by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 6, 2023 | Evangelium
FRIday 07 APRIL
Good Friday
SAINT John Baptist de la Salle
He was born in Rheims in France in 1651. He and his colleagues formed the the Brothers of the Christian Schools, in whose cause he suffered many tribulations. He died in Rouen in 1719.
Collect
Remember your mercies, O Lord, and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants, for whom Christ your Son, by the shedding of his Blood, established the Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. As the crowds were appalled on seeing him – so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human – so will the crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: “Who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed?” Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground. Without beauty, without majesty we saw him, no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces; he was despised and we took no account of him. And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. But we, we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us. Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth. By force and by law he was taken; would anyone plead his cause? Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living; for our faults struck down in death. They gave him a grave with the wicked, a tomb with the rich, though he had done no wrong and there had been no perjury in his mouth. The Lord has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done. His soul’s anguish over, he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners.
Psalm 30:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
R/ Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free; into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
In the face of all my foes I am a reproach, an object of scorn to my neighbours and of fear to my friends.
Those who see me in the street run far away from me. I am like a dead man, forgotten, like a thing thrown away.
But as for me, I trust in you, Lord; I say: You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love. Be strong, let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
Second reading: Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
Gospel Acclamation: Phil 2:8-9
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel: John 18:1-19:42
Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.
N. Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kedron valley. There was a garden there, and he went into it with his disciples. Judas the traitor knew the place well, since Jesus had often met his disciples there, and he brought the cohort to this place together with a detachment of guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees, all with lanterns and torches and weapons. Knowing everything that was going to happen to him, Jesus then came forward and said, ✠ Who are you looking for? N. They answered, C. Jesus the Nazarene. N. He said, ✠ I am he. N. Now Judas the traitor was standing among them. When Jesus said, ‘I am he’, they moved back and fell to the ground. He asked them a second time, ✠ Who are you looking for? N. They said, C. Jesus the Nazarene. N. Jesus replied, ✠ I have told you that I am he. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go. N. This was to fulfil the words he had spoken, ‘Not one of those you gave me have I lost.’ Simon Peter, who carried a sword, drew it and wounded the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword back in its scabbard; am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me? N. The cohort and its captain and the Jewish guards seized Jesus and bound him. They took him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had suggested to the Jews, ‘It is better for one man to die for the people.’ Simon Peter, with another disciple, followed Jesus. This disciple, who was known to the high priest, went with Jesus into the high priest’s palace, but Peter stayed outside the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who was keeping the door and brought Peter in. The maid on duty at the door said to Peter, O. Aren’t you another of that man’s disciples? N. He answered, O. I am not. N. Now it was cold, and the servants and guards had lit a charcoal fire and were standing there warming themselves; so Peter stood there too, warming himself with the others. The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered, ✠ I have spoken openly for all the world to hear; I have always taught in the synagogue and in the Temple where all the Jews meet together: I have said nothing in secret. But why ask me? Ask my hearers what I taught: they know what I said. N. At these words, one of the guards standing by gave Jesus a slap in the face, saying, O. Is that the way to answer the high priest? N. Jesus replied, ✠ If there is something wrong in what I said, point it out; but if there is no offence in it, why do you strike me? N. Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. As Simon Peter stood there warming himself, someone said to him, O. Aren’t you another of his disciples? N. He denied it, saying, O. I am not. N. One of the high priest’s servants, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, O. Didn’t I see you in the garden with him? N. Again Peter denied it; and at once a cock crew. They then led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was now morning. They did not go into the Praetorium themselves or they would be defiled and unable to eat the passover. So Pilate came outside to them and said, O. What charge do you bring against this man? N. They replied, ✠ If he were not a criminal, we should not be handing him over to you. N. Pilate said, O. Take him yourselves, and try him by your own Law. N. The Jews answered, C. We are not allowed to put a man to death. N. This was to fulfil the words Jesus had spoken indicating the way he was going to die. So Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him, and asked, O. Are you the king of the Jews? N. Jesus replied, ✠ Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me? N. Pilate answered, O. Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done? N. Jesus replied, ✠ Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind. N. Pilate said, O. So you are a king, then? N. Jesus answered, ✠ It is you who say it. Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice. N. Pilate said, O.Truth? What is that? N. and with that he went out again to the Jews and said, O. I find no case against him. But according to a custom of yours I should release one prisoner at the Passover; would you like me, then, to release the king of the Jews? N. At this they shouted: C. Not this man, but Barabbas. N. Barabbas was a brigand. Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged; and after this, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him and saying, C. Hail, king of the Jews! N. and they slapped him in the face. Pilate came outside again and said to them, O. Look, I am going to bring him out to you to let you see that I find no case. N. Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, O. Here is the man. N. When they saw him the chief priests and the guards shouted, C.Crucify him! Crucify him! N. Pilate said, O. Take him yourselves and crucify him: I can find no case against him. N. The Jews replied, C. We have a Law, and according to that Law he ought to die, because he has claimed to be the Son of God. N. When Pilate heard them say this his fears increased. Re-entering the Praetorium, he said to Jesus O. Where do you come from? N. But Jesus made no answer. Pilate then said to him, O. Are you refusing to speak to me? Surely you know I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you? N. Jesus replied, ✠ You would have no power over me if it had not been given you from above; that is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater guilt. N. From that moment Pilate was anxious to set him free, but the Jews shouted, C. If you set him free you are no friend of Caesar’s; anyone who makes himself king is defying Caesar. N. Hearing these words, Pilate had Jesus brought out, and seated himself on the chair of judgement at a place called the Pavement, in Hebrew Gabbatha. It was Passover Preparation Day, about the sixth hour. Pilate said to the Jews, O. Here is your king. N. They said, C. Take him away, take him away! Crucify him! N. Pilate said, O. Do you want me to crucify your king? N. The chief priests answered, C. We have no king except Caesar. N. So in the end Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. They then took charge of Jesus, and carrying his own cross he went out of the city to the place of the skull or, as it was called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified him with two others, one on either side with Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote out a notice and had it fixed to the cross; it ran: ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.’ This notice was read by many of the Jews, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city, and the writing was in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. So the Jewish chief priests said to Pilate, C. You should not write ‘King of the Jews,’ but ‘This man said: “I am King of the Jews.”’ N. Pilate answered, O. What I have written, I have written. N. When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it into four shares, one for each soldier. His undergarment was seamless, woven in one piece from neck to hem; so they said to one another, C.Instead of tearing it, let’s throw dice to decide who is to have it. N. In this way the words of scripture were fulfilled: They shared out my clothing among them. They cast lots for my clothes. This is exactly what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, Woman, this is your son. N. Then to the disciple he said, ✠ This is your mother. N. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the cripture perfectly he said: ✠ I am thirsty. N. A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, ✠ It is accomplished; N. and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water. This is the evidence of one who saw it – trustworthy evidence, and he knows he speaks the truth – and he gives it so that you may believe as well. Because all this happened to fulfil the words of scripture: Not one bone of his will be broken and again, in another place scripture says: They will look on the one whom they have pierced. After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus – though a secret one because he was afraid of the Jews – asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission, so they came and took it away. Nicodemus came as well – the same one who had first come to Jesus at night-time – and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, following the Jewish burial custom. At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who have restored us to life by the blessed Death and Resurrection of your Christ, preserve in us the work of your mercy, that, by partaking of this mystery, we may have a life unceasingly devoted to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray, descend upon your people, who have honoured the Death of your Son in the hope of their resurrection: may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today heaven and earth are witnessing the unimaginable: the author of life has given up the ghost, God is dead! It is Good Friday! The universe holds its breath, everything freezes. On Palm Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem as king, today he dies on the cross. Yesterday he gave us the Eucharist, today he offers us his life. Palm Sunday with the green branches, today, the inert body on the dead wood of the cross. Life and death, these are the two poles that frame the mission of Jesus and give it meaning. This is the week when God embraces the fragility of man and raises humanity up. Dying to re-establish the covenant between the Father and his children, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross obtains God’s forgiveness for us and reconciles us with him. But having known humiliation and suffering, he also dies in order to go down to the tomb with all our individual, family and societal deaths and, that from the depths of these tombs, life may arise. He is the true servant who carries our burdens and gives us true life; the one that comes from God. On this day, Jesus shows solidarity with all the sick, the exiled, the suffering, the trials of war-stricken, the mourning, those with personal anguish, families in pain, every child; he invites each one to look at the cross and to draw from it the gift that he gives of himself for our salvation.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 5, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
JEUDIDI 06 AVRIL
Jeudi Saint
Saint Marcellin, Martyr
Homme marié et ami de saint Augustin, qui écrivit plusieurs ouvrages en réponse à ses questions, il fut nommé tribun par l’empereur Honorius afin qu’il aille réunifier l’Eglise en Afrique du Nord. Il y réussit assez bien jusqu’à ce qu’une révolte éclate. Malgré l’intervention de son ami, il fut exécuté.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ga 6, 14
Que notre seule fierté soit la croix de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ. En lui, nous avons le salut, la vie et la résurrection, par lui, nous sommes sauvés et délivrés.
Prière d’ouverture
Tu nous appelles, Dieu notre Père, à célébrer ce soir la très sainte Cène où ton Fils unique, avant de se livrer lui-même à la mort, a voulu remettre à son Église le sacrifice nouveau de l´Alliance éternelle ; Fais que nous recevions de ce repas qui est le sacrement de son amour, la charité et la vie. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Exode 12, 1-8.11-14
En ces jours-là, dans le pays d’Égypte, le Seigneur dit à Moïse et à son frère Aaron : « Ce mois-ci sera pour vous le premier des mois, il marquera pour vous le commencement de l’année. Parlez ainsi à toute la communauté d’Israël : le dix de ce mois, que l’on prenne un agneau par famille, un agneau par maison. Si la maisonnée est trop peu nombreuse pour un agneau, elle le prendra avec son voisin le plus proche, selon le nombre des personnes. Vous choisirez l’agneau d’après ce que chacun peut manger. Ce sera une bête sans défaut, un mâle, de l’année. Vous prendrez un agneau ou un chevreau. Vous le garderez jusqu’au quatorzième jour du mois. Dans toute l’assemblée de la communauté d’Israël, on l’immolera au coucher du soleil. On prendra du sang, que l’on mettra sur les deux montants et sur le linteau des maisons où on le mangera. On mangera sa chair cette nuit-là, on la mangera rôtie au feu, avec des pains sans levain et des herbes amères. Vous mangerez ainsi: la ceinture aux reins, les sandales aux pieds, le bâton à la main. Vous mangerez en toute hâte : c’est la Pâque du Seigneur. Je traverserai le pays d’Égypte, cette nuit-là ; je frapperai tout premier-né au pays d’Égypte, depuis les hommes jusqu’au bétail. Contre tous les dieux de l’Égypte j’exercerai mes jugements: Je suis le Seigneur. Le sang sera pour vous un signe, sur les maisons où vous serez. Je verrai le sang, et je passerai : vous ne serez pas atteints par le fléau dont je frapperai le pays d’Égypte. Ce jour-là sera pour vous un mémorial. Vous en ferez pour le Seigneur une fête de pèlerinage. C’est un décret perpétuel : d’âge en âge vous la fêterez. »
Psaume 115 (116b), 12-13, 15-16ac, 17-18
R/ La coupe de bénédiction est communion au sang du Christ.
Comment rendrai-je au Seigneur tout le bien qu’il m’a fait ? J’élèverai la coupe du salut, j’invoquerai le nom du Seigneur.
Il en coûte au Seigneur de voir mourir les siens ! Ne suis-je pas, Seigneur, ton serviteur, moi, dont tu brisas les chaînes ?
Je t’offrirai le sacrifice d’action de grâce, j’invoquerai le nom du Seigneur. Je tiendrai mes promesses au Seigneur, oui, devant tout son peuple.
2ème lecture : 1 Co 11, 23-26
Frères, moi, Paul, j’ai moi-même reçu ce qui vient du Seigneur, et je vous l’ai transmis :la nuit où il était livré, le Seigneur Jésus prit du pain puis, ayant rendu grâce, il le rompit, et dit : « Ceci est mon corps, qui est pour vous. Faites cela en mémoire de moi. » Après le repas, il fit de même avec la coupe, en disant: « Cette coupe est la nouvelle Alliance en mon sang. Chaque fois que vous en boirez, faites cela en mémoire de moi. » Ainsi donc, chaque fois que vous mangez ce pain et que vous buvez cette coupe, vous proclamez la mort du Seigneur, jusqu’à ce qu’il vienne.
Acclamation
Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus ! Je vous donne un commandement nouveau, dit le Seigneur : « Aimez-vous les uns les autres comme je vous ai aimés.» Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus! (Cf. Jn 13, 34)
Évangile : Jean 13, 1-15
Avant la fête de la Pâque, sachant que l’heure était venue pour lui de passer de ce monde à son Père, Jésus, ayant aimé les siens qui étaient dans le monde, les aima jusqu’au bout. Au cours du repas, alors que le diable a déjà mis dans le cœur de Judas, fils de Simon l’Iscariote, l’intention de le livrer, Jésus, sachant que le Père a tout remis entre ses mains, qu’il est sorti de Dieu et qu’il s’en va vers Dieu, se lève de table, dépose son vêtement, et prend un linge qu’il se noue à la ceinture ; puis il verse de l’eau dans un bassin. Alors il se mit à laver les pieds des disciples et à les essuyer avec le linge qu’il avait à la ceinture. Il arrive donc à Simon-Pierre, qui lui dit : « C’est toi, Seigneur, qui me laves les pieds ?» Jésus lui répondit : « Ce que je veux faire, tu ne le sais pas maintenant ; plus tard tu comprendras. » Pierre lui dit : « Tu ne me laveras pas les pieds ; non, jamais ! » Jésus lui répondit: « Si je ne te lave pas, tu n’auras pas de part avec moi. » Simon-Pierre lui dit : « Alors, Seigneur, pas seulement les pieds, mais aussi les mains et la tête ! » Jésus lui dit : « Quand on vient de prendre un bain, on n’a pas besoin de se laver, sinon les pieds : on est pur tout entier. Vous-mêmes, vous êtes purs, mais non pas tous. » Il savait bien qui allait le livrer; et c’est pourquoi il disait : « Vous n’êtes pas tous purs. » Quand il leur eut lavé les pieds, il reprit son vêtement, se remit à table et leur dit: « Comprenez-vous ce que je viens de faire pour vous ? Vous m’appelez “Maître” et “Seigneur”, et vous avez raison, car vraiment je le suis. Si donc moi, le Seigneur et le Maître, je vous ai lavé les pieds, vous aussi, vous devez vous laver les pieds les uns aux autres. C’est un exemple que je vous ai donné afin que vous fassiez, vous aussi, comme j’ai fait pour vous. ».
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur, accorde-nous la grâce de vraiment participer à cette eucharistie ; Car chaque fois qu´est célébré ce sacrifice en mémorial, c´est l´œuvre de notre Rédemption qui s´accomplit. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : 1 Co 11, 24. 25
« Ceci est mon corps, donné pour vous, dit le Seigneur. Faites cela en mémoire de moi. Cette coupe est la nouvelle Alliance établie par mon sang. Chaque fois que vous en boirez, faites cela en mémoire de moi. »
Prière après la communion
Nous avons repris des forces, Dieu tout-puissant, en participant ce soir à la Cène de ton Fils ; Accorde-nous d´être un jour rassasié à la table de son Royaume éternel. Lui qui.
Méditation Le jeudi saint l’Eglise nous donne de vivre: l’institution de l’Eucharistie, l’institution du sacrement de l’ordre intimement lié à l’eucharistie et le sacrement la charité fraternelle par le geste du lavement des pieds. Fête du sacerdoce avec Jésus le Grand Prêtre par excellence qui a voulu associer à son saint ministère des hommes faibles et fragiles, les prêtres, fête de l’eucharistie où il s’offre comme sacrifice par excellence au Père et se donne à nous comme vraie nourriture et breuvage, fête de la fraternité où le plus grand sert le plus petit, c’est en réalité la fête de l’amour qui n’a pas peur de s’abaisser et de se donner jusqu’au bout que nous célébrons aujourd’hui. Mais pour entrer dans ce mystère du Jeudi Saint, il nous faut passer par la porte du service, celle du lavement des pieds dont Jésus lui-même en est l’exemple dans son évangile. Jésus le Seigneur et le Maître prend le tablier du serviteur et la place de l’esclave pour servir. Il renverse l’ordre établi afin de nous conduire à la vraie compréhension de sa mission et de son offrande. Son geste enseigne la voie de l’humilité et de l’abaissement, du service et de l’attention fraternelle comme de la vraie grandeur
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 5, 2023 | Evangelium
THURSday 06 APRIL
Maundy Thursday
Saint William of Eskilsoe
Evening Mass
He was born in 1125 and was a French religious who willingly led a life with few comforts. He spent many hours in prayer and became a scholar of religious law. An account written after his death described him as “famous for his life and miracles.” He died in 1203.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Gal 6: 14
We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.
Collect
O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love; grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of 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: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: “This month is to be the first of all the others for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, ‘On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock, one for each family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small to eat the animal, a man must join with his neighbour, the nearest to his house, as the number of persons requires. You must take into account what each can eat in deciding the number for the animal. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may take it from either sheep or goats. You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it between the two evenings. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh is to be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You shall eat it hastily: it is a passover in honour of the Lord. That night, I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, man and beast alike, and I shall deal out punishment to all the gods of Egypt, I am the Lord! The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in. When I see the blood I will pass over you and you shall escape the destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a day of remembrance for you, and you must celebrate it as a feast in the Lord’s honour. For all generations you are to declare it a day of festival, for ever.’”
Psalm 115:12-13, 15-18
R: The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.
How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.” Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn13: 34
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: John 13:1-15
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples” feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “Never!” said Peter “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” “Then, Lord,” said Simon Peter “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus said, “No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.” He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, “Though not all of you are.” When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. “Do you understand” he said “what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cor 11: 24-25
This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord; do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, almighty God, that, just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
On Holy Thursday the Church gives us the opportunity to re-live the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders, intimately linked to the Eucharist, and the sacrament of fraternal charity through the gesture of the washing of the feet. It is the feast of the priesthood with Jesus the Highest of Priests who wanted to associate weak and fragile men, the priests, with his holy ministry; the feast of the Eucharist where he offers himself as the greatest sacrifice to the Father and gives himself to us as true food and drink; the feast of brotherhood where the greatest serves the smallest, it is in reality the feast of love which is not afraid to lower itself and to give itself to the end that we celebrate today. But to enter into this mystery of Holy Thursday, we must pass through the door of service, that of the washing of the feet, of which Jesus himself is the example in his Gospel. Jesus, though Lord and Master, takes the apron of the servant and the place of the slave to serve. He reverses the established order and leads us to true understanding of his mission and his self-offering. His gesture teaches the way of humility and self-abasement, of service and fraternal attention, as well as of true greatness.11
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 4, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
MERCREDI 05 AVRIL
Sainte Irène
Quand éclata la persécution à Salonique, elle s’enfuit comme beaucoup d’autres personnes dans la montagne pour se réfugier. Quelque temps après, elle se reprocha cette lâcheté et revint à la maison. Elle y fut arrêtée. Ayant refusé d’apostasier, elle fut brulée vive, toute jeune, en 304.
Antienne d’ouverture
Au nom de Jésus, que tout être vivant dans les cieux, sur la terre et dans l’abîme tombe à genoux. Pour s’être fait obéissant jusqu’à la mort, et la mort sur une croix, Jésus Christ est Seigneur, à la gloire de Dieu le Père.
Prière d’ouverture
Puisque tu as voulu, Seigneur, que ton Fils fût crucifié pour nous afin de nous arracher au pouvoir de Satan, fais que nous puissions recevoir la grâce de la résurrection. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Is 50, 4-9a
Le Seigneur mon Dieu m’a donné le langage des disciples, pour que je puisse, d’une parole, soutenir celui qui est épuisé. Chaque matin, il éveille, il éveille mon oreille pour qu’en disciple, j’écoute. Le Seigneur mon Dieu m’a ouvert l’oreille, et moi, je ne me suis pas révolté, je ne me suis pas dérobé. J’ai présenté mon dos à ceux qui me frappaient, et mes joues à ceux qui m’arrachaient la barbe. Je n’ai pas caché ma face devant les outrages et les crachats. Le Seigneur mon Dieu vient à mon secours ; c’est pourquoi je ne suis pas atteint par les outrages, c’est pourquoi j’ai rendu ma face dure comme pierre : je sais que je ne serai pas confondu. Il est proche, Celui qui me justifie. Quelqu’un veut-il plaider contre moi ? Comparaissons ensemble ! Quelqu’un veut-il m’attaquer en justice ? Qu’il s’avance vers moi ! Voilà le Seigneur mon Dieu, il prend ma défense ; qui donc me condamnera ?
Psaume : 68 (69), 8-10, 21-22, 31.33-34
R Dans ton grand amour, Dieu, réponds-moi ; c’est l’heure de ta grâce.
C’est pour toi que j’endure l’insulte, que la honte me couvre le visage : je suis un étranger pour mes frères, un inconnu pour les fils de ma mère.
L’amour de ta maison m’a perdu; on t’insulte, et l’insulte retombe sur moi.
L’insulte m’a broyé le cœur, le mal est incurable ; j’espérais un secours, mais en vain, des consolateurs, je n’en ai pas trouvé.
À mon pain, ils ont mêlé du poison; quand j’avais soif, ils m’ont donné du vinaigre.
Mais je louerai le nom de Dieu par un cantique, je vais le magnifier, lui rendre grâce. Les pauvres l’ont vu, ils sont en fête : « Vie et joie, à vous qui cherchez Dieu ! »
Car le Seigneur écoute les humbles, il n’oublie pas les siens emprisonnés.»
Acclamation
Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire ! Salut, ô Christ notre Roi : obéissant au Père, comme l’agneau vers l’abattoir tu te laisses conduire à la croix. Louange à toi, Seigneur, Roi d’éternelle gloire !
Évangile : Mt 26, 14-25
En ce temps-là, l’un des Douze, nommé Judas Iscariote, se rendit chez les grands prêtres et leur dit : « Que voulez-vous me donner, si je vous le livre ? » Ils lui remirent trente pièces d’argent. Et depuis, Judas cherchait une occasion favorable pour le livrer. Le premier jour de la fête des pains sans levain, les disciples s’approchèrent et dirent à Jésus : « Où veux-tu que nous te fassions les préparatifs pour manger la Pâque ? » Il leur dit : « Allez à la ville, chez untel, et dites-lui : “Le Maître te fait dire : Mon temps est proche ; c’est chez toi que je veux célébrer la Pâque avec mes disciples.” » Les disciples firent ce que Jésus leur avait prescrit et ils préparèrent la Pâque. Le soir venu, Jésus se trouvait à table avec les Douze. Pendant le repas, il déclara: « Amen, je vous le dis : l’un de vous va me livrer. » Profondément attristés, ils se mirent à lui demander, chacun son tour : « Serait-ce moi, Seigneur ?» Prenant la parole, il dit : « Celui qui s’est servi au plat en même temps que moi, celui-là va me livrer. Le Fils de l’homme s’en va, comme il est écrit à son sujet ; mais malheureux celui par qui le Fils de l’homme est livré! Il vaudrait mieux pour lui qu’il ne soit pas né, cet homme-là ! » Judas, celui qui le livrait, prit la parole : « Rabbi, serait-ce moi ? » Jésus lui répond : « C’est toi-même qui l’as dit ! »
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille, Seigneur, le sacrifice que nous t’offrons, et mets en œuvre ta miséricorde : pour qu’en célébrant la passion de ton Fils, nous entrions dans son mystère d’amour. Lui qui.
Antienne de la communion : Mt 20, 26
Quand j’aurai été enlevé de terre, dit le Seigneur, j’attirerai à moi tous les hommes
Prière après la communion
Le Fils de l’homme n’est pas venu pour être servi, mais pour servir, et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude.
Méditation
Face à la douleur de la trahison d’un proche le psalmiste s’exclame: « Si l’insulte me venait d’un ennemi, je pourrais l’endurer ; si mon rival s’élevait contre moi, je pourrais me dérober. Mais toi, un homme de mon rang, mon familier, mon intime ! » (Ps 54) et en réponse le Psaume 68 dit : « c’est pour toi que j’endure l’insulte, que la honte me couvre le visage : je suis un étranger pour mes frères, un inconnu pour les fils de ma mère. ». L’expérience humaine qu’a assumée Jésus est faite de toutes les fragilités et les indignités interpersonnelles. Le Fils de l’homme vendu, comme un esclave, pour seulement trente pièces d’argent. Pourtant, inscrit dans la perspective pascale, ce rabaissement de Jésus l’identifie à tous ceux qui sont esclaves du péché et esclaves des hommes, esclaves des envies matériels et de la cupidité mondaines, pour qui il est venu apporter la libération. Par le don de sa vie il renverse la demande de Judas : « Que voulez-vous me donner, si je vous le livre ? » en « ma vie nul ne la prend mais c’est moi qui la donne » (Jean 10,18) afin « que tous les hommes aient la vie et qu’ils l’aient en abondance » (Jn 10, 10).
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Apr 4, 2023 | Evangelium
THURSday 05 APRIL
Maundy Thursday
Evening Mass
Saint William of Eskilsoe
He was born in 1125 and was a French religious who willingly led a life with few comforts. He spent many hours in prayer and became a scholar of religious law. An account written after his death described him as “famous for his life and miracles.” He died in 1203.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Gal 6: 14
We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.
Collect
O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love; grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of 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: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: “This month is to be the first of all the others for you, the first month of your year. Speak to the whole community of Israel and say, ‘On the tenth day of this month each man must take an animal from the flock, one for each family: one animal for each household. If the household is too small to eat the animal, a man must join with his neighbour, the nearest to his house, as the number of persons requires. You must take into account what each can eat in deciding the number for the animal. It must be an animal without blemish, a male one year old; you may take it from either sheep or goats. You must keep it till the fourteenth day of the month when the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it between the two evenings. Some of the blood must then be taken and put on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where it is eaten. That night, the flesh is to be eaten, roasted over the fire; it must be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. You shall eat it hastily: it is a passover in honour of the Lord. That night, I will go through the land of Egypt and strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, man and beast alike, and I shall deal out punishment to all the gods of Egypt, I am the Lord! The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in. When I see the blood I will pass over you and you shall escape the destroying plague when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a day of remembrance for you, and you must celebrate it as a feast in the Lord’s honour. For all generations you are to declare it a day of festival, for ever.’”
Psalm 115:12-13, 15-18
R: The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ.
How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.” In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.” Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn13: 34
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you, says the Lord. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: John 13:1-15
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples” feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “Never!” said Peter “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.” “Then, Lord,” said Simon Peter “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus said, “No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.” He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, “Though not all of you are.” When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. “Do you understand” he said “what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cor 11: 24-25
This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord; do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, almighty God, that, just as we are renewed by the Supper of your Son in this present age, so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
On Holy Thursday the Church gives us the opportunity to re-live the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders, intimately linked to the Eucharist, and the sacrament of fraternal charity through the gesture of the washing of the feet. It is the feast of the priesthood with Jesus the Highest of Priests who wanted to associate weak and fragile men, the priests, with his holy ministry; the feast of the Eucharist where he offers himself as the greatest sacrifice to the Father and gives himself to us as true food and drink; the feast of brotherhood where the greatest serves the smallest, it is in reality the feast of love which is not afraid to lower itself and to give itself to the end that we celebrate today. But to enter into this mystery of Holy Thursday, we must pass through the door of service, that of the washing of the feet, of which Jesus himself is the example in his Gospel. Jesus, though Lord and Master, takes the apron of the servant and the place of the slave to serve. He reverses the established order and leads us to true understanding of his mission and his self-offering. His gesture teaches the way of humility and self-abasement, of service and fraternal attention, as well as of true greatness.
