by L'équipe de publication | Sep 26, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
(1581 – 1660)
White
He was born in Aquitaine and became a priest. He devoted his whole life to the service of the poor. He founded a congregation of priests for missionary work and with St Louise de Marillac, the Sisters of Charity.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Lk 4: 18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me and sent me to preach the good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted.
Collect
O God, who for the relief of the poor and the formation of the clergy endowed the Priest Saint Vincent de Paul with apostolic virtues, grant, we pray, that, afire with that same spirit, we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven: A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted. A time for killing, a time for healing; a time for knocking down, a time for building. A time for tears, a time for laughter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing. A time for throwing stones away, a time for gathering them up; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing. A time for searching, a time for losing; a time for keeping, a time for throwing away. A time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking. A time for loving, a time for hating; a time for war, a time for peace. What does a man gain for the efforts that he makes? I contemplate the task that God gives mankind to labour at. All that he does is apt for its time; but though he has permitted man to consider time in its wholeness, man cannot comprehend the work of God from beginning to end.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 143:1-4
R/ Blessed be the Lord, my rock.
Blessed be the Lord, my rock. He is my love, my fortress; he is my stronghold, my saviour my shield, my place of refuge.
Lord, what is man that you care for him, mortal man, that you keep him in mind; man who is merely a breath whose life fades like a passing shadow?
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ep1:17,18
Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 9:18-22
One day when Jesus was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said. But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this. ‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and Scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who enabled Saint Vincent to imitate what he celebrated in the divine mysteries, grant that by the power of this sacrifice we, too, may be transformed into an oblation acceptable to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 106: 8-9
Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed by this heavenly Sacrament, O Lord, we implore, that just as we are prompted by Saint Vincent’s example to imitate your Son in his preaching of the Gospel to the poor, so, too, we may be sustained by his prayers. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In the calling of the disciples, the questions “who do you say I am,?” was not asked, therefore it was fitting for Jesus, after this time with the disciples, to reassure himself to see if his companions truly knew who he was. The answer “the Christ of God” gives the true identity of Jesus, the identity to be kept in mind always with the understanding of what it means to be Christ of God. Though of God, this Christ’s mission will only be accomplished when the Messiah’s destiny is reached, that is, to win people for God through grievous suffering, death and resurrection.
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 25, 2024 | Evangelium
Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Green/Red
They are buried at Cyrrhus in Syria, where a basilica was constructed in their honour. In the fifth century their cult spread rapidly through the entire Church.
Entrance Antiphon
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
Collect
O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbour, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Vanity of vanities, the Preacher says. Vanity of vanities. Vanity of vanities. All is vanity! For all his toil, his toil under the sun, what does man gain by it? A generation goes, a generation comes, yet the earth stands firm for ever. The sun rises, the sun sets; then to its place it speeds and there it rises. Southward goes the wind, then turns to the north; it turns and turns again; back then to its circling goes the wind. Into the sea all the rivers go, and yet the sea is never filled, and still to their goal the rivers go. All things are wearisome. No man can say that eyes have not had enough of seeing, ears their fill of hearing. What was will be again; what has been done will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun. Take anything of which it may be said, ‘Look now, this is new.’ Already, long before our time, it existed. Only no memory remains of earlier times, just as in times to come next year itself will not be remembered.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:3-6,12-14,17
R/ O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.
You turn men back to dust and say: ‘Go back, sons of men.’ To your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday, come and gone, no more than a watch in the night.
You sweep men away like a dream, like the grass which springs up in the morning. In the morning it springs up and flowers: by evening it withers and fades.
Make us know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart. Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever? Show pity to your servants.
In the morning, fill us with your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:18
Alleluia, alleluia! Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 9:7-9
Herod the Tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 118: 4-5
You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously raise up, O Lord, those you renew with this Sacrament, that we may come to possess your redemption both in mystery and in the manner of our life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
One can imagine Herod’s fear after he had John executed and now he is hearing stories of a certain man who is a wonder-worker. He hears rumours that John the Baptist has come back from the dead. We hear about Herod wanting to see Jesus, but it was out of curiosity. Deep down, he was envious. Christ was a mystery and everyone was talking about him. If we were to really follow Jesus’ teaching in our lives, it would make some people uncomfortable. Our very lives can challenge them and remind them of what they should or should not be doing. This is one way of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Are we just acting likes Christians or are we really living our lives as Christians. The Gospel reading today challenges us to make the values of the Gospel part of our life so that we will not seem just to be acting like a Christian in our daily lives but really living it.
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 25, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saints Côme et Damien, Martyrs
vert/rouge
Martyrisés vers 300, près d’Alep, ces deux saints sont appelés ‘’anargyres’’ parce que, d’après la tradition, ils auraient exercé gratuitement la médecine. Une basilique à Rome leur est dédiée.
Antienne d’ouverture : Sg 1, 7
«Je suis le sauveur de mon peuple, dit le Seigneur, s’il crie vers moi dans les épreuves, je l’exauce; je suis son Dieu pour toujours. »
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, tu as voulu que toute la loi consiste à t’aimer et à aimer son prochain. Donne-nous de garder tes commandements, et de parvenir ainsi à la vie éternelle. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Qo 1, 2-11
Vanité des vanités, disait Qohèleth. Vanité des vanités, tout est vanité ! Quel profit l’homme retire-t-il de toute la peine qu’il se donne sous le soleil ? Une génération s’en va, une génération s’en vient, et la terre subsiste toujours. Le soleil se lève, le soleil se couche; il se hâte de retourner à sa place, et de nouveau il se lèvera. Le vent part vers le sud, il tourne vers le nord ; il tourne et il tourne, et recommence à tournoyer. Tous les fleuves vont à la mer, et la mer n’est pas remplie ; dans le sens où vont les fleuves, les fleuves continuent de couler. Tout discours est fatigant, on ne peut jamais tout dire. L’œil n’a jamais fini de voir, ni l’oreille d’entendre. Ce qui a existé, c’est cela qui existera ; ce qui s’est fait, c’est cela qui se fera; rien de nouveau sous le soleil. Y a-t-il une seule chose dont on dise : « Voilà enfin du nouveau ! » – Non, cela existait déjà dans les siècles passés. Mais, il ne reste pas de souvenir d’autrefois; de même, les événements futurs ne laisseront pas de souvenir après eux
Psaume : 89 (90), 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14.17abc
R/D’âge en âge, Seigneur, tu as été notre refuge !
Tu fais retourner l’homme à la poussière ; tu as dit : « Retournez, fils d’Adam ! » À tes yeux, mille ans sont comme hier, ‘est un jour qui s’en va, une heure dans la nuit.
Tu les as balayés : ce n’est qu’un songe ; dès le matin, c’est une herbe changeante: elle fleurit le matin, elle change; le soir, elle est fanée, desséchée.
Apprends-nous la vraie mesure de nos jours : que nos cœurs pénètrent la sagesse. Reviens, Seigneur, pourquoi tarder ? Ravise-toi par égard pour tes serviteurs.
Rassasie-nous de ton amour au matin, que nous passions nos jours dans la joie et les chants. Que vienne sur nous la douceur du Seigneur notre Dieu! Consolide pour nous l’ouvrage de nos mains.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia ! Moi, je suis le Chemin, la Vérité et la Vie, dit le Seigneur. Personne ne va vers le Père sans passer par moi. Alléluia! (Jn 14, 6)
Évangile : Lc 9,7-9
En ce temps-là, Hérode, qui était au pouvoir en Galilée, entendit parler de tout ce qui se passait et il ne savait que penser. En effet, certains disaient que Jean le Baptiste était ressuscité d’entre les morts. D’autres disaient: « C’est le prophète Élie qui est apparu. » D’autres encore : « C’est un prophète d’autrefois qui est ressuscité. » Quant à Hérode, il disait: « Jean, je l’ai fait décapiter. Mais qui est cet homme dont j’entends dire de telles choses ? » Et il cherchait à le voir.
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois favorablement, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple, Pour qu’il obtienne dans le mystère eucharistique les biens auxquels il croit de tout son cœur. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 118, 4-5
Tu nous as ordonné, Seigneur, de garder fidèlement tes préceptes; puissions-nous avancer au droit chemin selon tes commandements.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur, que ton aide accompagne toujours ceux que tu as nourris de tes sacrements, afin qu’ils puissent, dans ces mystères et par toute leur vie, recueillir les fruits de la rédemption. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Hérode cherchait à voir Jésus (Luc 9.9). Pourquoi ? Il a entendu parler de tout ce que faisait Jésus. Il est troublé, curieux et intrigué, car certains prétendent que Jésus est Jean le Baptiste, qu’Hérode avait cruellement tué et qui serait revenu à la vie. Hérode confie à ses proches qu’il le croit volontiers. De fait, Hérode avait écouté Jean avec plaisir, même si à chaque fois ce qu’il disait le dérangeait. Pourquoi voulons-nous voir Jésus? Nous nous rassemblons, sans doute parce que nous aimons l’entendre, même si cela nous dérange. Mais nous aussi, nous avons entendu dire beaucoup de choses à son propos. Attendons-nous, nous aussi, un miracle, peut-être une réponse à une prière ou à un problème ? Le fait de voir Jésus n’avait rien changé à la vie d’Hérode, car il n’avait pas la foi. Si nous, contrairement à Hérode, nous cherchons Dieu dans la foi nous verrons un miracle. Et le miracle sera que nous serons transformés, convertis.
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 24, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Finbar (c.550 – c.620)
Green
He was Bishop of Cork in the 6th century and is patron saint of the city and diocese.
Entrance Antiphon
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
Collect
O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbour, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Proverbs 30:5-9
Every word of God is unalloyed, he is the shield of those who take refuge in him. To his words make no addition, lest he reprove you and know you for a fraud. Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me then before I die: keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat, for fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, ‘the Lord – who is the Lord?’or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of my God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:28,72,89,101,104,163
R/ Your word is a lamp for my steps, O Lord.
My soul pines away with grief; by your word raise me up. The law from your mouth means more to me than silver and gold.
Your word, O Lord, for ever stands firm in the heavens: I turn my feet from evil paths to obey your word.
I gain understanding from your precepts and so I hate false ways. Lies I hate and detest but your law is my love.
Gospel Acclamation:
Col3:16a,17
Alleluia, alleluia! Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you; through him, give thanks to God the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 118: 4-5
You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously raise up, O Lord, those you renew with this Sacrament, that we may come to possess your redemption both in mystery and in the manner of our life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Twelve had to learn the hard way. They had to literally abandon all for the One who is all. In order to carry out this unconditional love and serve towards other people, it requires a radical approach. Detachment from worldly goods can only be achieved if there is attachment on what is above. The Twelve began to preach and to cure because they experienced a life that was lived to the full in Christ Jesus. Jesus was quite aware of the people’s material needs when he sent his apostles out on their first missionary journey. Even though he instructed them to travel unencumbered, taking with them not even a change of clothes, he also instructed them to proclaim the reign of God and to heal the afflicted. The mission of the Church is to pass on this truth about God which God has made known to us. The best way we can teach others about what we believe in is by the witness of how we live, rather than by anything we say. Like St. Francis of Assisi would say : ‘let us go and preach the gospel; and if necessary, use words.’
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 24, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint FIRMIN
VERT
Au 4e siècle, Saint Saturnin, l’un des soixante-dix disciples de Jésus, convertit à Pampelune quarante mille personnes en quelques jours dont le jeune Firmin qui, avec l’âge, devint un fidèle prédicateur du Christ. A vingt-sept ans, Firmin reçut le sacre épiscopal, évangélisa l’Aquitaine et les régions voisines. C’est à Amiens qu’il fut arrêté et discrètement assassiné par le gouverneur païen qui craignait les très nombreux chrétiens de la région.
Antienne d’ouverture : Sg 1, 7
«Je suis le sauveur de mon peuple, dit le Seigneur, s’il crie vers moi dans les épreuves, je l’exauce; je suis son Dieu pour toujours. »
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, tu as voulu que toute la loi consiste à t’aimer et à aimer son prochain. Donne-nous de garder tes commandements, et de parvenir ainsi à la vie éternelle. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Proverbes 30 :5-9
Toute parole de Dieu est mise à l’épreuve ; il est un bouclier pour ceux qui se réfugient en lui. N’ajoute rien à ses paroles, de peur qu’il ne te reprenne, et tu seras exposé comme trompeur. Je te demande deux choses, ne me les refuse pas avant de mourir : éloigne de moi le mensonge et le mensonge, ne me donne ni pauvreté ni richesse ; ne me donne que la nourriture dont j’ai besoin ; De peur que, rassasié, je ne te renie en disant : « Qui est le Seigneur ? Ou, étant dans le besoin, je vole et profane le nom de mon Dieu.
Psaume : 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163
R/ Ta parole, Seigneur, est la lumière de mes pas. (Ps 118, 105a)
Détourne-moi de la voie du mensonge, fais-moi la grâce de ta loi. Mon bonheur, c’est la loi de ta bouche, plus qu’un monceau d’or ou d’argent.
Pour toujours, ta parole, Seigneur, se dresse dans les cieux. Des chemins du mal, je détourne mes pas, afin d’observer ta parole.
Tes préceptes m’ont donné l’intelligence : je hais tout chemin de mensonge. Je hais, je déteste le mensonge ; ta loi, je l’aime.
Acclamation: Marc 1, 15
Alléluia. Alléluia. Le règne de Dieu est tout proche. Convertissez-vous et croyez à l’Évangile. Alléluia. (Mc 1, 15)
Évangile : Luc 9, 1-6
En ce temps-là, Jésus rassembla les Douze ; il leur donna pouvoir et autorité sur tous les démons, et de même pour faire des guérisons ; il les envoya proclamer le règne de Dieu et guérir les malades. Il leur dit : « Ne prenez rien pour la route, ni bâton, ni sac, ni pain, ni argent ; n’ayez pas chacun une tunique de rechange. Quand vous serez reçus dans une maison, restez-y ; c’est de là que vous repartirez. Et si les gens ne vous accueillent pas, sortez de la ville et secouez la poussière de vos pieds ce sera un témoignage contre eux. » Ils partirent et ils allaient de village en village annonçant la Bonne Nouvelle et faisant partout des guérisons.
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois favorablement, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple, Pour qu’il obtienne dans le mystère eucharistique les biens auxquels il croit de tout son cœur. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 118, 4-5
Tu nous as ordonné, Seigneur, de garder fidèlement tes préceptes; puissions-nous avancer au droit chemin selon tes commandements.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur, que ton aide accompagne toujours ceux que tu as nourris de tes sacrements, afin qu’ils puissent, dans ces mystères et par toute leur vie, recueillir les fruits de la rédemption. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Jésus confie une mission très vaste: annoncer partout le Royaume de Dieu et guérir les malades ! Il demande à ses disciples deux attitudes essentielles pour un apôtre, serviteur de l’Évangile : s’appuyer sur la force de la Parole de Dieu et non sur les moyens matériels et la richesse lorsqu’on annonce le message du salut. La deuxième attitude est celle de la liberté vis-à-vis des richesses. Jésus sait combien l’amour de l’argent asservit et lie l’élan du cœur et de l’esprit. En effet, dit Jésus, Personne ne peut servir Dieu et l’argent. L’annonce de l’Évangile, le service de la Parole de Dieu, exige disponibilité et détachement. Car, dit Jésus, Là où sont tes richesses, là aussi est ton cœur. Il y a aussi lieu de se demander pourquoi les disciples acceptent sans hésiter les conditions matérielles dans lesquelles Jésus les envoie. C’est parce que les disciples avaient été à l’école du Christ. Ils l’avaient vu vivre sans maison, sans richesse. Ils avaient entendu son enseignement qui leur disait : Le disciple n’est pas au-dessus du maître, ni le serviteur au-dessus de son patron.
