by L'équipe de publication | Jun 26, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint CYRILLE d’ALEXANDRIE,
Évêque et docteur de l’Église Saint CYRILLE d’ALEXANDRIE,
Évêque et docteur de l’Église
VERT
Patriarche d’Alexandrie, Cyrille (370-444) fut l’âme du concile d’Éphèse (431) qui, en proclamant Mère de Dieu (Théotokos) la Vierge Marie, affirmait l’unité de la personne du Christ, Fils de Dieu et fils d’une femme. Avec son énergie inflexible, Cyrille maintint fermement la doctrine ainsi définie
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 27, 8-9
Le Seigneur est la force de son peuple, le protecteur et le sauveur de ses fidèles. Sauve-nous, Seigneur, veille sur nous, conduis-nous toujours.
Prière d’ouverture
Fais-nous vivre à tout moment, Seigneur, dans l’amour et le respect de ton saint nom, toi qui ne cesses jamais de guider ceux que tu enracines solidement dans ton amour. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 R 24, 8-17
Jékonias avait dix-huit ans lorsqu’il devint roi, et il régna trois mois à Jérusalem. Sa mère s’appelait Nehoushta, fille d’Elnatane ; elle était de Jérusalem. Il fit ce qui est mal aux yeux du Seigneur, tout comme avait fait son père. En ce temps-là, les troupes de Nabucodonosor, roi de Babylone, montèrent contre Jérusalem, et la ville fut assiégée. Le roi de Babylone vint en personne attaquer la ville que son armée assiégeait. Alors, Jékonias, roi de Juda, avec sa mère, ses serviteurs, ses officiers et ses dignitaires, se rendit au roi de Babylone, qui les fit prisonniers. C’était en la huitième année du règne de Nabucodonosor. Celui-ci emporta tous les trésors de la maison du Seigneur avec ceux de la maison du roi. Il brisa tous les objets en or que Salomon, roi d’Israël, avait fait faire pour le Temple. Tout cela, le Seigneur l’avait annoncé. Nabucodonosor déporta tout Jérusalem, tous les officiers et tous les vaillants guerriers, soit dix mille hommes, sans compter tous les artisans et forgerons : on ne laissa sur place que la population la plus pauvre. Le roi Jékonias fut déporté à Babylone avec la reine mère, les épouses royales, les dignitaires, l’élite du pays : tous partirent en exil de Jérusalem à Babylone. Tous les soldats, au nombre de sept mille, les artisans et les forgerons au nombre de mille, tous ceux qui pouvaient combattre, furent déportés à Babylone par le roi Nabucodonosor. Celui-ci fit roi, à la place de Jékonias, son oncle Mattanya, dont il changea le nom en celui de Sédécias.
Psaume : 78 (79), 1, 2, 3, 4-5, 8, 9
R/ Pour la gloire de ton nom, Seigneur, délivre-nous !
Dieu, les païens ont envahi ton domaine ; ils ont souillé ton temple sacré et mis Jérusalem en ruines.
Ils ont livré les cadavres de tes serviteurs en pâture aux rapaces du ciel et la chair de tes fidèles, aux bêtes de la terre.
Ils ont versé le sang comme l’eau aux alentours de Jérusalem : les morts restaient sans sépulture.
Nous sommes la risée des voisins, la fable et le jouet de l’entourage. Combien de temps, Seigneur, durera ta colère et brûlera le feu de ta jalousie ?
Ne retiens pas contre nous les péchés de nos ancêtres: que nous vienne bientôt ta tendresse, car nous sommes à bout de force !
Aide-nous, Dieu notre Sauveur, pour la gloire de ton nom ! Délivre-nous, efface nos fautes, pour la cause de ton nom !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia ! Si quelqu’un m’aime, il gardera ma parole, dit le Seigneur ; mon Père l’aimera, et nous viendrons vers lui. Alléluia ! (Jn 14, 23)
Évangile : Mt 7, 21-29
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Ce n’est pas en me disant: “Seigneur, Seigneur !” qu’on entrera dans le royaume des Cieux, mais c’est en faisant la volonté de mon Père qui est aux cieux. Ce jour-là, beaucoup me diront: “Seigneur, Seigneur, n’est-ce pas en ton nom que nous avons prophétisé, en ton nom que nous avons expulsé les démons, en ton nom que nous avons fait beaucoup de iracles?” Alors je leur déclarerai : “Je ne vous ai jamais connus. Écartez-vous de moi, vous qui commettez le mal !” Ainsi, celui qui entend les paroles que je dis là et les met en pratique est comparable à un homme prévoyant qui a construit sa maison sur le roc. La pluie est tombée, les torrents ont dévalé, les vents ont soufflé et se sont abattus sur cette maison ; la maison ne s’est pas écroulée, car elle était fondée sur le roc. Et celui qui entend de moi ces paroles sans les mettre en pratique est comparable à un homme insensé qui a construit sa maison sur le sable. La pluie est tombée, les torrents ont dévalé, les vents ont soufflé, ils sont venus battre cette maison ; la maison s’est écroulée, et son écroulement a été complet. » Lorsque Jésus eut terminé ce discours, les foules restèrent frappées de son enseignement, car il les enseignait en homme qui a autorité, et non pas comme leurs scribes.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur, le sacrifice de louange et de pardon, afin que nos cœurs, purifiés par sa puissance, t’offrent un amour qui réponde à ton amour. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 144, 15
Tous ont les yeux sur toi, Seigneur, ils espèrent, et tu donnes à chacun sa nourriture.
Prière après la communion
Renouvelés par le corps et le sang de ton Fils, nous implorons ta bonté, Seigneur : fais qu’à jamais rachetés, nous possédions dans ton Royaume ce que nous célébrons en chaque Eucharistie. Par Jésus.
Méditation
« L’amour doit se mettre dans les actes plus que dans les paroles. » disait Saint Ignace. Cet enseignement est parallèle à celui que nous offre Jésus dans l’Evangile d’aujourd’hui ; un rappel de l’importance de la vie intérieure. Ce qui compte, c’est notre cœur et non nos paroles. La parole de Dieu est le rocher sur lequel nous devons bâtir. Plus profonde et plus solide est la fondation, plus la maison est sécurisée. Connaître le Seigneur et sa parole nous aide donc à reconnaître la voix de Dieu et être ouvert à sa volonté. C’est cela qui nous permettra de vivre et de parler avec conviction, comme Jésus l’a fait. Puisse le Seigneur être le rocher qui soutient notre foi et nos actions afin que nous soyons à l’abri des vents et inondations de ce monde.
by L'équipe de publication | Jun 26, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Cyril of Alexandria,
Bishop, Doctor (370 – 444)
Green
St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church was born at Alexandria, Egypt. He was nephew of the patriarch of that city, Theophilus. Cyril wrote treatises that clarified the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation from heretical interpretations.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 27: 8-9
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them for ever.
Collect
Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. 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 : 2 Kings 24:8-17
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan, from Jerusalem. He did what is displeasing to the Lord, just as his father had done. At that time the troops of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched on Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon himself came to attack the city while his troops were besieging it. Then Jehoiachin king of Judah surrendered to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his officers, his nobles and his eunuchs, and the king of Babylon took them prisoner. This was in the eighth year of King Nebuchadnezzar. The latter carried off all the treasures of the Temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace, and broke up all the golden furnishings that Solomon king of Israel had made for the sanctuary of the Lord, as the Lord had foretold. He carried off all Jerusalem into exile, all the nobles and all the notables, ten thousand of these were exiled, with all the blacksmiths and metalworkers; only the poorest people in the country were left behind. He deported Jehoiachin to Babylon, as also the king’s mother, his eunuchs and the nobility of the country; he made them all leave Jerusalem for exile in Babylon. All the men of distinction, seven thousand of them, the blacksmiths and metalworkers, one thousand of them, all of them men capable of bearing arms, were led into exile in Babylon by the king of Babylon. The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in succession to him, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:1-5,8-9
R/ Rescue us, O Lord, for the glory of your name.
O God, the nations have invaded your land, they have profaned your holy temple. They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. They have handed over the bodies of your servants as food to feed the birds of heaven and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.
They have poured out blood like water in Jerusalem; no one is left to bury the dead. We have become the taunt of our neighbours, the mockery and scorn of those who surround us. How long, O Lord? Will you be angry for ever; how long will your anger burn like fire?
Do not hold the guilt of our fathers against us. Let your compassion hasten to meet us; we are left in the depths of distress.
O God our saviour, come to our help. Come for the sake of the glory of your name. O Lord our God, forgive us our sins; rescue us for the sake of your name.
Gospel Acclamation : Heb4:12
Alleluia, alleluia! The word of God is something alive and active: it can judge secret emotions and thoughts.Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 7:21-29
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men! ‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’ Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like their own Scribes.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation and praise and grant that, cleansed by its action, we may make offering of a heart pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 144: 15
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed and nourished by the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of your Son, we ask of your mercy, O Lord, that what we celebrate with constant devotion may be our sure pledge of redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
It is not just enough to know who Jesus is. In addition to the knowledge is true worship and witnessing. True worship and witnessing come from listening and doing the word of God. Christians must engage in what truly matters, not in a frivolous and hypocritical lifestyle. The most important goal of believers is to know God and gain heaven. We could decide what is good and evil and perhaps be acclaimed as law-abiding citizens. But unless we seek God’s will, Jesus ultimately will say to us: «I have never known you». Let us not be deceived by secular humanism and worldly ideologies that appear promising and enticing and are in complete opposition to the Gospel values. Our conviction must be rooted in Christ; otherwise, the worldly wind will blow us away.
by L'équipe de publication | Jun 25, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint ANTHELME,
Saints SALOMON et ÉLEONORE
VERT
Né non loin de Chambéry, Anthelme préféra la solitude de la prière avec le Christ à la vie mondaine et chasseresse des grands seigneurs. Il reconstruisit la Grande-Chartreuse qu’une avalanche avait détruite et en devint le septième prieur.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 27, 8-9
Le Seigneur est la force de son peuple, le protecteur et le sauveur de ses fidèles. Sauve-nous, Seigneur, veille sur nous, conduis- nous toujours.
Prière d’ouverture
Fais-nous vivre à tout moment, Seigneur, dans l’amour et le respect de ton saint nom, toi qui ne cesses jamais de guider ceux que tu enracines solidement dans ton amour. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 R 22, 8-13 ; 23, 1-3
En ces jours-là, le grand prêtre Helcias dit au secrétaire Shafane : « J’ai trouvé le livre de la Loi dans la maison du Seigneur. » Et Helcias donna le livre à Shafane. Celui-ci le lut. Puis, le secrétaire Shafane alla chez le roi Josias et lui rendit compte de ce qui s’était passé. Il déclara : « L’argent trouvé dans la Maison, tes serviteurs l’ont versé et remis entre les mains des maîtres d’œuvre, préposés à la maison du Seigneur. » Alors Shafane, le secrétaire, annonça au roi : « Le prêtre Helcias m’a donné un livre. » Et Shafane fit au roi la lecture de ce livre. Après avoir entendu les paroles du livre de la Loi, le roi déchira ses vêtements. Il donna cet ordre au prêtre Helcias, à son secrétaire et à ses serviteurs : « Allez consulter le Seigneur pour moi, pour le peuple et pour tout Juda au sujet des paroles de ce livre qu’on vient de retrouver. La fureur du Seigneur est grande : elle s’est enflammée contre nous parce que nos pères n’ont pas obéi aux paroles de ce livre et n’ont pas pratiqué tout ce qui s’y trouve. » Le roi fit convoquer auprès de lui tous les anciens de Juda et de Jérusalem. Il monta à la maison du Seigneur avec tous les gens de Juda, tous les habitants de Jérusalem, les prêtres et les prophètes, et tout le peuple, du plus petit au plus grand. Il lut devant eux toutes les paroles du livre de l’Alliance retrouvé dans la maison du Seigneur. Debout sur l’estrade, le roi conclut l’Alliance en présence du Seigneur. Il s’engageait à suivre le Seigneur en observant ses commandements, ses édits et ses décrets, de tout son cœur et de toute son âme, accomplissant ainsi les paroles de l’Alliance inscrites dans ce livre. Et tout le peuple s’engagea dans l’Alliance.
Psaume : 118 (119), 33-34, 35-36, 37.40
R/Enseigne-moi, Seigneur, le chemin de tes ordres.
Enseigne-moi, Seigneur, le chemin de tes ordres ; à les garder, j’aurai ma récompense. Montre-moi comment garder ta loi, que je l’observe de tout cœur.
Guide-moi sur la voie de tes volontés, là, je me plais. Incline mon cœur vers tes exigences, non pas vers le profit.
Détourne mes yeux des idoles: que tes chemins me fassent vivre. Vois, j’ai désiré tes préceptes : par ta justice fais-moi vivre.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia ! Demeurez en moi, comme moi en vous, dit le Seigneur; celui qui demeure en moi porte beaucoup de fruit. Alléluia ! (Jn 15, 4a.5b)
Évangile : Mt 7, 15-20
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Méfiez-vous des faux prophètes qui viennent à vous déguisés en brebis, alors qu’au-dedans ce sont des loups voraces. C’est à leurs fruits que vous les reconnaîtrez. Va-t-on cueillir du raisin sur des épines, ou des figues sur des chardons ? C’est ainsi que tout arbre bon donne de beaux fruits, et que l’arbre qui pourrit donne des fruits mauvais. Un arbre bon ne peut pas donner des fruits mauvais, ni un arbre qui pourrit donner de beaux fruits. Tout arbre qui ne donne pas de beaux fruits est coupé et jeté au feu. Donc, c’est à leurs fruits que vous les reconnaîtrez. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur, le sacrifice de louange et de pardon, afin que nos cœurs, purifiés par sa puissance, t’offrent un amour qui réponde à ton amour. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 144, 15
Tous ont les yeux sur toi, Seigneur, ils espèrent, et tu donnes à chacun sa nourriture.
Prière après la communion
Renouvelés par le corps et le sang de ton Fils, nous implorons ta bonté, Seigneur : fais qu’à jamais rachetés, nous possédions dans ton Royaume ce que nous célébrons en chaque Eucharistie. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Jésus parle de manière imagée en épousant la réalité de son milieu. Il nous avertit en ce jour de nous méfier des faux prophètes tout en nous indiquant une manière très concrète et pratique pour discerner: nous les reconnaîtrons à leurs fruits. Le monde actuel est flou. Il promet bonheur et bien-être et est rempli de souffrances et de solitude. Nous devons prendre le temps de distinguer les faux prophètes qui donnent de mauvais fruits et des bons prophètes dont le message est véridique et produit de bons fruits. Les paroles de Jésus interpellent donc au sujet d’un jugement à venir: l’arbre stérile sera coupé et jeté au feu. À chacun également, de manière assez pressante, il est demandé d’être cet arbre qui produit de bons fruits au risque d’être coupé et jeté au feu.
by L'équipe de publication | Jun 25, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Anthelm of Belley
(1107–1178)
Green
Anthelm was born in 1107 in a castle near Chambery, in Savoy, France. He was a prior of the Carthusian Grand Chartreuse and bishop of Belley. In liturgical art, Anthelm is depicted with a lamp lit by a divine hand. He was remarkable for monastic reforms.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 27: 8-9
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them for ever.
Collect
Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. 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 : 2 Kings 22:8-13,23:1-3
The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the Temple of the Lord.’’’ And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him as follows, ‘Your servants’ he said ‘have melted down the silver which was in the Temple and have handed it over to the masters of works attached to the Temple of the Lord.’ Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, ‘Hilkiah the priest has given me a book’; and Shaphan read it aloud in the king’s presence.
On hearing the contents of the Book of the Law, the king tore his garments, and gave the following order to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s minister: ‘Go and consult the Lord, on behalf of me and the people, about the contents of this book that has been found. Great indeed must be the anger of the Lord blazing out against us because our ancestors did not obey what this book says by practising everything written in it.’The king then had all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem summoned to him, and the king went up to the Temple of the Lord with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, priests, prophets and all the people, of high or low degree. In their hearing he read out everything that was said in the book of the covenant found in the Temple of the Lord. The king stood beside the pillar, and in the presence of the Lord he made a covenant to follow the Lord and keep his commandments and decrees and laws with all his heart and soul, in order to enforce the terms of the covenant as written in that book. All the people gave their allegiance to the covenant.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:33-37,40
R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me the demands of your statutes and I will keep them to the end. Train me to observe your law, to keep it with my heart.
Guide me in the path of your commands; for there is my delight. Bend my heart to your will and not to love of gain.
Keep my eyes from what is false; by your word, give me life. See, I long for your precepts; then in your justice, give me life.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:18
Alleluia, alleluia! Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit. A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation and praise and grant that, cleansed by its action, we may make offering of a heart pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 144: 15
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed and nourished by the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of your Son, we ask of your mercy, O Lord, that what we celebrate with constant devotion may be our sure pledge of redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Goodness begets goodness, while evil begets evil. How can a mango tree grow not like a mango but like an olive? Why do evil under the cover of good? Why occupy space where you are incapable of proficiency just to deny others the opportunity to explore productively? Jesus paved the way for us to know the Father’s love and bear fruits manifesting his presence to the world. Through the faith we profess, we have been configured into Christ, the true vine in whom we are branches. The fruits we bear must reflect God’s very nature and attributes, such as love, peace, joy, humility, truthfulness, gentleness and compassion.
by L'équipe de publication | Jun 24, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint William of Vercelli
(1085-1142)
Green
Born in Vercelli Italy, he was brought up as an orphan and became a hermit. He attracted so many followers that a monastery was built. He founded monasteries throughout Naples, and died at the Guglielmo monastery near Nusco Italy
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 27: 8-9
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them for ever.
Collect
Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. 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 : 2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36
Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, sent messengers to Hezekiah saying, ‘Tell this to Hezekiah king of Judah, “Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you, when he says: Jerusalem shall not fall into the power of the king of Assyria. You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to every country, putting them all under the ban. Are you likely to be spared?’ Hezekiah took the letter from the hands of the messenger and read it; he then went up to the Temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of the Lord, ‘O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned on the cherubs, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth, you have made heaven and earth. ‘Give ear, Lord, and listen. Open your eyes, Lord, and see. Hear the words of Sennacherib who has sent to insult the living God. ‘It is true, O Lord, that the kings of Assyria have exterminated all the nations, they have thrown their gods on the fire, for these were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, and hence they have destroyed them. But now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, I pray you, and let all the kingdoms of the earth know that you alone are God, the Lord.’ Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah. ‘The Lord, the God of Israel,’ he said, ‘says this, “I have heard the prayer you have addressed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.” Here is the oracle that the Lord has pronounced against him: ‘“She despises you, she scorns you, the virgin, daughter of Zion; she tosses her head behind you, the daughter of Jerusalem.” ‘This, then, is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: ‘“He will not enter this city, he will let fly no arrow against it, confront it with no shield, throw up no earthwork against it. By the road that he came on he will return; he shall not enter this city. It is the Lord who speaks. I will protect this city and save it for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”’ That same night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-4,10-11
R/ God upholds his city for ever.
The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain rises in beauty, the joy of all the earth.
Mount Zion, true pole of the earth, the Great King’s city! God, in the midst of its citadels, has shown himself its stronghold.
O God, we ponder your love within your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name reaches the ends of the earth.
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 7:6,12-14
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces. ‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets. ‘Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation and praise and grant that, cleansed by its action, we may make offering of a heart pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 144: 15
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed and nourished by the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of your Son, we ask of your mercy, O Lord, that what we celebrate with constant devotion may be our sure pledge of redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Gospel text of today puts before us two great gates, the narrow gate and the wide gate. Jesus instructs us today to enter through the narrow gate, for it is the gate that leads to eternal life, while the wide gate leads to perdition. We may have had the experience of how difficult it is for a crowd to pass through a narrow door. That is how it will be hard to enter the kingdom of heaven according to Jesus’ analogy of the narrow gate. The wide gate leading to eternal damnation tells of the ease one can go through. There is no difficulty at all in going through that gate. The adage goes that good things do not come easy. So if we find ourselves on the easy side of life, having everything on a platter of gold, we must ensure that we are not on the road to damnation. Thus it is strange when we hear Christians complaining that life is difficult. Sometimes, the fact that life is difficult could be glaring proof that one is on the right road. Let us pray, therefore, for the grace to persevere in doing good.
