by L'équipe de publication | Jul 4, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Antony Mary Zaccaria
(1502 – 1539)
Green/White
He was born in Cremona in Lombardy and started by studying medicine, but soon decided to become a priest instead and was ordained in 1528. He founded a religious Congregation, the Barnabites, whose aim was the reform of the clergy and laity.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 46: 2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy!
Collect
O God, who through the grace of adoption, chose us to be children of light; grant, we pray, that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error but always be seen to stand in the bright light of truth. 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 : Amos 8:4-6,9-12
Listen to this, you who trample on the needy and try to suppress the poor people of the country, you who say, ‘When will New Moon be over so that we can sell our corn, and sabbath, so that we can market our wheat? Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel, by swindling and tampering with the scales, we can buy up the poor for money, and the needy for a pair of sandals, and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat.’ That day – it is the Lord who speaks – I will make the sun go down at noon, and darken the earth in broad daylight. I am going to turn your feasts into funerals, all your singing into lamentation; I will have your loins all in sackcloth, your heads all shaved. I will make it a mourning like the mourning for an only son, as long as it lasts it will be like a day of bitterness. See what days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – days when I will bring famine on the country, a famine not of bread, a drought not of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. They will stagger from sea to sea, wander from north to east, seeking the word of the Lord and failing to find it.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:2,10,20,30,40,131
R/ Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
They are happy who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts, I have sought you with all my heart; let me not stray from your commands.
My soul is ever consumed as I long for your decrees. I have chosen the way of truth with your decrees before me.
See, I long for your precepts; then in your justice, give me life. I open my mouth and I sigh as I yearn for your commands.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps24:4,5
Alleluia, alleluia! Teach me your paths, my God, make me walk in your truth. 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
O God, who graciously accomplish the effects of your mysteries, grant, we pray, that the deeds by which we serve you may be worthy of these sacred gifts. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 102: 1
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.
Prayer after Communion
May this divine sacrifice we have offered and received fill us with life, O Lord, we pray, so that, bound to you in lasting charity, we may bear fruit that lasts for ever. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The call of Matthew and Jesus’ dining at Matthew’s house with many other tax collectors and sinners reveal an important dimension of Jesus’ ministry. The tax collectors were considered as sinners and anti-nationals. Their proximity to the foreign rulers made them outsiders and sinners. Jesus identifies himself with them and invites them to be part of his Kingdom. The quote from Hosea 6:6, “What I want is mercy, not sacrifice” is a challenge to the opponents of Jesus who try to please God through external practices such as sacrifices but fail to practice mercy towards others. Jesus emphatically says that his mission is not to call the righteous but sinners. He has come to reconcile sinners with God. External practices become meaningful only when they are coupled with charitable and merciful actions.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 4, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Antoine-Marie Zaccaria, Prêtre
vert/blanc
Animé par l’amour des pauvres, Antoine-Marie (1502-1539) les servit d’abord comme médecin. Pour leur apporter aussi un secours spirituel, il reçut le sacerdoce. La congrégation de clercs réguliers qu’il fonda prit le nom de Barnabites quand l’église de saint Barnabé, à Milan, leur fut confiée.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 46, 2
Tous les peuples, battez des mains, acclamez Dieu par vos cris de joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Tu as voulu, Seigneur, qu’en recevant ta grâce nous devenions des fils de lumière; ne permets pas que l’erreur nous plonge dans la nuit, mais accorde-nous d’être toujours rayonnants de ta vérité. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Am 8, 4-6.9-12
Écoutez ceci, vous qui écrasez le malheureux pour anéantir les humbles du pays, car vous dites : « Quand donc la fête de la nouvelle lune sera-t-elle passée, pour que nous puissions vendre notre blé? Quand donc le sabbat sera-t-il fini, pour que nous puissions écouler notre froment ? Nous allons diminuer les mesures, augmenter les prix et fausser les balances. Nous pourrons acheter le faible pour un peu d’argent, le malheureux pour une paire de sandales. Nous vendrons jusqu’aux déchets du froment ! » Ce jour-là – oracle du Seigneur Dieu –, je ferai disparaître le soleil en plein midi, en plein jour, j’obscurcirai la lumière sur la terre. Je changerai vos fêtes en deuil, tous vos chants en lamentations; je vous obligerai tous à vous vêtir de toile à sac, à vous raser la tête. Je mettrai ce pays en deuil comme pour un fils unique, et, dans la suite des jours, il connaîtra l’amertume. Voici venir des jours – oracle du Seigneur Dieu –, où j’enverrai la famine sur la terre; ce ne sera pas une faim de pain ni une soif d’eau, mais la faim et la soif d’entendre les paroles du Seigneur. On se traînera d’une mer à l’autre, marchant à l’aventure du nord au levant, pour chercher en tout lieu la parole du Seigneur, mais on ne la trouvera pas.
Psaume : 118 (119), 2.10, 20.30, 40.131
R/L’homme ne vit pas seulement de pain, mais de toute parole qui sort de la bouche de Dieu.
Heureux ceux qui gardent les exigences de Dieu, ils le cherchent de tout cœur ! De tout mon cœur, je te cherche, Seigneur ; garde-moi de fuir tes volontés.
Mon âme a brûlé de désir en tout temps pour tes décisions. J’ai choisi la voie de la fidélité, je m’ajuste à tes décisions.
Vois, j’ai désiré tes préceptes: par ta justice fais-moi vivre. La bouche grande ouverte, j’aspire, assoiffé de tes volontés.
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 : Mt 9, 9-13
En ce temps-là, Jésus vit, en passant, un homme, du nom de Matthieu, assis à son bureau de collecteur d’impôt. Il lui dit : « Suis-moi. » L’homme se leva et le suivit. Comme Jésus était à table à la maison, voici que beaucoup de publicains (c’est-à-dire des collecteurs d’impôts) et beaucoup de pécheurs vinrent prendre place avec lui et ses disciples. Voyant cela, les pharisiens disaient à ses disciples : « Pourquoi votre maître mange-t-il avec les publicains et les pécheurs ? » Jésus, qui avait entendu, déclara : « Ce ne sont pas les gens bien portants qui ont besoin du médecin, mais les malades. Allez apprendre ce que signifie : Je veux la miséricorde, non le sacrifice En effet, je ne suis pas venu appeler des justes, mais des pécheurs. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Dieu qui agis avec puissance dans tes sacrements, fais que le peuple assemblé pour te servir soit accordé à la sainteté de tes propres dons. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 102, 2
Bénis le Seigneur, ô mon âme, n’oublie aucun de ses bienfaits.
Prière après la communion
Que le corps et le sang de Jésus Christ, offert en sacrifice et reçu en communion, nous donnent la vie, Seigneur: Reliés à toi par une charité qui ne passera jamais, nous porterons des fruits qui demeurent. Par Jésus.
Méditation
“Suis-moi” et “Pourquoi votre maître mange-t-il avec les publicains et les pécheurs?” Tels sont les deux moments les plus importants de cet évangile. Jésus ne glorifie pas le péché ni le pécheur, mais il veut le libérer et lepardonner. Il n’en fait pas un ennemi comme le faisait les pharisiens. Au lieu de les expulser de la société humaine et de l’amour de Dieu, ce que Jésus fait, est de leur tendre la main. Jésus tend la main au pécheur, non pas parce qu’il n’apprécie pas le juste, mais parce que le pécheur est en extrême nécessité. Quand ton frère est tombé, faut-il le piétiner ou lui tendre la main pour qu’il se relève ?
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 3, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
(1271 – 1336)
Green
She was married to King Denis of Portugal, by whom she had two children. She set up hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions, patiently endured her husband’s infidelities. On her husband’s death in 1325 she retired from public affairs and devoted herself to prayer and the service of the poor
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 46: 2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy!
Collect
O God, who through the grace of adoption, chose us to be children of light; grant, we pray, that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error but always be seen to stand in the bright light of truth. 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 : Amos 7:10-17
Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel as follows. ‘Amos is plotting against you in the heart of the House of Israel; the country can no longer tolerate what he keeps saying. For this is what he says, “Jeroboam is going to die by the sword, and Israel go into exile far from its country.”’ To Amos, Amaziah said, ‘Go away, seer;’ get back to the land of Judah; earn your bread there, do your prophesying there. We want no more prophesying in Bethel; this is the royal sanctuary, the national temple.’ ‘I was no prophet, neither did I belong to any of the brotherhoods of prophets,’ Amos replied to Amaziah ‘I was a shepherd, and looked after sycamores: but it was the Lord who took me from herding the flock, and the Lord who said, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” So listen to the word of the Lord. ‘You say: ‘“Do not prophesy against Israel, utter no oracles against the House of Isaac.” ‘Very well, this is what the Lord says, ‘“Your wife will be forced to go on the streets, your sons and daughters will fall by the sword, your land be parcelled out by measuring line, and you yourself die on unclean soil and Israel will go into exile far distant from its own land.”’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
18(19):8-11
R/ The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just.
The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just.
They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt11:25
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who graciously accomplish the effects of your mysteries, grant, we pray, that the deeds by which we serve you may be worthy of these sacred gifts. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 102: 1
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.
Prayer after Communion
May this divine sacrifice we have offered and received fill us with life, O Lord, we pray, so that, bound to you in lasting charity, we may bear fruit that lasts for ever. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation Jesus heals a paralytic at Capernaum. The sickness has an interior dimension, a spiritual paralysis and that is why Jesus first forgives his sins. In the previous episode Jesus calmed the sea which only God can do. In forgiving sins too, Jesus puts himself on par with God. The scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy because they believed that only God can forgive sins and God does it through the temple system, with animal sacrifice offered by the Levitical priests. Jesus responds to the accusation, first by forgiving the sins of the man and then physically healing him. He does both to prove his authority to forgive sins as well as his power to heal. The crowds glorify God for granting authority to forgive sins to human beings. Let us ask Jesus to forgive our sins and heal our inner wounds that paralyze us in many ways.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 3, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Élisabeth du Portugal ; Saint Florent
VERT
Mariée à Denis, roi de Portugal, Élisabeth (1271-1336) joua un rôle de pacificatrice dans la famille royale. Elle s’occupait aussi activement des pauvres. Veuve en 1325, elle finit ses jours comme tertiaire franciscaine à Coïmbre.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 46, 2
Tous les peuples, battez des mains, acclamez Dieu par vos cris de joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Tu as voulu, Seigneur, qu’en recevant ta grâce nous devenions des fils de lumière ; Ne permets pas que l’erreur nous plonge dans la nuit, mais accorde-nous d’être toujours rayonnants de ta vérité. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Am 7, 10-17
En ces jours-là, Amazias, le prêtre de Béthel, envoya dire à Jéroboam, roi d’Israël : « Amos prêche la révolte contre toi, en plein royaume d’Israël; le pays ne peut plus supporter tous ses discours, car voici ce que dit Amos : “Le roi Jéroboam périra par l’épée, et Israël sera déporté loin de sa terre.”» Puis Amazias dit à Amos: « Toi, le voyant, va-t’en d’ici, fuis au pays de Juda ; c’est là-bas que tu pourras gagner ta vie en faisant ton métier de prophète. Mais ici, à Béthel, arrête de prophétiser; car c’est un sanctuaire royal, un temple du royaume. » Amos répondit à Amazias : « Je n’étais pas prophète ni fils de prophète; j’étais bouvier, et je soignais les sycomores. Mais le Seigneur m’a saisi quand j’étais derrière le troupeau, et c’est lui qui m’a dit : “Va, tu seras prophète pour mon peuple Israël.” Écoute maintenant la parole du Seigneur, toi qui me dis : “Ne prophétise pas contre Israël, ne parle pas contre la maison d’Isaac.” Eh bien, voici ce que le Seigneur a dit : Ta femme devra se prostituer en pleine ville, tes fils et tes filles tomberont par l’épée, la terre qui t’appartient sera partagée au cordeau, toi, tu mourras sur une terre impure, et Israël sera déporté loin de sa terre. »
Psaume : 18b (19), 8, 9, 10, 11
R/Les décisions du Seigneur sont justes et vraiment équitables.
La loi du Seigneur est parfaite, qui redonne vie ; la charte du Seigneur est sûre, qui rend sages les simples.
Les préceptes du Seigneur sont droits, ils réjouissent le cœur ; le commandement du Seigneur est limpide, il clarifie le regard.
La crainte qu’il inspire est pure, elle est là pour toujours ; les décisions du Seigneur sont justes et vraiment équitables :
Plus désirables que l’or, qu’une masse d’or fin, plus savoureuses que le miel qui coule des rayons.
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 : Mt 9, 1-8
En ce temps-là, Jésus monta en barque, refit la traversée, et alla dans sa ville de Capharnaüm. Et voici qu’on lui présenta un paralysé, couché sur une civière. Voyant leur foi, Jésus dit au paralyse : « Confiance, mon enfant, tes péchés sont pardonnés. » Et voici que certains parmi les scribes se disaient : « Celui-là blasphème. » Mais Jésus, connaissant leurs pensées, demanda: « Pourquoi avez-vous des pensées mauvaises ? En effet, qu’est-ce qui est le plus facile ? Dire: “Tes péchés sont pardonnés”, ou bien dire : “Lève-toi et marche” ? Eh bien! pour que vous sachiez que le Fils de l’homme a le pouvoir, sur la terre, de pardonner les péchés… – Jésus s’adressa alors au paralysé – lève-toi, prends ta civière, et rentre dans ta maison. » Il se leva et rentra dans sa maison. Voyant cela, les foules furent saisies de crainte, et rendirent gloire à Dieu qui a donné un tel pouvoir aux hommes.
Prière sur les offrandes
Dieu qui agis avec puissance dans tes sacrements, fais que le peuple assemblé pour te servir soit accordé à la sainteté de tes propres dons. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Bénis le Seigneur, ô mon âme, n’oublie aucun de ses bienfaits.
Prière après la communion
Que le corps et le sang de Jésus Christ, offert en sacrifice et reçu en communion, nous donnent la vie, Seigneur: Reliés à toi par une charité qui ne passera jamais, nous porterons des fruits qui demeurent. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La clé de lecture de l’évangile que nous venons d’écouter se trouve dans ces paroles de Jésus : Voyant leur foi, Jésus dit au paralysé : “Confiance, mon enfant, tes péchés sont pardonnés.” On dirait que l’unique raison de la guérison du malade est de démontrer que le Fils de l’homme a le pouvoir de pardonner les péchés. Cela étant, la santé éternelle apparaît comme plus importante que la santé corporelle. Mais pour y arriver, il a fallu la foi de ceux qui ont transporté le paralysé jusqu’à Jésus. La foi est donc la confiance illimitée au pouvoir de Jésus, mise à la disposition de l’homme. Savons-nous transporter notre vie et celle des autres à Jésus ? Il est le seul qui peut guérir le corps et l’âme.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 2, 2024 | Evangelium
Psalter: Proper
Saint Thomas, Apostle
Feast
(1530 – 1616)
Red
Thomas the Apostle (also called Didymus which means «the twin») was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is informally called doubting Thomas because he doubted Jesus’ resurrection when first told, (in the Gospel of John), followed later by his confession of faith, «My Lord and my God», on seeing Jesus’ wounded body.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 117: 28, 21
You are my God, and I confess you; you are my God, and I exalt you; I will thank you, for you became my saviour.
Collect
Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that we may always be sustained by his intercession and, believing, may have life in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Ephesians 2:19-22
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
116(117):1-2
R/ Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!
Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Alleluia!
Gospel: John 20:24-29
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
Prayer over the Offerings
We render you, O Lord, the service that is your due, humbly imploring you to keep safe your gifts in us, as we honour the confession of the Apostle Saint Thomas and offer you a sacrifice of praise. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 20: 27
Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing.
Prayer after Communion
O God, as we truly receive in this Sacrament the Body of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that we may recognize him with the Apostle Thomas by faith as our Lord and our God and proclaim him by our deeds and by our life. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The gospels present Thomas as an impetuous follower of Christ. It is obvious, in his exhortation to the other apostles, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16), when Jesus has decided to return to Judea, where the Jews were trying to stone him. His reluctance to believe in the resurrection of Jesus made him “doubting Thomas” but his public profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus makes him “witnessing Thomas.” In fact, his declaration, “My Lord and My God” is the genuine expression of his trust and faith in Jesus. According to traditions after Pentecost Thomas was sent to evangelise the Parthians, Medes and Persians and ultimately he reached India with the Good News. In serving his master, he shed his blood and became a martyr. Let the life and martyrdom of Thomas continue to be an example for us to be genuine followers of Jesus.
