by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Nov 19, 2021 | Evangelium
20
November
St. Edmund
(d.869)
B.V.M
Green / White
He was king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia. He was captured and killed by the Danish Great Heathen Army, which invaded England in 869.
Entrance Antiphon : Jer 29: 11, 12, 14
The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.
Collect
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13
King Antiochus was making his way across the upper provinces; he had heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais, renowned for its riches, its silver and gold, and its very wealthy temple containing golden armour, breastplates and weapons, left there by Alexander son of Philip, the king of Macedon, the first to reign over the Greeks. He therefore went and attempted to take the city and pillage it, but without success, since the citizens learnt of his intention, and offered him a stiff resistance, whereupon he turned about and retreated, disconsolate, in the direction of Babylon. But while he was still in Persia news reached him that the armies that had invaded the land of Judah had been defeated, and that Lysias in particular had advanced in massive strength, only to be forced to turn and flee before the Jews; these had been strengthened by the acquisition of arms, supplies and abundant spoils from the armies they had cut to pieces; they had overthrown the abomination he had erected over the altar in Jerusalem, and had encircled the sanctuary with high walls as in the past, and had fortified Bethzur, one of his cities. When the king heard this news he was amazed and profoundly shaken; he threw himself on his bed and fell into a lethargy from acute disappointment, because things had not turned out for him as he had planned. And there he remained for many days, subject to deep and recurrent fits of melancholy, until he understood that he was dying. Then summoning all his Friends, he said to them, ‘Sleep evades my eyes, and my heart is cowed by anxiety. I have been asking myself how I could have come to such a pitch of distress, so great a flood as that which now engulfs me – I who was so generous and well-loved in my heyday. But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem when I seized all the vessels of silver and gold there, and ordered the extermination of the inhabitants of Judah for no reason at all. This, I am convinced, is why these misfortunes have overtaken me, and why I am dying of melancholy in a foreign land.’
Psalm 9A(9):2-4,6,16,19
R/ I will rejoice in your saving help, O Lord.
1. I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all your wonders. I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
2. See how my enemies turn back, how they stumble and perish before you. You have checked the nations, destroyed the wicked; you have wiped out their name for ever and ever.
3. The nations have fallen in the pit which they made, their feet caught in the snare they laid; for the needy shall not always be forgotten nor the hopes of the poor be in vain.
Gospel Acclamation: Lk8:15
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 20:27-40
Some Sadducees – those who say that there is no resurrection – approached Jesus and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. The second and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. Finally the woman herself died. Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’ Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’ Some scribes then spoke up. ‘Well put, Master,’ they said – because they would not dare to ask him any more questions.
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer in the sight of your majesty may obtain for us the grace of being devoted to you and gain us the prize of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 72: 28
To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
We have partaken of the gifts of this sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O Lord, that what your Son commanded us to do in memory of him may bring us growth in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation Jesus in his wisdom and pedagogy, puts his adversaries in disarray by making use of the Torah’s teaching about the resurrection of the dead (Exodus 3:6). In John 11:25 Jesus presents himself as the one who is the resurrection and the life. We are now heirs of this life since Jesus has passed through death and is alive forever and precedes us in Galilee. On this note, none dared to ask him anything. Lord, though our world despises your resurrection in the name of intellectual logic, keep us from all vain curiosity about the afterlife and revive in us the desire to contemplate your face.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Nov 18, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
19
Novembre
Saint Tanguy
Vert
Gurguy, ou Tanguy, canonisé saint Tanguy de Locmazhé, fut un moine légendaire breton de Gerber (Le Relec) du VIe siècle. Il aurait fondé l’Abbaye Saint-Mathieu de Fine-Terre à Plougonvelin (Finistère). Il serait mort en 592 et serait inhumé à la pointe Saint-Mathieu (en breton : Locmazhé).
Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 29, 11.12.14
« Mes pensées, dit le Seigneur Dieu, sont des pensées de paix et non pas de malheur. Appelez-moi, je vous écouterai et, de partout, je vous rassemblerai. »
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de trouver notre joie dans notre fidélité. Car c’est un bonheur durable et profond de servir constamment le créateur de tout bien. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : 1 M 4, 36-37. 52-59
En ces jours-là, Judas et ses frères déclarèrent : « Voilà nos ennemis écrasés, montons purifier le Lieu saint et en faire la dédicace.» Toute l’armée se rassembla, et ils montèrent à la montagne de Sion. Le vingt-cinquième jour du neuvième mois, de grand matin, les prêtres offrirent le sacrifice prescrit par la Loi sur le nouvel autel qu’ils avaient construit. On fit la dédicace de l’autel au chant des hymnes, au son des cithares, des harpes et des cymbales. C’était juste l’anniversaire du jour où les païens l’avaient profané. Le peuple entier se prosterna la face contre terre pour adorer, puis ils bénirent le Ciel qui avait fait aboutir leur effort. Pendant huit jours, ils célébrèrent la dédicace de l’autel, en offrant, dans l’allégresse, des holocaustes, des sacrifices de communion et d’action de grâce. Ils ornèrent la façade du Temple de couronnes d’or et de boucliers, ils en restaurèrent les entrées et les salles et y replacèrent des portes. Il y eut une grande allégresse dans le peuple, et l’humiliation infligée par les païens fut effacée. Judas Maccabée décida, avec ses frères et toute l’assemblée d’Israël, que l’anniversaire de la dédicace de l’autel serait célébré pendant huit jours chaque année à cette date, dans la joie et l’allégresse.
Cantique : 1 Chroniques 29, 10, 11abc, 11de-12a, 12bcd
R/ Nous voici pour célébrer l’éclat de ton nom, Seigneur ! (cf. 1 Ch 29, 13)
1. Béni sois-tu, Seigneur, Dieu de notre père Israël, depuis les siècles et pour les siècles !
2. À toi, Seigneur, force et grandeur, éclat, victoire, majesté, tout, dans les cieux et sur la terre !
3. À toi, Seigneur, le règne, la primauté sur l’univers : la richesse et la gloire viennent de ta face !
4. C’est toi, le Maître de tout : dans ta main, force et puissance ; tout, par ta main, grandit et s’affermit.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix, dit le Seigneur; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent.Alléluia.
(Jn 10, 27)
Évangile : Luc 19, 45-48
En ce temps-là, entré dans le Temple, Jésus se mit à en expulser les vendeurs. Il leur déclarait : « Il est écrit : Ma maison sera une maison de prière. Or vous, vous en avez fait une caverne de bandits. » Et il était chaque jour dans le Temple pour enseigner. Les grands prêtres et les scribes, ainsi que les notables, cherchaient à le faire mourir, mais ils ne trouvaient pas ce qu’ils pourraient faire ; en effet, le peuple tout entier, suspendu à ses lèvres, l’écoutait.
Prière sur les offrandes
Permets, Seigneur notre Dieu, que l’offrande placée sous ton regard nous obtienne la grâce de vivre pour toi et nous donne l’éternité bienheureuse. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Être proche de Dieu, mettre en lui mon espoir, c’est là tout mon bonheur.
Prière après la communion
Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement: Que cette eucharistie offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Jésus ne vient pas pour jeter un coup d’œil sporadiquement ordinaire : il vient poser un geste par une présence qui non seulement rappelle Dieu, mais qui purifie afin de rendre de nouveau agréable à Dieu. Jésus s’en prend aux vendeurs qui sur l’esplanade du temple proposent des animaux destinés aux sacrifices. Le commerce favorise la célébration dans sa dimension sacrificielle. Jésus n’est pas contre le culte. Non ! En référence à Isaïe 56, 7 Jésus met en cause les autorités religieuses qui ont perverti la finalité même de la maison de son père en oubliant qu’on ne peut pas servir à la fois Dieu et l’argent (16, 13). Ces derniers sont infidèles au rôle qui est leur raison d’être dans le temple : nourrir le peuple de Dieu. Cette nourriture c’est le Christ qui se donne dans l’enseignement. Il vient aujourd’hui de nouveau nous purifie dans nos rapports purement économiques à notre Père. Car l’argent sans Dieu devient source de malheur et d’encombrement. Le Christ demeure l’unique nécessaire.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Nov 18, 2021 | Evangelium
19
November
St. Roque González and his companions (d. 1628)
Green
Saint Roque González de Santa Cruz was born in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, on 17 November 1576. He came from a noble Spanish family but also spoke the local language, Guaraní, from an early age.
Entrance Antiphon : Jer 29: 11, 12, 14
The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.
Collect
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Maccabees 4:36-37,52-59
Judas and his brothers said, ‘Now that our enemies have been defeated, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and dedicate it.’ So they marshalled the whole army, and went up to Mount Zion. On the twenty-fifth of the ninth month, Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, they rose at dawn and offered a lawful sacrifice on the new altar of holocausts which they had made. The altar was dedicated, to the sound of zithers, harps and cymbals, at the same time of year and on the same day on which the pagans had originally profaned it. The whole people fell prostrate in adoration, praising to the skies him who had made them so successful. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar, joyfully offering holocausts, communion sacrifices and thanksgivings. They ornamented the front of the Temple with crowns and bosses of gold, repaired the gates and the storerooms and fitted them with doors. There was no end to the rejoicing among the people, and the reproach of the pagans was lifted from them. Judas, with his brothers and the whole assembly of Israel, made it a law that the days of the dedication of the altar should be celebrated yearly at the proper season, for eight days beginning on the twenty-fifth of the month Chislev, with rejoicing and gladness.
Psalm : 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
R/ We praise your glorious name, O Lord.
1. Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, for ever, for ages unending.
2. Yours, Lord, are greatness and power, and splendour and triumph and glory. All is yours, in heaven and on earth.
3. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, you are supreme over all. Both honour and riches come from you.
4. You are the ruler of all, from your hand come strength and power, from your hand come greatness and might.
Gospel Acclamation: 2Tim1:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death and he has proclaimed life through the Good News. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 19:45-48
Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said, ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’ He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer in the sight of your majesty may obtain for us the grace of being devoted to you and gain us the prize of everlasting happiness. Through
Communion Antiphon : Ps 72: 28
To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
We have partaken of the gifts of this sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O Lord, that what your Son commanded us to do in memory of him may bring us growth in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus attacks the vendors who on the esplanade of the temple offer animals for sacrifice. Jesus is not against worship. No! With reference to Isaiah 56:7, Jesus questions the religious authorities who have perverted the purpose of his Father’s house by forgetting that one cannot serve both God and money. Jesus comes today once again to purify our economic relations with our Father. For money without God becomes a source of trouble and clutter. Christ remains the only necessity for us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Nov 17, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
18
Novembre
Dédicace des basiliques de saint Pierre et de saint Paul, apôtres
Vert / Blanc
Vers 330, Constantin fit édifier la basilique vaticane à l’emplacement d’un ancien cimetière où l’on a de bonne raisons de croire que saint Pierre fut inhumé. Depuis la fin du 14e siècle, les papes célèbrent à Saint-Pierre la plupart de leurs liturgies solennelles. Rebâtie au 16e siècle, notamment par Michel-Ange, la plus vaste église de la chrétienté fut consacrée en 1626. Le premier et le deuxième concile du Vatican y tinrent leurs sessions.
Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 29, 11.12.14
« Mes pensées, dit le Seigneur Dieu, sont des pensées de paix et non pas de malheur. Appelez-moi, je vous écouterai et, de partout, je vous rassemblerai. »
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de trouver notre joie dans notre fidélité. Car c’est un bonheur durable et profond de servir constamment le créateur de tout bien. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : 1 M 2, 15-29
En ces jours-là, les hommes envoyés par le roi Antiocos pour contraindre les gens à l’apostasie arrivèrent dans la ville de Modine pour y organiser des sacrifices. Beaucoup en Israël allèrent à eux; Mattathias et ses fils vinrent à la réunion. Les envoyés du roi prirent la parole pour dire à Mattathias : « Tu es un chef honoré et puissant dans cette ville, soutenu par des fils et des frères. Avance donc le premier, et exécute l’ordre du roi, comme l’ont fait toutes les nations, les hommes de Juda et ceux qui sont restés à Jérusalem. Alors, toi et tes fils, vous serez les amis du roi. Toi et tes fils, vous serez comblés d’argent, d’or et de cadeaux nombreux.» Mattathias répondit d’une voix forte : « Toutes les nations qui appartiennent aux États du roi peuvent bien lui obéir en rejetant chacune la religion de ses pères, et se conformer à ses commandements ; mais moi, mes fils et mes frères, nous suivrons l’Alliance de nos pères. Que le Ciel nous préserve d’abandonner la Loi et ses préceptes ! Nous n’obéirons pas aux ordres du roi, nous ne dévierons pas de notre religion, ni à droite ni à gauche. » Dès qu’il eut fini de prononcer ces paroles, un Juif s’avança en présence de tout le monde pour offrir le sacrifice, selon l’ordre du roi, sur cet autel de Modine. À cette vue, Mattathias s’enflamma d’indignation et frémit jusqu’au fond de lui-même; il laissa monter en lui une légitime colère, courut à l’homme et l’égorgea sur l’autel. Quant à l’envoyé du roi, qui voulait contraindre à offrir le sacrifice, Mattathias le tua à l’instant même, et il renversa l’autel. Il s’enflamma d’ardeur pour la Loi comme jadis Pinhas contre Zimri. Alors Mattathias se mit à crier d’une voix forte à travers la ville : « Ceux qui sont enflammés d’une ardeur jalouse pour la Loi et qui soutiennent l’Alliance, qu’ils sortent tous de la ville à ma suite. » Il s’enfuit dans la montagne avec ses fils, en abandonnant tout ce qu’ils avaient dans la ville. Alors, beaucoup de ceux qui recherchaient la justice et la Loi s’en allèrent vivre au désert.
Psaume : Ps 49 (50), 1-2, 5-6, 14-15
R/ Offre à Dieu le sacrifice d’action de grâce. 49, 14a
1. Le Dieu des dieux, le Seigneur, parle et convoque la terre du soleil levant jusqu’au soleil couchant. De Sion, belle entre toutes, Dieu resplendit.
2. « Assemblez, devant moi, mes fidèles, eux qui scellent d’un sacrifice mon alliance. Et les cieux proclament sa justice : oui, le juge, c’est Dieu !
3. « Offre à Dieu le sacrifice d’action de grâce, accomplis tes vœux envers le Très-Haut. Invoque-moi au jour de détresse : je te délivrerai, et tu me rendras gloire. »
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Aujourd’hui, ne fermez pas votre cœur, mais écoutez la voix du Seigneur. Alléluia. (cf. Ps 94, 8a.7d)
Évangile : Luc 19, 41-44
En ce temps-là, lorsque Jésus fut près de Jérusalem, voyant la ville, il pleura sur elle, en disant : « Ah ! si toi aussi, tu avais reconnu en ce jour ce qui donne la paix ! Mais maintenant cela est resté caché à tes yeux. Oui, viendront pour toi des jours où tes ennemis construiront des ouvrages de siège contre toi, t’encercleront et te presseront de tous côtés ; ils t’anéantiront, toi et tes enfants qui sont chez toi, et ils ne laisseront pas chez toi pierre sur pierre, parce que tu n’as pas reconnue moment où Dieu te visitait. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Permets, Seigneur notre Dieu, que l’offrande placée sous ton regard nous obtienne la grâce de vivre pour toi et nous donne l’éternité bienheureuse. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Être proche de Dieu, mettre en lui mon espoir, c’est là tout mon bonheur.
Prière après la communion
Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement: Que cette eucharistie offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Une conviction de foi solide passe par l’éducation, par le canal de l’écoute qui devient transformante. Nous ne pouvons pas répandre une lumière qui n’a pas d’abord troublé notre première vue et notre vie. Le témoignage de Mattathias dans la première lecture consiste à éclairer et non pas à briller. Un artiste peut briller pendant son concert sans forcément éclairer. Mattathias ne se laisse pas éblouir par l’or et l’argent que lui propose le Roi. Sa foi est fidèle à l’alliance de ses pères. A la suite de Jérémie et Ezéchiel, Jésus prophétise la ruine de Jérusalem. Car le peuple se refuse de voir que c’est Dieu lui-même qui visite son peuple pour lui offrir le salut. Jérusalem sera pressé et anéantie parce qu’elle n’a pas accueillie Dieu. Chaque fois que nous nous déconnectons de Dieu de par la qualité de notre vie nous serons pressés et anéantis par les forces de l’ennemi. Que nos œuvres témoignent du Christ afin de dissiper toute ruine de l’ennemi.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Nov 17, 2021 | Evangelium
18
November
The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul
Green / White
The Basilica of St. Peter, today known as the Vatican Basilica, is the seat of Catholicity. It is built over the tomb of St Peter, the first Pope. Over Paul’s grave is built another magnificent Catholic Basilica, St Paul’s Outside the Walls. On the anniversary of the dedication of the basilicas of St Peter at the Vatican and St. Paul in the Via Ostiense we join a tradition of honouring the two greatest apostles of Christ .
Entrance Antiphon : Jer 29: 11, 12, 14
The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.
Collect
Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29
The commissioners of King Antiochus who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them sacrifice. Many Israelites gathered round them, but Mattathias and his sons drew apart. The king’s commissioners then addressed Mattathias as follows, ‘You are a respected leader, a great man in this town; you have sons and brothers to support you. Be the first to step forward and conform to the king’s decree, as all the nations have done, and the leaders of Judah and the survivors in Jerusalem; you and your sons shall be reckoned among the Friends of the King, you and your sons shall be honoured with gold and silver and many presents.’ Raising his voice, Mattathias retorted, ‘Even if every nation living in the king’s dominions obeys him, each forsaking its ancestral religion to conform to his decrees, I, my sons and my brothers will still follow the covenant of our ancestors. Heaven preserve us from forsaking the Law and its observances. As for the king’s orders, we will not follow them: we will not swerve from our own religion either to right or to left.’ As he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein as the royal edict required. When Mattathias saw this, he was fired with zeal; stirred to the depth of his being, he gave vent to his legitimate anger, threw himself on the man and slaughtered him on the altar. At the same time he killed the king’s commissioner who was there to enforce the sacrifice, and tore down the altar. In his zeal for the Law he acted as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu. Then Mattathias went through the town, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘Let everyone who has a fervour for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.’ Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town. At this, many who were concerned for virtue and justice went down to the desert and stayed there.
Psalm 49(50):1-2,5-6,14-15
R/ I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
1. The God of gods, the Lord, has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion’s perfect beauty he shines.
2. ‘Summon before me my people who made covenant with me by sacrifice.’ The heavens proclaim his justice, for he, God, is the judge.
3. Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God and render him your votive offerings. Call on me in the day of distress. I will free you and you shall honour me.’
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:135
Alleluia, alleluia! Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer in the sight of your majesty may obtain for us the grace of being devoted to you and gain us the prize of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 72: 28
To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
We have partaken of the gifts of this sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O Lord, that what your Son commanded us to do in memory of him may bring us growth in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
A firm conviction of faith requires education, through the channel of listening that becomes transforming. We cannot shed a light that has not first disturbed our sight and life. Mattathias’ testimony in the first reading is meant to enlighten and not to make him shine. An artist can shine during his concert without necessarily enlightening. Mattathias does not let himself be dazzled by the gold and silver that the King offers him. He remains faithful to the covenant of his fathers. Following Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Jesus prophesies the ruin of Jerusalem. He does so because people refuse to see that it is God himself who visits his people to offer them salvation. Jerusalem will be pressed and annihilated because it has not welcomed God. Every time we disconnect from God through the quality of our life, we will be pressed and annihilated by the enemy. Let our works bear witness to Christ so that we can keep the enemy at bay.
