dieu qui vient: il vient nous sauver.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur notre Dieu, nous attendons de ta miséricorde Que cette nourriture prise à ton autel nous empêche de céder à nos penchants mauvais et nous prépare aux fêtes qui approchent par Jésus.
Méditation
La joie, la joie, la joie ! Le mot est vite dit; une seule syllabe ! Les sages d’Israël, avaient déjà expérimenté combien la joie est relative et fragile en ce monde. Mais voici que la prophétie de Sophonie nous annonce une joie autre que les joies fugitives d’ici-bas : celle qui va naître avec le Christ à Bethléem. Celle-là ne connaîtra plus ni déception ni limitation. « Soyez dans la joie. » Oui, mais la joie « du Seigneur », précise Saint Paul. Pas n’importe quelle joie, une joie que chacun doit aller chercher dans son être de créature rachetée. La joie que nul ne peut ravir et qui se garde pour l’éternité car elle est cette éternité déjà commencée. Dans l’évangile de ce jour, la joie ne paraît pas ; elle est pourtant là, cachée. Le Messie est présenté comme celui qu’il faut craindre. Mais la crainte, ici, est une écorce que le Baptiste nous apprend à briser pour libérer la joie qu’elle tient captive : par une vie droite, ce qui, en langage chrétien authentique, signifie vie aimante ; et aussi par l’humilité et la charité qui sont les reines des vertus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 11, 2021 | Evangelium
12
December
Third Sunday of Advent
Psalter III
St. Finian of Clonard (470 – 549)
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Phil 4: 4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
Collect
O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. 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: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.
Psalm : Isaiah 12
R/ Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
1. Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear. For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
2. Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name! Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples! Declare the greatness of his name.
3. Sing a psalm to the Lord for he has done glorious deeds; make them known to all the earth! People of Zion, sing and shout for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Second reading : Philippians 4:4-7
I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Acclamation: Is61:1(Lk4:18)
Alleluia, alleluia! The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor.Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’ A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the sacrifice of our worship, Lord, we pray, be offered to you unceasingly, to complete what was begun in sacred mystery and powerfully accomplish for us your saving work. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Is 35: 4
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
Prayer after Communion
We implore your mercy, Lord, that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faults and prepare us for the coming feasts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud!” Today is Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday of Joy. The first and second readings and the psalm are an invitation to rejoice in the Lord and to shout for joy. We should be joyful today because we are loved with an unconditional love by our God. God’s love for us is greater than all our faults and weaknesses; it is great enough to pardon all our sins; it is patient enough to give us another chance whenever we sincerely ask for it; it is faithful enough to accompany us in all our struggles and free us from all anxiety. Today let us thank God for loving us with an everlasting and infinite love. Let us ask God for the grace to love him back by following the teaching of John the Baptist and making charity, justice, integrity, honesty and every other virtue a part of our lives.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 10, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
11
Décembre
Saint Damase 1er, pape
Violet / Blanc
Damase (vers 305-384) est diacre à Rome quand il succède au pape Libère en 366 ; un antipape, Ursinus, lui est opposé. Il a aussi à combattre les hérésies ariennes et donatiste. Il confia à saint Jérôme, qui fut son secrétaire, la mission de corriger l’ancienne traduction de la Bible, et lui-même composa en l’honneur des martyrs des inscriptions en vers qui furent gravées dans le marbre.
Viens, Seigneur, montre-nous ton visage, et nous serons sauvés.
Prière d’ouverture
Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant, que la splendeur de ta gloire se lève en nos cœurs : et l’avènement de ton Fils unique, dissipant les dernières ombres de la nuit, fera voir au grand jour que nous sommes fils de ta lumière. Par Jésus Christ.
Première Lecture : Sir 48, 1-4.9-11
En ces jours-là, le prophète Élie surgit comme un feu, sa parole brûlait comme une torche. Il fit venir la famine sur Israël, et, dans son ardeur, les réduisit à un petit nombre. Par la parole du Seigneur, il retint les eaux du ciel, et à trois reprises il en fit descendre le feu. Comme tu étais redoutable, Élie, dans tes prodiges ! Qui pourrait se glorifier d’être ton égal ? Toi qui fus enlevé dans un tourbillon de feu par un char aux coursiers de feu ; toi qui fus préparé pour la fin des temps, ainsi qu’il est écrit, afin d’apaiser la colère avant qu’elle n’éclate, afin de ramener le cœur des pères vers les fils et de rétablir les tribus de Jacob… heureux ceux qui te verront, heureux ceux qui, dans l’amour, se seront endormis ; nous aussi, nous posséderons la vraie vie.
Psaume : 79 (80), 2ac.3bc, 15-16a, 18-19
R/ Dieu, fais- nous revenir ; que ton visage s’éclaire, et nous serons sauvés ! 79, 4
1. Berger d’Israël, écoute, resplendis au- dessus des Kéroubim ! Réveille ta vaillance et viens nous sauver.
2. Dieu de l’univers, revient ! Du haut des cieux, regarde et vois : visite cette vigne, protège- la, celle qu’a plantée ta main puissante.
3. Que ta main soutienne ton protégé, le fils de l’homme qui te doit sa force. Jamais plus nous n’irons loin de toi: fais- nous vivre et invoquer ton nom!
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Préparez le chemin du Seigneur, rendez droits ses sentiers: tout être vivant verra le salut de Dieu. Alléluia. (cf. Lc 3, 4.6)
Évangile : Matthieu 17, 10-13
Descendant de la montagne, les disciples interrogèrent Jésus: « Pourquoi donc les scribes disent- ils que le prophète Élie doit venir d’abord ? » Jésus leur répondit : « Élie va venir pour remettre toute chose à sa place. Mais, je vous le déclare : Élie est déjà venu ; au lieu de le reconnaître, ils lui ont fait tout ce qu’ils ont voulu. Et de même, le Fils de l’homme va souffrir par eux. » Alors les disciples comprirent qu’il leur parlait de Jean le Baptiste.
Prière sur les offrandes
Permets, Seigneur, que le sacrifice de nos eucharisties te soit toujours offert dans ton Église, Pour accomplir le sacrement que tu nous as donné et pour réaliser la merveille de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ap 22, 12
Voici que je viens sans tarder, dit le Seigneur, et j’apporte avec moi le salaire que je vais donner a chacun selon ce qu’il aura.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur notre Dieu, nous attendons de ta miséricorde Que cette nourriture prise à ton autel nous empêche de céder à nos penchants mauvais et nous prépare aux fêtes qui approchent. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le peuple d’Israël attend le retour d’Elie car ce sera le signe que le prophétisme a repris vie. En effet, le prophète comme messager de Dieu signifie la proximité de Dieu et l’intérêt du créateur pour sa créature. Mais les prophètes et leur message sont rejetés car ils dérangent et déroutent. Il en sera de même avec Jésus, l’Ultime prophète, Fils envoyé du Père qui a toute sa faveur. Respecterons-nous le Fils, l’écouterons-nous ? Tout ce qui est écrit en effet est pour notre instruction. Les prophètes et les saints de l’ancienne comme de la nouvelle Alliance sont les témoins toujours actuels de l’unique Parole, de la venue toute proche, de l’Attente active du Royaume. Qu’à travers leur parole, à travers leur personne il nous soit donné de découvrir quels sont aujourd’hui pour nous les signes de temps, les appels à la conversion.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Dec 10, 2021 | Evangelium
11
December
Pope St. Damasus I
(305 – 384)
Violet / White
A Spaniard, he was born about 305. Joining the Roman clergy, he was elected Pope in 366, in calamitous times. He held many synods against heretics and schismatics. He promoted the cult of the martyrs. He died in 384.
Entrance Antiphon Ps 79: 4, 2
Come and show us your face, O Lord, who are seated upon the Cherubim, and we will be saved.
Collect
May the splendour of your glory dawn in our hearts, we pray, almighty God, that all shadows of the night may be scattered and we may be shown to be children of light by the advent of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4,9-12
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch. It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal. By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire. How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob, Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.
Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19
R/ Lord of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
1. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might,O Lord, come to our help.
2. God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted.
3. May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again; give us life that we may call upon your name.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The day of the Lord is near; Look, he comes to save us. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 17:10-13
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied, ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the sacrifice of our worship, Lord, we pray, be offered to you unceasingly, to complete what was begun in sacred mystery and powerfully accomplish for us your saving work. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rv 22: 12
Behold, I am coming soon and my recompense is with me, says the Lord, to bestow a reward according to the deeds of each.
Prayer after Communion
We implore your mercy, Lord, that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faults and prepare us for the coming feasts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The prophet Malachi had prophesied that Elijah would come again to get everything ready before the day of the Lord would come. Jesus tells his disciples and us today that Elijah did return, in the person of John the Baptist. Ben Sirach tells us in the First Reading that Elijah came to “turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob”. In other words, his mission was to preach repentance among the Israelites, to invite them to purify their hearts and to return to their God. Repentance is the central message of Advent; God wants us to change our hearts and return to him. But as Jesus points out in the Gospel, the Israelites did not recognise John the Baptist; rather, they treated him as they pleased. John the Baptist’s message of repentance is addressed to us during this season of Advent. Are we going to reject it, like the Israelites did, or are we going to accept it and let the power of God transform our lives?
