by L'équipe de publication | Nov 23, 2025 | Evangelium
Saints Andrew Dung-Lac and his
Companions
Psalter: Week II
White
Andrew Dung Lac was born in Vietnam in 1785. He became a Catholic priest. He was beheaded on December 21, 1839 in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the offense of being a priest. Many martyrs died at the hands of religious persecutors following Andrew’s death. We remember them all today.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Gal 6: 14; cf. 1 Cor 1: 18
May we never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the word of the Cross is the power of God to us who have been saved.
Collect
O God, source and origin of all fatherhood, who kept the Martyrs Saint Andrew Dũng-Lac and his companions faithful to the Cross of your Son, even to the shedding of their blood, grant, through their intercession, that, spreading your love among our brothers and sisters, we may be your children both in name and in truth. 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 1:1-6,8-20
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched on Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hands, with some of the furnishings of the Temple of God. He took them away to the land of Shinar, and stored the sacred vessels in the treasury of his own gods. The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to select from the Israelites a certain number of boys of either royal or noble descent; they had to be without any physical defect, of good appearance, trained in every kind of wisdom, well-informed, quick at learning, suitable for service in the palace of the king. Ashpenaz himself was to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldaeans. The king assigned them a daily allowance of food and wine from his own royal table. They were to receive an education lasting for three years, after which they were expected to be fit for the king’s society. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who were Judaeans. Daniel, who was most anxious not to defile himself with the food and wine from the royal table, begged the chief eunuch to spare him this defilement; and by the grace of God Daniel met goodwill and sympathy on the part of the chief eunuch. But he warned Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king: he has assigned you food and drink, and if he sees you looking thinner in the face than the other boys of your age, my head will be in danger with the king because of you.’ At this Daniel turned to the guard whom the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He said, ‘Please allow your servants a ten days’ trial, during which we are given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our looks with those of the boys who eat the king’s food; go by what you see, and treat your servants accordingly.’ The man agreed to do what they asked and put them on ten days’ trial. When the ten days were over they looked and were in better health than any of the boys who had eaten their allowance from the royal table; so the guard withdrew their allowance of food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. And God favoured these four boys with knowledge and intelligence in everything connected with literature, and in wisdom; while Daniel had the gift of interpreting every kind of vision and dream. When the period stipulated by the king for the boys’ training was over, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king conversed with them, and among all the boys found none to equal Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they became members of the king’s court, and on whatever point of wisdom or information he might question them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm : Daniel 3:52-56
R/ To you glory and praise for evermore.
You are blest, Lord God of our fathers.
Blest your glorious holy name.
You are blest in the temple of your glory.
You are blest on the throne of your kingdom.
You are blest who gaze into the depths.
You are blest in the firmament of heaven.
Gospel Acclamation : Rv2:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 21:1-4
As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins, and he said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O holy Father, the offerings we bring as we venerate the passion of the holy Martyrs, so that amid the trials of this life we may always be found faithful and may offer ourselves to you as an acceptable sacrifice. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 5: 10
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed by the one Bread as we commemorate the holy Martyrs, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, abiding as one in your love, we may merit by endurance an eternal prize. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The widow in today’s Gospel passage serves as a good example of generosity, offering everything she has despite its minimal quantity. Fearlessly, she gives her all to God, exemplifying a spirit of selflessnes. This portrayal urges us to embrace generosity in various aspects of our lives by sharing our time, talents, and resources with others. The call to be generous extends beyond individual acts of kindness. It encompasses freely giving to those in need without expecting anything in return. Additionally, contributing generously to the Church supports her mission of evangelisation and service. Generosity becomes a visible sign of our love for God and our neighbour. When we are generous, we show our trust in God’s providence and our willingness to share our blessings with others.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 22, 2025 | Agenda Biblique
34eme dimanche du temps ordinaire
christ roi de l’univers
Psautier: II
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Ap 5, 12: 1, 6
Il est digne, l’Agneau qui a été immolé, de recevoir puissance, divinité, sagesse, force et honneur. À lui, gloire et puissance dans les siècles des siècles.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu éternel, tu as voulu fonder toutes choses en ton Fils bien-aimé, le Roi de l’univers; Fais que toute la création, libérée de la servitude, reconnaisse ta puissance et te glorifie sans fin. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 Samuel 5, 1-3
En ces jours-là, toutes les tribus d’Israël vinrent trouver David à Hébron et lui dirent : « Vois ! Nous sommes de tes os et de ta chair. Dans le passé déjà, quand Saül était notre roi, c’est toi qui menais Israël en campagne et le ramenais, et le Seigneur t’a dit: ‘Tu seras le berger d’Israël mon peuple, tu seras le chef d’Israël.’» Ainsi, tous les anciens d’Israël vinrent trouver le roi à Hébron. Le roi David fit alliance avec eux, à Hébron, devant le Seigneur. Ils donnèrent l’onction à David pour le faire roi sur Israël.
Psaume 121 (122), 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R/ Dans la joie, nous irons à la maison du Seigneur. (cf. Ps 121, 1)
Quelle joie quand on m’a dit: « Nous irons à la maison du Seigneur!» Maintenant notre marche prend fin devant tes portes, Jérusalem !
Jérusalem, te voici dans tes murs : ville où tout ensemble ne fait qu’un! C’est là que montent les tribus, les tribus du Seigneur, là qu’Israël doit rendre grâce au nom du Seigneur.
C’est là le siège du droit, le siège de la maison de David. Appelez le bonheur sur Jérusalem : « Paix à ceux qui t’aiment ! »
2ème lecture : Col 1, 12-20
Frères, rendez grâce à Dieu le Père, qui vous a rendus capables d’avoir part à l’héritage des saints, dans la lumière. Nous arrachant au pouvoir des ténèbres, il nous a placés dans le Royaume de son Fils bien-aimé : en lui nous avons la rédemption, le pardon des péchés. Il est l’image du Dieu invisible, le premier-né, avant toute créature: en lui, tout fut créé, dans le ciel et sur la terre. Les êtres visibles et invisibles, Puissances, Principautés, Souverainetés,Dominations, tout est créé par lui et pour lui. Il est avant toute chose, et tout subsiste en lui. Il est aussi la tête du corps, la tête de l’Église: c’est lui le commencement, le premier-né d’entre les morts, afin qu’il ait en tout la primauté. Car Dieu a jugé bon qu’habite en lui toute plénitude et que tout, par le Christ, lui soit enfin réconcilié, faisant la paix par le sang de sa Croix, la paix pour tous les êtres sur la terre et dans le ciel.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Béni soit celui qui vient au nom du Seigneur. Béni soit le Règne qui vient, celui de David notre père. Alléluia. (cf. Mc 11, 9b.10a)
Évangile : Luc 23, 35-43
En ce temps-là, on venait de crucifier Jésus, et le peuple restait là à observer. Les chefs tournaient Jésus en dérision et disaient : « Il en a sauvé d’autres : qu’il se sauve lui-même, s’il est le Messie de Dieu, l’Élu ! » Les soldats aussi se moquaient de lui ; s’approchant, ils lui présentaient de la boisson vinaigrée, en disant: « Si tu es le roi des Juifs, sauve-toi toi-même ! » Il y avait aussi une inscription au-dessus de lui: « Celui-ci est le roi des Juifs. » L’un des malfaiteurs suspendus en croix l’injuriait : « N’es-tu pas le Christ? Sauve-toi toi-même, et nous aussi ! » Mais l’autre lui fit de vifs reproches : « Tu ne crains donc pas Dieu ! Tu es pourtant un condamné, toi aussi ! Et puis, pour nous, c’est juste : après ce que nous avons fait, nous avons ce que nous méritons. Mais lui, il n’a rien fait de mal. » Et il disait : « Jésus, souviens-toi de moi quand tu viendras dans ton Royaume. » Jésus lui déclara : « Amen, je te le dis : aujourd’hui, avec moi, tu seras dans le Paradis.»
Prière sur les offrandes
En offrant le sacrifice qui te réconcilie les hommes, Seigneur, nous te prions: Que ton Fils lui-même accorde à tous les peuples les biens de l’unité et de la paix. Lui qui.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 28, 10-11
Le Seigneur est Roi, il règne éternellement; le Seigneur donne à son peuple la bénédiction de la paix.
Prière après la communion
Après avoir partagé le pain de l’immortalité, nous te supplions, Seigneur: Nous mettons notre gloire à obéir au Christ Roi de l’univers, fais que nous puissions vivre avec lui, éternellement, dans la demeure du ciel. Lui qui.
Méditation :
Jésus est crucifié entre deux malfaiteurs. La repentance d’un des malfaiteurs est un puissant exemple de la grâce de Dieu. En dépit de ses péchés, il reconnaît Jésus comme le Messie et implore Son pardon. Méditons sur la miséricorde infinie de Jésus. Même au moment de Sa propre souffrance, Il offre le salut à ceux qui se tournent vers Lui avec un cœur contrit. Le repentir sincère ouvre la porte au pardon divin. Sachons chercher humblement le pardon de Dieu et reconnaître la grâce offerte par Jésus, même dans nos moments les plus sombres.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 22, 2025 | Evangelium
34th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Christ the King
Psalter: Week II
White
Entrance Antiphon : Rv 5: 12; 1: 6
How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honour. To him belong glory and power for ever and ever.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. 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 Samuel 5:1-3
All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron. ‘Look’ they said ‘we are your own flesh and blood. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel in all their exploits; and the Lord said to you, “You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you shall be the leader of Israel.”’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them at Hebron in the presence of the Lord, and they anointed David king of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm
R/ I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David.
Second reading : Colossians 1:12-20
We give thanks to the Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to inherit the light. Because that is what he has done: he has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. He is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers – all things were created through him and for him. Before anything was created, he existed, and he holds all things in unity. Now the Church is his body, he is its head. As he is the Beginning, he was first to be born from the dead, so that he should be first in every way; because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross.
Gospel Acclamation : Mk11:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David! Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 23:35-43
The people stayed there before the cross watching Jesus. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus,’ he said ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we offer you, O Lord, the sacrifice by which the human race is reconciled to you, we humbly pray, that your Son himself may bestow on all nations the gifts of unity and peace. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 28: 10-11
The Lord sits as King for ever. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Prayer after Communion
Having received the food of immortality, we ask, O Lord, that, glorying in obedience to the commands of Christ, the King of the universe, we may live with him eternally in his heavenly kingdom. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Prayer over the People
Direct, O Lord, we pray, the hearts of your faithful, and in your kindness, grant your servants this grace: that, abiding in the love of you and their neighbour, they may fulfil the whole of your commands. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Jesus is our Saviour and King, who reigns over with authority in heaven and on earth. In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus hanging on the cross, surrounded by criminals, enduring mockery and ridicule from those around him. Despite this mistreatment, He remains calm and composed, fully aware of His kingship which is characterised by mercy and love even towards the people who treat him like a criminal. Unlike earthly rulers, who demand obedience through fear, Jesus wins our hearts through his love and sacrifice. On the cross, He reveals the essence of His kingship, which is one of service. He shows us that a king serves, leading his people, not with an iron fist, but with a heart full of love. This revelation of Jesus’ kingship is good news for all of us as it signifies that we have a king who loves us and desires the best for us. In response, we are called to emulate Him by serving others with love and humility, becoming kings and queens of mercy and compassion.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 21, 2025 | Agenda Biblique
Sainte cecile,
vierge et martyr
BVM
Psautier: I
Rouge
Honorée à Rome depuis le 5e siècle comme vierge et martyre, Cécile serait la fondatrice de la basilique du Transtévère qui porte son nom. Au 15e siècle, la sainte a été choisie comme patronne des musiciens à cause d’une phrase contenue dans le récit légendaire de sa Passion, qui est un poème en l’honneur de la virginité chrétienne : ‘’Pendant que retentissaient les instruments de musique de ses noces, Cécile chantait en son cœur pour le Seigneur.’’
Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 29
Sainte Cécile a combattu jusqu’à la mort pour être fidèle à son Dieu; elle n’a pas craint les menaces des impies : elle était fondée sur le roc.
Prière d’ouverture
Sois favorable à nos prières, Seigneur, et, par l’intercession de sainte Cécile, daigne les exaucer. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : 1 M 6, 1-13
Lecture du premier livre des Martyrs d’Israël En ces jours-là, le roi Antiocos parcourait le haut pays. Il apprit alors qu’il y avait en Perse une ville, Élymaïs, fameuse par ses richesses, son argent et son or; son temple, extrêmement riche, contenait des casques en or, des cuirasses et des armes, laissés là par Alexandre, fils de Philippe et roi de Macédoine, qui régna le premier sur les Grecs. Antiocos arriva, et il tenta de prendre la ville et de la piller, mais il n’y réussit pas, parce que les habitants avaient été informés de son projet. Ils lui résistèrent et livrèrent bataille, si bien qu’il prit la fuite et battit en retraite, accablé de chagrin, pour retourner à Babylone. Il était encore en Perse quand on vint lui annoncer la déroute des troupes qui avaient pénétré en Judée ; Lysias, en particulier, qui avait été envoyé avec un important matériel, avait fait demi-tour devant les Juifs ;ceux-ci s’étaient renforcés grâce aux armes, au matériel et au butin saisis sur les troupes qu’ils avaient battues ; ils avaient renversé l’Abomination qu’Antiocos avait élevée à Jérusalem sur l’autel ; enfin, ils avaient reconstruit comme auparavant de hautes murailles autour du sanctuaire et autour de la ville royale de Bethsour. Quand le roi apprit ces nouvelles, il fut saisi de frayeur et profondément ébranlé. Il s’écroula sur son lit et tomba malade sous le coup du chagrin, parce que les événements n’avaient pas répondu à son attente. Il resta ainsi pendant plusieurs jours, car son profond chagrin se renouvelait sans cesse. Lorsqu’il se rendit compte qu’il allait mourir, il appela tous ses amis et leur dit : « Le sommeil s’est éloigné de mes yeux ; l’inquiétude accable mon cœur, et je me dis : À quelle profonde détresse en suis-je arrivé ? Dans quel abîme suis-je plongé maintenant ? J’étais bon et aimé au temps de ma puissance. Mais maintenant je me rappelle le mal que j’ai fait à Jérusalem : tous les objets d’argent et d’or qui s’y trouvaient, je les ai pris ; j’ai fait exterminer les habitants de la Judée sans aucun motif. Je reconnais que tous mes malheurs viennent de là, et voici que je meurs dans un profond chagrin sur une terre étrangère. »
Psaume : 9a, 2-3, 4.6, 16.19
R/ Je danserai de joie pour ta victoire, Seigneur.
De tout mon cœur, Seigneur, je rendrai grâce, je dirai tes innombrables merveilles ; pour toi, j’exulterai, je danserai, je fêterai ton nom, Dieu Très-Haut.
Mes ennemis ont battu en retraite, devant ta face, ils s’écroulent et périssent. Tu menaces les nations, tu fais périr les méchants, à tout jamais tu effaces leur nom.
Ils sont tombés, les païens, dans la fosse qu’ils creusaient; aux filets qu’ils ont tendus, leurs pieds se sont pris. Mais le pauvre n’est pas oublié pour toujours : jamais ne périt l’espoir des malheureux.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Notre Sauveur, le Christ Jésus, a détruit la mort ; il a fait resplendir la vie par l’Évangile: Alléluia.
Évangile : Luc 20, 27-40
En ce temps-là, quelques sadducéens– ceux qui soutiennent qu’il n’y a pas de résurrection – s’approchèrent de Jésus et l’interrogèrent : « Maître, Moïse nous a prescrit : Si un homme a un frère qui meurt en laissant une épouse mais pas d’enfant, il doit épouser la veuve pour susciter une descendance à son frère. Or, il y avait sept frères : le premier se maria et mourut sans enfant ; de même le deuxième, puis le troisième épousèrent la veuve, et ainsi tous les sept : ils moururent sans laisser d’enfants. Finalement la femme mourut aussi. Eh bien, à la résurrection, cette femme-là, duquel d’entre eux sera-t-elle l’épouse, puisque les sept l’ont eue pour épouse ? » Jésus leur répondit : « Les enfants de ce monde prennent femme et mari. Mais ceux qui ont été jugés dignes d’avoir part au monde à venir et à la résurrection d’entre les morts ne prennent ni femme ni mari, car ils ne peuvent plus mourir : ils sont semblables aux anges, ils sont enfants de Dieu et enfants de la résurrection. Que les morts ressuscitent, Moïse lui-même le fait comprendre dans le récit du buisson ardent, quand il appelle le Seigneur le Dieu d’Abraham, Dieu d’Isaac, Dieu de Jacob. Il n’est pas le Dieu des morts, mais des vivants. Tous, en effet, vivent pour lui.» Alors certains scribes prirent la parole pour dire : « Maître, tu as bien parlé. » Et ils n’osaient plus l’interroger sur quoi que ce soit.
Prière sur les offrandes
Par ta bénédiction, Seigneur, sanctifie nos offrandes : qu’elles nous obtiennent de ta grâce cet ardent amour qui donnait à sainte Cécile la force de souffrir pour toi jusqu’au bout. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
« Si quelqu’un veut marcher à ma suite, dit le Seigneur, qu’il renonce à lui-même, qu’il prenne sa croix, et qu’il me suive. »
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur, nous donne cette force d’âme qui permit à sainte Cécile, ton martyre, d’être fidèle à te servir et victorieux dans la souffrance. Par Jésus.
Méditation :
Jésus aborde la question du mariage après la résurrection. Il nous enseigne que la vie éternelle transcende nos compréhensions terrestres. Le mariage, qui est sacré sur terre, prend une nouvelle signification dans la présence de Dieu. Méditons sur la grandeur et la profondeur du plan de Dieu pour notre vie éternelle. Au-delà de nos limites humaines, Il nous offre une réalité céleste où l’amour et la communion sont parfaits. En méditant sur ces paroles de Jésus, renforçons notre foi en la vie éternelle, où nous serons unis à Dieu d’une manière que nous ne pouvons pas encore comprendre. Cherchons à vivre avec espérance, sachant que notre avenir est entre les mains du Créateur qui nous aime infiniment.
by L'équipe de publication | Nov 21, 2025 | Evangelium
Saturday memorial of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr
Psalter: Week I
Red
Devotion to St Cecilia, in whose honour a basilica was constructed in Rome in the fifth century, has spread far and wide because of the Passion of Saint Cecilia, which holds her up as a perfect example of a Christian woman, who embraced virginity and suffered martyrdom for the love of Christ.
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.
Collect
O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of your handmaid Saint Cecilia, grant, we pray, that what has been devoutly handed down concerning her may offer us examples to imitate and proclaim the wonders worked in his servants by Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Maccabees 6:1-13
King Antiochus was making his way across the upper provinces; he had heard that in Persia there was a city called Elymais, renowned for its riches, its silver and gold, and its very wealthy temple containing golden armour, breastplates and weapons, left there by Alexander son of Philip, the king of Macedon, the first to reign over the Greeks. He therefore went and attempted to take the city and pillage it, but without success, since the citizens learnt of his intention, and offered him a stiff resistance, whereupon he turned about and retreated, disconsolate, in the direction of Babylon. But while he was still in Persia news reached him that the armies that had invaded the land of Judah had been defeated, and that Lysias in particular had advanced in massive strength, only to be forced to turn and flee before the Jews; these had been strengthened by the acquisition of arms, supplies and abundant spoils from the armies they had cut to pieces; they had overthrown the abomination he had erected over the altar in Jerusalem, and had encircled the sanctuary with high walls as in the past, and had fortified Bethzur, one of his cities. When the king heard this news he was amazed and profoundly shaken; he threw himself on his bed and fell into a lethargy from acute disappointment, because things had not turned out for him as he had planned. And there he remained for many days, subject to deep and recurrent fits of melancholy, until he understood that he was dying. Then summoning all his Friends, he said to them, ‘Sleep evades my eyes, and my heart is cowed by anxiety. I have been asking myself how I could have come to such a pitch of distress, so great a flood as that which now engulfs me – I who was so generous and well-loved in my heyday. But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem when I seized all the vessels of silver and gold there, and ordered the extermination of the inhabitants of Judah for no reason at all. This, I am convinced, is why these misfortunes have overtaken me, and why I am dying of melancholy in a foreign land.’
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 9A(9):2-4,6,16,19
R/ I will rejoice in your saving help, O Lord.
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all your wonders. I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
See how my enemies turn back, how they stumble and perish before you. You have checked the nations, destroyed the wicked; you have wiped out their name for ever and ever.
The nations have fallen in the pit which they made, their feet caught in the snare they laid; for the needy shall not always be forgotten nor the hopes of the poor be in vain.
Gospel Acclamation : Lk8:15
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 20:27-40
Some Sadducees – those who say that there is no resurrection – approached Jesus and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. The second and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. Finally the woman herself died. Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’ Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’ Some scribes then spoke up. ‘Well put, Master’ they said – because they would not dare to ask him any more questions.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offerings we bring in celebration of Saint Cecilia win your gracious acceptance, O Lord, we pray, just as the struggle of her suffering and passion was pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Rv 7: 17
The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who bestowed on Saint Cecilia a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom, grant, we pray, through the power of this Sacrament, that, bravely overcoming every evil, we may attain the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel, the Sadducees approach Jesus not seeking wisdom but attempting to trap Him in a seemingly insoluble dilemma. However, Jesus, in His divine wisdom, responds to their question by addressing the nature of the Resurrection and the life to come. The exchange between Jesus and the Sadducees imparts two crucial lessons. Firstly, Jesus teaches us about the reality of the Resurrection, emphasising that life does not end with physical death. This teaching, central to our Christian faith, instills hope in the face of death. Secondly, the exchange reveals God’s infinite wisdom and sovereignty. He shows that human understanding is limited, urging us to trust in His plan of salvation for us, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. In life, we often encounter complex questions and challenges similar to the complex scenario the Sadducees are presenting to Jesus. We must remember that God’s wisdom and providence surpass our human limitations in these moments. While we may lack all the answers, we can place our trust in God’s plan and promise of eternal life.
