by L'équipe de publication | Feb 3, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Gilbert of Sempringham
(1083 – 1190)
Psalter: Week IV
Green
He was born at Sempringham, he founded an order of monks and nuns, known as the GIlbertines. He died at Sempringham in 1190, at the age of 106.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. 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: Hebrews 12:1-4
With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God’s throne. Think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage. In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 21(22):26-28,30-32
R/ They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you.
My vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and shall have their fill. They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him. May their hearts live for ever and ever!
All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord, all families of the nations worship before him; They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.
And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him. They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come, declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn: ‘These things the Lord has done.’
Gospel Acclamation: Jn14:6
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him. Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’ While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
This double miracle – healing one person and raising another to life – holds significant importance in Mark’s Gospel. However, it would be common error to merely focus, as many do, on the rather spectacular unfolding of the events. Beyond a display of Jesus’ power, we are called to embrace at least two dispositions without which no miracle could be worked in our lives. The first is faith. “If I can touch even his clothes…”, says the woman with the flow of blood. This sounds more in our days like “if only you believed…”. The second is humility. On meeting Jesus, Jairus falls at his feet to plead for his daughter’s healing, while the woman, aware of what hads happened to her, also falls at our Lord’s feet. In our daily struggles, therefore, we must cultivate the qualities of belief, humility, and a continuous reliance on God!
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 2, 2025 | Agenda Biblique
Saint. blaise de sebaste,
eveque et martyr
Psautier: IV
Vert/Blanc/Rouge
Evêque de Sébaste, il naquit en Arménie et fut décapité pour la foi au Christ vers 316. Sa légende fit de lui un saint très populaire, spécialement invoqué pour les maux de gorge.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 105, 47
Sauve-nous, Seigneur notre Dieu; rassemble tes enfants dispersés. Nous rendrons grâce à ton saint nom, nous te bénirons dans la joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de pouvoir t’adorer sans partage, et d’avoir pour tout homme une vraie charité. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Hébreux 11, 32-40
Frères, sur la puissance de la foi, que dire encore ? Le temps me manquerait pour rappeler l’histoire de Gédéon, Baraq, Samson, Jephté, David, Samuel et les prophètes. Par leur foi, ils ont conquis des royaumes, pratiqué la justice, obtenu la réalisation de certaines promesses. Ils ont fermé la gueule des lions, éteint la flamme des brasiers, échappé au tranchant de l’épée, retrouvé leurs forces après la maladie, montré du courage à la guerre, mis en fuite des armées étrangères. Des femmes dont les enfants étaient morts les ont retrouvés ressuscités. Mais certains autres ont été torturés et n’ont pas accepté la libération qui leur était proposée, car ils voulaient obtenir une meilleure résurrection. D’autres ont subi l’épreuve des moqueries et des coups de fouet, des chaînes et de la prison. Ils furent lapidés, sciés en deux, massacrés à coups d’épée. Ils allèrent çà et là, vêtus de peaux de moutons ou de toisons de chèvres, manquant de tout, harcelés et maltraités – mais en fait, c’est le monde qui n’était pas digne d’eux ! Ils menaient une vie errante dans les déserts et les montagnes, dans les grottes et les cavernes de la terre. Et, bien que, par leur foi, ils aient tous reçu le témoignage de Dieu, ils n’ont pas obtenu la réalisation de la promesse. En effet, pour nous Dieu avait prévu mieux encore, et il ne voulait pas les mener sans nous à la perfection.
Psaume : 30 (31), 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
R/ Soyez forts, prenez courage, vous tous qui espérez le Seigneur !
Qu’ils sont grands, tes bienfaits ! Tu les réserves à ceux qui te craignent. Tu combles, à la face du monde, ceux qui ont en toi leur refuge.
Tu les caches au plus secret de ta face, loin des intrigues des hommes. Tu leur réserves un lieu sûr, loin des langues méchantes. Béni soit le Seigneur : son amour a fait pour moi des merveilles !
Et moi, dans mon trouble, je disais : « Je ne suis plus devant tes yeux. » Pourtant, tu écoutais ma prière quand je criais vers toi.
Aimez le Seigneur, vous, ses fidèles: le Seigneur veille sur les siens ; mais il rétribue avec rigueur, qui se montre arrogant.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia ! Un grand prophète s’est levé parmi nous, et Dieu a visité son peuple. Alléluia. (Lc 7, 16)
Évangile : Marc 5, 1-20
En ce temps-là, Jésus et ses disciples arrivèrent sur l’autre rive, de l’autre côté de la mer de Galilée, dans le pays des Géraséniens. Comme Jésus sortait de la barque, aussitôt un homme possédé d’un esprit impur s’avança depuis les tombes à sa rencontre ; il habitait dans les tombeaux et personne ne pouvait plus l’attacher, même avec une chaîne; en effet on l’avait souvent attaché avec des fers aux pieds et des chaînes, mais il avait rompu les chaînes, brisé les fers, et personne ne pouvait le maîtriser. Sans arrêt, nuit et jour, il était parmi les tombeaux et sur les collines, à crier, et à se blesser avec des pierres. Voyant Jésus de loin, il accourut, se prosterna devant lui et cria d’une voix forte : « Que me veux-tu, Jésus, Fils du Dieu Très-Haut ? Je t’adjure par Dieu, ne me tourmente pas ! » Jésus lui disait en effet : « Esprit impur, sors de cet homme ! » Et il lui demandait : « Quel est ton nom ? » L’homme lui dit: « Mon nom est Légion, car nous sommes beaucoup. » Et ils suppliaient Jésus avec insistance de ne pas les chasser en dehors du pays. Or, il y avait là, du côté de la colline, un grand troupeau de porcs qui cherchait sa nourriture. Alors, les esprits impurs supplièrent Jésus: « Envoie-nous vers ces porcs, et nous entrerons en eux. » Il le leur permit. Ils sortirent alors de l’homme et entrèrent dans les porcs. Du haut de la falaise, le troupeau se précipita dans la mer : il y avait environ deux mille porcs, et ils se noyaient dans la mer. Ceux qui les gardaient prirent la fuite, ils annoncèrent la nouvelle dans la ville et dans la campagne, et les gens vinrent voir ce qui s’était passé. Ils arrivent auprès de Jésus, ils voient le possédé assis, habillé, et revenu à la raison, lui qui avait eu la légion de démons, et ils furent saisis de crainte. Ceux qui avaient vu tout cela leur racontèrent l’histoire du possédé et ce qui était arrivé aux porcs. Alors ils se mirent à supplier Jésus de quitter leur territoire. Comme Jésus remontait dans la barque, le possédé le suppliait de pouvoir être avec lui. Il n’y consentit pas, mais il lui dit : « Rentre à la maison, auprès des tiens, annonce-leur tout ce que le Seigneur a fait pour toi dans sa miséricorde. » Alors l’homme s’en alla, il se mit à proclamer dans la région de la Décapole ce que Jésus avait fait pour lui, et tout le monde était dans l’admiration.
Prière sur les offrandes
Pour te servir, Seigneur, nous déposons nos offrandes sur ton autel : accueille-les avec indulgence, pour qu’elles deviennent le sacrement de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 30, 17-18
Seigneur, que ton visage s’éclaire en faveur de tes fidèles. Sauve-nous dans ta bonté, ne déçois pas notre prière.
Prière après la communion
Nous avons été fortifiés, Seigneur, par le sacrement de notre Rédemption ; permets que cet aliment de salut éternel nous fasse progresser dans la vraie foi. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Chacun de nous a certainement déjà fait l’expérience de l’abandon lorsqu’il est face à des difficultés. Face à un échec, ou face à la maladie beaucoup ont été surpris par la solitude et pourtant dans leurs beaux jours ils étaient entourés d’amis. Cette marginalisation est davantage visible dans nos familles africaines contemporaines. Les vieilles personnes qui ont investi les énergies de la jeunesse pour prendre soin de leur progéniture se retrouvent abandonnées à elles-mêmes. Il est très facile d’abandonner un frère une sœur, un ami ou une connaissance quand ses difficultés s’amoncellent et perdurent. C’est ce que vit l’homme possédé par l’esprit impur de la page d’évangile. Il habite désormais les tombeaux, la mort l’environne, il est tout seul. On l’avait souvent attaché sans succès. Les hommes l’ont abandonné car ils ont essayé de l’aider sans succès. C’est justement en ce moment que le Christ se fait présent pour le libérer. Il le rétablit dans sa dignité, il fait de lui une personne utile pour la société car il devient un évangélisateur. Que de situations dans nos vies suscite désespoir et solitude. Tournons-nous vers le Christ qui est notre espérance.
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 2, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr/
Saint Ansgar, Bishop
Psalter: Week IV
Green/WhiteRed
He was bishop of Sebaste and was martyred in the fourth century. Devotion to him spread throughout the Church during the middle Ages. He is invoked for disorders of the throat.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. 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: Hebrews 11:32-40
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30(31):20-24
R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you, that you show to those who trust you in the sight of men.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men; you keep them safe within your tent from disputing tongues.
Blessed be the Lord who has shown me the wonders of his love in a fortified city.
‘I am far removed from your sight’ I said in my alarm. Yet you heard the voice of my plea when I cried for help.
Love the Lord, all you saints. He guards his faithful but the Lord will repay to the full those who act with pride.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn17:17
Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord: consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 5:1-20
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district. Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The first reading reminisces about some Old Testament heroes of our faith, offering vivid examples of how God made them excellent instruments for His service. They exemplify extraordinary feats that God can accomplish through individuals in our world. However, their imperfection is evident as they never witnessed the Christ nor heard His message. The Gospel underscores Jesus’ supremacy over every power, even demons. Our perfection lies in knowing about God’s works through men of old and witnessing God Himself at work in our world through His Son. Let us ask God for two precious gifts: Faith, to believe in all that has been proclaimed and taught to us in the Scriptures and by the Church, and Courage, to fearlessly bear witness to Him in whom we have believed and to whom we so fervently cling like the man Jesus freed of a legion of demons.
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 1, 2025 | Agenda Biblique
Presentation du seigneur au temple
Journee internationale de la vie consacree
Psautier: IV
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 47,10-11
Nous rappelons ton amour, Seigneur, au milieu de ton temple ; Sur toute la terre, ceux qui t’ont rencontré proclament ta louange : tu es toute justice.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, nous t’adressons cette humble prière : puisque ton Fils unique, ayant revêtu notre chair, fut en ce jour présenté dans le Temple, fais que nous puissions aussi, avec une âme purifiée, nous présenter devant toi. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Malachie 3, 1-4
Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu : Voici que j’envoie mon messager pour qu’il prépare le chemin devant moi ; et soudain viendra dans son Temple le Seigneur que vous cherchez. Le messager de l’Alliance que vous désirez, le voici qui vient – dit le Seigneur de l’univers. Qui pourra soutenir le jour de sa venue ? Qui pourra rester debout lorsqu’il se montrera ? Car il est pareil au feu du fondeur, pareil à la lessive des blanchisseurs. Il s’installera pour fondre et purifier : il purifiera les fils de Lévi, il les affinera comme l’or et l’argent ; ainsi pourront-ils, aux yeux du Seigneur, présenter l’offrande en toute justice. Alors, l’offrande de Juda et de Jérusalem sera bien accueillie du Seigneur, comme il en fut aux jours anciens, dans les années d’autrefois.
Psaume : 23 (24), 7, 8, 9, 10
R/ C’est le Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers ; c’est lui, le roi de gloire.
Portes, levez vos frontons, élevez-vous, portes éternelles : qu’il entre, le roi de gloire !
Qui est ce roi de gloire ? C’est le Seigneur, le fort, le vaillant, le Seigneur, le vaillant des combats.
Portes, levez vos frontons, levez-les, portes éternelles : qu’il entre, le roi de gloire !
Qui donc est ce roi de gloire ? C’est le Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers; c’est lui, le roi de gloire.
Deuxième Lecture Hb 2, 14-18
Puisque les enfants des hommes ont en commun le sang et la chair, Jésus a partagé, lui aussi, pareille condition : ainsi, par sa mort, il a pu réduire à l’impuissance celui qui possédait le pouvoir de la mort, c’est-à-dire le diable, et il a rendu libres tous ceux qui, par crainte de la mort, passaient toute leur vie dans une situation d’esclaves. Car ceux qu’il prend en charge, ce ne sont pas les anges, c’est la descendance d’Abraham. Il lui fallait donc se rendre en tout semblable à ses frères, pour devenir un grand prêtre miséricordieux et digne de foi pour les relations avec Dieu, afin d’enlever les péchés du peuple. Et parce qu’il a souffert jusqu’au bout l’épreuve de sa Passion, il est capable de porter secours à ceux qui subissent une épreuve.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia ! Lumière qui se révèle aux nations et donne gloire à ton peuple Israël. Alléluia. (Lc 2, 32)
Évangile : Lc 2, 22-40
Quand fut accompli le temps prescrit par la loi de Moïse pour la purification, les parents de Jésus l’amenèrent à Jérusalem pour le présenter au Seigneur, selon ce qui est écrit dans la Loi : Tout premier-né de sexe masculin sera consacré au Seigneur. Ils venaient aussi offrir le sacrifice prescrit par la loi du Seigneur : un couple de tourterelles ou deux petites colombes. Or, il y avait à Jérusalem un homme appelé Syméon. C’était un homme juste et religieux, qui attendait la Consolation d’Israël, et l’Esprit Saint était sur lui. Il avait reçu de l’Esprit Saint l’annonce qu’il ne verrait pas la mort avant d’avoir vu le Christ, le Messie du Seigneur. Sous l’action de l’Esprit, Syméon vint au Temple. Au moment où les parents présentaient l’enfant Jésus pour se conformer au rite de la Loi qui le concernait, Syméon reçut l’enfant dans ses bras, et il bénit Dieu en disant : « Maintenant, ô Maître souverain, tu peux laisser ton serviteur s’en aller en paix, selon ta parole. Car mes yeux ont vu le salut que tu préparais à la face des peuples : lumière qui se révèle aux nations et donne gloire à ton peuple Israël. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille, Seigneur, avec bonté les dons de ton Église en fête: elle te les présente pour le sacrifice de ton Fils unique, puisque tu as voulu qu’il s’offre à toi comme l’Agneau sans tâche pour le salut du monde. Lui qui règne avec toi pour les siècles des siècles.
Antienne de la communion : Lc 2, 30
Nos yeux, Seigneur, ont vu ton salut, que tu as préparé à la face de tous les peuples.
Prière après la communion
Par cette communion, Seigneur, prolonge en nous l’œuvre de ta grâce, toi qui as répondu à l’espérance de Siméon: tu n’as pas voulu qu’il meure avant d’avoir accueilli le Messie; puissions-nous aussi obtenir la vie éternelle, en allant à la rencontre du Christ. Lui qui règne avec toi pour les siècles des siècles.
Méditation
L’extrait de l’Evangile de Luc que nous venons d’écouter nous donne de comprendre par les mots de Syméon que celui qui contemple et fait l’expérience de Dieu, celui qui l’accueille ne saurait désirer autre chose que de demeurer auprès de lui. « Maintenant o maitre souverain, tu peux laisser ton serviteur s’en aller en paix selon ta parole, car mes yeux ont vu le salut ». Voilà les parole d’un homme qui viens de saisir, toucher l’objet de son espérance, il vient d’atteindre le but de son attente, il éprouve ainsi l’indicible bonheur que Pierre a par la suite vécu lors de l’épisode de la transfiguration « il est bon que nous soyons, dressons trois tentes » dit-il au Seigneur après avoir contempler son visage. En effet il élabore un projet, celui de vivre tout près de lui. Nous qui par le baptême avons été consacrés au Seigneur, nous qui faisons l’expérience de sa présence dans l’eucharistie dans la vie sacerdotale ou celle consacrée avons-nous du zèle à aimer nos frères ?
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 1, 2025 | Evangelium
The Presentation of the Lord –
Feast
Psalter: Week IV
White
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. 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 : Malachi 3:1-4
The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.
Responsorial Psalms: Psalm 23(24): 7-10
R/ Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Second reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.
Gospel Acclamation : Lk2:32
Alleluia, alleluia! The light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 2:22-40
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offering made with exultation by your Church be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, for you willed that your Only Begotten Son be offered to you for the life of the world as the Lamb without blemish. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 2: 30-31
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.
Prayer after Communion
By these holy gifts which we have received, O Lord, bring your grace to perfection within us, and, as you fulfilled Simeon’s expectation that he would not see death until he had been privileged to welcome the Christ, so may we, going forth to meet the Lord, obtain the gift of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
To be consecrated simply means to be set apart, or to be made holy or sacred by a proper ceremony or rite. This is the essence of what happens to Jesus in today’s Gospel. But noteworthy are Simeon’s prophetic words as he beholds the baby in his hands; “My eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations…” The salvation God offers humanity is neither myth, fable, nor ideology; it is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ – God’s own Son. To attain salvation, come to Jesus and tread a sure path to heaven. In this light, Pope St. John Paul II instituted the World Day for Consecrated Life, aligning it with this feast. The intention is that all consecrated women and men might be reminded to follow Christ radically as people set apart to draw the human race closer to God. Make room for God in your life today and offer Him your whole being for His service and His glory!
