by L'équipe de publication | Feb 27, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Oswald
(-992)
Purple
In 972 he became Archbishop of York. He had a special love of the poor; in Lent he would wash the feet of twelve poor men every day. He died at Worcester on 28 February 992.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 37: 22-23
Forsake me not, O Lord! My God, be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation!
Collect
Keep your family, O Lord, schooled always in good works, and so comfort them with your protection here as to lead them graciously to gifts on high. 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 : Jeremiah 18:18-20
‘Come on,’ they said, ‘let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah; the priest will not run short of instruction without him, nor the sage of advice, nor the prophet of the word. Come on, let us hit at him with his own tongue; let us listen carefully to every word he says.’Listen to me, O Lord, Hear what my adversaries are saying. Should evil be returned for good? For they are digging a pit for me. Remember how I stood in your presence to plead on their behalf, to turn your wrath away from them.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30:5-6,14-16
R/ Save me in your love, O Lord.
Release me from the snares they have hidden for you are my refuge, Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
I have heard the slander of the crowd, Fear is all around me, As they plot together against me, As they plan to take my life.
But as for me, I trust in you, Lord; I say: ‘You are my God. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn6:63,68
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Your words are spirit, Lord, and They are life; You have the message of eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Gospel : Matthew 20:17-28
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’ When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the 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 be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, Lord, on the sacrificial gifts we offer you, And by this holy exchange, undo the bonds of our sins. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Mt 20: 28
The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, And to give his life as a ransom for many.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that what you have given us as the pledge of immortality may work for our eternal salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today, we meet a fascinating story of human interaction that could offer days of reflection. Mark reports this story with the two disciples asking on their behalf to hold special places of honour in Jesus’ kingdom. Matthew tells the story with a twist that the siblings’ mother asked. Jesus responds to the young men with an exciting challenge that many Catholics should listen to today: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” The invitation to drink Jesus’ cup (not our own, by the way) is to participate in a particularly intimate and absolute way in his work of repairing the consequences of sin on others. It is a tangible way of taking the suffering of the human community into our bodies through the power of the Spirit and, through that same Spirit, alleviating that suffering, becoming a ‘for-others’ person. We are not particularly eager to deal with suffering caused for others by our sins, much less take on the work of healing the suffering caused by others’ sins; and yet, that, above all, is the mission of Jesus, and therefore the mission of his disciples.
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 27, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Romain
Violet
Doux et indulgent, Romain avait trente-cinq ans lorsqu’il quitta son Bugey natal, n’emportant avec lui que « la vie des Pères du Désert ». Il prit son chemin vers l’Est, traversa de grandes forêts et finit par atteindre la Bienne. Il venait de trouver ce qui lui convenait : de la terre labourable, une fontaine, des arbres et du silence. Il vécut là quelques années comme s’il était dans le désert égyptien de la Thébaïde.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 37, 22-23
Ne m’abandonne pas, Seigneur, mon Dieu, ne reste pas si loin ! Viens vite, à mon aide, Seigneur, mon salut.
Prière d’ouverture
Donne à ta famille, Seigneur, de progresser en faisant toujours ce qui est bon ; assure-lui le nécessaire en cette vie pour la conduire aux biens du Royaume. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Jr 18, 18-20
Mes ennemis ont dit : « Allons, montons un complot contre Jérémie. La loi ne va pas disparaître par manque de prêtre, ni le conseil, par manque de sage, ni la parole, par manque de prophète. Allons, attaquons-le par notre langue, ne faisons pas attention à toutes ses paroles. » Mais toi, Seigneur, fais attention à moi, écoute ce que disent mes adversaires. Comment peut-on rendre le mal pour le bien? Ils ont creusé une fosse pour me perdre. Souviens-toi que je me suis tenu en ta présence pour te parler en leur faveur, pour détourner d’eux ta colère.
Psaume : 30 (31), 5-6, 14, 15-16
R/ Sauve- moi, mon Dieu, par ton amour.
Tu m’arraches au filet qu’ils m’ont tendu ; oui, c’est toi mon abri. En tes mains je remets mon esprit tu me rachètes, Seigneur, Dieu de vérité.
J’entends les calomnies de la foule : de tous côtés c’est l’épouvante. Ils ont tenu conseil contre moi, ils s’accordent pour m’ôter la vie.
Moi, je suis sûr de toi, Seigneur, je dis : « Tu es mon Dieu ! » Mes jours sont dans ta main : délivre-moi des mains hostiles qui s’acharnent.
Acclamation : Ez 18,31
Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus ! Moi, je suis la lumière du monde, dit le Seigneur. Celui qui me suit aura la lumière de la vie. Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus !
Évangile : Mt 20, 17-28
En ce temps-là, Jésus, montant à Jérusalem, prit à part les Douze disciples et, en chemin, il leur dit: « Voici que nous montons à Jérusalem. Le Fils de l’homme sera livré aux grands prêtres et aux scribes, ils le condamneront à mort et le livreront aux nations païennes pour qu’elles se moquent de lui, le flagellent et le crucifient ; le troisième jour, il ressuscitera. » Alors la mère des fils de Zébédée s’approcha de Jésus avec ses fils Jacques et Jean, et elle se prosterna pour lui faire une demande. Jésus lui dit : « Que veux-tu ? » Elle répondit : « Ordonne que mes deux fils que voici siègent, l’un à ta droite et l’autre à ta gauche, dans ton Royaume.» Jésus répondit : « Vous ne savez pas ce que vous demandez. Pouvez-vous boire la coupe que je vais boire ? » Ils lui disent : « Nous le pouvons. » Il leur dit : « Ma coupe, vous la boirez ; quant à siéger à ma droite et à ma gauche, ce n’est pas à moi de l’accorder ; il y a ceux pour qui cela est préparé par mon Père. » Les dix autres, qui avaient entendu, s’indignèrent contre les deux frères. Jésus les appela et dit : « Vous le savez: les chefs des nations les commandent en maîtres, et les grands font sentir leur pouvoir. Parmi vous, il ne devra pas en être ainsi : celui qui veut devenir grand parmi vous sera votre serviteur ; et celui qui veut être parmi vous le premier sera votre esclave. Ainsi, 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
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, les dons que nous te présentons; et par ceux que tu nous feras en échange, dégage-nous de nos péchés pour nous rendre libres en toi. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Mt 20, 28
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 après la communion
Dans cette communion, Seigneur, tu as voulu nous donner un gage de notre immortalité : permets donc qu’elle nous ouvre les portes de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Bien-aimés de Dieu, dans la page de l’évangile de ce jour, Jésus annonce sa passion. Face à la demande de la mère des fils de Zébédée qui sollicite la faveur de bon positionnement, Jésus saisit l’opportunité pour mettre en garde ses disciples contre toute volonté de pouvoir. Il les invite plutôt à une attitude de profonde humilité à l’image de lui-même leur maître.
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 26, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Leander of Seville
Purple
Leander was born in the year 534 in Carthage. Leander became a Benedictine monk and in 579 was made Bishop of Seville. Leander is responsible for introducing the Nicene Creed at Mass. Leander died around the year 600 and was succeeded by his brother, Isidore.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 12: 4-5
Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death, Lest my enemy say: I have overcome him.
Collect
Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy, and, since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall, may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm and directed to all that brings salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Isaiah 1:10,16-20
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the command of our God, You people of Gomorrah. ‘Wash, make yourselves clean. Take your wrong-doing Out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow. ‘Come now, Let us talk this over, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they Shall be like wool. ‘If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth. But if you persist in rebellion, the sword shall eat you instead.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 49:8-9,16-17, 21,23
R/ I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
I find no fault with your sacrifices, Your offerings are always before me. I do not ask more bullocks from your farms, Nor goats from among your herds.
‘But how can you recite my commandments And take my covenant on your lips, You who despise my law And throw my words to the winds,
‘You do this, and should I keep silence? Do you think that I am like you? A sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me And I will show God’s salvation to the upright.’
Gospel Acclamation : Mt 4:17
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel : Matthew 23:1-12
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased to work your sanctification within us by means of these mysteries, O Lord, and by it, may we be cleansed of earthly faults and led to the gifts of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 9: 2-3
I will recount all your wonders. I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
Prayer after Communion
May the refreshment of this sacred table, O Lord, we pray, bring us an increase In devoutness of life and the constant help of your work of conciliation. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus never grows tired of telling his disciples to be humble. On numerous instances, he reminds them of this. He provided an example of this when he washed the apostles’ feet. He contradicts popular perceptions of greatness by stating that the greatest should be the servant of everyone. However, the ego can be very cunning. It can infiltrate even humility. The expression «humility with a hook» refers to putting on a humble demeanour so that others can respect your humility. There is a false humility when we despise ourselves for others to oppose us and say the opposite. Being humble is something to be proud of. True humility may be founded on actual self-awareness and intentional self-acceptance. As a result, one does neither undervalue nor overstate oneself. One recognises one’s gifts and puts them to good use. However, one is also aware of one’s limitations and «does not bite off more than one can chew.» Lord, help us to truly know and accept ourselves, and grant us the grace to be authentically humble.
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 26, 2024 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte Honorine
Violet
On ne connaît d’elle que les reliques qui furent rapportées de Haute Normandie jusqu’en Ile-de-France à Conflans-Saint-Honorine. Son culte en Normandie est très ancien et la tradition en fait une martyre gauloise.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 12, 4-5
Laisse à mes yeux la lumière, et garde-moi du sommeil de la mort, que l’ennemi ne puisse dire: « J’ai triomphé de lui ».
Prière d’ouverture
Avec une inlassable bonté, Seigneur, veille sur ton Église; et puisque sans toi l’homme s’égare, soutiens-le toujours pour qu’il se détourne du mal et se dirige vers le salut. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Is 1, 10.16-20
Écoutez la parole du Seigneur, vous qui êtes pareils aux chefs de Sodome ! Prêtez l’oreille à l’enseignement de notre Dieu, vous, peuple de Gomorrhe ! Lavez-vous, purifiez-vous, ôtez de ma vue vos actions mauvaises, cessez de faire le mal. Apprenez à faire le bien : recherchez le droit, mettez au pas l’oppresseur, rendez justice à l’orphelin, défendez la cause de la veuve. Venez, et discutons – dit le Seigneur. Si vos péchés sont comme l’écarlate, ils deviendront aussi blancs que neige. S’ils sont rouges comme le vermillon, ils deviendront comme de la laine. Si vous consentez à m’obéir, les bonnes choses du pays, vous les mangerez ; mais si vous refusez, si vous vous obstinez, c’est l’épée qui vous mangera. – Oui, la bouche du Seigneur a parlé.
Psaume : 49 (50), 7ab.8, 13-14, 16bc- 17, 21abc.23ab
R/ À celui qui veille sur sa conduite, je ferai voir le salut de Dieu.
« Écoute, mon peuple, je parle; Israël, je te prends à témoin. Je ne t’accuse pas pour tes sacrifices ; tes holocaustes sont toujours devant moi.
« Vais-je manger la chair des taureaux et boire le sang des béliers ? Offre à Dieu le sacrifice d’action de grâce, accomplis tes vœux envers le Très-Haut.
« Qu’as-tu à réciter mes lois, à garder mon alliance à la bouche, toi qui n’aimes pas les reproches et rejettes loin de toi mes paroles ?
« Voilà ce que tu fais ; garderai-je le silence ? Penses-tu que je suis comme toi ? Qui offre le sacrifice d’action de grâce, celui-là me rend gloire. »
Acclamation : Ez 18,31
Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. Rejetez tous les crimes que vous avez commis, faites-vous un cœur nouveau et un esprit nouveau. Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance.
Évangile : Mt 23, 1-12
En ce temps-là, Jésus s’adressa aux foules et à ses disciples, et il déclara: « Les scribes et les pharisiens enseignent dans la chaire de Moïse. Donc, tout ce qu’ils peuvent vous dire, faites-le et observez-le. Mais n’agissez pas d’après leurs actes, car ils disent et ne font pas. Ils attachent de pesants fardeaux, difficiles à porter, et ils en chargent les épaules des gens ; mais eux-mêmes ne veulent pas les remuer du doigt. Toutes leurs actions, ils les font pour être remarqués des gens: ils élargissent leurs phylactères et rallongent leurs franges ; ils aiment les places d’honneur dans les dîners, les sièges d’honneur dans les synagogues et les salutations sur les places publiques ; ils aiment recevoir des gens le titre de Rabbi. Pour vous, ne vous faites pas donner le titre de Rabbi, car vous n’avez qu’un seul maître pour vous enseigner, et vous êtes tous frères. Ne donnez à personne sur terre le nom de père, car vous n’avez qu’un seul Père, celui qui est aux cieux. Ne vous faites pas non plus donner le titre de maîtres, car vous n’avez qu’un seul maître, le Christ. Le plus grand parmi vous sera votre serviteur. Qui s’élèvera sera abaissé, qui s’abaissera sera élevé. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Dans ces mystères de paix, Seigneur, tu travailles à notre sainteté : purifie-nous des convoitises de ce monde et conduis-nous aux richesses de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 9, 2-3
De tout mon cœur, Seigneur, je rendrai grâce en racontant tes innombrables merveilles. Je me réjouis et j’exulte en toi, Dieu très- haut.
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur, nous aide à vivre plus saintement, confiants dans ton inépuisable pardon. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Isaïe dans la première lecture de ce jour nous lance un vibrant appel à la conversion. En effet, si Dieu ne veut pas la mort du pécheur, il attend patiemment la conversion de ce dernier. Cependant, nous ne devons pas abuser de cette patience de Dieu. Voilà pourquoi ce temps de Carême est un moment favorable pour nous. Nous devons écouter la voix du Seigneur qui nous Invitent à revenir à lui.
by L'équipe de publication | Feb 25, 2024 | Evangelium
Saint Alexander of Alexandria (250 – 328)
Purple
Alexander played an important role in the growth of the catechetical school at Alexandria. He fought against the heretical teachings of Arius. Alexander died in 328.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 25: 11-12
Redeem me, O Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot stands on level ground; I will bless the Lord in the assembly.
Collect
O God, who have taught us to chasten our bodies for the healing of our souls, enable us, we pray, to abstain from all sins, and strengthen our hearts to carry out your loving commands. 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 : Daniel 9:4-10
O Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and have kindness for those who love you and keep your commandments: we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and your ordinances and turned away from them. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Integrity, Lord, is yours; ours the look of shame we wear today, we, the people of Judah, the citizens of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in every country to which you have dispersed us because of the treason we have committed against you. To us, Lord, the look of shame belongs, to our kings, our princes, our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God mercy and pardon belong, because we have betrayed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God nor followed the laws he has given us through his servants the prophets.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
78(79):8-9,11,13
R/ Do not treat us according to our sins, O Lord.
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.
Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; let your strong arm reprieve those condemned to die. But we, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give you thanks for ever and ever. We will tell your praise from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 6:63,68
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower; whoever finds this seed will remain for ever. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel : Luke 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in your goodness these our prayers, O Lord, and set free from worldly attractions those you allow to serve the heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Lk 6: 36
Be merciful, as your Father is merciful, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us of wrongdoing and make us heirs to the joy of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today Jesus is giving us guidelines for living our faith. Be compassionate! In other words, be merciful! This merciful attitude is not only exclusive to those we love or are friends with. We must be compassionate to everyone, especially our enemies and those who hurt us. It is a practical Lenten teaching. Before you judge others for their iniquities, look closely at yourselves first. On forgiveness, Jesus says we have to forgive to be forgiven. Some of us are so heartless that we have no room for forgiveness. We swear on some people we can never forgive. Jesus tells us how we can liberate ourselves from hateful emotions. We always have to forgive, which is a liberating experience; we let go of the pent-up emotions that have enslaved us for so long. In his prayer, Jesus prescribed forgiveness as a condition for heaven. Try giving wholesale forgiveness to everyone who has hurt you; you will feel the enormous burden being taken off you.
