by L'équipe de publication | Jul 19, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Apollinaris,
Bishop, Martyr
Green/Red
He was bishop of Ravenna, probably in the late second century, and was probably martyred there. Devotion to him was already common in the seventh century.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16:15
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.
Collect
O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray so that they may return to the right path, give all who, for the faith they profess, are accounted Christians, the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honour. 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 : Micah 2:1-5
Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it – their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance. So the Lord says this: Now it is I who plot such mischief against this breed as your necks will not escape; nor will you be able to walk proudly, so evil will the time be. On that day they will make a satire on you, sing a dirge and say, ‘We are stripped of everything; my people’s portion is measured out and shared, no one will give it back to them, our fields are awarded to our despoiler.’ Therefore you will have no one to measure out a share in the community of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 9B:1-4,7-8,14
R/ Lord, do not forget the poor.
Lord, why do you stand afar off and hide yourself in times of distress? The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked: he is caught in the schemes that others have made.
For the wicked man boasts of his heart’s desires; the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord. In his pride the wicked says: ‘He will not punish. There is no God.’ Such are his thoughts.
His mouth is full of cursing, guile, oppression, mischief and deceit under his tongue. He lies in wait among the reeds; the innocent he murders in secret.
His eyes are on the watch for the helpless man. But you have seen the trouble and sorrow, you note it, you take it in hand. The helpless trusts himself to you; for you are the helper of the orphan.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:27
Alleluia, alleluia! Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah: Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul. I will endow him with my spirit, and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations. He will not brawl or shout, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick till he has led the truth to victory: in his name the nations will put their hope.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look upon the offerings of the Church, O Lord, as she makes her prayer to you, and grant that, when consumed by those who believe, they may bring ever greater holiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 83: 4-5
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
Prayer after Communion
Having consumed these gifts, we pray, O Lord, that, by our participation in this mystery, its saving effects upon us may grow. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus, the all-powerful Son of God, withdraws from the district because of the Pharisees who, instead of accepting him and being saved, are plotting to kill him. He goes around, preaching and healing the sick and driving out devils. Here, we see that unlike the Pharisees, the outcasts – the so-called sinners – who knew that they needed Jesus accept him and listen to him and so they receive graces and fovours. Jesus withdraws because he came, not to destroy but to save. He came, not to dominate but to be a humble, “suffering servant” as Isaiah spoke of him. Through suffering and death, he would save fallen humankind. He will only strengthen the weak and will never discourage them. He will lift up the fallen ones. Yes, Jesus came for you and me who are weary and brokenhearted; in him we shall always have hope and strength.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 19, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Aurèle,
Saint apollinaire, Eveque et Martyr
vert/rouge
Il fut évêque de Carthage de 392 à 430. Son gouvernement de ce diocèse fut exemplaire. Il avait pour conseiller son ami saint Augustin.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 16, 15
Je veux paraître devant toi, Seigneur, et me rassasier de ta présence.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui montres aux égarés la lumière de ta vérité pour qu’ils puissent reprendre le bon chemin, donne à tous ceux qui se déclarent chrétiens de rejeter ce qui est indigne de ce nom, et de rechercher ce qui lui fait honneur. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Mi 2, 1-5
Malheur à ceux qui préparent leur mauvais coup et, du fond de leur lit, élaborent le mal ! Au point du jour, ils l’exécutent car c’est en leur pouvoir. S’ils convoitent des champs, ils s’en emparent ; des maisons, ils les prennent ; ils saisissent le maître et sa maison, l’homme et son héritage. C’est pourquoi, ainsi parle le Seigneur: Moi, je prépare contre cette engeance un malheur où ils enfonceront jusqu’au cou ; vous ne marcherez plus la tête haute, car ce sera un temps de malheur. Ce jour-là, on proférera sur vous une satire, et l’on entonnera une lamentation ; on dira: « Nous sommes entièrement dévastés! On livre à d’autres la part de mon peuple ! Hélas ! Elle m’échappe ! Nos champs sont partagés entre des infidèles ! » Plus personne, en effet, ne t’assurera une part dans l’assemblée du Seigneur.
Psaume : 9 B (10), 1-2, 3-4, 7-8ab, 14
R/N’oublie pas le pauvre, Seigneur!
Pourquoi, Seigneur, es-tu si loin? Pourquoi te cacher aux jours d’angoisse ? L’impie, dans son orgueil, poursuit les malheureux: ils se font prendre aux ruses qu’il invente.
L’impie se glorifie du désir de son âme, l’arrogant blasphème, il brave le Seigneur; plein de suffisance, l’impie ne cherche plus : « Dieu n’est rien», voilà toute sa ruse.
Sa bouche qui maudit n’est que fraude et violence, sa langue, mensonge et blessure. Il se tient à l’affût près des villages, il se cache pour tuer l’innocent.
Mais tu as vu : tu regardes le mal et la souffrance, tu les prends dans ta main ; sur toi repose le faible, c’est toi qui viens en aide à l’orphelin.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia ! Dans le Christ, Dieu réconciliait le monde avec lui : il a mis dans notre bouche la parole de la réconciliation. Alléluia ! (cf. 2 Co 5, 19)
Évangile : Matthieu 12, 14-21
En ce temps- là, une fois sortis de la synagogue, les pharisiens se réunirent en conseil contre Jésus pour voir comment le faire périr. Jésus, l’ayant appris, se retira de là ; beaucoup de gens le suivirent, et il les guérit tous. Mais il leur défendit vivement de parler de lui. Ainsi devait s’accomplir la parole prononcée par le prophète Isaïe : Voici mon serviteur que j’ai choisi, mon bien- aimé en qui je trouve mon bonheur. Je ferai reposer sur lui mon Esprit, aux nations il fera connaître le jugement. Il ne cherchera pas querelle, il ne criera pas, on n’entendra pas sa voix sur les places publiques. Il n’écrasera pas le roseau froissé, il n’éteindra pas la mèche qui faiblit, jusqu’à ce qu’il ait fait triompher le jugement. Les nations mettront en son nom leur espérance.
Prière sur les offrandes
Regarde, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église en prière : Accorde à tes fidèles qui vont les recevoir la grâce d’une sainteté plus grande. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 83
Heureux ceux qui approchent de ton autel, Seigneur ; Heureux les habitants de ta maison : ils peuvent toujours te louer, mon Roi, mon Dieu !
Prière après la communion
Nourris de ton eucharistie, nous te supplions, Seigneur : Chaque fois que nous célébrons ce mystère, fais grandir en nous ton œuvre de salut. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Les pharisiens, c’est-à-dire les docteurs de la Loi, s’acharnent contre Jésus parce qu’il a guéri un malade le jour du sabbat. On ne pouvait pas venir en aide à l’homme le jour du sabbat, mais on pouvait venir en aide à un animal ce jour. Dans cette logique, l’homme aurait été créé pour le sabbat, pour sanctifier ce jour. Jésus s’oppose à une telle logique, pour lui, le premier c’est l’homme et nom un jour, aussi saint soit-il. Parce que Jésus défend la vie humaine, les hommes décident de l’éliminer, de tuer Dieu. Dieu est alors obligé de se retirer de là, et, il continue son œuvre tout en interdisant aux bénéficiaires de parler de lui. Oui, il y a des moments dans la vie où il faut faire profil bas, faire le bien sans qu’on ne sache qui est à l’origine de telles merveilles. C’est donc un appel à la prudence, mais pas à la peur. Nous devons continuer de faire le bien, mais sans faire de bruit.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 18, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint John Plessington
(c.1637-1679)
Green
Originally English, he was ordained in Segovia on 25 March 1662. He returned to England in 1663 ministering to Catholics in the areas of Holywell and Cheshire, often in hiding. He was arrested, imprisoned for two months, and then hanged, drawn and quartered for the crime of being a Catholic priest.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16:15
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.
Collect
O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray so that they may return to the right path, give all who, for the faith they profess, are accounted Christians, the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honour. 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 : Isaiah 38:1-6,21-22,7-8
Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, ‘The Lord says this, “Put your affairs in order, for you are going to die, you will not live.”’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and addressed this prayer to the Lord, ‘Ah, Lord, remember, I beg you, how I have behaved faithfully and with sincerity of heart in your presence and done what is right in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah shed many tears. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days’ time you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord.” I will add fifteen years to your life. I will save you from the hands of the king of Assyria, I will protect this city.”’ ‘Bring a fig poultice,’ Isaiah said, ‘apply it to the ulcer and he will recover.’ Hezekiah said, ‘What is the sign to tell me that I shall be going up to the Temple of the Lord?’ ‘Here’ Isaiah replied’’ ‘is the sign from the Lord that he will do what he has said. Look, I shall make the shadow cast by the declining sun go back ten steps on the steps of Ahaz.’ And the sun went back the ten steps by which it had declined.
Canticle: Isaiah 38:10-12,16
R/ You have held back my life, O Lord, from the pit of doom.
I said, ‘So I must go away, my life half spent, assigned to the world below for the rest of my years. ’
I said, ‘No more shall I see the Lord in the land of the living, no more shall I look upon men within this world.
‘My home is pulled up and removed like a shepherd’s tent. Like a weaver you have rolled up my life, you cut it from the loom.
‘For you, Lord, my heart will live, you gave me back my spirit; you cured me, kept me alive, changed my sickness into health.’
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps26:11
Alleluia, alleluia! Instruct me, Lord, in your way; on an even path lead me. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 12:1-8
Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look upon the offerings of the Church, O Lord, as she makes her prayer to you, and grant that, when consumed by those who believe, they may bring ever greater holiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 83: 4-5
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
Prayer after Communion
Having consumed these gifts, we pray, O Lord, that, by our participation in this mystery, its saving effects upon us may grow. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation The Sabbath was one of the main identity markers for the Jews that set them apart from the Gentiles. Sabbath observance was considered as an expression of covenant loyalty to the God of Israel. The Pharisees considered the picking the heads of grain and eating them by the disciples of Jesus as violation of the Sabbath. Jesus disagrees with them and he calls the disciples as “innocent men.” In defending the action of the disciples he gives two examples: David and his men eating the consecrated bread that could be eaten only by priests and the priests serving in the temple on the Sabbath day. In both cases their actions were considered as innocent. Sabbath is a divine institution (Gen 2:3) and as God’s Son he has authority over how the Sabbath law is to be observed. He is the Lord of the Sabbath.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 18, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Arsène
VERT
Appartenant à une famille sénatoriale de Rome, il fut ordonné diacre par saint Damase, puis vécut pendant une cinquantaine d’années dans le désert de Scété en Egypte. Gratifié du don des larmes, on lui attribue les grands principes de la vie « hésychaste».
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 16, 15
Je veux paraître devant toi, Seigneur, et me rassasier de ta présence.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui montres aux égarés la lumière de ta vérité pour qu’ils puissent reprendre le bon chemin, donne à tous ceux qui se déclarent chrétiens de rejeter ce qui est indigne de ce nom, et de rechercher ce qui lui fait honneur. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Is 38, 1-6.21-22.7-8
En ces jours-là, le roi Ézékias souffrait d’une maladie mortelle. Le prophète Isaïe, fils d’Amots, vint lui dire : « Ainsi parle le Seigneur: Prends des dispositions pour ta maison, car tu vas mourir, tu ne guériras pas. » Ézékias se tourna vers le mur et fit cette prière au Seigneur : « Ah ! Seigneur, souviens-toi ! J’ai marché en ta présence, dans la loyauté et d’un cœur sans partage, et j’ai fait ce qui est bien à tes yeux.» Puis le roi Ézékias fondit en larmes. La parole du Seigneur fut adressée à Isaïe : « Va dire à Ézékias : Ainsi parle le Seigneur, Dieu de David ton ancêtre: J’ai entendu ta prière, j’ai vu tes larmes. Je vais ajouter quinze années à ta vie. Je te délivrerai, toi et cette ville, de la main du roi d’Assour, je protégerai cette ville. » Puis Isaïe dit : « Qu’on apporte un gâteau de figues ; qu’on l’applique sur l’ulcère, et le roi vivra. » Ézékias dit : « À quel signe reconnaîtrai-je que je pourrai monter à la maison du Seigneur ? – Voici le signe que le Seigneur te donne pour montrer qu’il accomplira sa promesse: Je vais faire reculer de dix degrés l’ombre qui est déjà descendue sur le cadran solaire d’Acaz. » Et le soleil remonta sur le cadran les dix degrés qu’il avait déjà descendus.
Cantique : Is 38, 10, 11, 12, 16-17a
R/ Seigneur, tu me guériras, tu me feras vivre.
Je disais : Au milieu de mes jours, je m’en vais ; j’ai ma place entre les morts pour la fin de mes années.
Je disais : Je ne verrai pas le Seigneur sur la terre des vivants, plus un visage d’homme parmi les habitants du monde !
Ma demeure m’est enlevée, arrachée, comme une tente de berger. Tel un tisserand, j’ai dévidé ma vie : le fil est tranché.
« Le Seigneur est auprès d’eux: ils vivront ! Tout ce qui vit en eux vit de son esprit ! » Oui, tu me guériras, tu me feras vivre: voici que mon amertume se change en paix.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix, dit le Seigneur; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Alléluia. (Jn 10, 27)
Évangile : Mt 12, 1-8
En ce temps-là, un jour de sabbat, Jésus vint à passer à travers les champs de blé ; ses disciples eurent faim et ils se mirent à arracher des épis et à les manger. Voyant cela, les pharisiens lui dirent : « Voilà que tes disciples font ce qu’il n’est pas permis de faire le jour du sabbat ! » Mais il leur dit : « N’avez-vous pas lu ce que fit David, quand il eut faim, lui et ceux qui l’accompagnaient ? Il entra dans la maison de Dieu, et ils mangèrent les pains de l’offrande; or, ni lui ni les autres n’avaient le droit d’en manger, mais seulement les prêtres. Ou bien encore, n’avez-vous pas lu dans la Loi que le jour du sabbat, les prêtres, dans le Temple, manquent au repos du sabbat sans commettre de faute? Or, je vous le dis : il y a ici plus grand que le Temple. Si vous aviez compris ce que signifie: Je veux la miséricorde, non le sacrifice, vous n’auriez pas condamné ceux qui n’ont pas commis de faute. En effet, le Fils de l’homme est maître du sabbat. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Regarde, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église en prière : Accorde à tes fidèles qui vont les recevoir la grâce d’une sainteté plus grande. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 83
Heureux ceux qui approchent de ton autel, Seigneur ; Heureux les habitants de ta maison : ils peuvent toujours te louer, mon Roi, mon Dieu !
Prière après la communion
Nourris de ton eucharistie, nous te supplions, Seigneur : Chaque fois que nous célébrons ce mystère, fais grandir en nous ton œuvre de salut. Par Jésus.
Méditation
“Je veux la miséricorde et non les sacrifices”. La religion doit être libératrice pour l’homme ; mais les scribes et les pharisiens en avaient fait asservissante au nom de Dieu et de la Loi. Le repos du sabbat était au début une loi humanitaire au service de l’homme ; mais les scribes l’ont converti en une institution sacrée pour être servie par l’homme. Face à un tel renversement, le Christ ne pouvait que les affronter ouvertement. Le repos du sabbat, ainsi que tout ce qui relève de la lecture humaine, n’est pas un absolu. Il a des limites dues à la nécessité humaine qui est au-dessus de la loi du samedi. Le choc avec les pharisiens donne l’occasion à Jésus d’affirmer son identité : il est le Fils de l’homme, le Messie, maître du sabbat. Oui, l’homme est au-dessus de toutes instituions humaines quand se jouent sa liberté et sa dignité. Il n’est pas question ici d’humanitarisme, mais de la volonté de Dieu.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 17, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Frederick
Green
He was Bishop of Utrecht between 816 and 838. Frederick was born around 780 in Friesland and was a grandson of the Frisian King Radboud. He preached at Walcheren and together with St. Odulfus in Stavoren and its surroundings.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16:15
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.
Collect
O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray so that they may return to the right path, give all who, for the faith they profess, are accounted Christians, the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honour. 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 : Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19
The path of the upright man is straight, you smooth the way of the upright Following the path of your judgements, we hoped in you, O Lord. Your name, your memory are all my soul desires. At night my soul longs for you and my spirit in me seeks for you; when your judgements appear on earth the inhabitants of the world learn the meaning of integrity. O Lord, you are giving us peace, since you treat us as our deeds deserve. Distressed, we search for you, O Lord; the misery of oppression was your punishment for us. As a woman with child near her time writhes and cries out in her pangs, so are we, O Lord, in your presence: we have conceived, we writhe as if we were giving birth; we have not given the spirit of salvation to the earth, no more inhabitants of the world are born. Your dead will come to life, their corpses will rise; awake, exult, all you who lie in the dust, for your dew is a radiant dew and the land of ghosts will give birth.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 101:13-21
R/ The Lord looked down from heaven to the earth.
You, O Lord, will endure for ever and your name from age to age. You will arise and have mercy on Zion: for this is the time to have mercy, for your servants love her very stones, are moved with pity even for her dust.
The nations shall fear the name of the Lord and all the earth’s kings your glory, when the Lord shall build up Zion again and appear in all his glory. Then he will turn to the prayers of the helpless; he will not despise their prayers.
Let this be written for ages to come that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord; for the Lord leaned down from his sanctuary on high. He looked down from heaven to the earth that he might hear the groans of the prisoners and free those condemned to die.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps129:5
Alleluia, alleluia! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus exclaimed, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look upon the offerings of the Church, O Lord, as she makes her prayer to you, and grant that, when consumed by those who believe, they may bring ever greater holiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 83: 4-5
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
Prayer after Communion
Having consumed these gifts, we pray, O Lord, that, by our participation in this mystery, its saving effects upon us may grow. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
We have a wonderful God who understands us and comes to lighten our burden in moments of our sorrows and difficulties! He knows we are weak and are often overburdened. That’s why he invites us to come to him: “Come to me … and I will give you rest.” But how often his people forget this and go after other people and things, hoping to get some help. Experience teaches them, however, and us too, that others are of no help. Only Jesus can help us. Even Mr. Gorbachev, one of the former Presidents of Russia, confessed: “Only in Jesus Christ we have solution to our problems.” Yes, only in Jesus and not in any other or in anything else. Whatever may be your burdens—sins or any problems—do not worry; turn to Jesus, trust in him and repent; he is full of mercy and compassion and he will forgive you; he will help you and strengthen you. He is the all-powerful One who loves you unconditionally.
