by L'équipe de publication | Aug 6, 2024 | Evangelium
Pope Saint Sixtus II
and his companions (258)
Green/Red
Sixtus was elected Pope in 257. Twelve months later, on 6th August, as he was celebrating Mass in the catacomb of St Calixtus, he was seized by the authorities and beheaded along with four of his deacons. He was buried in the same catacomb.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 69: 2, 6
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me! You are my rescuer, my help; O Lord, do not delay.
Collect
Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. 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 : Jeremiah 31:1-7
I will be the God of all the clans of Israel – it is the Lord who speaks – they shall be my people. The Lord says this: They have found pardon in the wilderness, those who have survived the sword. Israel is marching to his rest. The Lord has appeared to him from afar: I have loved you with an everlasting love, so I am constant in my affection for you. I build you once more; you shall be rebuilt, virgin of Israel. Adorned once more, and with your tambourines, you will go out dancing gaily. You will plant vineyards once more on the mountains of Samaria the planters have done their planting: they will gather the fruit. Yes, a day will come when the watchmen shout on the mountains of Ephraim, ‘Up! Let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God!’ For the Lord says this: Shout with joy for Jacob! Hail the chief of nations! Proclaim! Praise! Shout: ‘The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel!’
Canticle: Jeremiah 31:10-12,13
R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
O nations, hear the word of the Lord, proclaim it to the far-off coasts. Say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and guard him as a shepherd guards his flock. ’
For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, has saved him from an overpowering hand. They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion, they will throng stream to the blessings of the Lord.
Then the young girls will rejoice and will dance, the men, young and old, will be glad. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give them gladness for grief.
Gospel Acclamation : James1:18
Alleluia, alleluia! By his own choice the Father made us his children by the message of the truth, so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he created. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Wis 16: 20
You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste.
Prayer after Communion
Accompany with constant protection, O Lord, those you renew with these heavenly gifts and, in your never-failing care for them, make them worthy of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
What sets the Canaanite woman’s faith as unique is her deep awareness about Jesus as the true Master. The Canaanite woman is not fixated on the gravity of insult owing to being referred to as a dog. Suffering had brought her to grapple with the fundamental question of existence. Her deep encounter with Jesus had made her recognise the rare privilege of being in the presence of the Master of existence. With an attitude of abundant awe and deep humility, she bravely embraces the dog tag from Jesus the Master. After all, being tormented by demons had already reduced her daughter’s life into almost nothing. She is aware that Jesus is the Master from whom everything came into being; man and dog alike. Before Jesus we are nothing. Yet he still calls and justifies us. Even when life reduces us to near dog status, he has a way of restoring us into worthiness. Being counted worthy to partake at His Eucharistic table by far surpasses the question of the size of the bread in which we are to partake.
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 5, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Transfiguration du Seigneur
Fête
Blanc
Au lendemain de la définition par le concile d’Éphèse (431) de la maternité divine de Marie, le pape Sixte III érigea à Rome la basilique Sainte-Marie Majeure. C’est la plus ancienne des églises d’Occident dédiées à la Mère de Dieu.
Antienne d’ouverture
Au jour de la transfiguration, l’Esprit Saint Apparut dans la nuée lumineuse, et la voix du Père se fit entendre : « Celui-ci est mon Fils bien-aimé, en qui j’ai mis tout mon amour ; écoutez-le. »
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, dans la transfiguration de ton Christ, tu as confirmé par le témoignage de Moise et d’Élie la vérité des mystères de la foi, et tu as annoncé notre merveilleuse adoption ; accorde-nous d’écouter la voix de ton Fils bien-aimé, afin de pouvoir un jour partager avec lui son héritage. Lui qui.
1ère lecture : Dn 7, 9-10.13-14
La nuit, au cours d’une vision, moi, Daniel, je regardais : des trônes furent disposés, et un Vieillard prit place ; son habit était blanc comme la neige, et les cheveux de sa tête, comme de la laine immaculée ; son trône était fait de flammes de feu, avec des roues de feu ardent. Un fleuve de feu coulait, qui jaillissait devant lui. Des milliers de milliers le servaient, des myriades de myriades se tenaient devant lui. Le tribunal prit place et l’on ouvrit des livres. Je regardais, au cours des visions de la nuit, et je voyais venir, avec les nuées du ciel, comme un Fils d’homme ; il parvint jusqu’au Vieillard, et on le fit avancer devant lui. Et il lui fut donné domination, gloire et royauté ; tous les peuples, toutes les nations et les gens de toutes langues le servirent. Sa domination est une domination éternelle, qui ne passera pas, et sa royauté, une royauté qui ne sera pas détruite.
Psaume : 96, 1-2, 4-5, 6.9
R/ Le Seigneur est roi, le Très-Haut sur toute la terre
Le Seigneur est roi ! Exulte la terre! Joie pour les îles sans nombre! Ténèbre et nuée l’entourent, justice et droit sont l’appui de son trône.
Quand ses éclairs illuminèrent le monde, la terre le vit et s’affola; les montagnes fondaient comme cire devant le Seigneur, devant le Maître de toute la terre.
Les cieux ont proclamé sa justice, et tous les peuples ont vu sa gloire. Tu es, Seigneur, le Très-Haut sur toute la terre, tu domines de haut tous les dieux.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Celui-ci est mon Fils bien-aimé, en qui je trouve ma joie : écoutez-le ! Alléluia. (Cf. Ps 98, 9 ; 35, 10)
Évangile : Mc 9, 2-10
En ce temps-là, prit avec lui Pierre, Jacques et Jean, et les emmena, eux seuls, à l’écart sur une haute montagne. Et il fut transfiguré devant eux. Ses vêtements devinrent resplendissants, d’une blancheur telle que personne sur terre ne peut obtenir une blancheur pareille. Élie leur apparut avec Moïse, et tous deux s’entretenaient avec Jésus. Pierre alors prend la parole et dit à Jésus : « Rabbi, il est bon que nous soyons ici ! Dressons donc trois tentes : une pour toi, une pour Moïse, et une pour Élie. » De fait, Pierre ne savait que dire, tant leur frayeur était grande. Survint une nuée qui les couvrit de son ombre, et de la nuée une voix se fit entendre: « Celui-ci est mon Fils bien-aimé : écoutez-le!» Soudain, regardant tout autour, ils ne virent plus que Jésus seul avec eux. Ils descendirent de la montagne, et Jésus leur ordonna de ne raconter à personne ce qu’ils avaient vu, avant que le Fils de l’homme soit ressuscité d’entre les morts. Et ils restèrent fermement attachés à cette parole, tout en se demandant entre eux ce que voulait dire: « ressusciter d’entre les morts».
Prière sur les offrandes
Sanctifie nos offrandes, Seigneur, par le mystère de ton Fils transfiguré en gloire; et, dans le rayonnement de sa lumière, purifie-nous de la lèpre du péché. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Quand le Christ apparaîtra, nous serons semblables à lui, parce que nous le verrons tel qu’il est.
Prière après la communion
Transforme-nous, Seigneur, par cette nourriture venue de to : qu’elle nous fasse ressembler davantage à celui dont tu as révèle la splendeur dans le mystère de la transfiguration. Lui qui.
Méditation
De Jésus, trois disciples ont pu attester : en lui resplendit la gloire de Dieu. L’extraordinaire de la Transfiguration, c’est qu’un homme de notre chair et de notre sang devienne rayonnant de la lumière même de Dieu, car la lumière qui jaillit alors du corps du Christ est révélation de Dieu son Père, auquel il est, en tant que Fils, uni par un amour éternel. Cette prise de possession du corps et de l’humanité toute entière de Jésus par la gloire lumineuse de Dieu se réalisera par la Résurrection, dont la Transfiguration est l’annonce. Un tel destin a de quoi émerveiller, et l’on comprend Pierre, tenté de se figer dans cette contemplation. Mais cet évènement n’est pas un terme ; il est une étape sur le chemin qui mène à l’engagement absolu, celui de la croix.
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 5, 2024 | Evangelium
Psalter: Proper
The Transfiguration of the Lord – Feast
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Mt 17: 5
In a resplendent cloud the Holy Spirit appeared. The Father’s voice was heard: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.
Collect
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son, confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to become coheirs with him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
As I watched: Thrones were set in place and one of great age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, the hair of his head as pure as wool. His throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence. A thousand thousand waited on him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. A court was held and the books were opened. And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man. He came to the one of great age and was led into his presence. On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2,5-6,9
R/ The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.
For you indeed are the Lord most high above all the earth, exalted far above all spirits.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt17:5
Alleluia, alleluia! This is my Son, the Beloved: he enjoys my favour. Listen to him. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus. As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.
Prayer over the Offerings
Sanctify, O Lord, we pray, these offerings here made to celebrate the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son, and by his radiant splendor cleanse us from the stains of sin. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. 1 Jn 3: 2
When Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly nourishment we have received, O Lord, we pray, transform us into the likeness of your Son, whose radiant splendour you willed to make manifest in his glorious Transfiguration. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Overwhelmed by the transfiguration spectacle, the three disciples sought for a perpetual extension of the transfiguration gratification. They were unaware of the deep personal sacrifices required to ‘come down’ and encounter the daily cost of adhering to God’s Laws and surrendering of the self to prophetic risks as represented by Moses and Elijah. We are living in a historical moment where people are clamouring for change without committing themselves to personal interior change. The Transfiguration experience cannot be reduced to an emotional gratification obtained from momentary spiritual encounters and external religiosity. It is rather an outcome of labourious efforts for interior transformation where ascending begins with self-emptying and ‘coming down’ from the mountain of pride. It demands for an inner disposition to listen and be disfigured into obedience by the voice of God’s Beloved Son. At the height of spiritual transfiguration, we are configured to Jesus.
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 4, 2024 | Evangelium
The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Green/White
The Council of Ephesus in 431 formally proclaimed the mother of Jesus as the Mother of God, and the church (basilica) of St Mary Major on the Esquiline Hill in Rome was built shortly afterwards to celebrate her motherhood. This is the oldest church in the West that is dedicated to Our Lady.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 69: 2, 6
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me! You are my rescuer, my help; O Lord, do not delay.
Collect
Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. 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 : Jeremiah 28:1-17
At the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, a Gibeonite, spoke as follows to Jeremiah in the Temple of the Lord in the presence of the priests and of all the people. ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, says this, “I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. In two years’ time I will bring back all the vessels of the Temple of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon carried off from this place and took to Babylon. And I will also bring back Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who have gone to Babylon – it is the Lord who speaks. Yes, I am going to break the yoke of the king of Babylon.”’ The prophet Jeremiah then replied to the prophet Hananiah in front of the priests and all the people there in the Temple of the Lord. ‘I hope so’ the prophet Jeremiah said. ‘May the Lord do so. May he fulfil the words that you have prophesied and bring the vessels of the Temple of the Lord and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. Listen carefully, however, to this word that I am now going to say for you and all the people to hear: From remote times, the prophets who preceded you and me prophesied war, famine and plague for many countries and for great kingdoms; but the prophet who prophesies peace can only be recognised as one truly sent by the Lord when his word comes true.’ The prophet Hananiah then took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it. In front of all the people Hananiah then said, ‘The Lord says this, “This is how, two years hence, I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and take it off the necks of all the nations.”’ At this, the prophet Jeremiah went away. After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke which he had taken off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah the word of the Lord was addressed to Jeremiah, ‘Go to Hananiah and tell him this, “The Lord says this: You can break wooden yokes? Right, I will make them iron yokes instead! For the Lord Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: An iron yoke is what I now lay on the necks of all these nations to subject them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They will be subject to him; I have even given him the wild animals.”’ The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, ‘Listen carefully, Hananiah: the Lord has not sent you; and thanks to you this people are now relying on what is false. Hence – the Lord says this, “I am going to throw you off the face of the earth: you are going to die this year since you have preached apostasy from the Lord.”’ The prophet Hananiah died the same year, in the seventh month.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118(119):29,43,79-80,95,102
R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.
Keep me from the way of error and teach me your law. Do not take the word of truth from my mouth for I trust in your decrees.
Let your faithful turn to me, those who know your will. Let my heart be blameless in your statutes lest I be ashamed.
Though the wicked lie in wait to destroy me yet I ponder your will. I have not turned from your decrees; you yourself have taught me.
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 : Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Wis 16: 20
You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste.
Prayer after Communion
Accompany with constant protection, O Lord, those you renew with these heavenly gifts and, in your never-failing care for them, make them worthy of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The people were so captivated by the presence of Jesus that they forgot to carry food deep into the desert. Seeing the burden of scarcity, the disciples wanted him to dismiss the crowd. Jesus however reminded them that “there is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.” Here, the empathetic presence of Jesus seeks to restore the attitude of other-centeredness. He endeavored to break the yoke of shifting responsibility in the midst of acute scarcity and the burden of hunger. Jesus unyokes himself from the perception of seeing others as a burden to be sent away. He identifies with the people by yoking himself with their burdens. His Agape-laden eyes pierce through the people to reveal the hidden treasure that they were. Beyond their burden, Jesus sees a treasure trove worth harnessing and sharing. From the two hearts of gratitude, an abundance of bread and fish were sourced and multiplied. In the presence of Jesus, the yoke of self-centeredness is broken and transformed into a miracle of self-giving where all ate and were satisfied. Do we hide behind evangelisation when we are faced with the urgency of concrete people’s needs?
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 4, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Dédicace de la basilique
Sainte-Marie Majeure
VERT
Au lendemain de la définition par le concile d’Ephèse (431) de la maternité divine de Marie, le pape Sixte III érigea à Rome la basilique Sainte-Marie Majeure. C’est la plus ancienne des églises d’Occident dédiées à la Mère de Dieu.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 69, 2. 6
Viens me délivrer, Seigneur, Dieu, viens vite à mon secours. Tu es mon aide et mon libérateur, Seigneur, ne tarde pas.
Prière d’ouverture
Assiste tes enfants, Seigneur, et montre à ceux qui t’implorent ton inépuisable bonté. C’est leur fierté de t’avoir pour Créateur et Providence, restaure pour eux ta création, et l’ayant renouvelée, protège-la. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Jr 28, 1-17
Cette année-là, au début du règne de Sédécias, roi de Juda, la quatrième année, au cinquième mois, le prophète Ananie, fils d’Azzour, originaire de Gabaon, me dit dans la maison du Seigneur, en présence des prêtres et de tout le peuple : « Ainsi parle le Seigneur de l’univers, le Dieu d’Israël : J’ai brisé le joug du roi de Babylone ! Dans deux ans, jour pour jour, je ferai revenir en ce lieu tous les objets de la maison du Seigneur que Nabucodonosor, roi de Babylone, a enlevés pour les emporter à Babylone. Je ramènerai ici Jékonias, fils de Joakim, roi de Juda, avec tous les déportés de Juda qui sont partis à Babylone – oracle du Seigneur –, car je vais briser le joug du roi de Babylone ! » Le prophète Jérémie répondit au prophète Ananie en présence des prêtres et de tout le peuple, qui se tenaient dans la maison du Seigneur. Il lui dit : « Amen ! Que le Seigneur agisse ainsi, que le Seigneur accomplisse ta prophétie : qu’il fasse revenir de Babylone les objets de la maison du Seigneur et tous les déportés. Cependant, écoute bien cette parole que je vais te faire entendre, à toi et à tout le peuple : Les prophètes qui nous ont précédés, toi et moi, depuis bien longtemps, ont prophétisé contre de nombreux pays et de grands royaumes la guerre, le malheur et la peste. Le prophète qui annonce la paix n’est reconnu comme prophète vraiment envoyé par le Seigneur, que si sa parole s’accomplit. » Alors le prophète Ananie enleva le joug que le prophète Jérémie s’était mis sur la nuque, et il le brisa. Et Ananie déclara en présence de tout le peuple : « Ainsi parle le Seigneur: De la même manière, dans deux ans, jour pour jour, je briserai le joug de Nabucodonosor, roi de Babylone, pour en délivrer toutes les nations. » Alors le prophète Jérémie alla son chemin. La parole du Seigneur fut adressée à Jérémie après que le prophète Ananie eut brisé le joug qui était sur sa nuque. « Va dire à Ananie : Ainsi parle le Seigneur : Tu as brisé un joug de bois, mais à sa place tu feras un joug de fer. Car ainsi parle le Seigneur de l’univers, le Dieu d’Israël : C’est un joug de fer que je mets sur la nuque de toutes ces nations, pour qu’elles servent Nabucodonosor, roi de Babylone. Et elles le serviront. Je lui ai donné même les bêtes sauvages. » Le prophète Jérémie dit alors au prophète Ananie : « Écoute bien, Ananie : le Seigneur ne t’a pas envoyé, et toi, tu rassures ce peuple par un mensonge. C’est pourquoi, ainsi parle le Seigneur : Je te renvoie de la surface de la terre ; tu mourras cette année, car c’est la révolte que tu as prêchée contre le Seigneur. » Le prophète Ananie mourut cette même année, au septième mois.
Psaume : 118 (199), 29.43, 79-80, 95.102
R/ Seigneur, apprends-moi tes commandements.
Détourne-moi de la voie du mensonge, fais-moi la grâce de ta loi. N’ôte pas de ma bouche la parole de vérité, car j’espère tes décisions.
Qu’ils se tournent vers moi, ceux qui te craignent, ceux qui connaissent tes exigences. Que j’aie par tes commandements le cœur intègre : alors je ne serai pas humilié.
Des impies escomptent ma perte : moi, je réfléchis à tes exigences. De tes décisions, je ne veux pas m’écarter, car c’est toi qui m’enseignes.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. L’homme ne vit pas seulement de pain, mais aussi de toute parole qui sort de la bouche de Dieu. Alléluia. (cf. Jn8, 12)
Évangile : Mt 14,13-21
En ce temps-là, quand Jésus apprit la mort de Jean le Baptiste, il se retira et partit en barque pour un endroit désert, à l’écart. Les foules l’apprirent et, quittant leurs villes, elles suivirent à pied. En débarquant, il vit une grande foule de gens ; il fut saisi de compassion envers eux et guérit leurs malades. Le soir venu, les disciples s’approchèrent et lui dirent : « L’endroit est désert et l’heure est déjà avancée. Renvoie donc la foule : qu’ils aillent dans les villages s’acheter de la nourriture ! » Mais Jésus leur dit : « Ils n’ont pas besoin de s’en aller. Donnez-leur vous-mêmes à manger. » Alors ils lui disent: « Nous n’avons là que cinq pains et deux poissons. » Jésus dit : « Apportez-les moi. »
Puis, ordonnant à la foule de s’asseoir sur l’herbe, il prit les cinq pains et les deux poissons, et, levant les yeux au ciel, il prononça la bénédiction ; il rompit les pains,
il les donna aux disciples, et les disciples les donnèrent à la foule. Ils mangèrent tous et ils furent rassasiés. On ramassa les morceaux qui restaient : cela faisait douze paniers pleins. Ceux qui avaient mangé étaient environ cinq mille, sans compter les femmes et les enfants.
Prière sur les offrandes
Dans ta bonté, Seigneur, sanctifie ces dons. Accepte le sacrifice spirituel de cette eucharistie, et fais de nous-mêmes une éternelle offrande à ta gloire. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Sg 16, 20
Tu nous donnes, Seigneur, la vraie manne, ce pain venu du ciel qui comble tous les désirs.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur, entoure d’une constante protection ceux que tu as renouvelés par le pain du ciel. Puisque tu ne cesses de les réconforter, rends-les dignes de l’éternel salut. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La multiplication des pains dont il est fait mention dans l’évangile, au cœur même du désert, là où il n’y a rien à espérer est le geste prophétique par excellence : le Christ donne à profusion, sans rien retenir pour lui, y compris lorsque la situation semble perdue. La grande multiplication des pains de ce déjeuner sur l’herbe est l’un des signes laissés par Jésus pour livrer le mystère eucharistique au monde. C’est une nourriture divine et éternelle, sans cesse donnée comme nourriture de vérité et de bonheur. De cette nourriture-là, il en reste constamment à partager au-delà de toutes les espérances du peuple choisi pour en être le premier témoin. Prenons le temps pour laisser le seigneur venir à notre rencontre, il veut nous combler de ses biens !
