by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 22, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
jeudi 23 FEVRIER
SAINT Polycarpe, Evêque et Martyr
Vieil Evêque de Smyrne, disciple direct de l’Apôtre Jean, Polycarpe, dont le nom signifie ‘’qui porte beaucoup de fruit’’, ajouta aux mérites de sa vie sainte le fruit du martyre : il fut brûlé vif le 23 février 155. Amené dans l’amphithéâtre, Polycarpe répondit au proconsul qui le pressait d’abandonner ‘’l’athéisme’’ en sacrifiant aux dieux et en blasphémant le Christ :’’Il y a quatre-vingt-six ans que je sers le Christ et il ne m’a jamais fait aucun mal. Comment pourrais-je blasphémer mon Sauveur et mon Roi ? ‘’.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 54, 17
Quand je crie vers Dieu, il entend ma prière, il me met à l’abri de ceux qui me poursuivent. Décharge-toi de ton fardeau sur le Seigneur : il prendra soin de toi.
Prière d’ouverture
Que ta grâce inspire notre action, Seigneur, et la tienne jusqu’au bout, pour que toutes nos activités prennent leur source en toi et reçoivent de toi leur achèvement. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Dt 30, 15-20
Moïse disait au peuple : « Vois ! Je mets aujourd’hui devant toi ou bien la vie et le bonheur, ou bien la mort et le malheur. Ce que je te commande aujourd’hui, c’est d’aimer le Seigneur ton Dieu, de marcher dans ses chemins, de garder ses commandements, ses décrets et ses ordonnances. Alors, tu vivras et te multiplieras; le Seigneur ton Dieu te bénira dans le pays dont tu vas prendre possession. Mais si tu détournes ton cœur, si tu n’obéis pas, si tu te laisses entraîner à te prosterner devant d’autres dieux et à les servir, je vous le déclare aujourd’hui: certainement vous périrez, vous ne vivrez pas de longs jours sur la terre dont vous allez prendre possession quand vous aurez passé le Jourdain. Je prends aujourd’hui à témoin contre vous le ciel et la terre: je mets devant toi la vie ou la mort, la bénédiction ou la malédiction. Choisis donc la vie, pour que vous viviez, toi et ta descendance, en aimant le Seigneur ton Dieu, en écoutant sa voix, en vous attachant à lui; c’est là que se trouve ta vie, une longue vie sur la terre que le Seigneur a juré de donner à tes pères, Abraham, Isaac et Jacob. »
Psaume : 1, 1-2, 3, 4.6
R/ Heureux est l’homme qui met sa foi dans le Seigneur
Heureux est l’homme qui n’entre pas au conseil des méchants, qui ne suit pas le chemin des pécheurs, ne siège pas avec ceux qui ricanent, mais se plaît dans la loi du Seigneur et murmure sa loi jour et nuit !
Il est comme un arbre planté près d’un ruisseau, qui donne du fruit en son temps, et jamais son feuillage ne meurt; tout ce qu’il entreprend réussira. Tel n’est pas le sort des méchants.
Mais ils sont comme la paille balayée par le vent. Le Seigneur connaît le chemin des justes, mais le chemin des méchants se perdra.
Acclamation
Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie. Convertissez-vous, dit le Seigneur, car le royaume des Cieux est tout proche. Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie.
Évangile : Lc 9, 22-25
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Il faut que le Fils de l’homme souffre beaucoup, qu’il soit rejeté par les anciens, les grands prêtres et les scribes, qu’il soit tué, et que, le troisième jour, il ressuscite. » Il leur disait à tous: « Celui qui veut marcher à ma suite, qu’il renonce à lui-même, qu’il prenne sa croix chaque jour et qu’il me suive. Car celui qui veut sauver sa vie la perdra; mais celui qui perdra sa vie à cause de moi la sauvera. Quel avantage un homme aura-t-il à gagner le monde entier, s’il se perd ou se ruine lui-même ? »
Prière sur les offrandes
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, l’offrande que nous t’apportons à l’autel : en nous procurant ton pardon qu’elle serve ta gloire. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 50
Crée-moi un cœur pur, O mon Dieu, redonne-moi un esprit résolu
Prière après la communion
Seigneur, le don reçu de toi dans cette eucharistie nous a bénis et sanctifiés : qu’il ne cesse jamais de nous apporter ton pardon et notre salut. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Accepter de perdre sa vie à cause de Jésus, c’est pour nous donner nos vies au Seigneur. Une vie toute donnée au Seigneur, c’est celle du fidèle qui l’aime, écoute sa voix et s’attache fidèlement à lui. Nous ne pouvons marcher sur le chemin de la vie et du bonheur que si, en lui donnant nos vies, nous vivons selon les commandements qu’il nous donne. Ceux-ci nous balisent le bon chemin et nous y maintiennent.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 22, 2023 | Evangelium
THURSDAY 23 febRuary
SAINT Polycarp
He was a disciple of the Apostles. He bears witness to the beliefs of the early Christians and the early stages of the development of doctrine. He was martyred in about 155.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 54: 17-20, 23
When I cried to the Lord, he heard my voice; he rescued me from those who attack me. Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will support you.
Collect
Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray, O Lord, and further them with your constant help, that all we do may always begin from you and by you be brought to completion. 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: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
Moses said to the people: “See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I enjoin on you today, if you love the Lord your God and follow his ways, if you keep his commandments, his laws, his customs, you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to make your own. But if your heart strays, if you refuse to listen, if you let yourself be drawn into worshipping other gods and serving them, I tell you today, you will most certainly perish; you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of the Lord your God, obeying his voice, clinging to him; for in this your life consists, and on this depends your long stay in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob he would give them.”
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: Ps 50: 12, 14
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! A pure heart create for me, O God, and give me again the joy of your help. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: Luke 9: 22-25
Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.” Then to all he said, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?”
Prayer over the Offerings
Regard with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings we set upon this sacred altar, that, bestowing on us your pardon, our oblations may give honour to your name. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 50: 12
Create a pure heart for me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Prayer after Communion
Having received the blessing of your heavenly gifts, we humbly beseech you, almighty God, that they may always be for us a source, both of pardon and of salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Almighty God, who have made known to your people the ways of eternal life, lead them by that path, we pray to you, the unfading light. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Deuteronomy sees fidelity as the key to the future of God’s people. “By walking in his ways, you shall live” Moses says, “but if your heart turns away and you do not hear, you shall perish!” In his final address to the people whom he has led out of slavery into the Promised Land, Moses makes the heartfelt appeal: “Choose life!” As we enter Lent, we are called upon to choose life. Jesus tells his disciples that he will be rejected, suffer greatly and ultimately, be killed by the chief priests and scribes. The reaction of his friends to these words is shock, fear, sadness, confusion. One who had told them that his purpose was “that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10) was now saying that his friends must share in his death and carry their cross with him. We ought to see that there is paradox between these two statements, but not contradiction. If we want to be followers of Jesus, we must be ready for some measure of self-sacrifice. Lent is traditionally a time for self-denial. If there is some misguided attachment holding us back, or some habit that is not for our good, this is the favourable time for us to meditate on it and make a change.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 21, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
mercredi 22 FEVRIER
Mercredi des cendres
Chaire de St. Pierre
Pierre et ses successeurs ont à veiller à l’unité de l’Eglise. Le moyen fondamental, pour y parvenir, est de prêcher l’Evangile et de nourrir la foi dans le mystère du Christ. Chaire de Saint Pierre est le symbole de cette mission doctrinale. Elle n’est pas le trône d’un prince de ce monde, mais la place de celui qui, au nom de l’unique Pasteur, veille à ce que tous les croyants soient nourris de la Parole de vérité par leurs pasteurs. Cette Chaire évoque la solidité d’une foi qui est source de témoignage.
Antienne d’ouverture : Sg 11, 24-25.27
Seigneur, tu aimes tout ce qui existe, et tu n´as de répulsion pour aucune de tes ouvres; tu fermes les yeux sur les péchés des hommes: tu les invites à la pénitence, et tu leur pardonnes, car tu es le Seigneur notre Dieu
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de savoir commencer saintement, par une journée de jeûne, notre entraînement au combat spirituel: Que nos privations nous rendent plus forts pour lutter contre l´esprit du mal. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Jl 2, 12-18
Maintenant – oracle du Seigneur – revenez à moi de tout votre cœur, dans le jeûne, les larmes et le deuil! Déchirez vos cœurs et non pas vos vêtements, et revenez au Seigneur votre Dieu, car il est tendre et miséricordieux, lent à la colère et plein d’amour, renonçant au châtiment. Qui sait ? Il pourrait revenir, il pourrait renoncer au châtiment, et laisser derrière lui sa bénédiction: alors, vous pourrez présenter offrandes et libations au Seigneur votre Dieu. Sonnez du cor dans Sion: prescrivez un jeûne sacré, annoncez une fête solennelle, réunissez le peuple, tenez une assemblée sainte, rassemblez les anciens, réunissez petits enfants et nourrissons! Que le jeune époux sorte de sa maison, que la jeune mariée quitte sa chambre! Entre le portail et l’autel, les prêtres, serviteurs du Seigneur, iront pleurer et diront: « Pitié, Seigneur, pour ton peuple, n’expose pas ceux qui t’appartiennent à l’insulte et aux moqueries des païens! Faudra- t-il qu’on dise: “Où donc est leur Dieu ?” » Et le Seigneur s’est ému en faveur de son pays, il a eu pitié de son peuple.
Psaume : 51, 3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14.17
R/ Pitié, Seigneur, car nous avons péché
Pitié pour moi, mon Dieu, dans ton amour, selon ta grande miséricorde, efface mon péché. Lave- moi tout entier de ma faute, purifie-moi de mon offense.
Oui, je connais mon péché, ma faute est toujours devant moi. Contre toi, et toi seul, j’ai péché, ce qui est mal à tes yeux, je l’ai fait.
Crée en moi un cœur pur, ô mon Dieu, renouvelle et raffermis au fond de moi mon esprit. Ne me chasse pas loin de ta face, ne me reprends pas ton esprit saint.
Rends- moi la joie d’être sauvé ; que l’esprit généreux me soutienne. Seigneur, ouvre mes lèvres, et ma bouche annoncera ta louange.
2ème lecture : 2 Co 5, 20 – 6, 2
Frères, nous sommes les ambassadeurs du Christ, et par nous c’est Dieu lui- même
quilance un appel : nous le demandons au nom du Christ, laissez- vous réconcilier avec Dieu. Celui qui n’a pas connu le péché, Dieu l’a pour nous identifié au péché, afin qu’en lui nous devenions justes de la justice même de Dieu. En tant quecoopérateurs de Dieu, nous vous exhortons encore à ne pas laisser sans effet la grâce reçue de lui. Car il dit dans l’Écriture: Au moment favorable je t’ai exaucé, au jour du salut je t’ai secouru. Le voici maintenant le moment favorable, le voici maintenant le jour du salut.
Acclamation
Ta Parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. Aujourd’hui, ne fermez pas votre cœur, mais écoutez la voix du Seigneur. Ta Parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance.
Évangile : Mt 6, 1-6.16-18
En ce temps- là, Jésus disait à ses disciples: « Ce que vous faites pour devenir des justes, évitez de l’accomplir devant les hommes pour vous faire remarquer. Sinon, il n’y a pas de récompense pour vous auprès de votre Père qui est aux cieux. Ainsi, quand tu fais l’aumône, ne fais pas sonner la trompette devant toi, comme les hypocrites qui se donnent en spectacle dans les synagogues et dans les rues, pour obtenir la gloire qui vient des hommes. Amen, je vous le déclare: ceux-là ont reçu leur récompense.Mais toi, quand tu fais l’aumône, que ta main gauche ignore ce que fait ta main droite, afin que ton aumône reste dans le secret ; ton Père qui voit dans le secret te le rendra. Et quand vous priez, ne soyez pas comme les hypocrites: ils aiment à se tenir debout dans les synagogues et aux carrefours pour bien se montrer aux hommes quand ils prient. Amen, je vous le déclare: ceux-là ont reçu leur récompense. Mais toi, quand tu pries, retire-toi dans ta pièce la plus retirée, ferme la porte, et prie ton Père qui est présent dans le secret; ton Père qui voit dans le secret te le rendra. Et quand vous jeûnez, ne prenez pas un air abattu, comme les hypocrites: ils prennent une mine défaite pour bien montrer aux hommes qu’ils jeûnent. Amen, je vous le déclare : ceux-là ont reçu leur récompense. Mais toi, quand tu jeûnes, parfume-toi la tête et lave-toi le visage; ainsi, ton jeûne ne sera pas connu des hommes, mais seulement de ton Père qui est présent au plus secret; ton Père qui voit au plus secret te le rendra. »
Prière sur les offrandes
En t´offrant, au début du carême, cette eucharistie, nous te supplions, Seigneur: Inspire-nous des actes de pénitence et de charité qui nous détournent de nous-mêmes, afin que, purifiés de nos fautes, nous puissions mieux nous unir à la passion de ton Fils. Lui qui.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 1. 2-3
Celui qui jour et nuit médite la loi du Seigneur donnera du fruit en son temps.
Prière après la communion
Tu nous as fortifiés, Seigneur notre Dieu, en cette fête du bienheureux Apôtre Pierre par la communion au corps et au sang du Christ ; que cet échange où s’accomplit notre salut soit pour nous le sacrement d’unité et de paix. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le Seigneur nous appelle à retourner vers lui, dans une sincère démarche de conversion et de pénitence, en vue d’une salutaire réconciliation avec lui. L’aumône, la prière et le partage que Jésus nous recommande de faire dans la discrétion sont autant de moyens qui nous sont donnés pour guérir de la blessure du péché qui affecte nos vies d’effets néfastes. En abaissant notre orgueil, par les privations imposées à nos corps avec le jeûne et l’aumône, nous élèverons nos âmes vers Dieu, avec la prière. Ainsi trouverons-nous en lui la force de nous convertir vraiment, c’est-à-dire de changer positivement d’identité, d’itinéraire et de perspectives de vie. Que le Seigneur nous y aide et nous soutienne, par le secours de sa grâce.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 21, 2023 | Evangelium
WEDNESDAY 22 febRuary
Ash Wednesday
SAINT PETER’S CHAIR
This feast has been celebrated in Rome since at least the fourth century. It signifies the unity of the Church founded upon the Apostles.
Entrance Antiphon: Wis 11: 24, 25, 27
You are merciful to all, O Lord, and despise nothing that you have made. You overlook people’s sins, to bring them to repentance, and you spare them, for you are the Lord our God.
Collect
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting, this campaign of Christian service, so that as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. 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: Joel 2: 12-18
“Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn, turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent. Who knows if he will not turn again, will not relent, will not leave a blessing as he passes, oblation and libation for the Lord your God? Sound the trumpet in Zion! Order a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, call the people together, summon the community, assemble the elders, gather the children, even the infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bedroom and the bride her alcove. Between vestibule and altar, let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, lament. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, Lord! Do not make your heritage a thing of shame, a byword for the nations.’ Why should it be said among the nations, Where is their God?’’ Then the Lord, jealous on behalf of his land, took pity on his people.
Psalm 50: 3-6, 12-14, 17
R/Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done.
A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me, O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 20- 6: 2
We are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God. As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation, I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 50: 12, 14
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! A pure heart create for me, O God, and give me again the joy of your help. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Gospel Matthew: 6: 1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.”
Prayer over the Offerings
As we solemnly offer the annual sacrifice for the beginning of Lent, we entreat you, O Lord, that, through works of penance and charity, we may turn away from harmful pleasures and, cleansed from our sins, may become worthy to celebrate devoutly the Passion of your Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 1: 2-3
He who ponders the law of the Lord, day and night, will yield fruit in due season.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received sustain us, O Lord, that our Lenten fast may be pleasing to you and be for us a healing remedy. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Pour out a spirit of compunction, O God, on those who bow before your majesty, and by your mercy, may they merit the rewards you promise to those who do penance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Today we begin Lent by accepting to carry ashes on our foreheads as an external sign of our humble acceptance to repent from our sins as we prepare to return to the dust from which we came. Jewish teachers often used language similar to that which Jesus employs in the Gospel today, to condemn those who made public show of their piety. The Gospel therefore reminds us of how indebted Jesus was to Jewish ideas and teachings. Far from being a criticism of Judaism and its practices, the sermon reiterates the thoroughly Jewish identity of Jesus and his message. If your actions are designed to secure the notice of others, your deeds of “righteousness” yield no reward. Jesus warns against perverted piety; that is, piety that serves for public self- aggrandizement. Those who do this are hypocrites. Hypocrite is a Greek term for stage actors. They wore masks, literally hiding their true selves behind a false identity. This is what we are when we practice rather good deeds to gain public approval. But divine reward is evoked in Matthew 6:4, 6 and 18. Begin Lent today by showing your true selves. God’s reward will certainly come at the resurrection.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Feb 20, 2023 | Evangelium
TUESDAY 21 febRuary
SAINT WULFRIC
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 12: 6
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. 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; Ecclesiasticus 2: 1-11
My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation. Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside in case you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be baulked of your reward. You who fear the Lord hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy. Look at the generations of old and see: whoever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or whoever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken? Or whoever called out to him, and was ignored? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.
Psalm 36(37): 3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
R/ Commit your life to the Lord, trust him and he will act.
If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure. If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart’s desire.
He protects the lives of the upright, their heritage will last for ever. They shall not be put to shame in evil days, in time of famine their food shall not fail.
Then turn away from evil and do good and you shall have a home for ever; for the Lord loves justice and will never forsake his friends.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord, their stronghold in time of distress. The Lord helps them and delivers them and saves them: for their refuge is in him.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 14: 23
Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!
Gospel
Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him. They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, “Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate your mysteries, O Lord, with the observance that is your due, we humbly ask you, that what we offer to the honour of your majesty may profit us for salvation.
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
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may experience the effects of the salvation which is pledged to us by these mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
It should be noted that those who desire to serve God must be ready to face trials and contradictions of every type. We demonstrate authentic trust when things do not turn out well for us and we still go on. Along with faith and perseverance, trust is a basic quality of the disciple of Christ. It may be about two years that the apostles follow Jesus; yet the Gospel presents how self-centred they still were. They don’t understand the meaning of Jesus suffering and dying, but go ahead to argue about inheritance and fame on succession. Jesus consecrates time to training those who will continue his work; they have done marvellous things in his name, preaching and casting out demons; but still lack humility. The example Jesus makes of a child is thus a necessary symbol of purity, humility, trust, obedience, helplessness, dependence, forgiveness, innocence and these are the qualities of God’s Kingdom. These are the qualities that the disciples of Jesus, as well as every Christian, ought to possess.
