by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 23, 2023 | Evangelium
WEDNESDAY 24 MAY
Blessed Louis-Zépherin Moreau
He was bishop of the St Hyacinthe diocese in Quebec for 25 years, from 1876 until his death.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 46: 2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy, alleluia.
Collect
Graciously grant to your Church, O merciful God, that, gathered by the Holy Spirit, she may be devoted to you with all her heart and united in purity of intent. 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: Acts 20:28-38
Paul addressed these words to the elders of the Church of Ephesus: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone, fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified. I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’ When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Psalm 67:29-30, 33-36
R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Show forth, O God, show forth your might, your might, O God, which you have shown for us. For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem may kings come to you bringing their tribute.
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens. He thunders his voice, his mighty voice. Come, acknowledge the power of God.
His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies. God is to be feared in his holy place. He is the Lord, Israel’s God. He gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God!
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 28:19, 20
Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 17:11-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: “Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the Scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the sacrifices instituted by your commands, and through the sacred mysteries, which we celebrate as our dutiful service, graciously complete the sanctifying work by which you are pleased to redeem us. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 15: 26-27
When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send you, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me, and you also will bear witness, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May our partaking of this divine Sacrament, O Lord, constantly increase your grace within us, and, by cleansing us with its power, make us always ready to receive so great a gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus prays for me, for us! Very often, we ask others to pray for us and we believe their prayer will benefit us. We trust in the prayers of those whom we consider to be closer to God than we are. Now that we know that Jesus himself prays for us, we can count on his prayers. Thank him for the care and concern he manifests over each of us, and connect your prayer to his. Jesus’ prayer to the Father is not to remove us from the world, to create a safe place where we will not be disturbed, but to protect us from the evil one. Let us pray for the ability to face difficulties as Jesus did, in confidence.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 21, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
Lundi 22 Mai
Saint Emile
Avec saint Caste, ils ont repris courage après la torture à Carthage pour affirmer leur foi devant le juge. Pour cette raison, ils furent brûlés.
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture :
« Je suis le Premier et le Dernier, je suis le Vivant, dit le Seigneur, j’étais mort, et me voici vivant pour les siècles », alléluia
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu de puissance et de miséricorde, nous te supplions d’envoyer ton Esprit : qu’il habite nos cœurs, et fasse de nous le temple de sa gloire. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Ac 19, 1-8
Pendant qu’Apollos était à Corinthe, Paul traversait le haut pays ; il arriva à Éphèse, où il trouva quelques disciples. Il leur demanda : « Lorsque vous êtes devenus croyants, avez-vous reçu l’Esprit Saint ? » Ils lui répondirent : « Nous n’avons même pas entendu dire qu’il y a un Esprit Saint. » Paul reprit : « Quel baptême avez-vous donc reçu ? » Ils répondirent : « Celui de Jean le Baptiste. » Paul dit alors : « Jean donnait un baptême de conversion : il disait au peuple de croire en celui qui devait venir après lui, c’est-à-dire en Jésus. » Après l’avoir entendu, ils se firent baptiser au nom du Seigneur Jésus. Et quand Paul leur eut imposé les mains, l’Esprit Saint vint sur eux, et ils se mirent à parler en langues mystérieuses et à prophétiser. Ils étaient une douzaine d’hommes au total. Paul se rendit à la synagogue où, pendant trois mois, il prit la parole avec assurance ; il discutait et usait d’arguments persuasifs à propos du royaume de Dieu.
Psaume : 67 (68), 2-3, 4-5, 6-7ab
R/ Royaumes de la terre, chantez pour le Seigneur.
ou : Alléluia ! (67, 33a)
Dieu se lève et ses ennemis se dispersent, ses adversaires fuient devant sa face. Comme on dissipe une fumée, tu les dissipes ; comme on voit fondre la cire en face du feu, les impies disparaissent devant la face de Dieu.
Mais les justes sont en fête, ils exultent ; devant la face de Dieu ils dansent de joie. Chantez pour Dieu, jouez pour son nom, frayez la route à celui qui chevauche les nuées. Son nom est Le Seigneur ; dansez devant sa face.
Père des orphelins, défenseur des veuves, tel est Dieu dans sa sainte demeure. À l’isolé, Dieu accorde une maison ; aux captifs, il rend la liberté.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Si vous êtes ressuscités avec le Christ, recherchez les réalités d’en haut : c’est là qu’est le Christ, assis à la droite de Dieu. Alléluia. (Col 3, 1)
Évangile : (Jn 16, 29-33
En ce temps-là, les disciples de Jésus lui dirent : « Voici que tu parles ouvertement et non plus en images. Maintenant nous savons que tu sais toutes choses, et tu n’as pas besoin qu’on t’interroge : voilà pourquoi nous croyons que tu es sorti de Dieu. » Jésus leur répondit : « Maintenant vous croyez ! Voici que l’heure vient – déjà elle est venue – où vous serez dispersés chacun de son côté, et vous me laisserez seul ; mais je ne suis pas seul, puisque le Père est avec moi. Je vous ai parlé ainsi, afin qu’en moi vous ayez la paix. Dans le monde, vous avez à souffrir, mais courage ! Moi, je suis vainqueur du monde. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Avec ces offrandes, Seigneur, reçois les prières de tes fidèles; Que cette liturgie célébrée avec amour nous fasse passer à la gloire du ciel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« L’Esprit Saint que le Père enverra en mon nom, dit le Seigneur, c’est lui qui vous enseignera, il vous fera souvenir de tout ce que je vous ai dit », alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement: Que cette eucharistie offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.
MEDITATION
Pour quiconque s’engage à la suite de Jésus, il demande de porter notre croix tous les jours et de le suivre. Dans l’évangile, il parle de la persécution à laquelle ses disciples seront confrontés. Dès lors je ne devrais pas être surpris si vivre l’Évangile comporte des difficultés. Prions pour ceux qui subissent de graves persécutions et dangers dans l’exercice de leur vocation chrétienne. Jésus fait également une déclaration tout aussi forte : Prenez courage : j’ai vaincu le monde. Il ne dit pas, je vais vaincre le monde, mais je l’ai déjà vaincu ! Et il m’invite à partager les fruits de cette victoire.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 21, 2023 | Evangelium
MONDAY 22 MAY
SAINT Rita of Cascia
She was born in Italy. She was married at the age of 12 but became a nun at the death of her husband. She is widely honoured as a patron saint of impossible or lost causes.
Entrance Antiphon: Acts 1: 8
You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be my witnesses, even to the ends of the earth, alleluia.
Collect
May the power of the Holy Spirit come to us, we pray, O Lord, that we may keep your will faithfully in mind and express it in a devout way 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: Acts 19:1-8
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” they answered, “No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.” “Then how were you baptised?” he asked. “With John’s baptism” they replied. “John’s baptism”, said Paul, “was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men. He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.
Psalm 67(68):2-7
R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Let God arise, let his foes be scattered. Let those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is blown away so will they be blown away; like wax that melts before the fire, so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God.
But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God, they shall exult and dance for joy. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name; rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, such is God in his holy place. God gives the lonely a home to live in; he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn16:28
Alleluia, alleluia! I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I leave the world to go to the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 16:29-33
His disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them: “Do you believe at last? Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already – when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.”
Prayer over the Offerings
May this unblemished sacrifice purify us, O Lord, and impart to our minds the force of grace from on high. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 14: 18; 16: 22
I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come to you again, and your heart will rejoice, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
We certainly can’t blame Jesus for urging us to follow him. Elsewhere he talks about carrying our cross daily and following him, here he talks about the persecution his followers will face. I shouldn’t be surprised if living the Gospel involves difficulties. I have to pray for those who face severe persecution and even the danger of losing their lives for the sake of the truth and the Gospel. Yet Jesus also makes an equally strong statement: Take courage: I have overcome the world. He does not say, I will overcome the world, but I have already overcome it! And he invites me to share the fruits of this victory.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 20, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
dimanche 21 Mai
Septieme Dimanche de Pâques
Saint Constantin
Empereur romain, c’est lui qui convoqua en 325 le Concile de Nicée qui condamnera l’arianisme.
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture :
« Je suis le Premier et le Dernier, je suis le Vivant, dit le Seigneur, j’étais mort, et me voici vivant pour les siècles », alléluia
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu de puissance et de miséricorde, nous te supplions d’envoyer ton Esprit : qu’il habite nos cœurs, et fasse de nous le temple de sa gloire. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture (Ac 1, 1-11)
Cher Théophile, dans mon premier livre j’ai parlé de tout ce que Jésus a fait et enseigné depuis le moment où il commença, jusqu’au jour où il fut enlevé au ciel, après avoir, par l’Esprit Saint, donné ses instructions aux Apôtres qu’il avait choisis. C’est à eux qu’il s’est présenté vivant après sa Passion ; il leur en a donné bien des preuves, puisque, pendant quarante jours, il leur est apparu et leur a parlé du royaume de Dieu. Au cours d’un repas qu’il prenait avec eux, il leur donna l’ordre de ne pas quitter Jérusalem, mais d’y attendre que s’accomplisse la promesse du Père. Il déclara : « Cette promesse, vous l’avez entendue de ma bouche : alors que Jean a baptisé avec l’eau, vous, c’est dans l’Esprit Saint que vous serez baptisés d’ici peu de jours. » Ainsi réunis, les Apôtres l’interrogeaient : « Seigneur, est-ce maintenant le temps où tu vas rétablir le royaume pour Israël ? » Jésus leur répondit : « Il ne vous appartient pas de connaître les temps et les moments que le Père a fixés de sa propre autorité. Mais vous allez recevoir une force quand le Saint-Esprit viendra sur vous ; vous serez alors mes témoins à Jérusalem, dans toute la Judée et la Samarie, et jusqu’aux extrémités de la terre. » Après ces paroles, tandis que les Apôtres le regardaient, il s’éleva, et une nuée vint le soustraire à leurs yeux. Et comme ils fixaient encore le ciel où Jésus s’en allait, voici que, devant eux, se tenaient deux hommes en vêtements blancs, qui leur dirent : « Galiléens, pourquoi restez-vous là à regarder vers le ciel ? Ce Jésus qui a été enlevé au ciel d’auprès de vous, viendra de la même manière que vous l’avez vu s’en aller vers le ciel. »
Psaume : 46 (47), 2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R/ Dieu s’élève parmi les ovations, le Seigneur, aux éclats du cor. ou : Alléluia ! (Ps 46, 6)
1. Tous les peuples, battez des mains, acclamez Dieu par vos cris de joie ! Car le Seigneur est le Très-Haut, le redoutable, le grand roi sur toute la terre.
2. Dieu s’élève parmi les ovations, le Seigneur, aux éclats du cor. Sonnez pour notre Dieu, sonnez, sonnez pour notre roi, sonnez !
3. Car Dieu est le roi de la terre : que vos musiques l’annoncent ! Il règne, Dieu, sur les païens, Dieu est assis sur son trône sacré.
Deuxième lecture : Ep 1, 17-23
Frères, que le Dieu de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, le Père dans sa gloire, vous donne un esprit de sagesse qui vous le révèle et vous le fasse vraiment connaître. Qu’il ouvre à sa lumière les yeux de votre cœur, pour que vous sachiez quelle espérance vous ouvre son appel, la gloire sans prix de l’héritage que vous partagez avec les fidèles, et quelle puissance incomparable il déploie pour nous, les croyants : c’est l’énergie, la force, la vigueur qu’il a mise en œuvre dans le Christ quand il l’a ressuscité d’entre les morts et qu’il l’a fait asseoir à sa droite dans les cieux. Il l’a établi au-dessus de tout être céleste : Principauté, Souveraineté, Puissance et Domination, au-dessus de tout nom que l’on puisse nommer, non seulement dans le monde présent mais aussi dans le monde à venir. Il a tout mis sous ses pieds et, le plaçant plus haut que tout, il a fait de lui la tête de l’Église qui est son corps, et l’Église, c’est l’accomplissement total du Christ, lui que Dieu comble totalement de sa plénitude.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Allez ! De toutes les nations faites des disciples, dit le Seigneur. Moi, je suis avec vous tous les jours jusqu’à la fin du monde. Alléluia. (Mt 28, 19a.20b)
Évangile : Jn 17, 1b-11a
En ce temps-là, Jésus leva les yeux au ciel et dit : « Père, l’heure est venue. Glorifie ton Fils afin que le Fils te glorifie. Ainsi, comme tu lui as donné pouvoir sur tout être de chair, il donnera la vie éternelle à tous ceux que tu lui as donnés. Or, la vie éternelle, c’est qu’ils te connaissent, toi le seul vrai Dieu, et celui que tu as envoyé, Jésus Christ.
Moi, je t’ai glorifié sur la terre en accomplissant l’œuvre que tu m’avais donnée à faire. Et maintenant, glorifie-moi auprès de toi, Père, de la gloire que j’avais auprès de toi avant que le monde existe. J’ai manifesté ton nom aux hommes que tu as pris dans le monde pour me les donner. Ils étaient à toi, tu me les as donnés, et ils ont gardé ta parole. Maintenant, ils ont reconnu que tout ce que tu m’as donné vient de toi, car je leur ai donné les paroles que tu m’avais données : ils les ont reçues, ils ont vraiment reconnu que je suis sorti de toi, et ils ont cru que tu m’as envoyé. Moi, je prie pour eux ; ce n’est pas pour le monde que je prie, mais pour ceux que tu m’as donnés, car ils sont à toi. Tout ce qui est à moi est à toi, et ce qui est à toi est à moi ; et je suis glorifié en eux. Désormais, je ne suis plus dans le monde ; eux, ils sont dans le monde, et moi, je viens vers toi. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Avec ces offrandes, Seigneur, reçois les prières de tes fidèles ; Que cette liturgie célébrée avec amour nous fasse passer à la gloire du ciel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« L’Esprit Saint que le Père enverra en mon nom, dit le Seigneur, c’est lui qui vous enseignera, il vous fera souvenir de tout ce que je vous ai dit », alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement : Que cette eucharistie offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.
MEDITATION
La prière messianique que Jésus prononce en faveur de ceux qui lui sont Chers aujourd’hui nous invite à nous aussi, prendre de notre temps pour prier les uns pour les autres. Ainsi, notre fraternité ne doit pas seulement être des lèvres mais aussi dans les actes concrets de notre quotidien.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | May 20, 2023 | Evangelium
SUNDAY 21 MAY
7th Sunday of Easter
Psalter week III
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 26: 7 – 9
O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face; hide not your face from me, alleluia.
Collect
Graciously hear our supplications, O Lord, so that we, who believe that the Saviour of the human race is with you in your glory, may experience, as he promised, until the end of the world, his abiding presence among us. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 1:12-14
After Jesus was taken up into heaven the apostles went back from the Mount of Olives, as it is called, to Jerusalem, a short distance away, no more than a Sabbath walk; and when they reached the city they went to the upper room where they were staying; there were Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude son of James. All these joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Psalm 26(27):1,4,7-8
R/ I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.
O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer. Of you my heart has spoken: ‘Seek his face.’
Second reading: 1 Peter 4:13-16
If you can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, because it means that you have the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God resting on you. None of you should ever deserve to suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or an informer; but if anyone of you should suffer for being a Christian, then he is not to be ashamed of it; he should thank God that he has been called one.
Gospel Acclamation: cf.Jn14:18
Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 17:1-11
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: “Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you; and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with that glory I had with you before ever the world was. I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now at last they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you; for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me. I pray for them; I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you: all I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified. I am not in the world any longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful with the sacrificial offerings, that through these acts of devotedness we may pass over to the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 17: 22
Father, I pray that they may be one as we also are one, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear us, O God our Saviour, and grant us confidence, that through these sacred mysteries, there will be accomplished in the body of the whole Church what has already come to pass in Christ her Head. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus, we are invited to each reflect on this event. What does it mean for me? Perhaps, like some of the disciples in today’s Gospel, I am doubtful. I should speak to Jesus very honestly about my doubts, knowing that he will understand me. I should notice that simply for being his disciples, he gives the same mission to those who believe and those who doubt. I note Jesus’ last words: “I am with you always.” Now I hear these words spoken to me, I am with you right now, no matter what is going on in your life. I am with you.
