by L'équipe de publication | Nov 9, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
32ème Dimanche du temps ordinaire
Psautier iv
Saint Léon le Grand,
Pape et Docteur de l’Eglise
VERT
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 87, 2-3
Seigneur, mon Dieu et mon salut, que ma prière parvienne jusqu’à toi, entends-moi qui t’implore.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui es bon et tout-puissant, éloigne de nous tout ce qui nous arrête, afin que sans aucune entrave, ni d’esprit ni de corps, nous soyons libres pour accomplir ta volonté. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : 1 R 17, 10-16
En ces jours-là, le prophète Élie partit pour Sarepta, et il parvint à l’entrée de la ville. Une veuve ramassait du bois ; il l’appela et lui dit : « Veux-tu me puiser, avec ta cruche, un peu d’eau pour que je boive ? » Elle alla en puiser. Il lui dit encore : « Apporte-moi aussi un morceau de pain. » Elle répondit : « Je le jure par la vie du Seigneur ton Dieu: je n’ai pas de pain. J’ai seulement, dans une jarre, une poignée de farine, et un peu d’huile dans un vase. Je ramasse deux morceaux de bois, je rentre préparer pour moi et pour mon fils ce qui nous reste. Nous le mangerons, et puis nous mourrons. » Élie lui dit alors : « N’aie pas peur, va, fais ce que tu as dit. Mais d’abord cuis-moi une petite galette et apporte-la moi ; ensuite tu en feras pour toi et ton fils. Car ainsi parle le Seigneur, Dieu d’Israël : Jarre de farine point ne s’épuisera, vase d’huile point ne se videra, jusqu’au jour où le Seigneur donnera la pluie pour arroser la terre. » La femme alla faire ce qu’Élie lui avait demandé, et pendant longtemps, le prophète, elle-même et son fils eurent à manger. Et la jarre de farine ne s’épuisa pas, et le vase d’huile ne se vida pas, ainsi que le Seigneur l’avait annoncé par l’intermédiaire d’Élie.
Psaume : 145 (146), 6c.7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
R/ Chante, ô mon âme, la louange du Seigneur !
Le Seigneur garde à jamais sa fidélité, il fait justice aux opprimés ; aux affamés, il donne le pain ; le Seigneur délie les enchaînés.
Le Seigneur ouvre les yeux des aveugles, le Seigneur redresse les accablés, le Seigneur aime les justes, le Seigneur protège l’étranger.
Il soutient la veuve et l’orphelin, il égare les pas du méchant. D’âge en âge, le Seigneur régnera : ton Dieu, ô Sion, pour toujours !
2ème lecture : He 9, 24-28
Le Christ n’est pas entré dans un sanctuaire fait de main d’homme, figure du sanctuaire véritable ; il est entré dans le ciel même, afin de se tenir maintenant pour nous devant la face de Dieu. Il n’a pas à s’offrir lui-même plusieurs fois, comme le grand prêtre qui, tous les ans, entrait dans le sanctuaire en offrant un sang qui n’était pas le sien ; car alors, le Christ aurait dû plusieurs fois souffrir la Passion depuis la fondation du monde. Mais en fait, c’est une fois pour toutes, à la fin des temps, qu’il s’est manifesté pour détruire le péché par son sacrifice. Et, comme le sort des hommes est de mourir une seule fois et puis d’être jugés, ainsi le Christ s’est-il offert une seule fois pour enlever les péchés de la multitude ; il apparaîtra une seconde fois, non plus à cause du péché, mais pour le salut de ceux qui l’attendent.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Heureux les pauvres de cœur, car le royaume des Cieux est à eux ! Alléluia. (Mt 5, 3)
Évangile : Mc 12, 38-44
En ce temps-là, dans son enseignement, Jésus disait aux foules : « Méfiez-vous des scribes, qui tiennent à se promener en vêtements d’apparat et qui aiment les salutations sur les places publiques, les sièges d’honneur dans les synagogues, et les places d’honneur dans les dîners. Ils dévorent les biens des veuves et, pour l’apparence, ils font de longues prières : ils seront d’autant plus sévèrement jugés. » Jésus s’était assis dans le Temple en face de la salle du trésor, et regardait comment la foule y mettait de l’argent. Beaucoup de riches y mettaient de grosses sommes. Une pauvre veuve s’avança et mit deux petites pièces de monnaie. Jésus appela ses disciples et leur déclara : « Amen, je vous le dis : cette pauvre veuve a mis dans le Trésor plus que tous les autres. Car tous, ils ont pris sur leur superflu, mais elle, elle a pris sur son indigence : elle a mis tout ce qu’elle possédait, tout ce qu’elle avait pour vivre. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Sur les offrandes que nous présentons, Seigneur, jette un regard de pardon et de paix. Qu’en célébrant la passion de ton Fils, nous entrions de tout cœur dans son mystère. Lui qui.
Antienne de communion: Ps 22, 1-2
Mon berger, c’est le Seigneur: je ne manque de rien. Sur de frais pâturages, il me laisse reposer. Il me mène auprès des eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre.
Prière après la communion
Fortifiés par cette nourriture sainte, nous t’adressons, Seigneur, nos actions de grâce et nous implorons ta miséricorde. Que l’Esprit Saint fasse persévérer dans la droiture ceux qui ont reçu la force d’en haut. Par Jésus.
Méditation Jésus oppose ici deux types de comportement religieux. Celui des scribes prétentieux qui se pavanent et utilisent la religion pour se faire valoir : Jésus fustige cette attitude et la condamne impitoyablement. Et celle de la veuve pauvre qui fait un acte dérisoire aux yeux des hommes, mais pour elle, lourd de conséquence, puisqu’elle se dépouille de ce dont elle a tout à fait besoin. Jésus consacre cette attitude et la désigne à ses disciples pour son impressionnante vérité. Ce n’est pas ce que les hommes voient qui a de la valeur aux yeux de Dieu, car Dieu ne juge pas à l’apparence, mais au cœur. Jésus nous renvoie à nous-mêmes. Le salut n’est pas une affaire de réussite, encore moins de simagrées. Le salut exige de conformer ses actes à ses convictions. Et dans tout ce qu’il fait, surtout dans sa vie religieuse, l’homme devrait toujours se rappeler qu’on ne se moque pas de Dieu. Ne vous y trompez pas, dit saint Paul, on ne se moque pas de Dieu. Ce que l’on sème, on le récolte (Galates 6,7). Ce que le Seigneur demande, c’est d’avoir un cœur pur, une foi vraie, une confiance totale.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 9, 2024 | Evangelium
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4
Saint Leo the Great, Pope
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 87: 3
Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your ear to my cry for help, O Lord.
Collect
Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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: 1 Kings 17:10-16
Elijah the Prophet went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks; addressing her he said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a vessel for me to drink.’ She was setting off to bring it when he called after her. ‘Please’ he said ‘bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.’ ‘As the Lord your God lives,’ she replied ‘I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.’ But Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son. For thus the Lord speaks, the God of Israel: “Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.”’ The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145(146):7-10
R/ My soul, give praise to the Lord.
It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free.
It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down. It is the Lord who loves the just, the Lord, who protects the stranger.
The Lord upholds the widow and orphan but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Zion’s God, from age to age.
Second reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
It is not as though Christ had entered a man-made sanctuary which was only modelled on the real one; but it was heaven itself, so that he could appear in the actual presence of God on our behalf. And he does not have to offer himself again and again, like the high priest going into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own, or else he would have had to suffer over and over again since the world began. Instead of that, he has made his appearance once and for all, now at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself. Since men only die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him.
Gospel Acclamation: Rv2:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’ He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honour it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today we are told the story of two generous widows. What these widows had in common was a determination to give everything they had without regard for the cost or repercussions. In response to God’s word as declared by the prophet Elijah, the first widow gave her entire supply of food to the prophet Elijah, and God fulfilled Elijah’s prophecy for her. She donated to the prophet with complete trust and obedience to God’s message. Do I place my complete confidence and faith in Christ, God’s word, as a Christian? Or do I put my life and trust in material things? If I do the latter, my future is bleak and hopeless. Might I believe and obey God no matter what so that God’s promises might be fulfilled in my life? The second widow offered only two little coins, yet it was all she had to live on, according to Jesus. She did not give from her wealth. Both widows provided tiny gifts, yet what they gave represented the giving of themselves. They contributed without regard for their lack of food and money, just as the scribes in the Gospel most likely did.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 8, 2024 | Evangelium
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – Feast
(c.324)
White
The Lateran Basilica was built by the Emperor Constantine on the Lateran Hill in Rome in about 324. In honour of the basilica, “the mother and head of all the churches of the City and the World,” the feast has been extended to the whole Roman Rite as a sign of unity and love towards the See of Peter.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Rev 21: 2
I saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
Collect
O God, who from living and chosen stones, prepare an eternal dwelling for your majesty, increase in your Church, the spirit of grace you have bestowed, so that by new growth, your faithful people may build up the heavenly Jerusalem. 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 : Ezekiel 47:1-2.8-9.12
The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side. The man went to the east holding his measuring-line and measured off a thousand cubits; he then made me wade across the stream; the water reached my ankles. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across the stream again; the water reached my knees. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across again; the water reached my waist. He measured off another thousand; it was now a river which I could not cross; the stream had swollen and was now deep water, a river impossible to cross. He then said, ‘Do you see, son of man?’ He took me further, then brought me back to the bank of the river. When I got back, there were many trees on each bank of the river. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 45:2-3.5-6.8-9
R/ The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is for us a refuge and strength, a helper close at hand, in time of distress: so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day.
The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our strong hold. Come, consider the works of the Lord, the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.
Gospel Acclamation : 2Ch 7:16
Alleluia, alleluia! I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord, for my name to be there Alleluia!
Gospel : John 2:13-22
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money-changers’ coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.’ Then his disciples remembered the words of Scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. The Jews intervened and said, ‘What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?’ Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the words he had said.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, we pray, O Lord, the offering made here and grant that by it those who seek your favour may receive in this place the power of the Sacraments and the answer to their prayers. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. 1 Pet 2: 5
Be built up like living stones, into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who chose to foreshadow for us the heavenly Jerusalem through the sign of your Church on earth, grant, we pray, that, by our partaking of this Sacrament, we may be made the temple of your grace and may enter the dwelling place of your glory. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
We celebrate the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, which takes place today. According to the readings, we commemorate the site where the Most High God chooses to reside with his people. Jesus prophesies that he will destroy the temple and then rebuild it within the next three days. Jesus had already destroyed our temple of sin before our baptism and has since erected a holy one within us. Today, we are reminded that we are the new temples of God, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and that this truth has been revealed to us. St. Paul cautions us not to ruin this temple of God, our bodies because it houses the Holy Spirit. We mustn’t let sin, a life of apathy towards the disadvantaged, or an inability to forgive bring about its destruction.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 8, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
La Dédicace de la Basilique
du Latran
Fete
Blanc
La cathédrale de l’évêque de Rome est édifiée sur le domaine qui appartenait à la famille des Laterani et où s’élevait un palais, voisin d’une caserne. L’empereur Constantin rasa celle-ci et la remplaça par la première basilique liturgique monumentale, qu’il offrit avec le palais, au pape Sylvestre vers 320.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 87, 2-3
J’ai vu la cité sainte, la Jérusalem nouvelle, qui descendait du ciel, d’auprès de Dieu, toute prête, comme une fiancée parée pour son époux.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui choisis des pierres vivantes pour bâtir la demeure éternelle de ta gloire, fais abonder dans ton Eglise les fruits de l’Esprit que tu lui a donne : Que le peuple qui t’appartient ne cesse pas de progresser pour l’édification de la Jérusalem céleste. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Ez 47, 1-2.8-9.12
En ces jours-là, au cours d’une vision reçue du Seigneur, l’homme me fit revenir à l’entrée de la Maison, et voici : sous le seuil de la Maison, de l’eau jaillissait vers l’orient, puisque la façade de la Maison était du côté de l’orient. L’eau descendait de dessous le côté droit de la Maison, au sud de l’autel. L’homme me fit sortir par la porte du nord et me fit faire le tour par l’extérieur, jusqu’à la porte qui fait face à l’orient, et là encore l’eau coulait du côté droit. Il me dit : « Cette eau coule vers la région de l’orient, elle descend dans la vallée du Jourdain, et se déverse dans la mer Morte, dont elle assainit les eaux. En tout lieu où parviendra le torrent, tous les animaux pourront vivre et foisonner. Le poisson sera très abondant, car cette eau assainit tout ce qu’elle pénètre, et la vie apparaît en tout lieu où arrive le torrent. Au bord du torrent, sur les deux rives, toutes sortes d’arbres fruitiers pousseront ;leur feuillage ne se flétrira pas et leurs fruits ne manqueront pas. Chaque mois ils porteront des fruits nouveaux, car cette eau vient du sanctuaire. Les fruits seront une nourriture, et les feuilles un remède. »
Psaume : 45 (46), 2-3, 5-6, 8-9a.10a
R/ Le Fleuve, ses bras réjouissent la ville de Dieu, la plus sainte des demeures du Très-Haut.
Dieu est pour nous refuge et force, secours dans la détresse, toujours offert. Nous serons sans crainte si la terre est secouée, si les montagnes s’effondrent au creux de la mer.
Le Fleuve, ses bras réjouissent la ville de Dieu, la plus sainte des demeures du Très-Haut. Dieu s’y tient : elle est inébranlable; quand renaît le matin, Dieu la secourt.
Il est avec nous, le Seigneur de l’univers ; citadelle pour nous, le Dieu de Jacob ! Venez et voyez les actes du Seigneur, Il détruit la guerre jusqu’au bout du monde.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. J’ai choisi et consacré cette Maison, dit le Seigneur, afin que mon Nom y soit à jamais. Alléluia. (2 Ch 7, 16)
Évangile : Jn 2, 13-22
Comme la Pâque juive était proche, Jésus monta à Jérusalem. Dans le Temple, il trouva installés les marchands de bœufs, de brebis et de colombes, et les changeurs. Il fit un fouet avec des cordes, et les chassa tous du Temple, ainsi que les brebis et les bœufs ; il jeta par terre la monnaie des changeurs, renversa leurs comptoirs, et dit aux marchands de colombes : « Enlevez cela d’ici. Cessez de faire de la maison de mon Père une maison de commerce. » Ses disciples se rappelèrent qu’il est écrit : L’amour de ta maison fera mon tourment. Des Juifs l’interpellèrent : « Quel signe peux-tu nous donner pour agir ainsi ? » Jésus leur répondit : « Détruisez ce sanctuaire, et en trois jours je le relèverai. » Les Juifs lui répliquèrent: « Il a fallu quarante-six ans pour bâtir ce sanctuaire, et toi, en trois jours tu le relèverais ! » Mais lui parlait du sanctuaire de son corps. Aussi, quand il se réveilla d’entre les morts, ses disciples se rappelèrent qu’il avait dit cela ; ils crurent à l’Écriture et à la parole que Jésus avait dite.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille, Seigneur, le sacrifice que nous t’offrons, et donne à ceux qui te supplient dans ton Eglise d’être fortifies par tes sacrements et de voir leurs prières exaucées. Lui qui.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 22, 1-2
Nous sommes des pierres vivantes, qui servent à construire le temple spirituel, le peuple sacerdotal qui appartient à Dieu.
Prière après la communion
Tu as voulu, Seigneur, que ton Eglise de la terre soit pour nous l’annonce de la Jérusalem céleste; accorde-nous, par cette communion, d’être ici-bas le temple de ta grâce et d’entrer un jour dans la demeure de ta gloire. Par Jésus.
Méditation Jésus se fâche rarement, sauf quand le sanctuaire de Dieu est déshonoré. Alors, il se met à purifier le Temple et chasse les vendeurs à coups de fouet: Celui qui détruit le temple de Dieu, Dieu le détruira. La suite de l’évangile élargit encore une fois le thème de la fête. Le Temple saint d’où vient toute bénédiction, et à laquelle nous sommes identifiés comme les pierres d’une maison, est aussi, au plus profond, identique au corps même du Christ ; Le Temple dont il parlait, c’était son corps (Jean 2.21). Et l’Église, le Corps mystique du Christ est un édifice vivant. Toute vie est caractérisée par sa croissance. Sans croissance, il n’y a pas de vie. Ainsi en est-il de l’Église, vue comme Corps du Christ. Elle n’est pas un bâtiment statique, mais un organisme vivant qui se développe et croît. Cette croissance de l’Église contient une promesse. La croissance continuera sans interruption, jusqu’au jour où l’édifice se trouvera, accompli, dans la Jérusalem céleste. Là, il cessera de croître parce que tout sera accompli et que le temps aura cessé d’exister. Dans la Jérusalem nouvelle on n’aura pas besoin de la lumière du soleil ni de la lune, car la gloire même de Dieu l’illuminera (Apocalypse 21).
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 7, 2024 | Evangelium
Blessed George Napier (1610)
Green
He was born in Oxford and ordained priest in 1596. He worked secretly as a priest in 1603 in Oxfordshire. He was arrested in 1610: the possession of the holy oils and a breviary was considered sufficient evidence of priesthood and he was condemned to death. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Oxford on 8 November 1610 and beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 37: 22-23
Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation!
Collect
Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised. 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 : Philippians 3:17-4:1
My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things. For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe. So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
121(122):1-5
R/ I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David.
Gospel Acclamation : 2Co5:19
Alleluia, alleluia! God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 16:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.” Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.” ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May these sacrificial offerings, O Lord, become for you a pure oblation, and for us a holy outpouring of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 15: 11
You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May the working of your power, O Lord, increase in us, we pray, so that, renewed by these heavenly Sacraments, we may be prepared by your gift for receiving what they promise. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Based on our human judgement, we may readily conclude that the steward in the gospel narrative is a liar who deserves no praise from the master. Nonetheless, his master praises him for his astuteness rather than his dishonesty. The steward has a survival instinct, as we can see. He understands how to get out of a tight spot when he’s at his wit’s end. He employs sound judgement by using his master’s good to gain the affection of the master’s debtors, albeit at the master’s expense. What efforts do we make to assure our eternal salvation as people of light?
