by L'équipe de publication | Sep 21, 2024 | Evangelium
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1
Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion
Green
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: Wisdom 2:12,17-20
The godless say to themselves: ‘Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us and opposes our way of life, reproaches us for our breaches of the law and accuses us of playing false to our upbringing. ‘Let us see if what he says is true, let us observe what kind of end he himself will have. If the virtuous man is God’s son, God will take his part and rescue him from the clutches of his enemies. Let us test him with cruelty and with torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his and put his endurance to the proof. Let us condemn him to a shameful death since he will be looked after – we have his word for it.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 53(54):3-6,8
R/ The Lord upholds my life.
O God, save me by your name; by your power, uphold my cause. O God, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.
For proud men have risen against me, ruthless men seek my life. They have no regard for God.
But I have God for my help. The Lord upholds my life. I will sacrifice to you with willing heart and praise your name for it is good.
Second reading James 3:16-4:3
Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness. Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Isn’t it precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You want something and you haven’t got it; so you are prepared to kill. You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force. Why you don’t have what you want is because you don’t pray for it; when you do pray and don’t get it, it is because you have not prayed properly, you have prayed for something to indulge your own desires.
Gospel Acclamation :Jn8:12
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia!
Gospel Mark 9:30-37
After leaving the mountain Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him. They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
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
What is visible from the first reading are two contrasting worlds; the transitory world of the godless and the impious, which is meant to pass; and the true world of the virtuous and the righteous. These two worlds still exist even now whereby the Christians in some places around the world are not tolerated, rather they are humiliated and persecuted; tested with cruelty and torture. These are the people who are living by the beatitude of being consoled either in the present moment or in future. In this contrasting world, or even among the Christians, James asks, “where do these wars and battles between yourselves first started?” (Jam 4:1). The end to all the disagreements and battles, James asserts, is to seek wisdom from above, that which makes peace and is full of compassion. Likewise, the Lord wanted humility among the disciples, not for them to argue about who is the greatest among them, as James again says, “ who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life, let him show his works in the humility of wisdom,” (3:13). The Gospel therefore challenges and calls all Christians to the expression of true wisdom which is the source of humility and the sign of true humble Christian living.
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 20, 2024 | Evangelium
Psalter: Proper
Saint Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist Feast
Red
He was born in Capernaum, and was working as a tax-collector when Jesus called him. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, and is said to have preached in the East.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Mt 28: 19-20
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, says the Lord.
Collect
O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. 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 : Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all. Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. To some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:2-5
R/ Their word goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands. Day unto day takes up the story and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heard yet their span extends through all the earth, their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
Gospel Acclamation :
Alleluia, alleluia! We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord. The glorious company of the apostles praise you, O Lord.Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking on he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate anew the memory of Saint Matthew, we bring you sacrifices and prayers, O Lord, humbly imploring you to look kindly on your Church, whose faith you have nourished by the preaching of the Apostles. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Mt 9: 13
I did not come to call the just, but sinners, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Sharing in that saving joy, O Lord, with which Saint Matthew welcomed the Saviour as a guest in his home, we pray: grant that we may always be renewed by the food we receive from Christ, who came to call not the just, but sinners to salvation. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Matthew does not reject the voice of the Lord and instead leaves everything to follow Christ. Just as the first apostles left their nets, Matthew leaves his counting post. From the outside, it looks like Matthew is nothing more than a sinner, who contributes to the Roman oppression of the people. But this is not the case, Matthew’s heart is open to the movement of God’s grace. He doesn’t let it pass by and responds generously. Jesus defends Matthew from the questions of the Pharisees, who thought that they were righteous because they fulfilled the external rites of the law. We are like Matthew; we are sinners in need of God’s mercy. We need to welcome the Word of God each day in prayer, in Sacred Scripture, in the Eucharist, and in serving our brothers and sisters. Jesus reminds us “What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’.» What a beautiful word for today’s world!
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 19, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saints ANDRE KIM ET SES COMPAGNONS
Martyrs
Rouge
Religieux de la chartreuse de Londres, il refusa de reconnaître Henri VIII comme seul chef spirituel de l’Eglise d’Angleterre. En 1537, il fut condamné, avec huit autres moines, chartreux comme lui, à l’exécution la plus longue : être trainé sur une claie à travers la ville, de la prison à la potence à moitié étranglé mais respirant encore pour être à nouveau traîné sur une claie de la potence au billot. Enfin, avoir la tête tranchée et être équarri comme un bœuf à l’abattoir.
Antienne d’ouverture : Si 36,18
Donne la paix, Seigneur, à ceux qui t’espèrent : ne fais pas mentir les paroles de tes prophètes. Exauce la prière de ton peuple.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu créateur et maître de toutes choses, regarde-nous. Et pour que nous ressentions l’effet de ton amour, accorde-nous de te servir avec un cœur sans partage. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 Co 15, 12-20
Frères, nous proclamons que le Christ est ressuscité d’entre les morts; alors, comment certains d’entre vous peuvent-ils affirmer qu’il n’y a pas de résurrection des morts ? S’il n’y a pas de résurrection des morts, le Christ non plus n’est pas ressuscité. Et si le Christ n’est pas ressuscité, notre proclamation est sans contenu, votre foi aussi est sans contenu ; et nous faisons figure de faux témoins de Dieu, pour avoir affirmé, en témoignant au sujet de Dieu, qu’il a ressuscité le Christ, alors qu’il ne l’a pas ressuscité si vraiment les morts ne ressuscitent pas. Car si les morts ne ressuscitent pas, le Christ non plus n’est pas ressuscité. Et si le Christ n’est pas ressuscité, votre foi est sans valeur, vous êtes encore sous l’emprise de vos péchés; et donc, ceux qui se sont endormis dans le Christ sont perdus. Si nous avons mis notre espoir dans le Christ pour cette vie seulement, nous sommes les plus à plaindre de tous les hommes. Mais non ! le Christ est ressuscité d’entre les morts, lui, premier ressuscité parmi ceux qui se sont endormis.
Psaume : 16 (17), 1, 6-7, 8.15
R/ Au réveil, je me rassasierai de ton visage, Seigneur. (Ps 16, 15b)
Seigneur, écoute la justice ! Entends ma plainte, accueille ma prière : mes lèvres ne mentent pas.
Je t’appelle, toi, le Dieu qui répond : écoute-moi, entends ce que je dis. Montre les merveilles de ta grâce, toi qui libères de l’agresseur ceux qui se réfugient sous ta droite.
Garde-moi comme la prunelle de l’œil ; à l’ombre de tes ailes, cache-moi. Et moi, par ta justice, je verrai ta face : au réveil, je me rassasierai de ton visage.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.Tu es béni, Père, Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, tu as révélé aux tout-petits les mystères du Royaume ! Alléluia. (cf. Mt 11, 25)
Évangile : Lc 8, 1-3
En ce temps-là, il arriva que Jésus, passant à travers villes et villages, proclamait et annonçait la Bonne Nouvelle du règne de Dieu. Les Douze l’accompagnaient, ainsi que des femmes qui avaient été guéries de maladies et d’esprits mauvais: Marie, appelée Madeleine, de laquelle étaient sortis sept démons, Jeanne, femme de Kouza, intendant d’Hérode, Suzanne, et beaucoup d’autres, qui les servaient en prenant sur leurs ressources.
Prière sur les offrandes
Sois favorable à nos prières, Seigneur, et reçois avec bonté nos offrandes. Que les dons apportés par chacun à la gloire de ton nom servent au salut de tous. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 35, 8
Qu’il est précieux, ton amour, ô mon Dieu! En lui s’abritent les hommes.
Prière après la communion
Que la grâce de cette communion, Seigneur, saisisse nos esprits et nos corps, Afin que son influence, et non pas notre sentiment, domine toujours en nous. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le chrétien, témoin de la Résurrection, tel est le titre que nous pourrions donner à ce court passage de saint Luc. Car la Résurrection, c’est la vie de Dieu au cœur de l’homme pour aboutir à la pleine transformation de lui-même. Jésus, sur les routes, à travers villes et villages, annonce la Bonne Nouvelle du règne de Dieu, qui est déjà là, du règne de Dieu au cœur de l’homme. Et, au risque d’ailleurs de surprendre, il n’hésite pas à se faire accompagner par des femmes, mais précisément des femmes qui avaient été guéries de leur misère. On les avait connues enchaînées par des esprits mauvais. Et voilà que le Christ les en avait libérées. Elles participent dorénavant à la vie de liberté et de joie qui est dans le Christ et qu’il peut communiquer à quiconque adhère à lui dans la foi et dans l’amour. Elles sont déjà témoins de la Résurrection, de la vie nouvelle. Elles témoignent que la parole de Jésus est une réalité, que le Royaume est déjà là, qu’il est possible à l’homme.
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 19, 2024 | Evangelium
Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest,
and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs
Red
17th century Korea fought to stop Christianity by executions. Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean priest, who secretly trained in Macao, was executed in 1846. A lay apostle, St Paul Chong Hasang, and many others perished at the same time.
Entrance Antiphon
The blood of the holy Martyrs was poured out for Christ upon the earth; therefore they have gained everlasting rewards.
Collect
O God, who have been pleased to increase your adopted children in all the world, and who made the blood of the Martyrs Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gǒn and his companions a most fruitful seed of Christians, grant that we may be defended by their help and profit always from their example. 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 : 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life. For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins. And what is more serious, all who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people. But Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
16(17):1,6-8,15
R/ I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.
Lord, hear a cause that is just, pay heed to my cry. Turn your ear to my prayer: no deceit is on my lips.
I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God. Turn your ear to me; hear my words Display your great love, you whose right hand saves your friends from those who rebel against them.
Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings As for me, in my justice I shall see your face and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps94:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 8:1-3
Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, almighty God, on the offerings of your people and, through the intercession of the blessed Martyrs, grant that we ourselves may become a sacrifice acceptable to you for the salvation of all the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 10: 32
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished with the food of the valiant as we celebrate the blessed Martyrs, we humbly ask you, O Lord, that, clinging faithfully to Christ, we may labour in the Church for the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The gospel tells us that apart from the men, there was also a group of women who accompanied Jesus and his disciples. It was these women who provided part of the money needed to support the missionary activities of Jesus and his apostles. No rabbi had female disciples, so the actions of Jesus were revolutionary and scandalising as well. Apparently, the women put Jesus and his ministry ahead of their own families, as did the male disciples. It certainly does indicate that Jesus had little or no concern about public reaction to what he felt was right and proper. Women have come a long way since then. This was a diverse group of women; some were public sinners, others from rich or prominent families. We know that Mary Magdalene had lived a very troubled life. Joanna, wife of the king’s chief financial officer, held significant social and political standing. What brought them together and united them in a bond of friendship and common service? Certainly Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God had transformed this group of diverse personalities and temperaments. Each brought their gifts and resources to Jesus. No one is unimportant in God’s economy. The least in his kingdom find a home and a mission at Jesus’ side.
by L'équipe de publication | Sep 18, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint JANVIER
Saint EMILE
vert
Il acheva son martyre, avec saint Caste, par le feu. C’était vers l’an 250. Saint Janvier, évêque et martyrCe patron de Naples est célèbre en raison du prodige de son sang qui se liquéfie le jour de sa fête (phénomène attesté depuis 1389). D’après la tradition, Janvier serait un évêque de Bénévent, martyrisé au début du 4e siècle à Pouzzoles.
Antienne d’ouverture : Si 36,18
Donne la paix, Seigneur, à ceux qui t’espèrent: ne fais pas mentir les paroles de tes prophètes. Exauce la prière de ton peuple.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu créateur et maître de toutes choses, regarde-nous. Et pour que nous ressentions l’effet de ton amour, accorde-nous de te servir avec un cœur sans partage. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 Co 15, 1-11
Frères, je vous rappelle la Bonne Nouvelle que je vous ai annoncée ; cet Évangile, vous l’avez reçu ; c’est en lui que vous tenez bon, c’est par lui que vous serez sauvés si vous le gardez tel que je vous l’ai annoncé ; autrement, c’est pour rien que vous êtes devenus croyants. Avant tout, je vous ai transmis ceci, que j’ai moi-même reçu : le Christ est mort pour nos péchés conformément aux Écritures, et il fut mis au tombeau; il est ressuscité le troisième jour conformément aux Écritures, il est apparu à Pierre, puis aux Douze ; ensuite il est apparu à plus de cinq cents frères à la fois – la plupart sont encore vivants, et quelques-uns sont endormis dans la mort –, ensuite il est apparu à Jacques, puis à tous les Apôtres. Et en tout dernier lieu, il est même apparu à l’avorton que je suis. Car moi, je suis le plus petit des Apôtres, je ne suis pas digne d’être appelé Apôtre, puisque j’ai persécuté l’Église de Dieu. Mais ce que je suis, je le suis par la grâce de Dieu, et sa grâce, venant en moi, n’a pas été stérile. Je me suis donné de la peine plus que tous les autres ; à vrai dire, ce n’est pas moi, c’est la grâce de Dieu avec moi. Bref, qu’il s’agisse de moi ou des autres, voilà ce que nous proclamons, voilà ce que vous croyez.
Psaume : 117 (118), 1-2, 16-17, 28.21
R/ Rendez grâce au Seigneur : Il est bon!
Rendez grâce au Seigneur : Il est bon ! Éternel est son amour! Oui, que le dise Israël : Éternel est son amour !
Le bras du Seigneur se lève, le bras du Seigneur est fort ! Non, je ne mourrai pas, je vivrai pour annoncer les actions du Seigneur.
Tu es mon Dieu, je te rends grâce, mon Dieu, je t’exalte ! Je te rends grâce car tu m’as exaucé : tu es pour moi le salut.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Venez à moi, vous tous qui peinez sous le poids du fardeau, dit le Seigneur, et moi je vous procurerai le repos. Alléluia. (Mt 11, 28)
Évangile : Luc 7, 36-50
En ce temps-là, un pharisien avait invité Jésus à manger avec lui. Jésus entra chez lui et prit place à table. Survint une femme de la ville, une pécheresse. Ayant appris que Jésus était attablé dans la maison du pharisien, elle avait apporté un flacon d’albâtre contenant un parfum. Tout en pleurs, elle se tenait derrière lui, près de ses pieds, et elle se mit à mouiller de ses larmes les pieds de Jésus. Elle les essuyait avec ses cheveux, les couvrait de baisers et répandait sur eux le parfum. En voyant cela, le pharisien qui avait invité Jésus se dit en lui-même : « Si cet homme était prophète, il saurait qui est cette femme qui le touche, et ce qu’elle est : une pécheresse. » Jésus, prenant la parole, lui dit : « Simon, j’ai quelque chose à te dire. – Parle, Maître. » Jésus reprit: « Un créancier avait deux débiteurs ; le premier lui devait cinq cents pièces d’argent, l’autre cinquante. Comme ni l’un ni l’autre ne pouvait les lui rembourser, il en fit grâce à tous deux. Lequel des deux l’aimera davantage ? »Simon répondit : « Je suppose que c’est celui à qui on a fait grâce de la plus grande dette. – Tu as raison », lui dit Jésus. Il se tourna vers la femme et dit à Simon: « Tu vois cette femme ? Je suis entré dans ta maison, et tu ne m’as pas versé de l’eau sur les pieds ; elle, elle les a mouillés de ses larmes et essuyés avec ses cheveux. Tu ne m’as pas embrassé ; elle, depuis qu’elle est entrée, n’a pas cessé d’embrasser mes pieds Tu n’as pas fait d’onction sur ma tête ; elle, elle a répandu du parfum sur mes pieds. Voilà pourquoi je te le dis: ses péchés, ses nombreux péchés, sont pardonnés, puisqu’elle a montré beaucoup d’amour. Mais celui à qui on pardonne peu montre peu d’amour. Il dit alors à la femme : « Tes péchés sont pardonnés. » Les convives se mirent à dire en eux-mêmes : « Qui est cet homme, qui va jusqu’à pardonner les péchés ? » Jésus dit alors à la femme: « Ta foi t’a sauvée.Va en paix ! »
Prière sur les offrandes
Sois favorable à nos prières, Seigneur, et reçois avec bonté nos offrandes. Que les dons apportés par chacun à la gloire de ton nom servent au salut de tous. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 35, 8
Qu’il est précieux, ton amour, ô mon Dieu! En lui s’abritent les hommes.
Prière après la communion
Que la grâce de cette communion, Seigneur, saisisse nos esprits et nos corps, Afin que son influence, et non pas notre sentiment, domine toujours en nous. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La miséricorde, la joie de Dieu qui aime jusqu’à pardonner. Le Christ nous a donné un signe de sa tendre miséricorde, c’est le sacrement de Réconciliation. Est-il pour nous une source habituelle de vie ? Laissons-nous régulièrement au Christ la joie d’être pardon pour nous ? Car c’est cela le sacrement de Réconciliation, un acte de foi en l’amour. Bien souvent nous demeurons éloignés de ce sacrement. Nous pensons d’abord à l’aveu de nos péchés et cet aveu est capital. Il est un acte de l’homme libre qui se reconnaît pauvre et pécheur devant Dieu. Par le sacrement de Réconciliation, le baptisé se sent devenir objet de pardon et pourra alors être sujet de la miséricorde, Il pourra témoigner que Dieu est amour si lui-même se laisse recréer dans l’amour. Le sacrement de Réconciliation est la réalisation de la prophétie : Je vous donnerai un cœur nouveau. La Réconciliation est alors un échange de cœurs. L’homme donne à Dieu son cœur refroidi par le péché, et Dieu le lui renouvelle, le réchauffe par le pardon. Le baptisé pourra alors aimer et à son tour pardonner.
