by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 8, 2023 | Evangelium
THURsday 09 MARCH
SAINT FRANCES OF ROME
She was born in Rome in 1384 and was married at the age of 13. She distributed gifts to the poor and ministered to the sick. After her husband’s death she retired to a convent she had founded.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 138: 23-24
Test me, O God, and know my thoughts. See that my path is not wicked, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Collect
O God, who delight in innocence and restore it, direct the hearts of your servants to yourself, That, caught up in the fire of your Spirit, we may be found steadfast in faith and effective in works. 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: Jeremiah 17:5-10
The Lord says this: “A curse on the man who puts his trust in man, who relies on things of flesh, whose heart turns from the Lord. He is like dry scrub in the wastelands: if good comes, he has no eyes for it, he settles in the parched places of the wilderness, a salt land, uninhabited. A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: When the heat comes it feels no alarm, its foliage stays green; It has no worries in a year of drought, and never ceases to bear fruit. The heart is more devious than any other thing, perverse too: who can pierce its secrets? I, the Lord, search to the heart, I probe the loins, to give each man what his conduct and his actions deserve.”
Psalm 1:1-4,6
R/Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night.
He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; And all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind. For the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom.
Gospel Acclamation: Lk 15: 18
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’ Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory!
Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ ‘My son,’ Abraham replied, ‘remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.’ ‘The rich man replied, ‘Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.’ ‘They have Moses and the prophets,’ said Abraham, ‘let them listen to them.’ ‘Ah no, father Abraham,’ said the rich man, ‘but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Prayer over the Offerings
By this present sacrifice, we pray, O Lord, sanctify our observance, that what Lenten discipline outwardly declares, it may inwardly bring about. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 118: 1
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May this sacrifice, O God, remain active in its effects and work ever more strongly within us. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Abide with your servants, O Lord, who implore the help of your grace, that they may receive from you the support and guidance of your protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus challenges and invites us to practice charity. The problem of the rich and the poor is a living reality in our societies and in our families, and a major challenge to us all. Faced with so much inequality and injustice, we must ask ourselves why our humanity is going so badly. And today’s Gospel makes us understand that the world is like this because man has shut himself away from charity. If there are many “Lazarus” in the world and in our families today, it is because we, the rich of this time, refuse to share. Each of us has received freely from the Lord; a gift, a talent or a special faculty to put to the service of all. Every time we close our eyes to the sufferings of others, we are lacking in charity. We must practice it today because tomorrow it will be too late.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 7, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
MERCREDI 08 MARS
Saint Jean de Dieu, religieux
Jean Ciudad (1495-1550), fils d’un artisan portugais, fut berger, voyageur, soldat et marchand avant de se convertir à quarante-deux ans. Il créa un hôpital à Grenade et jeta les fondements d’un ordre hospitalier. Mort victime de son dévouement, il est le patron des infirmiers et des malades.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 37, 22-23
Ne m’abandonne pas, Seigneur, mon Dieu, ne reste pas si loin ! Viens vite, à mon aide, Seigneur, mon salut.
Prière d’ouverture
Donne à ta famille, Seigneur, de progresser en faisant toujours ce qui est bon ; assure-lui le nécessaire en cette vie pour la conduire aux biens du Royaume. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Jérémie 18, 18-20
Mes ennemis ont dit : « Allons, montons un complot contre Jérémie. La loi ne va pas disparaître par manque de prêtre, ni le conseil, par manque de sage, ni la parole, par manque de prophète. Allons, attaquons-le par notre langue, ne faisons pas attention à toutes ses paroles. » Mais toi, Seigneur, fais attention à moi, écoute ce que disent mes adversaires. Comment peut-on rendre le mal pour le bien ? Ils ont creusé une fosse pour me perdre. Souviens-toi que je me suis tenu en ta présence pour te parler en leur faveur, pour détourner d’eux ta colère.
Psaume: 30 (31), 5-6, 14, 15-16
R/ Sauve- moi, mon Dieu, par ton amour.
Tu m’arraches au filet qu’ils m’ont tendu ; oui, c’est toi mon abri. En tes mains je remets mon esprit ; tu me rachètes, Seigneur, Dieu de vérité.
J’entends les calomnies de la foule: de tous côtés c’est l’épouvante. Ils ont tenu conseil contre moi, ils s’accordent pour m’ôter la vie. Moi, je suis sûr de toi, Seigneur, je dis : « Tu es mon Dieu ! » Mes jours sont dans ta main : délivre-moi des mains hostiles qui s’acharnent.
Acclamation
Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus ! Moi, je suis la lumière du monde, dit le Seigneur. Celui qui me suit aura la lumière de la vie. Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus ! (Jn 8, 12)
Évangile : Mathieu 20, 17-28
En ce temps-là, Jésus, montant à Jérusalem, prit à part les Douze disciples et, en chemin, il leur dit: « Voici que nous montons à Jérusalem. Le Fils de l’homme sera livré aux grands prêtres et aux scribes, ils le condamneront à mort et le livreront aux nations païennes pour qu’elles se moquent de lui, le flagellent et le crucifient ; le troisième jour, il ressuscitera. » Alors la mère des fils de Zébédée s’approcha de Jésus avec ses fils Jacques et Jean, et elle se prosterna pour lui faire une demande. Jésus lui dit: « Que veux-tu ? » Elle répondit : « Ordonne que mes deux fils que voici siègent, l’un à ta droite et l’autre à ta gauche, dans ton Royaume. » Jésus répondit : « Vous ne savez pas ce que vous demandez. Pouvez-vous boire la coupe que je vais boire?» Ils lui disent : « Nous le pouvons.» Il leur dit : « Ma coupe, vous la boirez ; quant à siéger à ma droite et à ma gauche, ce n’est pas à moi de l’accorder ; il y a ceux pour qui cela est préparé par mon Père. » Les dix autres, qui avaient entendu, s’indignèrent contre les deux frères. Jésus les appela et dit: « Vous le savez : les chefs des nations les commandent en maîtres, et les grands font sentir leur pouvoir. Parmi vous, il ne devra pas en être ainsi : celui qui veut devenir grand parmi vous sera votre serviteur ; et celui qui veut être parmi vous le premier sera votre esclave. Ainsi, le Fils de l’homme n’est pas venu pour être servi, mais pour servir, et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, les dons que nous te présentons; et par ceux que tu nous feras en échange, dégage-nous de nos péchés pour nous rendre libres en toi. Par Jésus
Antienne de communion : Mt 20, 28
Le Fils de l’homme n’est pas venu pour être servi, mais pour servir, et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude.
Prière après la communion
Dans cette communion, Seigneur, tu as voulu nous donner un gage de notre immortalité : permets donc qu’elle nous ouvre les portes de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Pour quelle raison suis-tu le Seigneur ? Qu’est ce qui te motive dans ton engagement ? Suis-tu le Seigneur pour partager sa coupe ou bien parce que tu ambitionnes une place à sa gauche ou à sa droite ? Entre le bien commun et l’intérêt personnel, qu’est ce qui te met en mouvement ? Voilà frère, sœur, les questions que le Seigneur te pose dans l’évangile de ce jour. Dans un monde où le service désintéressé se fait de plus en plus rare, Jésus t’invite, en ce jour, à te ressaisir et à tourner le dos à l’esprit d’individualisme et d’égoïsme. Si tu as décidé de servir et suivre le Seigneur, cela doit être pour que le règne de Dieu advienne. Et si tu as décidé de t’engager dans un domaine dans la société, cela doit être pour le bien des personnes qui viennent à toi. Que le Seigneur t’aide, en ce jour, à comprendre que tu es dans le monde pour servir et non asservir tes frères au gré de tes intérêts personnels.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 6, 2023 | Evangelium
Tuesday 07 MARCH
SAINTS PERPETUA AND FELICITY
They were martyred at Carthage in 203 during the persecution of Septimius Severus. Devotion to them spread rapidly and they are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 12: 4-5
Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death, lest my enemy say: I have overcome him.
Collect
Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy, and, since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall, may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm and directed to all that brings salvation. 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: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the command of our God, You people of Gomorrah. “Wash, make yourselves clean. Take your wrong-doing Out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us talk this over, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they Shall be like wool. If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth. But if you persist in rebellion, the sword shall eat you instead.”
Psalm 49: 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
R/ I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
I find no fault with your sacrifices; your offerings are always before me. I do not ask more bullocks from your farms, Nor goats from among your herds.
But how can you recite my commandments and take my covenant on your lips, you who despise my law and throw my words to the winds.
You do this, and should I keep silence? Do you think that I am like you? A sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me And I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 4: 17
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, “The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased to work your sanctification within us by means of these mysteries, O Lord, and by it, may we be cleansed of earthly faults and led to the gifts of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 9: 2-3
I will recount all your wonders. I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
Prayer after Communion
May the refreshment of this sacred table, O Lord, we pray, bring us an increase in devoutness of life and the constant help of your work of conciliation. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Graciously hear the cries of your faithful, O Lord, and relieve the weariness of their soul, that, having received your forgiveness, they may ever rejoice in your blessing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Hypocrisy is a vice that undermines and tempts people throughout the ages. We are often like the Scribes and Pharisees whom Jesus castigates in today’s Gospel. Many times, we only pretend to be good. Rotten on the inside, we often make others believe that we are saints. The “cult of appearances” is so widespread today that there is a total mismatch between what we say and what we do almost everywhere. The Lord invites us this day to be genuine and authentic people. Therefore, let us strive to avoid any attitude that leads us to pride and to the thought or believe that we are above others. Let us be humble and true in our lives.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 5, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
LUNDI 06 MARS
sainte colette
Née à Corbie, en Picardie, elle est le fruit de l’intercession de saint Nicolas. En effet, ses parents se désolant de ne pas avoir d’enfants prièrent ce saint. Lorsqu’ils reçurent cette petite fille, ils lui donnèrent le nom de Nicole, devenu aussi, en diminutif familier, Colette.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 25, 8.11
Seigneur, j’aime la maison que tu habites, le lieu où demeure ta gloire. Par pitié, libère-moi : dans l’assemblée, je te bénirai.
Prière d’ouverture
Pour guérir nos âmes, Seigneur, tu nous prescris de discipliner nos corps ; donne-nous de pouvoir nous garder du péché et de répondre ainsi aux exigences de ton amour. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Daniel 9, 4-10
Je fis au Seigneur mon Dieu cette prière et cette confession : « Ah! toi Seigneur, le Dieu grand et redoutable, qui garde alliance et fidélité à ceux qui l’aiment et qui observent ses commandements, nous avons péché, nous avons commis l’iniquité, nous avons fait le mal, nous avons été rebelles, nous nous sommes détournés de tes commandements et de tes ordonnances. Nous n’avons pas écouté tes serviteurs les prophètes, qui ont parlé en ton nom à nos rois, à nos princes, à nos pères, à tout le peuple du pays. À toi, Seigneur, la justice ; à nous la honte au visage, comme on le voit aujourd’hui pour les gens de Juda, pour les habitants de Jérusalem et de tout Israël, pour ceux qui sont près et pour ceux qui sont loin, dans tous les pays où tu les as chassés, à cause des infidélités qu’ils ont commises envers toi. Seigneur, à nous la honte au visage, à nos rois, à nos princes, à nos pères, parce que nous avons péché contre toi. Au Seigneur notre Dieu, la miséricorde et le pardon, car nous nous sommes révoltés contre lui, nous n’avons pas écouté la voix du Seigneur, notre Dieu, car nous n’avons pas suivi les lois, qu’il nous proposait par ses serviteurs les prophètes. »
Psaume : 78 (79), 5a.8, 9, 11.13ab
R/ Seigneur, ne nous traite pas selon nos péchés.
Combien de temps, Seigneur, durera ta colère ? Ne retiens pas contre nous les péchés de nos ancêtres : que nous vienne bientôt ta tendresse, car nous sommes à bout de force !
Aide-nous, Dieu notre Sauveur, pour la gloire de ton nom! Délivre-nous, efface nos fautes, pour la cause de ton nom !
Que monte en ta présence la plainte du captif ! Ton bras est fort : épargne ceux qui doivent mourir. Et nous, ton peuple, le troupeau que tu conduis, sans fin nous pourrons te rendre grâce.
Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant ! Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie. Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant ! (cf. Jn 6, 63c.68c)
Évangile : Luc 6, 36-38
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Soyez miséricordieux comme votre Père est miséricordieux. Ne jugez pas, et vous ne serez pas jugés ; ne condamnez pas, et vous ne serez pas condamnés. Pardonnez, et vous serez pardonnés. Donnez, et l’on vous donnera : c’est une mesure bien pleine, tassée, secouée, débordante, qui sera versée dans le pan de votre vêtement ; car la mesure dont vous vous servez pour les autres servira de mesure aussi pour vous.»
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille avec bienveillance nos prières, Seigneur, et protège, contre les séductions du monde, ceux que tu as appelés à te servir en ces mystères. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion Lc 6, 36
« Soyez miséricordieux comme votre Père est miséricordieux », dit le Seigneur.
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur, en nous guérissant du péché, nous donne part aux joies du ciel. Par Jésus.
Méditation Le Christ Jésus, notre Seigneur nous invite à la miséricorde, à la compassion. Avoir un cœur qui bat de compassion n’est pas chose facile de nos jours. Nous sommes souvent si durs envers les autres dans notre capacité de juger, de condamner et d’être réfractaire au pardon, au point où, nous oublions que nous sommes sujets aux mêmes actes, aux mêmes erreurs, aux mêmes péchés. Nous exigeons et attendons des autres un traitement contraire à celui que nous leur infligeons. Cela ne doit pas en être ainsi. C’est pourquoi le Seigneur nous met en garde sur la façon dont nous traitons les autres. Nous ne pouvons pas maltraiter les autres et attendre qu’on nous jette des fleurs. En nous invitant à être miséricordieux en ce jour, le Seigneur attend de nous que nous sachions regarder les autres comme Dieu nous regarde malgré nos manquements et nos péchés.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Mar 5, 2023 | Evangelium
MONday 06 MARCH
SAINT COLLETTE
Born on January 13, she was orphaned at seventeen. She distributed her inheritance to the poor and became a Franciscan sister. She was renowned for her sanctity, ecstasies, and visions of the Passion.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 25: 11-12
Redeem me, O Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot stands on level ground; I will bless the Lord in the assembly.
Collect
O God, who have taught us to chasten our bodies for the healing of our souls, enable us, we pray, to abstain from all sins, and strengthen our hearts to carry out your loving commands. 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: Daniel 9: 4-10
O Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and have kindness for those who love you and keep your commandments: we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and your ordinances and turned away from them. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Integrity, Lord, is yours; ours the look of shame we wear today, we, the people of Judah, the citizens of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in every country to which you have dispersed us because of the treason we have committed against you. To us, Lord, the look of shame belongs, to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God mercy and pardon belong, because we have betrayed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets.
Psalm: 78(79): 8-9, 11, 13
R/ Do not treat us according to our sins, O Lord.
Do not hold the guilt of our fathers against us. Let your compassion hasten to meet us; we are left in the depths of distress.
O God our saviour, come to our help. Come for the sake of the glory of your name. O Lord our God, forgive us our sins; rescue us for the sake of your name.
Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; let your strong-arm reprieve those condemned to die. But we, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give you thanks for ever and ever. We will tell your praise from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower; whoever finds this seed will remain for ever. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: Luke 6: 36-38
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in your goodness these our prayers, O Lord, and set free from worldly attractions those you allow to serve the heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Lk 6: 36
Be merciful, as your Father is merciful, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us of wrongdoing and make us heirs to the joy of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Confirm the hearts of your faithful, O Lord, we pray, and strengthen them by the power of your grace, that they may be constant in making supplication to you and sincere in love for one another. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
On this day, Christ Jesus, our Lord, invites us to be merciful and compassionate Having a good heart is not an easy thing these days. We are often very hard on others in our judgement; we are very unforgiving and forget that we are subject to the same acts, the same mistakes, the same sins. We demand and expect others to treat us differently than we treat them. So the Lord warns us about the way we treat others. We cannot mistreat others and expect them to throw flowers at us. In inviting us to be merciful on this day, the Lord expects us to know how to look at others as God looks at us despite our shortcomings and sins.
