by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 11, 2020 | Evangelium
friday 12 June 2020
St Onuphrius (d. 400)
Onuphrius lived as a hermit in the desert for seventy years. In the desert he suffered much from privation of food and drink, and also from many temptations. He spent his life praying and working until his death at the age of ninety. It was about the year 400.
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 26: 1-2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.
Collect
O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. 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 Kings 19:9, 11-16
When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of God, he went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him, which said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He replied, ‘I am filled with jealous zeal for the Lord of Hosts, because the sons of Israel have deserted you, broken down your altars and put your prophets to the sword. I am the only one left and they want to kill me.’‘Go,’ the Lord said, ‘go back by the same way to the wilderness of Damascus. You are to go and anoint Hazael as king of Aram. You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel Meholah, as prophet to succeed you.’
Psalm 26(27):7-9, 13-14
R/ It is your face, O Lord, that I seek.
- O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer. Of you my heart has spoken: ‘Seek his face.’
- It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face. Dismiss not your servant in anger; you have been my help.
- I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 10:27
Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell. ‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look kindly upon our service, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer may be an acceptable oblation to you and lead us to grow in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 17: 3
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.
Prayer after Communion
May your healing work, O Lord, free us, we pray, from doing evil and lead us to what is right. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
As we read two days ago, Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to complete it. The focus today is on the commandment: “You must not commit adultery”. In this case, adultery is understood as a sexual relationship between two people at least one of whom is already married to another person. Jesus presents it in another way when he says that for a man even to look at another woman with lust, he has already violated the spirit of the Law. Thus, it applies to both married and unmarried persons. The question on divorce was also clarified because in Deuteronomy 24:1, a man could divorce his wife and in most cases it was for flimsy reasons such cooking a bad meal. It was a man’s discretion to ask for a divorce and not the woman. Jesus therefore, puts man and woman morally on an absolutely equal level. A marriage covenant therefore has to be taken seriously by both parties. Divorce and adultery are serious issues in families and those who have gone through this experience need to be met with a lot of pastoral sensitivity.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 11, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
VERT
Saint Guy
Il était un seigneur de condition très modeste, mais très hospitalier. Devenu franciscain en 1211, il se retira dans une grotte près de Cortone et prêcha la pénitence aux populations voisines.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 26, 1
Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut, qui pourrais-je craindre? Le Seigneur est le rempart de ma vie, devant qui tremblerais-je ?
Prière d’ouverture :
Seigneur, source de tout bien, réponds sans te lasser à notre appel : inspire-nous ce qui est juste, aide-nous à l’accomplir. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture :1R 19, 9a.11-16
En ces jours-là, lorsque le prophète Élie fut arrivé à l’Horeb, la montagne de Dieu, il entra dans une caverne et y passa la nuit. Et voici que la parole du Seigneur lui fut adressée. Il lui dit : « Sors et tiens-toi sur la montagne devant le Seigneur, car il va passer. » À l’approche du Seigneur, il y eut un ouragan, si fort et si violent qu’il fendait les montagnes et brisait les rochers, mais le Seigneur n’était pas dans l’ouragan ; et après l’ouragan, il y eut un tremblement de terre, mais le Seigneur n’était pas dans le tremblement de terre ; et après ce tremblement de terre, un feu, mais le Seigneur n’était pas dans ce feu ; et après ce feu, le murmure d’une brise légère. Aussitôt qu’il l’entendit, Élie se couvrit le visage avec son manteau, il sortit et se tint à l’entrée de la caverne. Alors il entendit une voix qui disait : « Que fais-tu là, Élie ? » Il répondit : « J’éprouve une ardeur jalouse pour toi, Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers. Les fils d’Israël ont abandonné ton Alliance, renversé tes autels, et tué tes prophètes par l’épée ; moi, je suis le seul à être resté et ils cherchent à prendre ma vie. » Le Seigneur lui dit : « Repars vers Damas, par le chemin du désert. Arrivé là, tu consacreras par l’onction Hazaël comme roi de Syrie ; puis tu consacreras Jéhu, fils de Namsi, comme roi d’Israël ; et tu consacreras Élisée, fils de Shafath, d’Abel-Mehola, comme prophète pour te succéder. »
Psaume : 26 (27), 7-8ab, 8c-9abc, 13-14
R/ C’est ta face, Seigneur, que je cherche.
- Écoute, Seigneur, je t’appelle ! Pitié ! Réponds-moi ! Mon cœur m’a redit ta parole : « Cherchez ma face. »
- C’est ta face, Seigneur, que je cherche : ne me cache pas ta face. N’écarte pas ton serviteur avec colère : tu restes mon secours.
- Mais j’en suis sûr, je verrai les bontés du Seigneur sur la terre des vivants. « Espère le Seigneur, sois fort et prends courage ;espère le Seigneur. »
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Vous brillez comme des astres dans l’univers en tenant ferme la parole de vie. Alléluia. (Ph 2, 15d.16a)
Evangile : Mt 5, 27-32
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Vous avez appris qu’il a été dit : Tu ne commettras pas d’adultère. Eh bien ! moi, je vous dis : Tout homme qui regarde une femme avec convoitise a déjà commis l’adultère avec elle dans son cœur. Si ton œil droit entraîne ta chute, arrache-le et jette-le loin de toi, car mieux vaut pour toi perdre un de tes membres que d’avoir ton corps tout entier jeté dans la géhenne. Et si ta main droite entraîne ta chute, coupe-la et jette-la loin de toi, car mieux vaut pour toi perdre un de tes membres que d’avoir ton corps tout entier qui s’en aille dans la géhenne. Il a été dit également : Si quelqu’un renvoie sa femme, qu’il lui donne un acte de répudiation. Eh bien ! moi, je vous dis : Tout homme qui renvoie sa femme, sauf en cas d’union illégitime, la pousse à l’adultère ; et si quelqu’un épouse une femme renvoyée, il est adultère. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Seigneur notre Dieu, nous voulons te servir; regarde notre offrande : qu’elle soit agréable à tes yeux, et nous obtienne un accroissement de charité. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : 1Jn 4,16
Dieu est amour : celui qui demeure dans l’amour demeure en Dieu, et Dieu demeure en lui.
Prière après la communion :
Dieu qui veux notre guérison, agis en nous par cette Eucharistie : libère-nous de nos penchants mauvais, oriente notre vie vers le bien. Par Jésus
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 10, 2020 | Evangelium
thursday 11 June 2020
St. Barnabas the Apostle
Saint Barnabas was born in Cyprus. He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey and later went to Cyprus with his cousin John Mark (Mark the evangelist) to preach the gospel there. He was probably martyred at Salamis in Cyprus, some time before the year 61.
Red
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Acts 11: 24
Blessed is this holy man, who was worthy to be numbered among the Apostles, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.
Collect
O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, should be set apart to convert the nations, grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed. 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: Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3
A great number believed and were converted to the Lord. The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord. Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’ In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Psalm 97 (98) : 1-6
R/ The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
- Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
- The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.
- All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
- Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation cf. 1 Th 2:13
Alleluia, alleluia! Accept God’s message for what it really is: God’s message, and not some human thinking. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Sanctify with your blessing, we pray, O Lord, the offerings presented here, so that by your grace they may set us on fire with the flame of your love, by which Saint Barnabas brought the light of the Gospel to the nations. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Jn 15: 15
I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
Prayer after Communion
As we receive the pledge of eternal life, we humbly implore you, Lord, that what we celebrate in sacramental signs on the Memorial of the blessed Apostle Barnaba we may one day behold unveiled. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus’ understanding of this commandment: “You must not kill” (Exodus 20:13) goes far beyond the actual killing of another person. He extends it even to anger and abusive language. Anger is a letter short of danger. Sometimes we say that as if anger is a positive thing or a virtue. No one achieves anything good in anger. It breeds destruction and devastation. No one likes to go near a hot-tempered person. We prefer to go close to people who are calm and serene, slow to anger and quick to forgive. Jesus tells us how anger can lead the Christian to judgment. Anger was part of what prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land. Remember, for any minute you are angry, you have lost sixty seconds of happiness.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 10, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
ROUGE
Saint Barnabé, apôtre
Le titre d’Apôtre ne signifie pas que Joseph, surnommé Barnabé (c’est-à-dire ‘’fils d’encouragement’’), ait été l’un des Douze, mais qu’il joua un rôle capital dans la diffusion de l’Evangile. En entrant dans la communauté chrétienne, cet homme de foi a mis tous ses biens à la disposition des Apôtres. Dans la lumière de l’Esprit, il comprend que les païens peuvent entrer dans l’Eglise, sans autre condition de croire en Jésus. Cette vérité oriente son action missionnaire à Antioche et, à cette action, il associe Paul dont il sera le compagnon au cours du premier voyage apostolique de celui-ci. Barnabé est ainsi celui qui a discerné la vocation de Paul et en a favorisé la réalisation ; ce n’est pas son moindre mérite. Dans une tradition, il serait mort martyr à Chypre, son pays d’origine.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 26, 1
Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut, qui pourrais-je craindre? Le Seigneur est le rempart de ma vie, devant qui tremblerais-je ?
Prière d’ouverture :
Seigneur, source de tout bien, réponds sans te lasser à notre appel : inspire-nous ce qui est juste, aide-nous à l’accomplir. Par Jésus.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (Ac 11, 21b-26 ; 13, 1-3)
En ces jours-là, à Antioche, un grand nombre de gens devinrent croyants et se tournèrent vers le Seigneur. La nouvelle parvint aux oreilles de l’Église de Jérusalem, et l’on envoya Barnabé jusqu’à Antioche. À son arrivée, voyant la grâce de Dieu à l’œuvre, il fut dans la joie. Il les exhortait tous à rester d’un cœur ferme attachés au Seigneur. C’était en effet un homme de bien, rempli d’Esprit Saint et de foi. Une foule considérable s’attacha au Seigneur. Barnabé partit alors à Tarse chercher Saul. L’ayant trouvé, il l’amena à Antioche. Pendant toute une année, ils participèrent aux assemblées de l’Église, ils instruisirent une foule considérable. Et c’est à Antioche que, pour la première fois, les disciples reçurent le nom de « chrétiens ». Or il y avait dans l’Église qui était à Antioche des prophètes et des hommes chargés d’enseigner : Barnabé, Syméon appelé Le Noir, Lucius de Cyrène, Manahène, compagnon d’enfance d’Hérode le Tétrarque, et Saul. Un jour qu’ils célébraient le culte du Seigneur et qu’ils jeûnaient, l’Esprit Saint leur dit : « Mettez à part pour moi Barnabé et Saul en vue de l’œuvre à laquelle je les ai appelés. » Alors, après avoir jeûné et prié, et leur avoir imposé les mains, ils les laissèrent partir. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (Ps 120 (121), 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)
R/ Le secours me viendra du Seigneur
qui a fait le ciel et la terre. (Ps 120, 2)
Je lève les yeux vers les montagnes : d’où le secours me viendra-t-il ? Le secours me viendra du Seigneur qui a fait le ciel et la terre.
Qu’il empêche ton pied de glisser, qu’il ne dorme pas, ton gardien. Non, il ne dort pas, ne sommeille pas, le gardien d’Israël.
Le Seigneur, ton gardien, le Seigneur, ton ombrage, se tient près de toi. Le soleil, pendant le jour, ne pourra te frapper, ni la lune, durant la nuit.
Le Seigneur te gardera de tout mal, il gardera ta vie. Le Seigneur te gardera, au départ et au retour, maintenant, à jamais.
Alléluia. Alléluia.
Réjouissez-vous, soyez dans l’allégresse,
car votre récompense est grande dans les cieux !
Alléluia. (Mt 5, 12)
Évangile (Mt 5, 1-12)
En ce temps-là, voyant les foules, Jésus gravit la montagne. Il s’assit, et ses disciples s’approchèrent de lui. Alors, ouvrant la bouche, il les enseignait. Il disait : « Heureux les pauvres de cœur, car le royaume des Cieux est à eux. Heureux ceux qui pleurent, car ils seront consolés. Heureux les doux, car ils recevront la terre en héritage. Heureux ceux qui ont faim et soif de la justice, car ils seront rassasiés. Heureux les miséricordieux, car ils obtiendront miséricorde. Heureux les cœurs purs, car ils verront Dieu. Heureux les artisans de paix, car ils seront appelés fils de Dieu. Heureux ceux qui sont persécutés pour la justice, car le royaume des Cieux est à eux. Heureux êtes-vous si l’on vous insulte, si l’on vous persécute et si l’on dit faussement toute sorte de mal contre vous, à cause de moi. Réjouissez-vous, soyez dans l’allégresse, car votre récompense est grande dans les cieux ! C’est ainsi qu’on a persécuté les prophètes qui vous ont précédés. » – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes :
Seigneur notre Dieu, nous voulons te servir ; regarde notre offrande : qu’elle soit agréable à tes yeux, et nous obtienne un accroissement de charité. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : 1Jn 4, 16
Dieu est amour : celui qui demeure dans l’amour demeure en Dieu, et Dieu demeure en lui.
Prière après la communion :
Dieu qui veux notre guérison, agis en nous par cette Eucharistie : libère-nous de nos penchants mauvais, oriente notre vie vers le bien. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 9, 2020 | Evangelium
wednesday 10 June 2020
St. Landry
He was the bishop of Paris. He was consecrated in 650 and built the first major hospital in the city, dedicating it to St. Christopher. It’s today called the l’Hôtel-Dieu.
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 26: 1-2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.
Collect
O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. 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 Kings 18:20-39
Ahab called all Israel together and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah stepped out in front of all the people. ‘How long’ he said ‘do you mean to hobble first on one leg then on the other? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.’ But the people never said a word. Elijah then said to them, ‘I, I alone, am left as a prophet of the Lord, while the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty. Let two bulls be given us; let them choose one for themselves, dismember it and lay it on the wood, but not set fire to it. I in my turn will prepare the other bull, but not set fire to it. You must call on the name of your god, and I shall call on the name of mine; the god who answers with fire, is God indeed.’ The people all answered, ‘Agreed!’ Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, ‘Choose one bull and begin, for there are more of you. Call on the name of your god but light no fire.’ They took the bull and prepared it, and from morning to midday they called on the name of Baal. ‘O Baal, answer us!’ they cried, but there was no voice, no answer, as they performed their hobbling dance round the altar they had made. Midday came, and Elijah mocked them. ‘Call louder,’ he said ‘for he is a god: he is preoccupied or he is busy, or he has gone on a journey; perhaps he is asleep and will wake up.’ So they shouted louder and gashed themselves, as their custom was, with swords and spears until the blood flowed down them. Midday passed, and they ranted on until the time the offering is presented; but there was no voice, no answer, no attention given to them. Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come closer to me’, and all the people came closer to him. He repaired the altar of the Lord which had been broken down. Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, ‘Israel shall be your name’, and built an altar in the name of the Lord. Round the altar he dug a trench of a size to hold two measures of seed. He then arranged the wood, dismembered the bull, and laid it on the wood. Then he said, ‘Fill four jars with water and pour it on the holocaust and on the wood’; this they did. He said, ‘Do it a second time’; they did it a second time. He said, ‘Do it a third time’; they did it a third time. The water flowed round the altar and the trench itself was full of water. At the time when the offering is presented, Elijah the prophet stepped forward. ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,’ he said ‘let them know today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, that I have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, the Lord, are God and are winning back their hearts.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the holocaust and wood and licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this they fell on their faces. ‘The Lord is God,’ they cried, ‘the Lord is God.’
Psalm 15(16):1-2, 4-5, 8, 11
R/ Save me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
- Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.’
- Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows. Never will I offer their offerings of blood. Never will I take their name upon my lips.
- O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
- You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 118:27
Alleluia, alleluia! Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look kindly upon our service, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer may be an acceptable oblation to you and lead us to grow in charity. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 17: 3
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.
Prayer after Communion
May your healing work, O Lord, free us, we pray, from doing evil and lead us to what is right. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
As we mentioned two days ago, Matthew’s gospel is primarily directed at a readership with a Jewish background. Obviously, the new Christian converts found it difficult to give up some aspects of the Jewish Law. Matthew, and Paul in his letters; tried to clarify the question. Jesus did not come to abolish Judaism and the Law but to complete it and take it to a higher level. Jesus helped them to see the Law in a new light, a Law that liberates and a Law that unites God’s children no matter their race, nation or language. In the internet age today, we should be familiar with updates in our computers and phones which makes them easier to use and to function faster. Jesus still holds that the Law is to be observed and in the days ahead he will be showing practically how to observe the Law. It must not be literal observation but insists more on the spirit of the Law. The greatest Law will be the Law of Love. We, the Church, today need also to be ready to move ahead in a creative manner to new ways of understanding our faith and living it out.
