by | May 17, 2023 | Evangelium

THURSDAY  18  MAY

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Pope SAINT John I

He was born in Tuscany and elected pope in 523. It was a time of high political and religious tension. He was a key figure in resolving the tensions provoked by the Arian heresy.

Entrance Antiphon Acts 1: 11

Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia.

Collect

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. 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 1:1-11

In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. What you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. Now having met together, they asked him, “Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.” As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.”

Psalm 46:2-3, 6-9

R/ God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

or Alleluia!

All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear, great king over all the earth.

God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Sing praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our king, sing praise.

God is king of all the earth, sing praise with all your skill. God is king over the nations; God reigns on his holy throne.

Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

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: Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”

Prayer over the Offerings

We offer sacrifice now in supplication, O Lord, to honour the wondrous Ascension of your Son: grant, we pray, that through this most holy exchange, we too, may rise up to the heavenly realms. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Mt 28: 20

Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.

Prayer after Communion

Almighty ever-living God, who allow those on earth to celebrate divine mysteries, grant, we pray, that Christian hope may draw us onward to where our nature is united with you. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Here, Jesus sends the disciples. They had been called to be with him and to be sent (Mark 3:14). They must be courageous, for the Lord will work with them and confirm their message with great signs. The resurrection has arrived. The Crucified One now walks the earth again… and he does so even more in his disciples. Lord, send me every day to witness to you by my actions. I am to serve you through the sick, the poor, the hungry, the displaced, the imprisoned of our world… grant me the courage to bear your love towards them unceasingly.

by | May 16, 2023 | Agenda Biblique

Mercredi 17 Mai

Saint Pascal Baylon

D’une grande profondeur spirituelle, il était franciscain en Espagne. Dieu l’a rappelé à lui en 1592.

Blanc

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 50 ; 21, 23

   Je te louerai, Seigneur, parmi les peuples, j’annoncerai ton nom à mes frères, alléluia.

Prière d’ouverture

   Puisque nous célébrons dans la foi, Seigneur, la résurrection de ton Fils, fais-nous partager la joie de tous les saints quand il apparaîtra sur les nuées du ciel. Par Jésus Christ.

Première lecture : Act 17, 15.22 – 18, 1

   En ces jours-là, ceux qui escortaient Paule conduisirent jusqu’à Athènes. Puis ils s’en retournèrent, porteurs d’un message, avec l’ordre, pour Silas et Timothée, de rejoindre Paul le plus tôt possible Alors Paul, debout au milieu de l’Aréopage, fit ce discours: « Athéniens, je peux observer que vous êtes, en toutes choses, des hommes particulièrement religieux. En effet, en me promenant et en observant vos monuments sacrés, j’ai même trouvé un autel avec cette inscription : “Au dieu inconnu.” Or, ce que vous vénérez sans le connaître, voilà ce que, moi, je viens vous annoncer. Le Dieu qui a fait le monde et tout ce qu’il contient, lui qui est Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, n’habite pas des sanctuaires faits de main d’homme ; il n’est pas non plus servi par des mains humaines, comme s’il avait besoin de quoi que ce soit, lui qui donne à tous la vie, le souffle et tout le nécessaire. À partir d’un seul homme, il a fait tous les peuples pour qu’ils habitent sur toute la surface de la terre, fixant les moments de leur histoire et les limites de leur habitat ; Dieu les a faits pour qu’ils le cherchent et, si possible, l’atteignent et le trouvent, lui qui, en fait, n’est pas loin de chacun de nous. Car c’est en lui que nous avons la vie, le mouvement et l’être. Ainsi l’ont également dit certains de vos poètes : Nous sommes de sa descendance. Si donc nous sommes de la descendance de Dieu, nous ne devons pas penser que la divinité est pareil à une statue d’or, d’argent ou de pierre sculptée par l’art et l’imagination de l’homme. Et voici que Dieu, sans tenir compte des temps où les hommes l’ont ignoré, leur enjoint maintenant de se convertir, tous et partout. En effet, il a fixé le jour où il va juger la terre avec justice, par un homme qu’il a établi pour cela, quand il l’a accrédité auprès de tous en le ressuscitant d’entre les morts. » Quand ils entendirent parler de résurrection des morts, les uns se moquaient, et les autres déclarèrent : « Là-dessus nous t’écouterons une autre fois. » C’est ainsi que Paul, se retirant du milieu d’eux, s’en alla. Cependant quelques hommes s’attachèrent à lui et devinrent croyants. Parmi eux, il y avait Denys, membre de l’Aréopage, et une femme nommée Damaris, ainsi que d’autres avec eux. Après cela, Paul s’éloigna d’Athènes et se rendit à Corinthe.

Psaume 148, 1-2, 11-12, 13.14b

R/ Le ciel et la terre sont remplis de ta gloire. Ou : Alléluia ! cf. 148,13c

1.         Louez le Seigneur du haut des cieux, louez-le dans les hauteurs.

2.         Vous, tous ses anges, louez-le, louez-le, tous les univers.

3.         Les rois de la terre et tous les peuples, les princes et tous les juges de la terre ; tous les jeunes gens et jeunes filles, les vieillards comme les enfants.

4.         Qu’ils louent le nom du Seigneur, le seul au-dessus de tout nom ; sur le ciel et sur la terre, sa splendeur : louange de tous ses fidèles !

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Moi, je prierai le Père, et il vous donnera un autre Défenseur qui sera pour toujours avec vous. Alléluia. (Jn 14, 16)

Évangile : Jean 16, 12-15

   En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « J’ai encore beaucoup de choses à vous dire, mais pour l’instant vous ne pouvez pas les porter. Quand il viendra, lui, l’Esprit de vérité, il vous conduira dans la vérité tout entière. En effet, ce qu’il dira ne viendra pas de lui-même : mais ce qu’il aura entendu, il le dira ; et ce qui va venir, il vous le fera connaître. Lui me glorifiera, car il recevra ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. Tout ce que possède le Père est à moi ; voilà pourquoi je vous ai dit : L’Esprit reçoit ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. »

Prière sur les offrandes

   Seigneur notre Dieu, dans l’admirable échange du sacrifice eucharistique, tu nous fais participer à ta propre nature divine : puisque nous avons la connaissance de ta vérité, accorde-nous de lui être fidèles par toute notre vie. Par Jésus.

Antienne de communion : Jn 15, 19. 16

   « Je vous ai choisis, je vous ai pris dans le monde, dit le Seigneur, afin que vous partiez, que vous donniez du fruit et que votre fruit demeure », alléluia.

Prière après a communion

Dieu très bon, reste auprès de ton peuple, car sans toi notre vie tombe en ruine ; fais passer à une vie nouvelle ceux que tu as initiés aux sacrements de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.

MÉDITATION

Il est impossible d’assimiler en peu de temps tout ce que Jésus a à nous enseigner. Au fur et à mesure que notre pèlerinage sur terre se poursuit, le Saint-Esprit déploie progressivement le message de Dieu afin qu’il nous parle aux moments appropriés de notre vie. Notre capacité à assimiler ce que Dieu a à nous révéler est extensible lorsque nous devenons plus ouverts. « L’Esprit de vérité » nous en révélera davantage et nous guidera dans toute la vérité. Jésus veut nous entraîner dans la vie de Dieu. Il sait à quel point nous pouvons être anxieux à la fois de laisser tomber le passé et de faire confiance à ce que l’avenir nous réserve. Puis-je lui parler de mes angoisses ?

by | May 16, 2023 | Evangelium

WEDNESDAY  17  MAY

SAINT Paschal Baylon

In 1564, Paschal joined the Friars Minor. He served as porter, cook, gardener and official beggar. Paschal spent his spare moments praying before the Blessed Sacrament. People attributed miracles to his intercession. He is the patron of Eucharistic congresses and societies.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 17: 50; 21

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.

Collect

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, as we celebrate in mystery the solemnities of your Son’s Resurrection, so, too, we may be worthy to rejoice at his coming with all the Saints. 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 17:15, 22-18:1

Paul’s escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy to re-join Paul as soon as they could. So Paul stood before the whole Council of the Areopagus and made this speech: “Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it. Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he does not make his home in shrines made by human hands. Nor is he dependent on anything that human hands can do for him, since he can never be in need of anything; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything – including life and breath – to everyone. From one single stock he not only created the whole human race so that they could occupy the entire earth, but he decreed how long each nation should flourish and what the boundaries of its territory should be. And he did this so that all nations might seek the deity and, by feeling their way towards him, succeed in finding him. Yet in fact he is not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist, as indeed some of your own writers have said: ‘We are all his children.’ Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man. God overlooked that sort of thing when men were ignorant, but now he is telling everyone everywhere that they must repent, because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged, and judged in righteousness, and he has appointed a man to be the judge. And God has publicly proved this by raising this man from the dead.” At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, “We would like to hear you talk about this again.” After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14

R/ Your glory fills all heaven and earth.

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.

All earth’s kings and peoples, earth’s princes and rulers, young men and maidens, old men together with children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted. The splendour of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.

He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.

Gospel Acclamation: Col3:1

Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!

Gospel : John 16:12-15

Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.”

Prayer over the Offerings

O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 15: 16, 19

I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, and have appointed you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, 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

It is impossible to absorb all that Jesus has to teach us, talk less of doing so in a short time. As our journey through life progresses, the Holy Spirit gradually reveals God’s message so that it speaks to us at the appropriate time in our lives. Our ability to understand what God has to reveal to us is expandable, depending on how open we are to the Spirit. The “Spirit of truth” will reveal more and guide us into the whole truth. Jesus wants to draw us into the life of God. He knows how anxious we are, both to let go of the past and to trust what the future holds. Can I talk to him about my anxieties?

by | May 15, 2023 | Evangelium

TUESDAY  16  MAY

SAINT Simon Stock

He became a Carmelite, and in 1245 or 1247 was elected the sixth general of the order. As a result of Simon’s work, Pope Innocent IV placed the order under the special protection of the Holy See. After this the order grew greatly, especially in England.

Entrance Antiphon: Rv 19:7, 6

Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to God, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns, alleluia.

Collect

Grant, almighty and merciful God, that we may in truth receive a share in the Resurrection of 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 16:22-34

The crowd joined in and showed their hostility to Paul and Silas, so the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be flogged. They were given many lashes and then thrown into prison, and the gaoler was told to keep a close watch on them. So, following his instructions, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Late that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners. When the gaoler woke and saw the doors wide open he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, “Don’t do yourself any harm; we are all here.” The gaoler called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, and escorted them out, saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They told him, “Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too.” Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all his family. Late as it was, he took them to wash their wounds, and was baptised then and there with all his household. Afterwards he took them home and gave them a meal, and the whole family celebrated their conversion to belief in God.

Psalm 137:1-3, 7-8

R/ You stretch out your hand and save me, O Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart: you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love, which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul.

You stretch out your hand and save me, your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands.

Gospel Acclamation: Jn14:6, 9

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen and shone upon us whom he redeemed with his blood. Alleluia!

Gospel:  John 16:5-11

Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this. Still, I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was, about sin, and about who was in the right, and about judgement: about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me; about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more; about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.”

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Lk 24: 46, 26

The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory, alleluia.

Prayer after Communion

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

The disciples are fragile. They will fall if Jesus leaves them. So, he promises to send them an ‘Advocate’ – the Holy Spirit – who will defend them. The Spirit is like an older brother or sister to me, strong and resourceful. I am not alone. The Holy Spirit is able to strengthen and direct me in everything, no matter how weak and helpless I feel. Whether we ask for it or not, the Spirit is present everywhere. The Spirit challenges false values so that truth and goodness can prevail. I am supposed to be the Spirit’s spokesperson. Can the Spirit count on me?

by | May 14, 2023 | Evangelium

MONDAY  15  MAY

SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER

He was born near Madrid to very poor parents. He was a labourer and later a bailiff on the estates of a landowner called Juan de Vargas. He was noted for his piety. He died on 15 May 1130.

Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9

Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.

Collect

Grant, O merciful God, that we may experience at all times the fruit produced by the paschal observances. 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 16:11-15

Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that particular district of Macedonia. After a few days in this city we went along the river outside the gates as it was the Sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting. One of these women was called Lydia, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptised she sent us an invitation: ‘If you really think me a true believer in the Lord,’ she said ‘come and stay with us’; and she would take no refusal.

Psalm 149:1 – 6, 9

The Lord takes delight in his people.

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.

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.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips: this honour is for all his faithful.

Gospel Acclamation: cf. Lk 24: 46, 26

Alleluia, alleluia! It was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. Alleluia!

Gospel: John 15:26-16:4

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken. They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy duty for God. They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or myself. But I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you.”

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19

Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.

Prayer after Communion

Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

The disciples were able to testify about Jesus because they had lived and worked with him. In this passage, Jesus promises to send them the Holy Spirit, the Protector, the “Advocate”, after he would have left. The work of the Holy Spirit affirms the life and love of Jesus, testifying to what is true. To witness and testify to something, I must have personal experience, so I can say, this is true, and I know it. Lord, I have not been with you from the beginning. I am one of those who have not seen, yet I have believed. Show me yourself, strengthen your Spirit in me, so that my life and my words may testify to you.