by L'équipe de publication | Oct 4, 2023 | Evangelium
Sister Faustina
Sister Faustina was a young, uneducated, nun in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930’s. She received extraordinary revelations on God’s loving message of Divine Mercy. Saint Faustina’s revelations are a constant reminder of the message to trust in Jesus’ endless mercy, and to live life mercifully toward others.
Entrance Antiphon: Dn 3: 31, 29, 30, 43,
All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgement, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments. But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy.
Collect
O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven. 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: Nehemiah 8:1-12
When the seventh month came, all the people gathered as one man on the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had prescribed for Israel. Accordingly Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read. Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people, said to all the people, “This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.” For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law. He then said, “Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.” And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be at ease; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.” And all the people went off to eat and drink and give shares away and begin to enjoy themselves since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
Psalm 18(19):8-11
R/ The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.
The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just.
They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt 4: 4
Alleluia, alleluia! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, ‘The kingdom of God is very near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.’ I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O merciful God, that this our offering may find acceptance with you and that through it the wellspring of all blessing may be laid open before us. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 118: 49-50
Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope. This is my comfort when I am brought low.
Prayer after Communion
May this heavenly mystery, O Lord, restore us in mind and body, that we may be coheirs in glory with Christ, to whose suffering we are united whenever we proclaim his Death. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
“The labourers are few…” One would expect this to lead to: “Roll up your sleeves and go and help out a bit”. Not at all! It leads to: “Pray!” Yet it is really a matter of urgency: a ripe harvest cannot wait more than a few days. It would appear Jesus want to put this urgency into perspective. But above all, he wants the eyes of his envoys not to be hypnotized exclusively by the task and not to forget the master of the harvest. For it is indeed the master’s harvest, and we must never lose sight of the fact that it is up to him to send workers to it. They cannot integrate themselves to the work on their own initiative. Dialogue, even if it is only implied, must be constant between the sender and the sent. It is by being rooted in prayer that every mission becomes effective and fruitful. Prayer therefore remains one of the great prerequisites of all evangelization.
by L'équipe de publication | Oct 3, 2023 | Evangelium
SAINT Francis of Assisi
He was the son of a wealthy 12th-century Italian merchant, and early in his life was devoted to partying and his enjoying his social status. After an illness his life changed: He began a life of evangelical poverty, living by begging. His followers are called the Franciscans. Francis died in 1226, having started a revolution. The Franciscans endure to this day.
Entrance Antiphon
Francis, the man of God, left his home behind, abandoned his inheritance and became poor and penniless, but the Lord raised him up.
Collect
O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. 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: Nehemiah 2:1-8
In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the wine being my concern, I took up the wine and offered it to the king. Now I had never been downcast before. So the king said, “Why is your face so sad? You are not sick, surely? This must be a sadness of the heart.” A great fear came over me and I said to the king, “May the king live for ever! How could my face be other than sad when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins, and its gates have been burnt down?” “What,” the king asked. “is your request?” I called on the God of heaven and made this reply to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if you are satisfied with your servant, give me leave to go to Judah, to the city of my ancestors” tombs, and rebuild it.” The king, with the queen sitting there beside him, said, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I named a date that seemed acceptable to the king and he gave me leave to go. I spoke to the king once more, “If it please the king, could letters be given me for the governors of Transeuphrates to allow me to pass through to Judah? And also a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king’s park, to supply me with timber for the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and for the house I am to occupy?” This the king granted me, for the kindly favour of my God was with me.
Psalm 136 (137):1-6
R/ O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Zion; on the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps.
For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy. ‘Sing to us,’ they said, ‘one of Zion’s songs.’
O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil? If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!
O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not, if I prize not Jerusalem above all my joys!
Gospel Acclamation: Ps118:105
Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 9:57-62
As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered, “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another to whom he said, “Follow me”, replied, “Let me go and bury my father first.” But he answered, “Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.” Jesus said to him, “Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Prayer over the Offerings
As we bring you these offerings, O Lord, we pray that we may be rightly disposed for the celebration of the mystery of the Cross, which Saint Francis so ardently embraced. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 5: 3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer after Communion
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, through these holy gifts which we have received, that, imitating the charity and apostolic zeal of Saint Francis, we may experience the effects of your love and spread them everywhere for the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Less than the foxes, less than the birds of the air. That is, no shelter, no support, nothing! Should we understand these words of Jesus as an expression of distress similar to that of a homeless person, a wanderer? Jesus was not a homeless person; the Gospel notes several points where he could get some rest. Rather, it would seem that he wanted to dot the “I”s for the enthusiastic person who declares, somewhat emphatically, that he wants to follow him anywhere. Following Christ is not fulfilment of the dream of an ideal or comfortable life. No, we must expect a radical stripping, with no turning back, as the end of this passage becomes clear. It is a vigorous warning, but can it discourage a generous heart truly captivated by Christ?
by L'équipe de publication | Oct 3, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAINT François d’Assise
Fils d’un riche marchand dans un monde déchiré par les guerres, le chevalier de Dame Pauvreté apparait comme le pur reflet de l’Évangile. En se détachant systématiquement des biens terrestres et de lui-même, François Bernardone devient chantre de la création avec la fraicheur d’une enfance retrouvée. Il fonde une triple famille religieuse : Frères Mineurs, Clarisses et Tiers-Ordre.
Antienne d’ouverture : Dn 3, 31
Saint François d’Assise fut un home de Dieu ; il a quitté sa maison, abandonné son heritage, pour épouser Dame Pauvreté ; et le Seigneur l’a pris à son service.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as donné à saint François d’Assise de mener une vie humble et pauvre, toute à l’image du Christ, fais-nous emprunter les mêmes chemins pour suivre ton Fils et vivre unis à toi, pleins de joie et de charité. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Ne 2, 1-8
Moi, Néhémie, j’étais alors échanson du roi. La vingtième année du règne d’Artaxerxès, au mois de Nissane, je présentai le vin et l’offris au roi. Je n’avais jamais montré de tristesse devant lui, mais ce jour-là, le roi me dit : « Pourquoi ce visage triste ? Tu n’es pourtant pas malade ! Tu as donc du chagrin ? » Rempli de crainte, je répondis : « Que le roi vive toujours ! Comment n’aurais-je pas l’air triste, quand la ville où sont enterrés mes pères a été dévastée, et ses portes, dévorées par le feu ? » Le roi me dit alors : « Que veux-tu donc me demander ? » Je fis une prière au Dieu du ciel, et je répondis au roi : « Si tel est le bon plaisir du roi, et si tu es satisfait de ton serviteur, laisse-moi aller en Juda, dans la ville où sont enterrés mes pères, et je la rebâtirai. » Le roi, qui avait la reine à côté de lui, me demanda : « Combien de temps durera ton voyage ? Quand reviendras-tu ? » Je lui indiquai une date qu’il approuva, et il m’autorisa à partir. Je dis encore : « Si tel est le bon plaisir du roi, qu’on me donne des lettres pour les gouverneurs de la province qui est à l’ouest de l’Euphrate, afin qu’ils facilitent mon passage jusqu’en Juda ; et aussi une lettre pour Asaph, l’inspecteur des forêts royales, afin qu’il me fournisse du bois de charpente pour les portes de la citadelle qui protégera la maison de Dieu, le rempart de la ville, et la maison où je vais m’installer. » Le roi me l’accorda, car la main bienfaisante de mon Dieu était sur moi.
Psaume : 137 (138), 1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5
R/ Je chanterai le Seigneur, en présence des anges.
De tout mon cœur, Seigneur, je te rends grâce : tu as entendu les paroles de ma bouche. Je te chante en présence des anges, vers ton temple sacré, je me prosterne.
Je rends grâce à ton nom pour ton amour et ta vérité, car tu élèves, au-dessus de tout, ton nom et ta parole. Le jour où tu répondis à mon appel, tu fis grandir en mon âme la force.
Tous les rois de la terre te rendent grâce quand ils entendent les paroles de ta bouche. Ils chantent les chemins du Seigneur : « Qu’elle est grande, la gloire du Seigneur ! »
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. J’ai tout perdu; je considère tout comme des ordures, afin de gagner un seul avantage, le Christ et, en lui, d’être reconnu juste. Alléluia.
Évangile : Lc 9, 57-62
En ce temps-là, en cours de route, un homme dit à Jésus : « Je te suivrai partout où tu iras. » Jésus lui déclara : « Les renards ont des terriers, les oiseaux du ciel ont des nids ; mais le Fils de l’homme n’a pas d’endroit où reposer la tête. » Il dit à un autre : « Suis-moi. » L’homme répondit : « Seigneur, permets-moi d’aller d’abord enterrer mon père. » Mais Jésus répliqua : « Laisse les morts enterrer leurs morts. Toi, pars, et annonce le règne de Dieu. » Un autre encore lui dit :« Je te suivrai, Seigneur ; mais laisse-moi d’abord faire mes adieux aux gens de ma maison. » Jésus lui répondit : « Quiconque met la main à la charrue, puis regarde en arrière, n’est pas fait pour le royaume de Dieu. »
Prière sur les offrandes
En te présentant nos offrandes, Seigneur, nous t’adressons cette prière : dispose nos cœurs à célébrer le mystère de la croix auquel François d’Assise livra toute sa vie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 118
Heureux les pauvres de cœurs : le Royaume des cieux est à eux !
Prière après la communion
Par l’eucharistie que nous avons reçue, accorde-nous, Seigneur, qu’en imitant la charité de saint François et la générosité de son cœur d’apôtre, nous fassions servir au salut de tous, les grâces que ton amour nous a données. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le Fils de l’Homme n’a pas d’abri, pas d’appui, rien ! Faut-il comprendre cette parole de Jésus comme l’expression d’une détresse semblable à celle d’une personne sans domicile fixe, d’un ambulant ? Jésus n’en était pas un, l’évangile Lui note plusieurs points d’attache. Il semble plutôt qu’il veuille recadrer l’enthousiasme de ceux qui veulent le suivre partout, n’importe où. Suivre le Christ n’est pas l’accomplissement d’un rêve de vie idéale de confort. Non, il faut s’attendre à un dépouillement radical, sans retour en arrière, comme le précise la fin de l’évangile. La mise en garde est rigoureuse, mais peut-elle décourager un cœur généreux et vraiment captivé par le Christ ?
by L'équipe de publication | Oct 2, 2023 | Evangelium
Saint Thomas Cantilupe
Originally from a rich Anglo-Norman family, he was ordained priest in 1245 while taking part in the First Council of Lyons. In 1275 he became Bishop of Hereford, where his austerity and his zeal as a reforming bishop became well known. He died while on a journey to the papal court, and was canonised in 1320.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Deut 32
The Lord led her and taught her, and kept her as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle spreading its wings he took her up and bore her on his shoulders. The Lord alone was her guide.
Collect
O God, who open your Kingdom to those who are humble and to little ones, lead us to follow trustingly in the little way of Saint Therese, so that through her intercession we may see your eternal glory revealed. 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: Zechariah 8:20-23
The Lord of Hosts says this: “There will be other peoples yet, and citizens of great cities. And the inhabitants of one city will go to the next and say, ‘Come, let us go and entreat the favour of the Lord, and seek the Lord of Hosts; I am going myself.’ And many peoples and great nations will come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favour of the Lord.” The Lord of Hosts says this: “In those days, ten men of nations of every language will take a Jew by the sleeve and say, “We want to go with you, since we have learnt that God is with you.’”
Psalm 86(87)
R/ God is with us.
On the holy mountain is his city cherished by the Lord. The Lord prefers the gates of Zion to all Jacob’s dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God!
‘Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me; Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, these will be her children and Zion shall be called “Mother” for all shall be her children.’
It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place. In his register of peoples he writes: ‘These are her children,’ and while they dance they will sing: ‘In you all find their home.’
Gospel Acclamation: Ps118:36, 29
Alleluia, alleluia! Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 9:51-56
As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
Prayer over the Offerings
As we proclaim your wonders in Saint Therese, O Lord, we humbly implore your majesty, that, as her merits were pleasing to you, so, too, our dutiful service may find favour in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 18: 3
Thus says the Lord: Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord, kindle in us the force of that love with which Saint Therese dedicated herself to you and longed to obtain your mercy for all. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
It is through their attitude towards the Saviour of the world that people judge themselves worthy or unworthy of the salvation offered to them. They save themselves by reaching out for truth and life and by taking the only path that leads there. They condemn themselves by refusing to go down this path of salvation. This is why Jesus, who is the total revelation of God in our world, renounces the exercise of his omnipotence in the face of the refusal of men to accept his person, his message, his salvation. With Jesus, from now on, no more pressure, no more violence, but only the gentle persuasion of patience and love. May the Lord grant us the grace to peacefully propose the Good News to our rather violent world.
by L'équipe de publication | Oct 2, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAINT Gérard de Brogne
Ce moine doux et conciliant a été canonisé en 1131, lors du concile de Reims. Ayant renoncé à une vie d’officier, il se fit bénédictin à la mort de son père. Il s’initia à la vie monastique à saint Denis près de Paris et fonda une abbaye sur le domaine familial.
Antienne d’ouverture : Dn 3, 31
Tu nous as traités, Seigneur, en toute justice, car nous avons péché, nous n’avons pas écouté tes commandements. Mais, pour l’honneur de ton nom, traite-nous selon la richesse de ta miséricorde.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui donnes la preuve suprême de ta puissance, lorsque tu patientes et prends pitié, Sans te lasser, accorde-nous ta grâce, en nous hâtant vers les biens que tu promets, nous parviendrons au bonheur du ciel. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Za 8, 20-23
Ainsi parle le Seigneur de l’univers:Voici que, de nouveau, des peuples afflueront, des habitants de nombreuses villes. Les habitants d’une ville iront dans une autre ville et diront: « Allons apaiser la face du Seigneur, allons chercher le Seigneur de l’univers! Quant à moi, j’y vais. » Des peuples nombreux et des nations puissantes viendront à Jérusalem chercher le Seigneur de l’univers et apaiser sa face. Ainsi parle le Seigneur de l’univers : En ces jours-là, dix hommes de toute langue et de toute nation saisiront un Juif par son vêtement et lui diront : « Nous voulons aller avec vous, car nous avons appris que Dieu est avec vous. »
Psaume : 86 (87), 1-3, 4, 5, 6-7
R/ Dieu est avec nous.
Elle est fondée sur les montagnes saintes. Le Seigneur aime les portes de Sion plus que toutes les demeures de Jacob. Pour ta gloire on parle de toi, ville de Dieu !
« Je cite l’Égypte et Babylone entre celles qui me connaissent.» Voyez Tyr, la Philistie, l’Éthiopie : chacune est née là-bas.
Mais on appelle Sion : « Ma mère ! » car en elle, tout homme est né. C’est lui, le Très-Haut, qui la maintient.
Au registre des peuples, le Seigneur écrit : « Chacun est né là-bas.» Tous ensemble ils dansent, et ils chantent : « En toi, toutes nos sources ! »
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Le Fils de l’homme est venu pour servir, et donner sa vie en rançon pour la multitude. Alléluia.
Évangile : Lc 9, 51-56
Comme s’accomplissait le temps où il allait être enlevé au ciel, Jésus, le visage déterminé, prit la route de Jérusalem. Il envoya, en avant de lui, des messagers; ceux-ci se mirent en route et entrèrent dans un village de Samaritains pour préparer sa venue. Mais on refusa de le recevoir, parce qu’il se dirigeait vers Jérusalem. Voyant cela, les disciples Jacques et Jean dirent: « Seigneur, veux-tu que nous ordonnions qu’un feu tombe du ciel et les détruise ? » Mais Jésus, se retournant, les réprimanda. Puis ils partirent pour un autre village.
Prière sur les offrandes
Dieu de miséricorde, accepte notre offrande : Qu’elle ouvre largement pour nous la source de toute bénédiction. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 118
Souviens-toi, Seigneur, de la parole que tu m’as donnée; en elle j’ai mis mon espoir, et, dans ma misère, elle est pour moi un réconfort.
Prière après la communion
Que cette eucharistie, Seigneur, renouvelle nos esprits et nos corps, et nous donne part à l’héritage glorieux de celui qui nous unit à son sacrifice lorsque nous proclamons sa mort. Lui qui.
Méditation
C’est par leur attitude vis-à-vis du Sauveur du monde que les hommes se jugent eux-mêmes dignes ou indignes du salut à eux offert. Ils se sauvent en optant pour la vérité et la vie et en empruntant l’unique voie qui y mène. Ils se condamnent en refusant de prendre le chemin du salut. C’est pourquoi Jésus, qui est la totale révélation de Dieu en notre monde, renonce à exercer sa toute-puissance pour des hommes qui refuse d’accueillir sa personne, son message, son salut. Avec Jésus désormais, plus de contrainte, plus de violence, mais seulement la douce persuasion de la patience et de l’amour. Les deux frères Jacques et Jean retiendront la leçon et deviendront, chacun à sa manière, les deux plus grands témoins de cette vérité. Jésus est l’Amour incarné qui se propose et se donne sans réserve, respectant la liberté des hommes à l’accueillir ou à le rejeter, à l’aimer ou à le mépriser. Le disciple de Jésus doit participer à la même dynamique d’amour.
