by L'équipe de publication | Dec 15, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAINTE Adélaïde ou Alice
Sa force de caractère et sa bonté, puisées dans sa foi, lui furent d’un grand secours pour assumer ses fonctions, à la fois, de reine d’Italie et de reine d’Allemagne. Elle les assuma avec toutes les vertus chrétiennes. Elle passa les trois dernières années de sa vie à promouvoir le bien de l’Église et des pauvres. Elle mourut en 999.
Antienne d’ouverture
Viens, Seigneur, montre-nous ton visage, et nous serons sauvés.
Prière d’ouverture
Nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant, que la splendeur de ta gloire se lève en nos cœurs : et l’avènement de ton Fils unique, dissipant les dernières ombres de la nuit, fera voir au grand jour que nous sommes fils de ta lumière. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Sir 48, 1-4.9-11
En ces jours-là, le prophète Élie surgit comme un feu, sa parole brûlait comme une torche. Il fit venir la famine sur Israël, et, dans son ardeur, les réduisit à un petit nombre. Par la parole du Seigneur, il retint les eaux du ciel, et à trois reprises il en fit descendre le feu. Comme tu étais redoutable, Élie, dans tes prodiges ! Qui pourrait se glorifier d’être ton égal ? Toi qui fus enlevé dans un tourbillon de feu par un char aux coursiers de feu ; toi qui fus préparé pour la fin des temps, ainsi qu’il est écrit, afin d’apaiser la colère avant qu’elle n’éclate, afin de ramener le cœur des pères vers les fils et de rétablir les tribus de Jacob… heureux ceux qui te verront, heureux ceux qui, dans l’amour, se seront endormis ; nous aussi, nous posséderons la vraie vie.
Psaume : 79 (80), 2ac.3bc, 15-16a, 18-19
R/ Dieu, fais- nous revenir ; que ton visage s’éclaire, et nous serons sauvés ! 79, 4
Berger d’Israël, écoute, resplendis au-dessus des Kéroubim ! Réveille ta vaillance et viens nous sauver.
Dieu de l’univers, revient ! Du haut des cieux, regarde et vois : visite cette vigne, protège- la, celle qu’a plantée ta main puissante.
Que ta main soutienne ton protégé, le fils de l’homme qui te doit sa force. Jamais plus nous n’irons loin de toi: fais- nous vivre et invoquer ton nom!
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Préparez le chemin du Seigneur, rendez droits ses sentiers: tout être vivant verra le salut de Dieu. Alléluia.
Évangile : Mt 17, 10-13
Descendant de la montagne, les disciples interrogèrent Jésus: « Pourquoi donc les scribes disent-ils que le prophète Élie doit venir d’abord ? » Jésus leur répondit : « Élie va venir pour remettre toute chose à sa place. Mais, je vous le déclare : Élie est déjà venu ; au lieu de le reconnaître, ils lui ont fait tout ce qu’ils ont voulu. Et de même, le Fils de l’homme va souffrir par eux. » Alors les disciples comprirent qu’il leur parlait de Jean le Baptiste.
Prière sur les offrandes
Permets, Seigneur, que le sacrifice de nos eucharisties te soit toujours offert dans ton Église, Pour accomplir le sacrement que tu nous as donné et pour réaliser la merveille de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ap 22
Voici que je viens sans tarder, dit le Seigneur, et j’apporte avec moi le salaire que je vais donner à chacun selon ce qu’il aura.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur notre Dieu, nous attendons de ta miséricorde Que cette nourriture prise à ton autel nous empêche de céder à nos penchants mauvais et nous prépare aux fêtes qui approchent. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Les scribes attendaient le retour du prophète Elie… Jésus sait qu’Elie est déjà venu, c’est Jean-Baptiste qui est le nouvel Elie. En fait, qu’est-ce qui unit vraiment ces deux personnages ? Dans leur bouche se trouve le langage du feu qui est une image constante dans la Bible pour symboliser Dieu. Dieu s’est manifesté au Sinaï dans le feu de l’orage. Il est clair que celui qui porte la volonté divine ait un visage de feu. Et le feu est l’instrument de la purification ultime des derniers temps. Jean-Baptiste pour sa part dira à propos de Jésus que « Celui qui vient derrière moi vous baptisera dans l’Esprit Saint et le feu ». Jésus lui-même affirmera que « Je suis venu jeter un feu sur la terre, et combien je voudrais qu’il soit déjà allumé ». Le Seigneur dans sa bonté et dans sa providence, nous envoie toujours des messagers comme précurseurs de sa venue. Mais parfois nous ne reconnaissons pas ces visites, ces présences quelques fois vibrantes ou discrètes, à cause de notre indifférence et de la distraction.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 15, 2023 | Evangelium
SAINT ado bishop
An archbishop and scholar, Ado was born in Sens and educated at the Benedictine abbey of Ferrieres. Ado reformed the clergy in Vienne and wrote the lives of St. Desiderius and St. Theuderis. He was an energetic man of wide sympathies and considerable influence. Ado died in 875.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 79: 4, 2
Come and show us your face, O Lord, who are seated upon the Cherubim, and we will be saved.
Collect
May the splendour of your glory dawn in our hearts, we pray, almighty God, that all shadows of the night may be scattered and we may be shown to be children of light by the advent of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Ecclesiasticus 48: 1-4, 9-12
The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch. It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal. By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire. How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob, Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.
Psalm 79(80): 2-3, 15-16, 18-19
R/ Lord of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted.
May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again; give us life that we may call upon your name.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The day of the Lord is near; Look, he comes to save us. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 17:10-13
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?” “True;” he replied, “Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.” The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the sacrifice of our worship, Lord, we pray, be offered to you unceasingly, to complete what was begun in sacred mystery and powerfully accomplish for us your saving work. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rv 22: 12
Behold, I am coming soon and my recompense is with me, says the Lord, to bestow a reward according to the deeds of each.
Prayer after Communion
We implore your mercy, Lord, that this divine sustenance may cleanse us of our faults and prepare us for the coming feasts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
For a while now, the readings have been inviting us to be attentive to the signs of God in our lives and around us. For this reason, we are in the Advent season – a moment of waiting on the Lord, a season prepares us for Christmas. It is the time of waiting for the Lord. The Gospel speaks of the new Elijah who has come in the person of John the Baptist, but he was not recognized as such by the Jews. Whereas, John is the precursor, the one who comes to reassure us as we await the Lord. Similarly, Jesus was not recognized by the Jews as the Saviour because they had failed to recognize John as the precursor. We understand from the Gospel that if we do not recognize the signs of God during our wait for the graces we ask from him, then what we wait for will pass us by. Commit yourself today to live this moment of waiting for God’s grace fruitfully, by being attentive to the signs from God. Isn’t that the experience that the Advent season offers us on our journey of faith?
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 14, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAINTE Virginie Centurione Bracelli
Veuve et fondatrice de deux Congrégations religieuses : les « Soeurs de Notre-Dame du Refuge du Mont Calvaire » et les « Soeurs Filles de Notre-Dame au Mont Calvaire », Virginie (Virginia) naquit le 2 avril 1587 à Gênes (Italie). Son père fut Doge de la République au cours des années 1621-1622, sa mère étant également issue d’une famille d’antique noblesse. Elle mourut le 15 décembre 1651 à l’âge de 64 ans.
Antienne d’ouverture
Voici que le Seigneur viendra. Dans la lumière il vient, pour visiter son peuple, pour lui donner la paix et la vie éternelle.
Prière d’ouverture
Tiens ton peuple éveillé, Seigneur, pour la venue de ton Fils ; puissions-nous, fidèles à son avertissement, garder au cœur toutes lumières de foi et d’amour pour nous porter à sa rencontre. Lui qui règne.
1ère lecture : Is 48, 17-19
Ainsi parle le Seigneur, ton rédempteur, Saint d’Israël : Je suis le Seigneur ton Dieu, je te donne un enseignement utile, je te guide sur le chemin où tu marches. Si seulement tu avais prêté attention à mes commandements, ta paix serait comme un fleuve, ta justice, comme les flots de la mer. Ta postérité serait comme le sable, comme les grains de sable, ta descendance ; son nom ne serait ni retranché ni effacé devant moi.
Psaume : 1, 1-2, 3, 4.6
R/ Qui marche à ta suite, Seigneur, aura la lumière de la vie. cf. Jn 8, 12
Heureux est l’homme qui n’entre pas au conseil des méchants, qui ne suit pas le chemin des pécheurs, ne siège pas avec ceux qui ricanent, mais se plaît dans la loi du Seigneur et murmure sa loi jour et nuit!
Il est comme un arbre planté près d’un ruisseau, qui donne du fruit en son temps, et jamais son feuillage ne meurt; tout ce qu’il entreprend réussira. Tel n’est pas le sort des méchants.
Mais ils sont comme la paille balayée par le vent. Le Seigneur connaît le chemin des justes, mais le chemin des méchants se perdra.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Le Seigneur vient : allez à sa rencontre ! C’est lui le Prince de la paix. Alléluia.
Évangile : Mt 11, 16-19
En ce temps- là, Jésus déclarait aux foules : « À qui vais-je comparer cette génération ? Elle ressemble à des gamins assis sur les places, qui en interpellent d’autres en disant : “Nous vous avons joué de la flûte, et vous n’avez pas dansé. Nous avons chanté des lamentations, et vous ne vous êtes pas frappé la poitrine.” Jean est venu, en effet; il ne mange pas, il ne boit pas, et l’on dit : “C’est un possédé !” Le Fils de l’homme est venu ; il mange et il boit, et l’on dit : “Voilà un glouton et un ivrogne, un ami des publicains et des pécheurs.” Mais la sagesse de Dieu a été reconnue juste à travers ce qu’elle fait. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Laisse-toi fléchir, Seigneur, par nos prières et nos pauvres offrandes; Nous ne pouvons pas invoquer nos mérites, viens par ta grâce à notre secours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ph 3
Nous attendons notre Sauveur, le Seigneur Jésus Christ, lui qui transformera nos pauvres corps à l’image de son corps glorieux.
Prière après la communion
Pleins de reconnaissance pour cette eucharistie, nous te prions encore, Seigneur: Apprends-nous, dans la communion à ce mystère, le vrai sens des choses de ce monde et l’amour des biens éternels. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le Seigneur veut bien nous associer à sa mission salvatrice. Il veut que nous nous débarrassions de l’idée d’indifférence de la société contemporaine. Il nous invite à la danse et à la lamentation. Dansez avec ceux qui sont dans la joie, être dans l’action de grâce pour ce que Dieu fait dans nos vies ; prendre part aux souffrances des pauvres, être proche d’eux en ayant de la compassion et en leur apportant de la consolation. La génération d’aujourd’hui est caractérisée par l’indifférence et la distraction. Pour la vaincre, il faut garder en mémoire l’Alliance du Seigneur, faire vivre la nostalgie du Christ, manifesté dans la chair, justifié dans l’Esprit, apparu aux anges, proclamé dans les nations, cru dans le monde, enlevé dans la gloire ! Tout disciple doit donc se laisser interpeler par la joie de la flûte et le chant de la lamentation. Il faut partager la vie de tout homme et de toutes les situations.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 14, 2023 | Evangelium
SAINTE Virginie
Centurione Bracelli
Foundress of the Handmaids of Charity of Brescia, also called the Servants of Charity. In the cholera epidemic of 1836, she became well-known as she directed a home for girls and began another residence for deaf and mute young ladies. Maria died at Brescia on December 15. She was canonized in 1954.
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, the Lord will come descending with splendour to visit his people with peace, and he will bestow on them eternal life.
Collect
Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that, as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten, alert and with lighted lamps, to meet him when he comes. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 48: 17-19
Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you, I lead you in the way that you must go. If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea. Your children would have been numbered like the sand, your descendants as many as its grains. Never would your name have been cut off or blotted out before me.
Psalm 1: 1-4, 6
R/ Anyone who follows you, O Lord, will have the light of life.
Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night.
He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind: for the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! See, the king, the Lord of the world, will come. He will free us from the yoke of our bondage. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 11: 16-19
Jesus spoke to the crowds: “What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place: ‘We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn’t be mourners.’ For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He is possessed.’ The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and, since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Phil 3: 20-21
We await a saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our mortal bodies, to conform with his glorified body.
Prayer after Communion
Replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Do know how to daily recognize the Lord who comes to visit us through the multiple situations we encounter? Every situation we face is not a coincidence but a call, pending a response. God’s call comes to us on a daily basis. If today God needs our compassion, tomorrow it will be our joy or our repentance; all this for our edification and that of our neighbours. Learning to recognize these different signs or calls and responding to them is learning to recognize God at work in our lives and the world around us. In so doing, God teaches us every day and guides us through the path leading to him. May we be attentive to these signs today, lest we become like this generation that did not recognize God visiting them.
by L'équipe de publication | Dec 13, 2023 | Evangelium
Saint John of the Cross,
Priest, Doctor
He was born in Spain in 1542. He spent some time as a Carmelite friar before, in 1568, Saint Teresa of Ávila persuaded him to pioneer the reform of the Carmelite order. He is considered one of the great mystics of the church. He was canonized in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.
Entrance Antiphon: Gal 6: 14
May I never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Collect
O God, who gave the Priest Saint John an outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial and love of the Cross, grant that, by imitating him closely at all times, we may come to contemplate eternally your glory. 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 41:13-20
I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you.’ Do not be afraid, Jacob, poor worm, Israel, puny mite. I will help you – it is the Lord who speaks – the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer. See, I turn you into a threshing-sled, new, with doubled teeth; you shall thresh and crush the mountains, and turn the hills to chaff. You shall winnow them and the wind will blow them away, the gale will scatter them. But you yourself will rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel. The poor and needy ask for water, and there is none, their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer them, I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them. I will make rivers well up on barren heights, and fountains in the midst of valleys; turn the wilderness into a lake, and dry ground into water spring. In the wilderness I will put cedar trees, acacias, myrtles, olives. In the desert I will plant juniper, plane tree and cypress side by side; so that men may see and know, may all observe and understand that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Psalm 144(145): 1, 9-13a
R/ The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.
I will give you glory, O God my king, I will bless your name for ever. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures.
All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God, to make known to men your mighty deeds and the glorious splendour of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Come, Lord, with your peace that we may rejoice in your presence with sincerity of heart. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 11: 11-15
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look upon the sacrificial gifts we offer, almighty God, in commemoration of Saint John of the Cross and grant that we, who celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion, may imitate what we now enact. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 16: 24
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who in Saint John have wonderfully made known the mystery of the Cross, graciously grant that, drawing strength from this sacrifice, we may cling faithfully to Christ and labour in the Church for the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel, Jesus testifies about John the Baptist when he says “it was of John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law spoke; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return”. Elijah was the prophet in Israel during the time of religious decadence with the cult of Baal. He fought strongly for the return of the ONE AND TRUE GOD, YAHWE. And just as the angel Gabriel declared to Zachariah, John the Baptist is the one appointed by God to be precursor to bring back the children of Israel to God (Lk 1:60). This is the season of John the Baptist, the new Elijah. We are called to come back to God. Like the father of the prodigal son, God waits patiently for our return. And like the psalmist tells us “The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love”. It is the best moment perhaps to think and live the sacrament of reconciliation.
