by L'équipe de publication | May 30, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Luke Kirby
(c.1549-1582)
White
Today we are celebrating the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Come let us sing to the Lord.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 65: 16
Come and hear, all who fear God; I will tell what the Lord did for my soul.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth, grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times. 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 : Zephaniah 3:14-18
Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.
Canticle : Isaiah 12
R/ The rejoicing of a redeemed people
Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear. For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name! Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples! Declare the greatness of his name. Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Sing a psalm to the Lord for he has done glorious deeds; make them known to all the earth! People of Zion, sing and shout for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Lk1:45
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 1:39-56
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors – of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
Prayer over the Offerings
May our offering of this saving sacrifice be acceptable to your majesty, O Lord, as you were pleased to accept the charity of the most Blessed Mother of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 1: 48-49
All generations will call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Prayer after Communion
May your Church proclaim your greatness, O God, for you have done great things for your faithful, and, as Saint John the Baptist leapt with joy when he first sensed the hidden presence of Christ, so may your Church rejoice to receive in this Sacrament the same ever-living Lord. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Visitation is a very interesting aspect of our daily life. We visit friends and relatives that we love and cherish. We like to tell nice stories when we visit them, share our meals together and even hang out with them. The time spent is such visits is quality time. Life would be very dull without such visits. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth was joyful. They surely told sweet stories and testimonies about what God did in their lives. Some people are so special and have much to offer that your visit to them or their visit to you does not just fill you with joy, but the joy of such visits lasts so long. Such was the joy that Mary’s visit brought to Elizabeth because she was the best of human beings. Let us remember to visit Mary often and to receive her in our home through strong devotion to her. Such a visit will always leave us with joy like that of Elizabeth. When we visit others, remember to carry the love and kindness of Jesus Christ with us as Mary carried him in her womb and expressed him in her service during her visit to Elizabeth. We can look up to Mary to learn the virtues of faith and charity. Through her powerful intercession, may God give us the unshakeable faith she had in him, as well as the spirit of charity that will make us always ready to go to the aid of our neighbour when he is in need.
by L'équipe de publication | May 29, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Luke Kirby
(c.1549-1582)
Green
He was born in England and was ordained priest at Cambrai. In June 1580, he came to England He was immediately arrested and committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster. He died on May 1582.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 19-20
The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me.
Collect
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. 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: 1 Peter 2:2-5,9-12
You are new born, and, like babies, you should be hungry for nothing but milk – the spiritual honesty which will help you to grow up to salvation – now that you have tasted the goodness of the Lord. He is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people at all and now you are the People of God; once you were outside the mercy and now you have been given mercy. I urge you, my dear people, while you are visitors and pilgrims to keep yourselves free from the selfish passions that attack the soul. Always behave honourably among pagans so that they can see your good works for themselves and, when the day of reckoning comes, give thanks to God for the things which now make them denounce you as criminals.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 99(100):2-5
R/ Come before the Lord, singing for joy.
Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation: cf.Ps129:5
Alleluia, alleluia! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who provide gifts to be offered to your name and count our oblations as signs
of our desire to serve you with devotion, we ask of your mercy that what you grant as the source of merit may also help us to attain merit’s reward. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 12: 6
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament with which you feed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
A relationship with Jesus gives us the confidence to trust in times of need and moments of fulfilment. Bartimaeus is a blind man who longs to see again. He trusts Jesus to make that happen. He demonstrates his faith by walking forward and asking Jesus to heal him. He demonstrates bravery in approaching and asking for something so magnificent. He demonstrates his faith in a higher power and with confidence that Jesus will care for him. This text teaches us the value of having enough courage to seek help. It takes courage and risk to ask for help when you are in need. In this text, Bartimaeus might have remained silent and let the presence of Jesus pass him by; he could have passed up his opportunity to seek aid. At the end of the narrative, Jesus tells him that his faith has rescued him. Having faith and believing in getting or asking for aid is critical. This does not make you weak, nor does it make you appear selfish. It enables you to believe in something and be receptive to your faith.
by L'équipe de publication | May 29, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Jeanne d’Arc, Vierge
VERT
Paysanne de Domremy, Jeanne (1412-1431) fait preuve d’une sagesse surnaturelle dans l’accomplissement d’une mission qu’elle dit avoir reçue du ciel et pour laquelle elle donnera sa vie. Condamnée par un tribunal ecclésiastique aux ordres de ses ennemis politiques, elle meurt sur le bûcher à Rouen en invoquant le nom de Jésus. Elle reste un modèle par sa pureté et sa force, sa fidélité à la volonté de Dieu et son sens de l’Eglise.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 19-20
Le Seigneur est mon appui : il m’a dégagé, m’a donné du large, il m’a libéré, car il m’aime.
Prière d’ouverture
Fais que les événements du monde, Seigneur, se déroulent dans la paix, selon ton dessein, Et que ton peuple connaisse la joie de te servir sans inquiétude. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 Pierre 2, 2-5,9-12
Bien-aimés comme des enfants nouveau-nés, soyez avides du lait non dénaturé de la Parole qui vous fer grandir pour arriver au salut, puisque vous avez gouté combien le Seigneur est bon. Approchez-vous de lui : il est la pierre vivante rejetée par les hommes, mais choisie et precieuse devant Dieu. Vous aussi, comme pierres vivantes, entrez dans la construction de la demeure spirituelle, pour devenir la sacerdoce saint et présenter des sacrifices spirituls, agréables à Dieu, par Jésus Christ. Vous etes une descendance choisi, un sacerdoce royal, une nation sainte,un peuple destiné au salut, pour que vous annonciez les merveilles de celui qui vous a appellés des ténèbres à saon admirable lumière. Autrefois vous n’étiez pas un peuple, mais maintenant vous etes le peuple de Dieu ; vous n’aviez pas obtenu miséricorde. Bien- aimés, puisque vous etes comme es étrangers résidents ou de passage, je vous exhorte à vous abstenir des convoitises nées de la chair, qui combattent contre l’ame. Ayez une belle conduite parmi les gens des naions ; ainsi, sur le point meme ou ils disent du mal de vous en vous traitant de malfaiteurs, ils ouvriront les yeux devant vos belles actions et rendront gloire à Dieu, le jour de sa visite.
Psaume : 99 (100), 2-5
R/Allez vers le Seigneur parmi les chants d’allégresse.
Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, servez le Seigneur dans l’allégresse, venez à lui avec des chants de joie.
Reconnaissez que le Seigneur est Dieu : il nous a faits, et nous sommes à lui, nous, son peuple, son troupeau.
Venez dans sa maison lui rendre grace, dans sa demeure chanter ses loua,ges ; rendez-lui grace et bénissez son nom.
Oui, le Seigneur est bon, éternel est son amour, sa fidélité demeure d’age en age.
Acclamation : cf. Ps 129, 5
Alléluia. Alléluia ! Moi je suis la lumière du monde, dit le Seigneur. Celui qui me suit aura la lumière de la vie. Alléluia !
Évangile : Marc 10, 46-52
En ce temps-là, tandis que Jésus sortait de Jéricho avec ses disciples et une foule nombreuse, le fils de Timée, Bartimée, un aveugle qui mendiait, était assis au bord du chemin. Qaund il entendit que c’était Jésus de Nazareth, il se mit à crier : «Fils de David, Jésus, prends pitié de moi» Beaucoup de gens le rabrouaient pour le faire taire, mais il criait de plus belle : « Fils d David, prends pitié de moi» Jésus s’arrete et dit : «Appelez-le.» On appelle donc l’aveugle, et on lui dit : « Confiance, lève-toi ; il t’appelle.» l’aveugle jeta son manteau, bondit et courut vers Jésus. prenant la parole, Jésus lui dit : «Que veux-tu que je fasse pour toi,» L’aveugle lui dit : «Rabbouni, que je retrouve la vue» Et Jésus lui dit : «va, ta foi t’a sauvé.» Aussitot l’homme retrouva la vue, et il suivait Jésus sur le chemin.
Prière sur les offrandes
C’est toi qui nous donnes, Seigneur, ce que nous t’offrons, pourtant tu vois dans notre offrande un geste d’amour; aussi te prions-nous avec confiance : puisque tes propres dons sont notre seule valeur, qu’ils fructifient pour nous en bonheur éternel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Je veux chanter au Seigneur tout le bien qu’il l’a fait ; je veux fêter ton nom, Dieu très-haut.
Prière après la communion
Tu nous as nourris, Seigneur, dans cette communion au mystère du salut ; et nous t’adressons encore une prière : par le sacrement qui est notre force aujourd’hui, fais-nous vivre avec toi pour l’éternité. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Comme cet homme au bord du chemin, nous ne voyons pas Jésus, nous sommes conscients de notre misère, mais la foi nous donne la certitude que c’est Jésus qui passe à proximité, et qu’il est notre unique Sauveur. Cette présence doit faire jaillir de notre cœur la même prière: Aie pitié de moi ! (Marc 10.47). Certains que lui seul peut nous sauver, nous délivrer de notre infirmité, nous devons crier notre prière, avec pleine confiance. En effet, Jésus est là, tout proche, il vient même à notre rencontre dans l’Eucharistie et il nous appelle. Comme aux deux apôtres venus solliciter une place de faveur, Jésus nous demande encore et toujours : Que veux-tu que je fasse pour toi ? Seule la foi nous permet de répondre à cette question sans cesse renouvelée. Et notre réponse devrait toujours être: « Seigneur, que je ne manque jamais de confiance en toi ! »
by L'équipe de publication | May 28, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Maximin
vert/blanc
Devenu évêque de Trèves en 325, il lutta contre l’hérésie arienne qui atteint une grande partie de l’Eglise. Il est salué par saint Jérôme comme « l’un des évêques les plus courageux de son temps ».
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 19-20
Le Seigneur est mon appui : il m’a dégagé, m’a donné du large, il m’a libéré, car il m’aime.
Prière d’ouverture
Fais que les événements du monde, Seigneur, se déroulent dans la paix, selon ton dessein, Et que ton peuple connaisse la joie de te servir sans inquiétude. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 Pierre 1, 18-25
Bien-aimés, vous le savez : ce n’est pas par des biens corruptibles, l’argent ou l’or, que vous avez été rachetés de la conduite superficielle héritée de vos pères ; mais c’est par un sang précieux, celui d’un agneau sans défaut et sans tache, le Christ. Dès avant la fondation du monde, Dieu l’avait désigné d’avance et il l’a manifesté à la fin des temps à cause de vous. C’est bien par lui que vous croyez en Dieu, qui l’a ressuscité d’entre les morts et qui lui a donné la gloire ; ainsi vous mettez votre foi et votre espérance en Dieu. En obéissant à la vérité, vous avez purifié vos âmes pour vous aimer sincèrement comme des frères ; aussi, d’un cœur pur, aimez-vous intensément les uns les autres, car Dieu vous a fait renaître, non pas d’une semence périssable, mais d’une semence impérissable : sa parole vivante qui demeure. C’est pourquoi il est écrit : Toute chair est comme l’herbe, toute sa gloire, comme l’herbe en fleur ; l’herbe se dessèche et la fleur tombe,
mais la parole du Seigneur demeure pour toujours. Or, cette parole est celle de la Bonne Nouvelle qui vous a été annoncée.
Psaume : 147, 12-15,19-20
R/ Glorifie le Seigneur, Jérusalem ! ou: Alléluia ! (Ps 147, 12a)
Glorifie le Seigneur, Jérusalem! Célèbre ton Dieu, ô Sion ! Il a consolidé les barres de tes portesdans tes murs il a béni tes enfants.
Il fait régner la paix à tes frontières, et d’un pain de froment te rassasie. Il envoie sa parole sur la terre : rapide, son verbe la parcourt.
Il révèle sa parole à Jacob, ses volontés et ses lois à Israël. Pas un peuple qu’il ait ainsi traité ; nul autre n’a connu ses volontés.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia! Le Fils de l’homme est venu pour servir, et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude.. Alléluia! (Mt 5, 16)
Évangile : Marc 10, 32-45
En ce temps-là, les disciples étaient en route pour monter à Jérusalem ; Jésus marchait devant eux ils étaient saisis de frayeur, et ceux qui suivaient étaient aussi dans la crainte. Prenant de nouveau les Douze auprès de lui,
il se mit à leur dire ce qui allait lui arriver : « Voici que nous montons à Jérusalem. Le Fils de l’homme sera livré
aux grands prêtres et aux scribes ; ils le condamneront à mort, ils le livreront aux nations païennes, qui se moqueront de lui, cracheront sur lui, le flagelleront et le tueront, et trois jours après, il ressuscitera. » Alors, Jacques et Jean, les fils de Zébédée, s’approchent de Jésus et lui disent : « Maître, ce que nous allons te demander, nous voudrions que tu le fasses pour nous. » Il leur dit : « Que voulez-vous que je fasse pour vous ?» Ils lui répondirent : « Donne-nous de siéger, l’un à ta droite et l’autre à ta gauche, dans ta gloire. » Jésus leur dit : « Vous ne savez pas ce que vous demandez. Pouvez-vous boire la coupe que je vais boire, être baptisés du baptême dans lequel je vais être plongé ? » Ils lui dirent : « Nous le pouvons. » Jésus leur dit : « La coupe que je vais boire, vous la boirez ; et vous serez baptisés du baptême dans lequel je vais être plongé. Quant à siéger à ma droite ou à ma gauche, ce n’est pas à moi de l’accorder ; il y a ceux pour qui cela est préparé.» Les dix autres, qui avaient entendu, se mirent à s’indigner contre Jacques et Jean. Jésus les appela et leur dit : « Vous le savez : ceux que l’on regarde comme chefs des nations les commandent en maîtres ; les grands leur font sentir leur pouvoir. Parmi vous, il ne doit pas en être ainsi. Celui qui veut devenir grand parmi vous sera votre serviteur. Celui qui veut être parmi vous le premier sera l’esclave de tous : car le Fils de l’homme n’est pas venu pour être servi, mais pour servir, et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude. »
Prière sur les offrandes
C’est toi qui nous donnes, Seigneur, ce que nous t’offrons, pourtant tu vois dans notre offrande un geste d’amour; aussi te prions-nous avec confiance : puisque tes propres dons sont notre seule valeur, qu’ils fructifient pour nous en bonheur éternel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Je veux chanter au Seigneur tout le bien qu’il l’a fait ; je veux fêter ton nom, Dieu très-haut.
Prière après la communion
Tu nous as nourris, Seigneur, dans cette communion au mystère du salut ; et nous t’adressons encore une prière : par le sacrement qui est notre force aujourd’hui, fais-nous vivre avec toi pour l’éternité. Par Jésus.
Méditation
On ne pouvait être plus clair ! pourtant les Apôtres ne comprennent pas encore. Jacques et Jean entrevoient simplement un important changement de situation et ils prennent les devants pour se réserver les meilleures places : Que voudriez-vous que je fasse pour vous ? (Marc 10.36), interroge le Seigneur. C’est toujours la première réponse que nous recevons lorsque nous nous tournons vers le Seigneur. Mais que de fois nous ne savons pas ce que nous demandons ! Nous ne comprenons pas que vouloir approcher du Seigneur implique la communion intime à sa Passion. Et pourtant, le Seigneur nous invite à boire à cette coupe. Mais nous devons savoir que la véritable grandeur, c’est le service à l’exemple de Jésus, venu parmi nous non pour dominer, mais pour servir et donner sa vie. Ne craignons pas de le suivre sur ce chemin, répondant chaque jour à l’invitation de la Mère de Jésus : Faites tout ce qu’il vous dira (Jean 2.5).
by L'équipe de publication | May 28, 2024 | Evangelium
Blessed Joseph Gerard
(1831 – 1914)
Green/White
Born in France in 1831, Joseph Gerard joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and later was sent to South Africa. He worked among the Zulu in Natal for ten years before being sent to the Basuto, in today’s Lesotho: he was known as “the Apostle of the Basuto”.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 19-20
The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me.
Collect
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. 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: 1 Peter 1:18-25
Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake. Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason – so that you would have faith and hope in God. You have been obedient to the truth and purified your souls until you can love like brothers, in sincerity; let your love for each other be real and from the heart – your new birth was not from any mortal seed but from the everlasting word of the living and eternal God. All flesh is grass and its glory like the wild flower’s. The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains for ever. What is this word? It is the Good News that has been brought to you.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders, he feeds you with finest wheat. He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command.
He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees. He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees.
Gospel Acclamation: 1Jn2:5
Alleluia, alleluia! Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 10:32-45
The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once more taking the Twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him: ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans, who will mock him and spit at him and scourge him and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.’ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him. ‘Master,’ they said to him ‘we want you to do us a favour.’ He said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.’ When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who provide gifts to be offered to your name and count our oblations as signs of our desire to serve you with devotion, we ask of your mercy that what you grant as the source of merit may also help us to attain merit’s reward. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 12: 6
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament with which you feed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The narrative in our Gospel follows the disappointing meeting with the rich young man, the warning about riches, and the blessings of renunciation. No surprise, the followers were terrified. They were beginning to ponder what Dietrich Bonhöffer would later term «the cost of discipleship,» and Jesus offers the third prediction of his suffering and death. Against this ominous background comes the almost unthinkable request in the context of that prediction: when you become President, could we be your two vice presidents? It is not just a matter of ambition, of being great; it has to do with being better than the others. But like the rest of the followers, these two were good. They left everything for Jesus. After accepting the Lord’s offer to follow him, we still bear the self, which causes such conflicting attitudes. Jesus gently corrects them: you do not know what you are asking for. Can you pay «the cost of discipleship»? Of course, we can, the brothers say. At times of solace, we all risk cockiness. Jesus corrects them: You will pay «the cost of discipleship,» not for power but for integrity. James, one of the apostles, was the first to drink the chalice in martyrdom, gaining credibility.
