by L'équipe de publication | Jul 25, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAINTS Anne et Joachim,
Parents de la Vierge Marie
Qui donna la vie à la femme appelée à la transmettre au Sauveur du monde ? Nous ne savons rien des parents de Marie, pas même leurs noms, sauf ce que nous disent des écrits légendaires qui semblent calqués sur des écrits de l’Ancien Testament. Il est néanmoins légitime de leur rendre un culte qui exprime notre gratitude pour le rôle qu’ils ont joué dans l’histoire du salut.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 67, 6-7. 36
Fêtons Anne et Joachim, les parents de la Mère de Dieu, par eux nous est venue la bénédiction promise à tous les peuples.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, toi qui est le Dieu de nos Pères, tu as donné à sainte Anne et à saint Joachim de mettre au monde celle qui deviendrait la mère de ton Fils ; Accorde-nous, à leur commune prière, le salut que tu as promis à ton peuple. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Ex 16, 1-5.9-15
Toute la communauté des fils d’Israël partit d’Élim et atteignit le désert de Sine, entre Élim et le Sinaï, le quinzième jour du deuxième mois après sa sortie du pays d’Égypte. Dans le désert, toute la communauté des fils d’Israël récriminait contre Moïse et son frère Aaron. Les fils d’Israël leur dirent : « Ah! Il aurait mieux valu mourir de la main du Seigneur, au pays d’Égypte, quand nous étions assis près des marmites de viande, quand nous mangions du pain à satiété ! Vous nous avez fait sortir dans ce désert pour faire mourir de faim tout ce peuple assemblé ! » Le Seigneur dit à Moïse : « Voici que, du ciel, je vais faire pleuvoir du pain pour vous. Le peuple sortira pour recueillir chaque jour sa ration quotidienne, et ainsi je vais le mettre à l’épreuve : je verrai s’il marchera, ou non, selon ma loi. Mais, le sixième jour, quand ils feront le compte de leur récolte, ils trouveront le double de la ration quotidienne. » Moïse dit ensuite à Aaron : « Ordonne à toute la communauté des fils d’Israël: “Présentez-vous devant le Seigneur, car il a entendu vos récriminations.” » Aaron parla à toute la communauté des fils d’Israël ; puis ils se tournèrent du côté du désert, et voici que la gloire du Seigneur apparut dans la nuée. Le Seigneur dit alors à Moïse: « J’ai entendu les récriminations des fils d’Israël. Tu leur diras : “Au coucher du soleil, vous mangerez de la viande et, le lendemain matin, vous aurez du pain à satiété. Alors vous saurez que moi, le Seigneur, je suis votre Dieu.” » Le soir même, surgit un vol de cailles qui recouvrirent le camp ; et, le lendemain matin, il y avait une couche de rosée autour du camp. Lorsque la couche de rosée s’évapora, il y avait, à la surface du désert, une fine croûte, quelque chose de fin comme du givre, sur le sol. Quand ils virent cela, les fils d’Israël se dirent l’un à l’autre : « Mann hou ? » (ce qui veut dire : Qu’est-ce que c’est ?), car ils ne savaient pas ce que c’était. Moïse leur dit : « C’est le pain que le Seigneur vous donne à manger. »
Psaume 77 (78), 18-19, 25-26, 27-28
R/ Le Seigneur donne le pain du ciel !
Ils tentaient le Seigneur dans leurs cœurs, ils réclamèrent de manger à leur faim. Ils s’en prennent à Dieu et demandent : « Dieu peut-il apprêter une table au désert ? »
Il commande aux nuées là-haut, il ouvre les écluses du ciel : pour les nourrir il fait pleuvoir la manne, il leur donne le froment du ciel.
Chacun se nourrit du pain des Forts, il les pourvoit de vivres à satiété. Dans le ciel, il pousse le vent d’est et lance le grand vent du midi.
Sur eux il fait pleuvoir une nuée d’oiseaux, autant de viande que de sable au bord des mers. Elle s’abat au milieu de leur camp tout autour de leurs demeures.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. La semence est la parole de Dieu, le semeur est le Christ ; celui qui le trouve demeure pour toujours. Alléluia. (cf. Mt 13, 4.23)
Évangile : Mt 13, 1-9
Ce jour-là, Jésus était sorti de la maison, et il était assis au bord de la mer. Auprès de lui se rassemblèrent des foules si grandes qu’il monta dans une barque où il s’assit ; toute la foule se tenait sur le rivage. Il leur dit beaucoup de choses en paraboles : « Voici que le semeur sortit pour semer. Comme il semait, des grains sont tombés au bord du chemin, et les oiseaux sont venus tout manger. D’autres sont tombés sur le sol pierreux, où ils n’avaient pas beaucoup de terre; ils ont levé aussitôt, parce que la terre était peu profonde. Le soleil s’étant levé, ils ont brûlé et, faute de racines, ils ont séché. D’autres sont tombés dans les ronces ; les ronces ont poussé et les ont étouffés. D’autres sont tombés dans la bonne terre, et ils ont donné du fruit à raison de cent, ou soixante, ou trente pour un. Celui qui a des oreilles, qu’il entende ! »
Prière sur les offrandes
Nous t’en prions, Seigneur, accepte ce que nous t’offrons de grand cœur ; Que nous ayons part à la bénédiction promise à Abraham et à sa descendance. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 102, 2
Heureux les cœurs purs : ils ont reçu la bénédiction du Seigneur, ils ont trouvé grâce devant Dieu, leur Sauveur.
Prière après la communion
Tu as voulu, Seigneur que ton Fils unique naisse d’une famille humaine, pour que les hommes, dans un admirable échange, renaissent de ta propre vie ; Accorde à ceux que tu as nourris du pain de tes enfants d’être sanctifiés par ton esprit d’adoption. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Frères et sœurs, en ce jour, les textes nous interrogent sur notre relation à Dieu. Le suivons-nous uniquement quand nous avons des besoins et qu’il nous satisfait ? Ou alors nous efforçons nous d’être cette bonne terre dont la fidélité est solidement établie dans le Seigneur grâce à la parole reçue, méditée et vécue avec foi et confiance ? Nous sommes appelés à faire le saut d’un Dieu magicien satisfaisant nos envies, au Dieu vivant et vrai de qui nous recevons la vie véritable et pour qui nous fructifions par amour en tout temps, en tout lieu et quel que soit la situation.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 25, 2023 | Evangelium
SAINT JOACHIM AND SAINT ANNE,
parents ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary
An ancient tradition, already known in the 2nd century, gives these names to the parents of the Virgin Mary. The cult of St Anna became popular in the 6th century in the East, and in the 10th century in the West, where she is the patron saint of Brittany; Joachim was added a long time later–too of ten the fate of fathers.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 44: 1, 25
Let us praise Joachim and Anne, to whom, in their generation, the Lord gave him who was a blessing for all the nations.
Collect
O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayers of both, that we may attain the salvation you have promised to your people. 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: Exodus 16:1-5,9-15
From Elim they set out, and the whole community of the sons of Israel reached the wilderness of Sin – between Elim and Sinai – on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt. And the whole community of the sons of Israel began to complain against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and said to them, “Why did we not die at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we were able to sit down to pans of meat and could eat bread to our heart’s content! As it is, you have brought us to this wilderness to starve this whole company to death!” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now I will rain down bread for you from the heavens. Each day the people are to go out and gather the day’s portion; I propose to test them in this way to see whether they will follow my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have brought in, this will be twice as much as the daily gathering.” Moses said to Aaron, “To the whole community of the sons of Israel say this, ‘Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaints.’” As Aaron was speaking to the whole community of the sons of Israel, they turned towards the wilderness, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the form of a cloud. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel. Say this to them, ‘Between the two evenings you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have bread to your heart’s content. Then you will learn that I, the Lord, am your God.’” And so it came about: quails flew up in the evening, and they covered the camp; in the morning there was a coating of dew all round the camp. When the coating of dew lifted, there on the surface of the desert was a thing delicate, powdery, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground. When they saw this, the sons of Israel said to one another, “What is that?” not knowing what it was. “That”, said Moses to them, “is the bread the Lord gives you to eat.”
Psalm 77(78):18-19,23-28
R/ The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
In their heart they put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They even spoke against God. They said: ‘Is it possible for God to prepare a table in the desert?’
Yet he commanded the clouds above and opened the gates of heaven. He rained down manna for their food, and gave them bread from heaven.
Mere men ate the bread of angels. He sent them abundance of food; he made the east wind blow from heaven and roused the south wind by his might.
He rained food on them like dust, winged fowl like the sands of the sea. He let it fall in the midst of their camp and all around their tents.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps118:36,29
Alleluia, alleluia! Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9
Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables. He said, “Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!”
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, we pray, O Lord, these offerings of our homage, and grant that we may merit a share in the same blessing which you promised to Abraham and his descendants. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 23: 5
They received blessings from the Lord and mercy from God their Saviour.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should be born from among humanity so that by a wonderful mystery, humanity might be born again from you, we pray that, in your kindness, you may sanctify by the spirit of adoption those you have fed with the Bread you give your children. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Brothers and sisters, on this day the texts ask us about our relationship with God. Do we follow him only when we have needs and he satisfies us? Or do we strive to be that good soil whose faithfulness is firmly established in the Lord through the word received, meditated upon and lived out with faith and trust? We are called to make the leap from a magician God who satisfies our desires, to the living and true God from whom we receive true life and for whom we grow in love at all times, in all places and in all situations.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 24, 2023 | Evangelium
SAINT JAMES, Apostle
Feast
He was the brother of St John and, like him, a fisherman. He was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration and one of those who slept through most of the Agony in the Garden. He was the first of the apostles to be martyred, being beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I to please the Jewish opponents of Christianity. He was buried in Jerusalem.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Mt 4: 18, 21
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother mending their nets and he called them.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles by the blood of Saint James, grant, we pray, that your Church may be strengthened by his confession of faith and constantly sustained by his protection. 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: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in Scripture – I believed, and therefore I spoke – we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.
Psalm 125:1-6
R. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn15:16
Alleluia, alleluia! I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28
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
Cleanse us, Lord, by the saving baptism of your Son’s Passion, so that on the Feast of Saint James, whom you willed to be the first among the Apostles to drink of Christ’s chalice of suffering, we may offer a sacrifice pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
They drank the chalice of the Lord, and became the friends of God.
Prayer after Communion
Help us, O Lord, we pray, through the intercession of the blessed Apostle James, on whose feast day we have received with joy your holy gifts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
As Christians, we are called today to place service at the centre of our activities. It is through service that we can participate in God’s work of salvation for humanity. In fact, unlike abusive authority, service allows us to restore to mankind the dignity of the children of God which we have lost through sin. Lord, give us the power to place service that contributes to your work of salvation above positions and honours.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 24, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
SAINT Jacques, Apôtre
L’Apôtre Jacques le Majeur qui, depuis le 9e siècle attire les pèlerins sur les routes de Compostelle, fut, avec Jean son frère et avec Simon-Pierre, le témoin de la transfiguration et de l’agonie de Jésus.
Antienne d’ouverture : Mt 4, 18. 21
Comme il cheminait le long de la mer de Galilée, Jésus aperçut Jacques, fils de Zébédée, et Jean son frère, en train d’arranger leurs filets ; et il les appela.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu tout-puissant, puisque saint Jacques fut le premier de tes Apôtres à offrir sa vie pour l’Evangile, Accorde à ton Eglise de trouver dans son témoignage une force, et dans sa protection un appui. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : 2 Co 4, 7-15
Frères, nous portons un trésor comme dans des vases d’argile ; ainsi, on voit bien que cette puissance extraordinaire appartient à Dieu et ne vient pas de nous. En toute circonstance, nous sommes dans la détresse, mais sans être angoissés; nous sommes déconcertés, mais non désemparés ; nous sommes pourchassés, mais non pas abandonnés ; terrassés, mais non pas anéantis. Toujours nous portons, dans notre corps, la mort de Jésus, afin que la vie de Jésus, elle aussi, soit manifestée dans notre corps. En effet, nous, les vivants, nous sommes continuellement livrés à la mort à cause de Jésus, afin que la vie de Jésus, elle aussi, soit manifestée dans notre condition charnelle vouée à la mort. Ainsi la mort fait son œuvre en nous, et la vie en vous. L’Écriture dit : J’ai cru, c’est pourquoi j’ai parlé. Et nous aussi, qui avons le même esprit de foi, nous croyons, et c’est pourquoi nous parlons. Car, nous le savons, celui qui a ressuscité le Seigneur Jésus nous ressuscitera, nous aussi, avec Jésus, et il nous placera près de lui avec vous. Et tout cela, c’est pour vous, afin que la grâce, plus largement répandue dans un plus grand nombre, fasse abonder l’action de grâce pour la gloire de Dieu.
Psaume : 125 (126), 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
R/ Ceux qui sèment dans les larmes moissonnent en chantant.
Quand le Seigneur ramena les captifs à Sion, nous étions comme en rêve ! Alors notre bouche était pleine de rires, nous poussions des cris de joie.
Alors on disait parmi les nations : « Quelles merveilles fait pour eux le Seigneur ! » Quelles merveilles le Seigneur fit pour nous : nous étions en grande fête !
Ramène, Seigneur, nos captifs, comme les torrents au désert. Qui sème dans les larmes moissonne dans la joie :
l s’en va, il s’en va en pleurant, il jette la semence ; il s’en vient, il s’en vient dans la joie, il rapporte les gerbes.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. C’est moi qui vous ai choisis du milieu du monde, afin que vous alliez, que vous portiez du fruit, et que votre fruit demeure, dit le Seigneur. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 15, 16)
Évangile : Mt 20, 20-28
En ce temps-là, la mère de Jacques et de Jean, 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
Purifie-nous, Seigneur, par le baptême de la passion de ton Fils, Et nous pourrons t’offrir un sacrifice qui te plaise en la fête de saint Jacques qui fut le premier des Apôtres à boire à la coupe du Christ. Lui qui.
Antienne de communion
Les deux frères Jacques et Jean ont partagé la coupe du Seigneur, ils sont devenus les amis de Dieu.
Prière après la communion
Par la prière de l’Apôtre saint Jacques viens à notre aide, Seigneur, En ce jour où pour célébrer sa fête nous avons reçu dans la joie tes dons sacrés. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Frères et sœurs, en tant que chrétiens, nous sommes conviés en ce jour à placer le service au centre de nos activités. C’est grâce à lui que nous pouvons participer à l’œuvre de salut de Dieu pour l’humanité. En effet, à la différence d’une autorité abusivement exercée, le service permet de redonner à l’Homme sa dignité de fils de Dieu perdue à cause du péché. Seigneur donnes nous de placer le service qui contribue à ton œuvre de salut au-dessus des postes et des honneurs.
by L'équipe de publication | Jul 23, 2023 | Evangelium
SAINT DECLAN
He was an early Irish bishop and abbot. He is sometimes said to be one of four bishops to have preceded Saint Patrick in Ireland in the early 5th century (See also Saints Ailbhe, Ciaran, and Ibar), although he is also made a contemporary of Saint David in the mid-6th century.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 53: 6, 8
See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul. I will sacrifice to you with willing heart, and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
Collect
Show favour, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your 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: Exodus 14:5-18
When Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was told that the Israelites had made their escape, he and his courtiers changed their minds about the people. “What have we done,” they said, “allowing Israel to leave our service?” So Pharaoh had his chariot harnessed and gathered his troops about him, taking six hundred of the best chariots and all the other chariots in Egypt, each manned by a picked team. The Lord made Pharaoh, king of Egypt, stubborn, and he gave chase to the sons of Israel as they made their triumphant escape. So the Egyptians gave chase and came up with them where they lay encamped beside the sea – all the horses, the chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, his army – near Pi-hahiroth, facing Baal-zephon. And as Pharaoh approached, the sons of Israel looked round – and there were the Egyptians in pursuit of them! The sons of Israel were terrified and cried out to the Lord. To Moses they said, “Were there no graves in Egypt that you must lead us out to die in the wilderness? What good have you done us, bringing us out of Egypt? We spoke of this in Egypt, did we not? Leave us alone, we said, we would rather work for the Egyptians! Better to work for the Egyptians than die in the wilderness!” Moses answered the people, “Have no fear! Stand firm, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today: the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will do the fighting for you: you have only to keep still.” The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me so? Tell the sons of Israel to march on. For yourself, raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and part it for the sons of Israel to walk through the sea on dry ground. I for my part will make the heart of the Egyptians so stubborn that they will follow them. So shall I win myself glory at the expense of Pharaoh, of all his army, his chariots, his horsemen. And when I have won glory for myself, at the expense of Pharaoh and his chariots and his army, the Egyptians will learn that I am the Lord.”
Psalm Exodus 15:1-6
R/ I will sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph!
I will sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph! Horse and rider he has thrown into the sea! The Lord is my strength, my song, my salvation. This is my God and I extol him, my father’s God and I give him praise.
The Lord is a warrior! ‘The Lord’ is his name. The chariots of Pharaoh he hurled into the sea, the flower of his army is drowned in the sea.
The deeps hide them; they sank like a stone. Your right hand, Lord, glorious in its power, your right hand, Lord, has shattered the enemy.
Gospel Acclamation: cf.2Tim1:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death and he has proclaimed life through the Good News. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. “Master,” they said, “we should like to see a sign from you.” He replied, “It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.”
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who in the one perfect sacrifice brought to completion varied offerings of the law, accept, we pray, this sacrifice from your faithful servants and make it holy, as you blessed the gifts of Abel, so that what each has offered to the honour of your majesty may benefit the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 110: 4-5
The Lord, the gracious, the merciful, has made a memorial of his wonders; he gives food to those who fear him.
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
Every day, the Lord manifests acts of greatness in our lives, and he is glorified at the expense of our adversaries, as he did with the Egyptians. But the greatest sign he gives us is that of the resurrection. This is the sign par excellence that should motivate us to conversion, because it puts an end to man’s greatest fear of all time: entry into nothingness after this life. Lord, may the ultimate sign of the resurrection erase our resistance to conversion.
