by L'équipe de publication | Aug 28, 2025 | Evangelium
The Beheading of St John the Baptist
Psalter: Week I
Red
John the Baptist is the only saint in the calendar (apart from St Joseph) who has two feasts to himself. One, in August, celebrates his death, and one, in June, celebrates his birth. And this is as it should be, for as Christ himself said, John was the greatest of the sons of men.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 118: 46-47
I spoke, O Lord, of your decrees before kings, and was not confounded; I pondered your commands and loved them greatly.
Collect
O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a Martyr for truth and justice,
we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. 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: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it. You have not forgotten the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus. What God wants is for you all to be holy. He wants you to keep away from fornication, and each one of you to know how to use the body that belongs to him in a way that is holy and honourable, not giving way to selfish lust like the pagans who do not know God. He wants nobody at all ever to sin by taking advantage of a brother in these matters; the Lord always punishes sins of that sort, as we told you before and assured you. We have been called by God to be holy, not to be immoral; in other words, anyone who objects is not objecting to a human authority, but to God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96 (97):1-2, 5-6, 10-12
R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.
The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the souls of his saints; he sets them free from the wicked..
Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt5:10
Alleluia, alleluia! Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 6:17-29
Herod sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Prayer over the Offerings
Through these offerings which we bring you, O Lord, grant that we may make straight your paths, as taught by that voice crying in the desert, Saint John the Baptist, who powerfully sealed his teaching by the shedding of his blood. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 3:27,30
John answered and said: He must increase; but I must decrease.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, O Lord, as we celebrate the heavenly birth of Saint John the Baptist, that we may revere, for what it signifies, the saving Sacrament we have received and, even more, may rejoice at its clear effects in us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Many times, we are so lured by the fleeting shimmer of earthly power and status that we fall into moral pride – a willful disregard for what our conscience gently whispers to us. Instead of moving towards righteousness, we often fail to humbly acknowledge when we have been wrong, or excessive in our decisions or actions. Rather than embracing propriety, we may fall into social pride, disregarding criticisms out of fear that admitting our faults and reforming our ways may lead others to think less of us. Both moral and social pride can dull our sense of right and wrong, disabling us from acting with due prudence and charity. In today’s gospel story, Herod serves as a poignant example of someone who, like us, may forget to pause and keep a distance from his ego. It is essential to allow God and others to guide us back to the path of our divine moral compass. This way, we can prevent the unjust modern-day ‘beheading’ of “John the Baptist” in our midst?
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 27, 2025 | Agenda Biblique
Saint augustin,
eveque et docteur de l’eglise
Psautier: I
Blanc
Augustin fut d’abord un rhéteur africain dissolu ; la prière de sa mère, Monique, obtint la grâce de sa conversion qui fit de lui un cœur brûlant de charité. Cette charité qui anima son labeur pastoral, notamment dans la lutte contre les hérésies, lui inspira la maxime fameuse ‘’Aime et fais ce que tu veux’’. Baptisé à Milan par saint Ambroise, Augustin devint l’aide, puis le successeur de l’évêque d’Hippone. La place d’Augustin dans l’histoire de l’Eglise tient surtout à son œuvre théologique qui lui a mérité le titre de ‘’Docteur de la grâce’
Antienne d’ouverture : Si 15, 5
Dans son Eglise, le Seigneur a donné la parole à l’évêque saint Augustin ; il l’a rempli de l’esprit de sagesse et d’intelligence, il l’a revêtu de gloire.
Prière d’ouverture
Renouvelle, Seigneur, dans ton Église l’Esprit dont tu as comblé l’évêque saint Augustin ; Pour que, remplis de ce même Esprit, nous n’ayons soif que de toi, source de la vraie sagesse, et ne cherchions que toi, auteur de l’éternel amour.
1ère lecture : 1 Th 3, 7-13
Frères, nous sommes réconfortés grâce à vous au milieu de toutes nos difficultés et de notre détresse, à cause de votre foi. Et maintenant nous revivons, puisque vous autres, vous tenez bon dans le Seigneur. Comment pourrions-nous assez rendre grâce à Dieu à votre sujet, pour toute la joie que nous avons à cause de vous devant notre Dieu? Nous le prions avec ardeur, jour et nuit, pour que nous puissions revoir votre visage et compléter ce qui manque à votre foi. Que Dieu lui-même, notre Père, et que notre Seigneur Jésus nous trace le chemin jusqu’à vous. Que le Seigneur vous donne, entre vous et à l’égard de tous les hommes, un amour de plus en plus intense et débordant, comme celui que nous avons pour vous. Et qu’ainsi il affermisse vos cœurs, les rendant irréprochables en sainteté devant Dieu notre Père, lors de la venue de notre Seigneur Jésus avec tous les saints. Amen.
Psaume : 89 (90), 3-4, 12-13, 14.17abc
R/ Rassasie-nous de ton amour, Seigneur : nous serons dans la joie.
Tu fais retourner l’homme à la poussière ; tu as dit : « Retournez, fils d’Adam ! » À tes yeux, mille ans sont comme hier, c’est un jour qui s’en va, une heure dans la nuit.
Apprends-nous la vraie mesure de nos jours : que nos cœurs pénètrent la sagesse. Reviens, Seigneur, pourquoi tarder ? Ravise-toi par égard pour tes serviteurs.
Rassasie-nous de ton amour au matin, que nous passions nos jours dans la joie et les chants. Que vienne sur nous la douceur du Seigneur notre Dieu ! Consolide pour nous l’ouvrage de nos mains.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Veillez, tenez-vous prêts : c’est à l’heure où vous n’y pensez pas que le Fils de l’homme viendra. Alléluia.
Évangile : Mt 24, 42-51
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Veillez, car vous ne savez pas quel jour votre Seigneur vient. Comprenez-le bien : si le maître de maison avait su à quelle heure de la nuit le voleur viendrait, il aurait veillé et n’aurait pas laissé percer le mur de sa maison. Tenez-vous donc prêts, vous aussi: c’est à l’heure où vous n’y penserez pas que le Fils de l’homme viendra. Que dire du serviteur fidèle et sensé à qui le maître a confié la charge des gens de sa maison, pour leur donner la nourriture en temps voulu ? Heureux ce serviteur que son maître, en arrivant, trouvera en train d’agir ainsi ! Amen, je vous le déclare: il l’établira sur tous ses biens. Mais si ce mauvais serviteur se dit en lui-même : “Mon maître tarde”, et s’il se met à frapper ses compagnons, s’il mange et boit avec les ivrognes, alors quand le maître viendra, le jour où son serviteur ne s’y attend pas et à l’heure qu’il ne connaît pas, il l’écartera et lui fera partager le sort des hypocrites ; là, il y aura des pleurs et des grincements de dents. »
Prière sur les offrandes
En célébrant le mémorial de notre salut, nous te supplions, Seigneur: que le sacrement de ton amour soit pour nous le signe de l’unité et le lien de la charité. Par Jésus.
Antienne De communion : Mt 23
« Vous n’avez qu’un seul Maître, le Christ ; vous êtes tous frères », dit le Seigneur.
Prière après la communion :
Que la participation à la table du Christ nous sanctifie, Seigneur ; afin que, membres de son corps, nous devenions vraiment ce que nous avons reçu. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le maître de maison vient. Ce qui est inconnu c’est le moment de cette venue. Nous sommes certains qu’il viendra mais nous ne savons pas dire quand. La posture dans laquelle il nous trouvera déterminera notre sanction. S’il nous trouve conformes et fidèles à sa parole il nous plongera dans le bonheur. A contrario si nous choisissons une vie de désordre, l’immoralité, la bestialité, l’ivrognerie nous n’aurons pas part au royaume avec lui.
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 27, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430)
Psalter: Week I
White
He was born in Thagaste in Africa of a Berber family. He had a brilliant legal and academic career. At length, through the prayers of his mother, and the teaching of St Ambrose of Milan, he was converted back to Christianity. He wrote an enormous number of works. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1308.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.
Collect
Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the spirit with which you endowed your Bishop Saint Augustine that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for you,
the sole fount of true wisdom, and seek you, the author of heavenly love. 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: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Brothers, your faith has been a great comfort to us in the middle of our own troubles and sorrows; now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel before our God on your account? We are earnestly praying night and day to be able to see you face to face again and make up any shortcomings in your faith. May God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, make it easy for us to come to you. May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you. And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89 (90):3-4, 12-14, 17
R/ Fill us with your love that we may rejoice.
You turn men back to dust and say: ‘Go back, sons of men.’ To your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday, come and gone, no more than a watch in the night.
Make us know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart. Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever? Show pity to your servants.
In the morning, fill us with your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Let the favour of the Lord be upon us: give success to the work of our hands.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn15:15
Alleluia, alleluia! I call you friends, says the Lord, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. ‘What sort of servant, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you solemnly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the dishonest servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time,” and sets about beating his fellow servants and eating and drinking with drunkards, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Celebrating the memorial of our salvation, we humbly beseech your mercy, O Lord, that this Sacrament of your loving kindness may be for us the sign of unity and the bond of charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 23: 10, 8
Thus says the Lord: You have but one teacher, the Christ, and you are all brothers.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking of Christ’s table sanctify us, we pray, O Lord, that, being made members of his Body, we may become what we have received. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Are we prepared to meet the Lord? As servants of our master, He will be glad if we demonstrate consistency in carrying out our responsibilities, even in times when we may believe that He is prolonging His return. At times, there is a risk of back sliding in our faith and becoming complacent in our actions, adopting the mindset of “Life is short, let us enjoy life.” We must, however, consider the potential consequences of being caught unprepared. The challenge presented in this Gospel is to maintain constant preparedness, both physically and spiritually, as we await the Second Coming of the Master, Jesus Christ.
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 26, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Monica (331 – 387)
Psalter: Week I
White
She was born at Thagaste in Africa of a Christian family. She was the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, who when young was intelligent but weak in morals. With many tears she prayed unceasingly to God for his conversion and her prayers were answered shortly before she died.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Prov 31: 30, 28
The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises.
Collect
O God, who console the sorrowful and who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through the intercession of them both, that we may bitterly regret our sins and find the grace of your pardon. 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: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Let me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, that our treatment of you, since you became believers, has been impeccably right and fair. You can remember how we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, teaching you what was right, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who is calling you to share the glory of his kingdom. Another reason why we constantly thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God’s message, you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138 (139):7-12
R/ O Lord, you search me and you know me.
where can I go from your spirit, or where can I flee from your face? If I climb the heavens, you are there. If I lie in the grave, you are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn and dwell at the sea’s furthest end, even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast.
If I say: ‘Let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night,’ even darkness is not dark for you and the night is as clear as the day.
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: Matthew 23:27-32
Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of corruption. In the same way you appear to people from the outside like good honest men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who build the sepulchres of the prophets and decorate the tombs of holy men, saying, “We would never have joined in shedding the blood of the prophets, had we lived in our fathers’ day.” So! Your own evidence tells against you! You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets! Very well then, finish off the work that your fathers began.’
Prayer over the Offerings
We bring you these sacrificial gifts, O Lord, to commemorate blessed N., humbly entreating that they may bestow on us both pardon and salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Mt 13: 45-46
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant who travels in search of fine pearls and who, on finding one of great price, sold everything and bought it.
Prayer after Communion
May the working of this divine Sacrament enlighten and inflame us, almighty God, on this feast day of blessed N., that we may be ever fervent with holy desires and abound in good works. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
How can one distinguish between authenticity and deception, genuineness and counterfeit? Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would not judge by outward appearances that are often deceptive. He would judge not by sight or hearing but with righteousness, prioritising justce for the poor and equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:3-4). The heart reveals the true intentions and attitudes that form the way we think of others and treat them. Jesus uses strong language to warn the religious leaders and teachers about the vanity of outward appearances and pretence. He highlights the futility of wearing a metaphorical mask that conceals the true intentions and thoughts of the heart. He associates true beauty and goodness with a clean heart and mind, oriented toward God’s love and goodness. Conversely, He links sin with a corrupt mind and heart that are focused on wrongdoing and evil.
by L'équipe de publication | Aug 25, 2025 | Agenda Biblique
Saint cesaire d’arles, eveque
Psautier: I
Vert/Blanc
En 503, un ancien moine de Lérins, devenu prêtre, puis abbé d’un monastère proche d’Arles, fut élu évêque de cette cité. Césaire (vers 470-543) a été appelé le ‘’précepteur de la Gaule’’. Grand admirateur de saint Augustin, il fut un prédicateur infatigable, à la parole simple, brève et concrète.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 83, 10
Dieu, notre bouclier, regarde: vois le visage de ton Christ. Un jour passé dans ta maison en vaut pour moi plus que mille.
Prière d’ouverture
Pour ceux qui t’aiment, Seigneur, tu as préparé des biens que l’œil ne peut voir. Répands en nos cœurs la ferveur de ta charité, afin que t’aimant en toute chose et par-dessus tout, nous obtenions de toi l’héritage promis qui surpasse tout désir. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1Th 2, 1-8
Frères, vous le savez bien vous-mêmes, notre venue chez vous n’a pas été inutile. Nous venions de souffrir et d’être outragés à Philippes, comme vous le savez ; nous avons cependant trouvé en notre Dieu pleine assurance pour vous annoncer, au prix de grandes luttes, l’Évangile de Dieu. Et quand nous vous exhortions, ce n’était pas avec des doctrines fausses, ni des motifs impurs, ni par ruse. En effet, pour nous confier l’Évangile, Dieu a éprouvé notre valeur, de sorte que nous parlons, non pas pour plaire aux hommes, mais à Dieu, lui qui met nos cœurs à l’épreuve. Jamais, nous n’avons eu un mot de flatterie, vous le savez, jamais de motifs intéressés, Dieu en est témoin ; jamais nous n’avons recherché la gloire qui vient des hommes, ni auprès de vous ni auprès d’autres personnes. Alors que nous aurions pu nous imposer en qualité d’apôtres du Christ, au contraire, nous avons été pleins de douceur avec vous, comme une mère qui entoure de soins ses nourrissons. Ayant pour vous une telle affection, nous aurions voulu vous donner non seulement l’Évangile de Dieu, mais jusqu’à nos propres vies, car vous nous étiez devenus très chers.
Psaume : 138, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12
R/ O Seigneur tu me sondes et me connais
Où donc aller, loin de ton souffle? Où m’enfuir, loin de ta face ? Je gravis les cieux : tu es là ; je descends chez les morts: te voici.
Que je marche ou me repose, tu le vois, tous mes chemins te sont familiers. Avant qu’un mot ne parvienne à mes lèvres, déjà, Seigneur, tu le sais.
Tu me devances et me poursuis, tu m’enserres, tu as mis la main sur moi. Savoir prodigieux qui me dépasse, hauteur que je ne puis atteindre !
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.
Elle est vivante, énergique, la parole de Dieu ; elle juge des intentions et des pensées du cœur. Alléluia. (cf. He 4, 12)
Évangile : Mt 23, 23-26
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait : « Malheureux êtes-vous, scribes et pharisiens hypocrites, parce que vous payez la dîme sur la menthe, le fenouil et le cumin, mais vous avez négligé ce qui est le plus important dans la Loi : la justice, la miséricorde et la fidélité. Voilà ce qu’il fallait pratiquer sans négliger le reste. Guides aveugles ! Vous filtrez le moucheron, et vous avalez le chameau ! Malheureux êtes-vous, scribes et pharisiens hypocrites, parce que vous purifiez l’extérieur de la coupe et de l’assiette, mais l’intérieur est rempli de cupidité et d’intempérance ! Pharisien aveugle, purifie d’abord l’intérieur de la coupe, afin que l’extérieur aussi devienne pur. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur notre Dieu, ce que nous présentons pour cette eucharistie où s’accomplit un admirable échange. En offrant ce que tu nous as donné, puissions-nous te recevoir toi-même. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 129, 7
Auprès du Seigneur est la grâce, l’abondance du rachat.
Prière après la communion
Par cette eucharistie, Seigneur, tu nous as unis davantage au Christ, et nous te supplions encore. Accorde-nous de lui ressembler sur la terre et de partager sa gloire dans le ciel. Lui qui.
Méditation
Les scribes et les pharisiens sont habiletés à enseigner et interpréter la loi. Ils en sont experts dans l’enseignement mais inaptes dans l’observance. Voilà un autre accent de l’hypocrisie : l’opposition entre l’enseignement donné et la vie de celui qui enseigne. Le témoignage de vie rend l’enseignement efficace et peut le transmettre sans user de la parole. Aujourd’hui nous donnons de l’importance aux paroles, par elles nous faisons rêver mais les actes que nous posons dégagent un mauvais parfum qui n’honorent pas le Christ. C’est cela être malheureux.
