by | Nov 17, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Vendredi 18 novembre 2022

 

Dédicace des basiliques

de saint Pierre et

de saint Paul, apôtres

 

Vers 330, Constantin fit édifier la basilique vaticane à l’emplacement d’un ancien cimetière où l’on a de bonne raisons de croire que saint Pierre fut inhumé. Depuis la fin du 14e siècle, les papes célèbrent à Saint-Pierre la plupart de leurs liturgies solennelles. Rebâtie au 16e siècle, notamment par Michel-Ange, la plus vaste église de la chrétienté fut consacrée en 1626. Le premier et le deuxième concile du Vatican y tinrent leurs sessions.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 29, 11. 12. 14

« Mes pensées, dit le Seigneur Dieu, sont des pensées de paix et non pas de malheur. Appelez-moi, je vous écouterai et, de partout, je vous rassemblerai. »

 

Prière d’ouverture

Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de trouver notre joie dans notre fidélité: Car c’est un bonheur durable et profond de servir constamment le créateur de tout bien. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Ap 10, 8-11

Moi, Jean, la voix que j’avais entendue, venant du ciel, me parla de nouveau et me dit : « Va prendre le livre ouvert dans la main de l’ange qui se tient debout sur la mer et sur la terre. » Je m’avançai vers l’ange pour lui demander de me donner le petit livre. Il me dit : « Prends, et dévore-le ; il remplira tes entrailles d’amertume, mais dans ta bouche il sera doux comme le miel. » Je pris le petit livre de la main de l’ange, et je le dévorai. Dans ma bouche il était doux comme le miel, mais, quand je l’eus mangé, il remplit mes entrailles d’amertume. Alors on me dit : « Il te faut de nouveau prophétiser sur un grand nombre de peuples, de nations, de langues et de rois. »

 

Psaume : 118 (119), 14.24, 72.103, 111.131     

R/  Qu’elle est douce à mon palais, ta promesse !

 

  1. Je trouve dans la voie de tes exigences plus de joie que dans toutes les richesses. Je trouve mon plaisir en tes exigences : ce sont elles qui me conseillent.
  2. Mon bonheur, c’est la loi de ta bouche, plus qu’un monceau d’or ou d’argent. Qu’elle est douce à mon palais ta promesse : le miel a moins de saveur dans ma bouche !
  3. Tes exigences resteront mon héritage, la joie de mon cœur. La bouche grande ouverte, j’aspire, assoiffé de tes volontés.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia Mes brebis écoutent ma voix, dit le Seigneur ; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Alléluia. (Jn 10, 27)

 

Évangile : Lc 19, 45-48

En ce temps-là, entré dans le Temple, Jésus se mit à en expulser les vendeurs. Il leur déclarait : « Il est écrit : Ma maison sera une maison de prière. Or vous, vous en avez fait une caverne de bandits. » Et il était chaque jour dans le Temple pour enseigner. Les grands prêtres et les scribes, ainsi que les  otables, cherchaient à le faire mourir, mais ils ne trouvaient pas ce qu’ils pourraient faire ; en effet, le peuple tout entier, suspendu à ses lèvres, l’écoutait.

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Permets, Seigneur notre Dieu, que l’offrande placée sous ton regard nous obtienne la grâce de vivre pour toi et nous donne l’éternité bienheureuse. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion

Être proche de Dieu, mettre en lui mon espoir, c’est là tout mon bonheur.

 

Prière après la communion

Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement: Que cette eucharistie offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Au cœur de la première lecture de ce jour se trouve la Parole de Dieu comme nourriture de notre vie intérieure et extérieure. Cette Parole est amère, c’est-à-dire exigeante, mais aussi douce comme le miel, c’est-à-dire bienfaisante car révélatrice de l’amour de Dieu. Nous retrouvons ces deux dimensions de la Parole dans l’Évangile du jour : Jésus condamne le mauvais usage du temple, et pourtant tout le peuple l’écoutait, suspendu à ses lèvres.

by | Nov 16, 2022 | Evangelium

Thursday 17 th november 2022

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

(1207 – 1231)

 

She was a daughter of the King of Hungary. She was given in marriage and she had three children. She frequently meditated on heavenly things and when her husband died she embraced poverty and built a hospice in which she cared for the sick herself.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 51:10

I am like a growing olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God, for ever and ever.

 

Collect

O God, by whose gift Saint Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and revered Christ in the poor, grant, through her intercession, that we may serve with unfailing charity the needy and those afflicted. 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 : Apocalypse 5:1-10

I, John, saw that in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne there was a scroll that had writing on back and front and was sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a powerful angel who called with a loud voice, ‘Is there anyone worthy to open the scroll and break the seals of it?’ But there was no one, in heaven or on the earth or under the earth, who was able to open the scroll and read it. I wept bitterly because there was nobody fit to open the scroll and read it, but one of the elders said to me, ‘There is no need to cry: the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed, and he will open the scroll and the seven seals of it.’ Then I saw, standing between the throne with its four animals and the circle of the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been sacrificed; it had seven horns, and it had seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits God has sent out all over the world. The Lamb came forward to take the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne, and when he took it, the four animals prostrated themselves before him and with them the twenty-four elders; each one of them was holding a harp and had a golden bowl full of incense made of the prayers of the saints. They sang a new hymn: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and break the seals of it, because you were sacrificed, and with your blood you bought men for God of every race, language, people and nation and made them a line of kings and priests, to serve our God and to rule the world.’

 

Psalm 149:1-6,9

R/ You made us a line of kings and priests to serve our God.

 

  1. Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
  2. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation.
  3. Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,nshout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips: this honour is for all his faithful.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:135

Alleluia, alleluia! Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

We bring the offerings of our devotion to be consecrated by you, O Lord, in commemoration of St. Elizabeth, for by the consolation you give us in this life you show that we should not lose hope of what is promised for eternity. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 44:2

My heart overflows with noble words. To the king I address the song I have made.

 

Prayer after Communion

Renewed, O Lord, at the wellsprings of salvation, we humbly entreat you that through the intercession of St. Elizabeth, holding more closely day by day to Christ, we may merit to be co-heirs in his Kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 

Meditation

Two times in the gospels Jesus is said to have wept. The first time is at the death of Lazarus (Jn. 11:35) and the second time is as he was approaching Jerusalem to accomplish the paschal mystery, as we see in today’s gospel reading. In the story of Lazarus, Jesus wept with a sense of restorable loss, but in today’s gospel text, Jesus shed tears over Jerusalem for an impending and irreversible catastrophe that was a result of her obstinacy. Jerusalem wanted a Messiah on her own terms; one that would end Roman domination and establish a powerful Jewish state. But Jesus came with a message of universal redemption which Jerusalem rejected to her own damnation. Openness to God means accepting his will for us and not insisting on ours.

by | Nov 16, 2022 | Evangelium

Wednesday 16 th november 2022

St. Margaret of Scotland

(1046 – 1093)

 

She was born in Hungary of Anglo-Saxon and Hungarian parents. She founded monasteries, and supported major reforms of Church life. She died in Edinburgh on 16 November 1093. She is remembered for devotion to prayer and learning, and especially for her generosity to the poor.

 

 

Entrance Antiphon : Jer 29: 11, 12, 14

The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.

 

Collect

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Apocalypse 4:1-11

In my vision, I, John, saw a door open in heaven and heard the same voice speaking to me, the voice like a trumpet, saying, ‘Come up here: I will show you what is to come in the future.’ With that, the Spirit possessed me and I saw a throne standing in heaven, and the One who was sitting on the throne, and the Person sitting there looked like a diamond and a ruby. There was a rainbow encircling the throne, and this looked like an emerald. Round the throne in a circle were twenty-four thrones, and on them I saw twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white robes with golden crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning were coming from the throne, and the sound of peals of thunder, and in front of the throne there were seven flaming lamps burning, the seven Spirits of God. Between the throne and myself was a sea that seemed to be made of glass, like crystal. In the centre, grouped round the throne itself, were four animals with many eyes, in front and behind. The first animal was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third animal had a human face, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. Each of the four animals had six wings and had eyes all the way round as well as inside; and day and night they never stopped singing: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty; he was, he is and he is to come.’ Every time the animals glorified and honoured and gave thanks to the One sitting on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves before him to worship the One who lives for ever and ever, and threw down their crowns in front of the throne, saying, ‘You are our Lord and our God, you are worthy of glory and honour and power, because you made all the universe and it was only by your will that everything was made and exists.’

 

Psalm 150:1-6

R/   Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.

 

  1. Praise God in his holy place, praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his powerful deeds, praise his surpassing greatness.
  2. O praise him with sound of trumpet, praise him with lute and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipes.
  3. O praise him with resounding cymbals, praise him with clashing of cymbals. Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.

 

Gospel Acclamation : 1Jn2:5

Alleluia, alleluia! Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 19:11-28

While the people were listening, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there. Accordingly he said, ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return. He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. “Do business with these” he told them “until I get back.” But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, “We do not want this man to be our king.” Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and said, “Sir, your one pound has brought in ten.” “Well done, my good servant!” he replied “Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities..” Then came the second and said, “Sir, your one pound has made five.” To this one also he said, “And you shall be in charge of five cities.” Next came the other and said, “Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.” “You wicked servant!” he said “Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown? Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.” And he said to those standing by, “Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds.” And they said to him, “But, sir, he has ten pounds . . .” “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. “But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.”’ When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer in the sight of your majesty may obtain for us the grace of being devoted to you and gain us the prize of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 72: 28

To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.

 

Prayer after Communion

We have partaken of the gifts of this sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O Lord, that what your Son commanded us to do in memory of him may bring us growth in charity. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

Diamond, emerald, gold; with these most precious stones known to man John attempts a description of the heavenly glory in the presence of God. With Christ we see that this glory of God is not altogether other-worldy; we can already partake here on earth of the precious presence of God. By our baptism into Christ, we have access to this glorious presence of God. St. Peter reminds us that our ransom was even more precious than silver and gold, for it was the blood of Christ itself that bought us and on account of this we are a royal people set aside to live for God’s glory (cf. 1 Peter 1:9).

 

by | Nov 16, 2022 | Agenda Biblique

Jeudi 17 novembre 2022

 

StE Elisabeth de Hongrie

Mariée à quatorze au duc Louis IV de Thuringe, et mère de trois enfants, Elisabeth (1207-1231) est veuve à vingt ans. Elle subit alors d’incroyables humiliations qu’elle supporte avec douceur. Devenue tertiaire franciscaine, elle se donne avec amour au service des pauvres et meurt à vingt-quatre ans. Figure de sainte très populaire, elle fut canonisée quatre ans après sa mort.

 

Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 29, 11. 12. 14

« Mes pensées, dit le Seigneur Dieu, sont des pensées de paix et non pas de malheur. Appelez-moi, je vous écouterai et, de partout, je vous rassemblerai. »

 

Prière d’ouverture

Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de trouver notre joie dans notre fidélité: Car c’est un bonheur durable et profond de servir constamment le créateur de tout bien. Par Jésus Christ.

 

1ère lecture : Ap 5, 1-10

Moi, Jean, j’ai vu, dans la main droite de celui qui siège sur le Trône, un livre en forme de rouleau, écrit au-dedans et à l’extérieur, scellé de sept sceaux. Puis j’ai vu un ange plein de force, qui proclamait d’une voix puissante : « Qui donc est digne d’ouvrir le Livre et d’en briser les sceaux ? » Mais personne, au ciel, sur terre ou sous la terre, ne pouvait ouvrir le Livre et regarder. Je pleurais beaucoup, parce que personne n’avait été trouvé digne d’ouvrir le Livre et de regarder. Mais l’un des Anciens me dit : « Ne pleure pas. Voilà qu’il a remporté la victoire, le lion de la tribu de Juda, le rejeton de David: il ouvrira le Livre aux sept sceaux.» Et j’ai vu, entre le Trône, les quatre Vivants et les Anciens, un Agneau debout, comme égorgé; ses cornes étaient au nombre de sept, ainsi que ses yeux, qui sont les sept esprits de Dieu envoyés sur toute la terre. Il s’avança et prit le Livre dans la main droite de celui qui siégeait sur le Trône. Quand l’Agneau eut pris le Livre, les quatre Vivants et les vingt-quatre Anciens se jetèrent à ses pieds. Ils tenaient chacun une cithare et des coupes d’or pleines de parfums qui sont les prières des saints. Ils chantaient ce cantique nouveau : « Tu es digne, de prendre le Livre et d’en ouvrir les sceaux, car tu fus immolé, rachetant pour Dieu, par ton sang, des gens de toute tribu, langue, peuple et nation. Pour notre Dieu, tu en as fait un royaume et des prêtres : ils régneront sur la terre. »

 

Psaume : 149, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6a.9b 

R/  Peuple de prêtres, peuple de rois, chante ton Seigneur !

 

  1. Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, louez-le dans l’assemblée de ses fidèles ! En Israël, joie pour son créateur ; dans Sion, allégresse pour son Roi !
  2. Dansez à la louange de son nom, jouez pour lui, tambourins et cithares ! Car le Seigneur aime son peuple, il donne aux humbles l’éclat de la victoire.
  3. Que les fidèles exultent, glorieux, criant leur joie à l’heure du triomphe. Qu’ils proclament les éloges de Dieu, c’est la fierté de ses fidèles.

 

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Aujourd’hui, ne fermez pas votre cœur, mais écoutez la voix du Seigneur.  Alléluia. (Lc 21, 28)

 

Évangile : Lc 19, 41-44

En ce temps-là, lorsque Jésus fut près de Jérusalem, voyant la ville, il pleura sur elle, en disant : « Ah! si toi aussi, tu avais reconnu en ce jour ce qui donne la paix ! Mais maintenant cela est resté caché à tes yeux. Oui, viendront pour toi des jours où tes ennemis construiront des ouvrages de siège contre toi, t’encercleront et te presseront de tous c ôtés ; ils t’anéantiront, toi et tes enfants qui sont chez toi, et ils ne laisseront pas chez toi pierre sur pierre, parce que tu n’as pas reconnu le moment où Dieu te visitait. »

 

Prière sur les offrandes

Permets, Seigneur notre Dieu, que l’offrande placée sous ton regard nous obtienne la grâce de vivre pour toi et nous donne l’éternité bienheureuse. Par Jésus.

 

Antienne de la communion

Être proche de Dieu, mettre en lui mon espoir, c’est là tout mon bonheur.

 

Prière après la communion

Nous venons de communier, Seigneur, au don sacré du corps et du sang de ton Fils, et nous te prions humblement: Que cette eucharistie offerte en mémoire de lui, comme il nous a dit de le faire, augmente en nous la charité. Par Jésus.

 

 

Méditation

Le livre de l’Apocalypse nous révèle aujourd’hui que le monde et le temps sont dans la main de Dieu ; Lui seul connait le secret de l’Histoire. Le peuple bouleversé par la persécution doit s’en remettre à lui qui le mènera vers le salut. Dans l’Evangile qui conduira l’humanité au salut, Jésus pleure sur Jérusalem frappée de cécité. Dieu souffre et pleure sur nos malheurs et nous délivre.

by | Nov 14, 2022 | Evangelium

Tuesday 15 th november 2022

 

St. Albert the Great

(1206 – 1280)

He was born in Germany and joined the Dominican Order. He taught in a number of places including the University of Paris, where St Thomas Aquinas studied under him. He was one of the greatest philosophers of the Middle Ages. He made great efforts to secure peace between people and between cities. He died at Cologne in 1280.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Jer 29: 11, 12, 14

The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.

 

Collect

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Apocalypse 3:1-6,14-22

I, John, heard the Lord saying to me: ‘Write to the angel of the Church in Sardis and say, “Here is the message of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know all about you: how you are reputed to be alive and yet are dead. Wake up; revive what little you have left: it is dying fast. So far I have failed to notice anything in the way you live that my God could possibly call perfect, and yet do you remember how eager you were. when you first heard the message? Hold on to that. Repent. If you do not wake up, I shall come to you like a thief, without telling you at what hour to expect me. There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who have kept their robes from being dirtied, and they are fit to come with me, dressed in white. Those who prove victorious will be dressed, like these, in white robes; I shall not blot their names out of the book of life, but acknowledge their names in the presence of my Father and his angels. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” ‘Write to the angel of the Church in Laodicea and say, “Here is the message of the Amen, the faithful, the true witness, the ultimate source of God’s creation: I know all about you: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other, but since you are neither, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth. You say to yourself, ‘I am rich, I have made a fortune, and have everything I want’, never realising that you are wretchedly and pitiably poor, and blind and naked too. I warn you, buy from me the gold that has been tested in the fire to make you really rich, and white robes to clothe you and cover your shameful nakedness, and eye ointment to put on your eyes so that you are able to see. I am the one who reproves and disciplines all those he loves: so repent in real earnest. Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share his meal, side by side with him. Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my throne, just as I was victorious myself and took my place with my Father on his throne. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”’

 

Psalm 14:2-5

R/   Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my throne.

 

  1. Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain? He who walks without fault; he who acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue.
  2. He who does no wrong to his brother, who casts no slur on his neighbour, who holds the godless in disdain, but honours those who fear the Lord.
  3. He who keeps his pledge, come what may; who takes no interest on a loan and accepts no bribes against the innocent. Such a man will stand firm for ever.

 

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps129:5

Alleluia, alleluia! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer in the sight of your majesty may obtain for us the grace of being devoted to you and gain us the prize of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Ps 72: 28

To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.

 

Prayer after Communion

We have partaken of the gifts of this sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O Lord, that what your Son commanded us to do in memory of him may bring us growth in charity. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Salvation is always received in freedom. Just as radio frequencies freely vibrating in the atmosphere translate into sensible sounds only when we tune in to them, so too does the salvation won for us by christ become actualized in us only when we open the doors of our hearts to god. The first reading tells us that jesus stands at the doors of our hearts knocking; he does not force himself in, he waits to be received. Zacchaeus opened the door of his heart before he opened the door of his house; his heart sought the lord, he climbed the tree and made jesus see him. He surmounted the crowd so he could “hear and open.” Like zacchaeus we too must climb above the crowd of earthly distractions so that salvation can come to our house.