by L'équipe de publication | Apr 28, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Catherine of Siena
(1347 – 1380)
White
Born in Siena, she entered Third Order of the Dominicans. She is remembered for her burning love of God and neighbour and contributions to doctrine. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Entrance Antiphon
Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion and her service of your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 14:5-18
Eventually with the connivance of the authorities a move was made by pagans as well as Jews to make attacks on the apostles and to stone them. When the apostles came to hear of this, they went off for safety to Lycaonia where, in the towns of Lystra and Derbe and in the surrounding country, they preached the Good News. A man sat there who had never walked in his life, because his feet were crippled from birth; and as he listened to Paul preaching, he managed to catch his eye. Seeing that the man had the faith to be cured, Paul said in a loud voice, ‘Get to your feet – stand up’, and the cripple jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done they shouted in the language of Lycaonia, ‘These people are gods who have come down to us disguised as men.’ They addressed Barnabas as Zeus, and since Paul was the principal speaker they called him Hermes. The priests of Zeus-outside-the-Gate, proposing that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold. In the past he allowed each nation to go its own way; but even then he did not leave you without evidence of himself in the good things he does for you: he sends you rain from heaven, he makes your crops grow when they should, he gives you food and makes you happy.’ Even this speech, however, was scarcely enough to stop the crowd offering them sacrifice.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113B:1-4,15-16
R/ Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory.
Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory for the sake of your love and your truth, lest the heathen say: ‘Where is their God?’
But our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he wills. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
May you be blessed by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The heavens belong to the Lord but the earth he has given to men.
Gospel Acclamation : Col3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen and shone upon us whom he redeemed with his blood. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him. Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my words. And my word is not my own: it is the word of the one who sent me. I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the saving sacrifice we offer in commemoration of Saint Catherine,
so that, instructed by her teaching, we may give ever more fervent thanks to you, the one true God. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Jn 1: 7
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly table at which we have been fed, O Lord, confer eternal life upon us, as even in this world it nourished the life of Saint Catherine. Through Christ our Lord.
Mediation
And anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.” These words are John’s definition of God. God is love. Consequently, love brings us to union with God and our neighbour. God’s love and my love must point in the same direction if we are to be one. Love is not just a feeling; it is a decision. To make this decision means to “cut away,” to get rid of whatever is blocking my way of loving God and my neighbour. What is stopping my surrender to God’s will? What is blocking my being one with him? Is there anything in my life preventing me from making this decision to love God right now? If so, removing this block is what we are to be concerned about.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 27, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
5ème dimanche de
pâques
Psautier i
Blanc
Antienne d´ouverture : Cf. Ps 97, 1-2
Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, car il a fait desmerveilles ; aux nations, il a révélé sa justice, , alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as envoyé ton fils pour nous sauver et pour faire de nous tes enfants d’adoption, regarde avec bonté ceux que tu aimes comme un père ; puisque nous croyons au Christ, accorde-nous la vraie liberté et la vie éternelle. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Actes 9, 26-31
En ces jours-là, arrivé à Jérusalem, Saul cherchait à se joindre aux disciples, mais tous avaient peur de lui, car ils ne croyaient pas que lui aussi était un disciple. Alors Barnabé le prit avec lui et le présenta aux Apôtres ; il leur raconta comment, sur le chemin, Saul avait vu le Seigneur, qui lui avait parlé, et comment, à Damas, il s’était exprimé avec assurance au nom de Jésus. Dès lors, Saul allait et venait dans Jérusalem avec eux, s’exprimant avec assurance au nom du Seigneur. Il parlait aux Juifs de langue grecque, et discutait avec eux. Mais ceux-ci cherchaient à le supprimer. Mis au courant, les frères l’accompagnèrent jusqu’à Césarée et le firent partir pour Tarse. L’Église était en paix dans toute la Judée, la Galilée et la Samarie ; elle se construisait et elle marchait dans la crainte du Seigneur ; réconfortée par l’Esprit Saint,elle se multipliait.
Psaume : 21(22), 26-28,30-32
R/ Tu seras ma louange, Seigneur, dans la grande assemblée. ou : Alléluia ! (cf. 21, 26a)
Devant ceux qui te craignent, je tiendrai mes promesses. Les pauvres mangeront : ils seront rassasiés ;
ils loueront le Seigneur, ceux qui le cherchent : « À vous, toujours, la vie et la joie ! »
La terre entière se souviendra et r viendra vers le Seigneur, chaque famille de nations se prosternera devant lui : « Oui, au Seigneur la royauté, le pouvoir sur les nations ! »
Et moi, je vis pour lui : ma desce dance le servira ; on annoncera le Seigneur aux générations à venir. On proclamera sa justice au peuple qui va naître : Voilà son œuvre !
2ème lecture : 1 Jean 3, 18-24
Petits enfants, n’aimons pas en paroles ni par des discours, mais par des actes et en vérité. Voilà comment nous reconnaîtrons que nous appartenons à la vérité, et devant Dieu nous apaiserons notre cœur ; car si notre cœur nous accuse, Dieu est plus grand que notre cœur, et il connaît toutes choses. Bien-aimés, si notre cœur ne nous accuse pas, nous avons de l’assurance devant Dieu. Quoi que nous demandions à Dieu, nous le recevons de lui, parce que nous gardons ses commandements, et que nous faisons ce qui est agréable à ses yeux. Or, voici son commandement : mettre notre foi dans le nom de son Fils Jésus Christ, et nous aimer les uns les autres comme il nous l’a commandé. Celui qui garde ses commandements demeure en Dieu, et Dieu en lui ; et voilà comment nous reconnaissons qu’il demeure en nous, puisqu’il nous a donné part à son Esprit.
Acclamation : Jn15, 4,5
Alléluia. Alléluia. Demeurez en moi, comme moi en vous, dit le Seigneur ; celui qui demeure en moi porte beaucoup de fruit. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 13, 34)
Évangile : Jean 15, 1-8
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Moi, je suis la vraie vigne, et mon Père est le vigneron. Tout sarment qui est en moi, mais qui ne porte pas de fruit, mon Père l’enlève ; tout sarment qui porte du fruit, il le purifie en le taillant, pour qu’il en porte davantage. Mais vous, déjà vous voici purifiés grâce à la parole que je vous ai dite. Demeurez en moi, comme moi en vous. De même que le sarment ne peut pas porter de fruit par lui-même s’il ne demeure pas sur la vigne, de même vous non plus, si vous ne demeurez pas en moi. Moi, je suis la vigne, et vous, les sarments. Celui qui demeure en moi et en qui je demeure, celui-là porte beaucoup de fruit, car, en dehors de moi, vous ne pouvez rien faire. Si quelqu’un ne demeure pas en moi, il est, comme le sarment, jeté dehors, et il se dessèche. Les sarments secs, on les ramasse,on les jette au feu, et ils brûlent. Si vous demeurez en moi,
et que mes paroles demeurent en vous,
demandez tout ce que vous voulez, et cela se réalisera pour vous. Ce qui fait la gloire de mon Père, c’est que vous portiez beaucoup de fruit et que vous soyez pour moi des disciples. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur notre Dieu, dans l’admirable échange du sacrifice eucharistque, tu nous fais participer à ta propre nature divine : puisque nous avons la connaissance de ta vérité, accorde-nous de lui etre fidèle par toute notre vie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Cf. Jn 15, 1, 5
Je suis la vraie vigne, et vousles sarments, dit le Seigneur. Celui qui demeure en moi, et en qui je demeure, celui- là donne beaucoup de fruit. alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Dieu très bon, rest auprès de ton peuple, car sans toi notre vie tombe en ruine ; fais passer à une vie nouvelle ceux que tu as innitié aux sacrements de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Par une comparaison, le Seigneur nous révèle aujourd’hui que tous ceux qui lui sont attachés dans la foi vivent en étroite union. Comme les sarments de la vigne, qui sont portés et nourris par la vigne elle-même, nous, les chrétiens, nous sommes attachés de façon vitale à Jésus Christ, dans la communauté de l’Église. Il y a plusieurs conditions pour que la force de vie et la grâce du Christ puissent porter leurs fruits dans notre vie: chaque sarment doit être débarrassé de ses pousses superflues, il doit être sain et réagir en symbiose fertile avec la vigne. Par le baptême, le Christ nous a accueillis dans sa communauté. Et nous avons été libérés de nos péchés par la parole sacramentelle du Christ. La grâce du Christ ne peut agir en nous que dans la mesure où nous la laissons agir. La Providence divine veillera sur nous et prendra soin de nous si nous sommes prêts à la recevoir. Mais nous ne porterons beaucoup de fruit que si nous restons attachés à la vigne toute notre vie, c’est-à-dire, si nous vivons consciemment notre vie en tant que membres de l’Église du Christ.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 27, 2024 | Evangelium
5th Sunday of Easter
Psalter: Week I
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 97: 1-2
O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. 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: Acts 9:26-31
When Saul got to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him: they could not believe he was really a disciple. Barnabas, however, took charge of him, introduced him to the apostles, and explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul and spoken to him on his journey, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Saul now started to go round with them in Jerusalem, preaching fearlessly in the name of the Lord. But after he had spoken to the Hellenists, and argued with them, they became determined to kill him. When the brothers knew, they took him to Caesarea, and sent him off from there to Tarsus. The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 21(22):26-28,30-32
R/ You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
My vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and shall have their fill. They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him. May their hearts live for ever and ever!
All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord, all families of the nations worship before him; They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.
And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him. They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come, declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn: ‘These things the Lord has done.’
Second reading: 1 John 3:18-24
My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence, whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything. My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence, and whatever we ask him, we shall receive, because we keep his commandments and live the kind of life that he wants. His commandments are these: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another as he told us to. Whoever keeps his commandments lives in God and God lives in him. We know that he lives in us by the Spirit that he has given us.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn15:4,5
Alleluia, alleluia! Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. Whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you. Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in meis like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit, and then you will be my disciples.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 15: 1, 5
I am the true vine and you are the branches, says the Lord. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, bears fruit in plenty, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
One does not need a degree in Agriculture to understand that a branch that is not attached to the tree withers. When a branch withers it is only good to be cast into the fire. So it is with us when we fail to attach ourselves with Christ. The leading slogan in this modern age is «Freedom», not freedom in the sense of absence from coercion but in the sense of promotion of licentiousness. Many people shirk inhibition of any kind. The call to responsibility is regarded as a call to restriction. «Do what you want if you can,» becomes the principle of the age. The not so surprising thing is that those who engage in this kind of unhinged lifestyle wither slowly. Many of them are racked by substance abuse. Many are down with life-threatening addictions and irrational fears of various kinds. The overbearing feeling in the midst of the whole licentious lifestyle is meaninglessness. This is the plight of those branches that refuse to attach themselves to the Eternal Vine, Jesus Christ.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 26, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Zita
Blanc
Âgée de douze ans Zita (1218-1278) fut placée dans une famille comme servante et ne la quitta plus. Pour ne pas déranger son service, elle se levait plus tôt afin d’aller assister à la messe, jeûnait pour donner aux pauvres une part de sa nourriture, supportait avec patience les jalousies des autres domestiques. Sa sainteté fut reconnue après sa mort tant étaient étranges les faveurs que le petit peuple obtenait par son intercession.
Antienne d’ouverture : Cf. 1 P2 , 9
Nous sommes le peuple qui appartient à Dieu ; nous sommes chargés d’annoncer les merveilles de celui qui nous a appellés des ténèbres à son admirable lumière, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui nous as recréés par le bapteme, fais nous- nous vivre toujours d’avantage du mystère pascal : que ta grace nous accorde de porter beaucoup de fruit et de parveninr aux joies de la vie éternelle. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ac 13, 44-52
Le sabbat qui suivait la première prédication de Paul à Antioche de Pisidie, presque toute la ville se rassembla
pour entendre la parole du Seigneur. Quand les Juifs virent les foules, ils s’enflammèrent de jalousie ; ils contredisaient les paroles de Paul et l’injuriaient. Paul et Barnabé leur déclarèrent avec assurance : « C’est à vous d’abord qu’il était nécessaire d’adresser la parole de Dieu. Puisque vous la rejetez et que vous-mêmes ne vous jugez pas dignes de la vie éternelle, eh bien ! nous nous tournons vers les nations païennes. C’est le commandement que le Seigneur nous a donné : J’ai fait de toi la lumière des nations pour que, grâce à toi, le salut parvienne jusqu’aux extrémités de la terre. » En entendant cela, les païens étaient dans la joie et rendaient gloire à la parole du Seigneur ; tous ceux qui étaient destinés à la vie éternelle devinrent croyants. Ainsi la parole du Seigneur se répandait dans toute la région. Mais les Juifs provoquèrent l’agitation parmi les femmes de qualité adorant Dieu, et parmi les notables de la cité ; ils se mirent à poursuivre Paul et Barnabé, et les expulsèrent de leur territoire. Ceux-ci secouèrent contre eux la poussière de leurs pieds
et se rendirent à Iconium, tandis que les disciples étaient remplis de joie et d’Esprit Saint.»
Psaume : 2, 1.7bc, 8-9, 10-11
R/ La terre tout entière a vu le salut que Dieu nous donne. ou : Alléluia ! (cf. 97, 3)
Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, car il a fait des merveilles ; par son bras très saint, par sa main puissante, il s’est assuré la victoire.
Le Seigneur a fait connaître sa victoire, et révélé sa justice aux nations ; il s’est rappelé sa fidélité, son amour, en faveur de la maison d’Israël.
La terre tout entière a vu la victoire de notre Dieu. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, sonnez, chantez, jouez !
Acclamation : Rm6, 9 Alléluia
Alléluia. Alléluia.Si vous demeurez dans ma parole, vous êtes vraiment mes disciples ; alors vous connaîtrez la vérité, dit le Seigneur. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 6, 63c.68c)
Evangile : Jean 14, 7-1
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Puisque vous me connaissez,
vous connaîtrez aussi mon Père. Dès maintenant vous le connaissez, et vous l’avez vu. » Philippe lui dit : « Seigneur, montre-nous le Père ; cela nous suffit. » Jésus lui répond : « Il y a si longtemps que je suis avec vous, et tu ne me connais pas, Philippe ! Celui qui m’a vu a vu le Père. Comment peux-tu dire : “Montre-nous le Père” ? Tu ne crois donc pas que je suis dans le Père
et que le Père est en moi ! Les paroles que je vous dis, je ne les dis pas de moi-même ; le Père qui demeure en moi fait ses propres œuvres. Croyez-moi : je suis dans le Père, et le Père est en moi ; si vous ne me croyez pas, croyez du moins à cause des œuvres elles-mêmes. Amen, amen, je vous le dis : celui qui croit en moi fera les œuvres que je fais. Il en fera même de plus grandes, parce que je pars vers le Père, et tout ce que vous demanderez en mon nom, je le ferai, afin que le Père soit glorifié dans le Fils. Quand vous me demanderez quelque chose en mon nom,moi, je le ferai. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Donne-nous, Seigneur, de te rendre grace toujours par ces mystères de paques ; ils continuent en nous ton oeuvre de rédemption, qu’ils nous soient une source intarissable de joie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Il est ressucité, Jésus, le vrai Pasteur, lui qui a donné sa vie pour son troupeau, lui qui a choisi de mourir pour nous sauver, alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Père tout-puissantet Pasteur plein de bonté, veille sur tes enfants avec tendresse ; tu nous as sauvés par le sang de ton Fils : ouvre-nous une demeure dans le Royaume des cieux par Jésus.
Méditation
Celui qui m’a vu a vu le Père. Jésus veut nous apprendre ici qu’il est la révélation de Dieu son Père. Ce qu’il nous apprend de ses relations avec son Père est plus profond que ce que nous savons des relations d’un roi avec son fils : Je suis dans le Père et le Père est en moi (Jean 14.10). Ceci dépasse l’entendement humain. Seul Jésus peut le révéler à la raison humaine. Et le Père témoigne en sa faveur. C’est toi mon fils bien-aimé; en toi j’ai mis tout mon amour (Luc 3.22). Dans nos traditions, on voit toujours le père dans le fils tant que ce dernier n’est pas renié. C’est donc en Jésus qu’il faut chercher le Père. Ce dernier est à l’œuvre en lui. Nous ne pouvons voir Dieu qu’en Jésus Christ. Il est la seule voie d’accès au Père. Si nous croyons que Dieu habite Jésus, qu’il parle et agit par lui, avons-nous encore besoin de le chercher à tâtons dans nos sanctuaires traditionnels et nos fétiches ? Laissons la foi en Jésus, Fils de Dieu, pénétrer jusqu’au fond de nos esprits et nous libérer.
by L'équipe de publication | Apr 25, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Cletus
White
St. Cletus was the third bishop of Rome. He sat twelve years, from 76 to 89. He was buried near St. Linus, on the Vatican, and his relics still remain in that church.
Entrance Antiphon : Rv 5: 9-10
You have redeemed us, Lord, by your Blood, from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us into a kingdom, priests for our God, alleluia.
Collect
O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation, listen to the voice of our pleading and grant that those you have redeemed by the shedding of your Son’s Blood may have life through you and, under your protection, rejoice for ever unharmed. 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 : Acts 13:26-33
Paul stood up in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, held up a hand for silence and began to speak: ‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you. What the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did, though they did not realise it, was in fact to fulfil the prophecies read on every sabbath. Though they found nothing to justify his death, they condemned him and asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out everything that Scripture foretells about him they took him down from the tree and buried him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and it is these same companions of his who are now his witnesses before our people. ‘We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise but it is to us, their children, that he has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus from the dead. As Scripture says in the second psalm: You are my son: today I have become your father.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 2:6-11
R/ You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.
‘It is I who have set up my king, on Zion, my holy mountain.’ I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.
‘Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them, shatter them like a potter’s jar.’
Now, O kings, understand, take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe and trembling, pay him your homage.
Gospel Acclamation : Col 3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care, they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Rm 4: 25
Christ our Lord was condemned for our transgressions and was raised again for our justification, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness, that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” These words of Jesus are not a suggestion but a command – for his disciples and all of us. Jesus gave these words to us on the night before he died for our salvation. His disciples would see him arrested, mocked, tortured, crucified, and killed. How could their hearts not be troubled? Jesus is saying that when overwhelmed with tremendous grief, our faith pierces through grief and transforms grief. Faith helps us to gaze into the promised eternity. Faith enabled Paul and Barnabas to embrace the hardship of evangelisation: the anxiety of unknown places and unknown peoples, physical dangers, and mental exhaustion. We are to view all of our earthly sufferings through the eyes of faith. Faith, not naïve optimism, preserves our hearts from being overwhelmed by earthly suffering.
