by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 1, 2020 | Evangelium
tuesday 02 June 2020
Sts Marcellinus and Peter (304), Martyrs
The exorcist Peter succeeded in converting his jailer and his family. All were baptized by St. Marcellinus. Both were beheaded in 304.
Green/Red
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 24: 16, 18
Turn to me and have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am alone and poor. See my lowliness and suffering and take away all my sins, my God.
Collect
O God, whose providence never fails in its design, keep from us, we humbly beseech you, all that might harm us and grant all that works for our good. 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 Peter 3:11-15,17-18
You should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved. You have been warned about this, my friends; be careful not to get carried away by the errors of unprincipled people, from the firm ground that you are standing on. Instead, go on growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, in time and in eternity. Amen.
Psalm 89(90):2-4, 10, 14, 16
R/ O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.
- Before the mountains were born or the earth or the world brought forth, you are God, without beginning or end.
- 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.
- Our span is seventy years, or eighty for those who are strong. And most of these are emptiness and pain. They pass swiftly and we are gone.
- In the morning, fill us with your love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Show forth your work to your servants; let your glory shine on their children.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb 4:12
Alleluia, alleluia! The word of God is something alive and active: it can judge secret emotions and thoughts. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 12:13-17
The chief priests and the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him, ‘Master, we know you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you, and that you teach the way of God in all honesty. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, yes or no?’ Seeing through their hypocrisy he said to them, ‘Why do you set this trap for me? Hand me a denarius and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’ This reply took them completely by surprise.
Prayer over the Offerings
Trusting in your compassion, O Lord, we come eagerly with our offerings to your sacred altar, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 16: 6
To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words.
Prayer after Communion
Govern by your Spirit, we pray, O Lord, those you feed with the Body and Blood of your Son, that, professing you not just in word or in speech, but also in works and in truth, we may merit to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The confrontation between Jesus and the authorities continues in today’s Gospel. They are determined to do everything in their power to discredit Jesus and set a trap for him. In the passage which we read yesterday, Jesus denounced priests and scribes in the parable of the vineyard. Two groups which have been enemies, the Pharisees and Herodians, get together to set a trap for Jesus in order to condemn him. The question concerning the paying of taxes was a tricky one and it was a topic that divided public opinion. A “Yes” would mean complicity with the Romans, and by saying “NO” he could be accused of being subversive to the authority of the Romans. This looked more like a dead end, but Jesus saw their hypocrisy. Jesus gives a direct and simple answer; they already did business using Caesar’s coin but what was lacking was the second part, “give to God what belongs to God”. To God belongs all honour and glory. In God there is justice and peace and no room for hypocrisy.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jun 1, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
VERT / ROUGE
Saints Marcellin et Pierre, martyrs
‘’Marcellin, Pierre, écoutez le rappel de votre triomphe. Quand j’étais enfant, le bourreau m’a raconté, à moi, Damase, que le persécuteur furieux avait ordonné de vous trancher la tête au milieu des broussailles, afin que personne ne pût retrouver votre sépulture’’. Cette inscription, rédigée en vers par le pape Damase, ornait la crypte de la basilique élevée sur le tombeau de ces deux martyrs, un prêtre et un exorciste, décapités sous Dioclétien vers 304.
Saint Pothin, évêque, sainte Blandine, vierge, et leurs compagnons, martyrs (en France)
‘’Les serviteurs du Christ qui habitent Vienne et Lyon, en Gaule, aux frères d’Asie et de Phrygie qui ont la même foi et la même espérance que nous dans la rédemption.’’ Ainsi commence l’admirable lettre relatant la passion des premiers martyrs lyonnais (177). Pothin, premier évêque de Lyon, fut jeté en prison à l’âge de quatre-vingt-dix ans et y mourut par suite de mauvais traitements. L’esclave Blandine, livrée aux bêtes avec quarante huit compagnons, ne cessait d’encourager ceux-ci et força l’admiration des païens. Moins d’un siècle et demi après la mort du Galiléen, on mourait pour lui en Gaule, à l’autre bout de l’empire
Antienne d’ouverture : cf Ps 118, 85.46
Regarde-moi, Seigneur, et prends pitié de moi, car je suis seul et misérable ; vois ma misère et ma peine, enlève tous mes péchés. (Ps 24, 16.18)
Prière d’ouverture :
Seigneur notre Père, nous en appelons à ta providence qui jamais ne se trompe en ses desseins : tout ce qui fait du mal, écarte-le, et donne-nous ce qui peut nous aider. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 P 3, 12-15a.17-18
Bien-aimés, vous attendez et vous hâtez l’avènement du jour de Dieu, ce jour où les cieux enflammés seront dissous, où les éléments embrasés seront en fusion. Car ce que nous attendons, selon la promesse du Seigneur, c’est un ciel nouveau et une terre nouvelle où résidera la justice. C’est pourquoi, bien-aimés, en attendant cela, faites tout pour qu’on vous trouve sans tache ni défaut, dans la paix. Et dites-vous bien que la longue patience de notre Seigneur, c’est votre salut. Quant à vous, bien-aimés, vous voilà prévenus ; prenez garde : ne vous laissez pas entraîner dans l’égarement des gens dévoyés, et n’abandonnez pas l’attitude de fermeté qui est la vôtre. Mais continuez à grandir dans la grâce et la connaissance de notre Seigneur et Sauveur, Jésus Christ. À lui la gloire, dès maintenant et jusqu’au jour de l’éternité. Amen.
Psaume : 89 (90), 2, 3-4, 10, 14.16
R/ D’âge en âge, Seigneur, tu as été notre refuge.
1. Avant que naissent les montagnes, que tu enfantes la terre et le monde, de toujours à toujours, toi, tu es Dieu.
2. 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.
3. Le nombre de nos années ? soixante-dix, quatre-vingt pour les plus vigoureux ! Leur plus grand nombre n’est que peine et misère ; elles s’enfuient, nous nous envolons.
4. Rassasie-nous de ton amour au matin, que nous passions nos jours dans la joie et les chants. Fais connaître ton œuvre à tes serviteurs et ta splendeur à leurs fils.
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Que le Père de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ ouvre à sa lumière les yeux de notre cœur, pour que nous percevions l’espérance que donne son appel. Alléluia. (cf. Ep 1, 17-18)
Evangile : Mc 12, 13-17
En ce temps-là, on envoya à Jésus des pharisiens et des partisans d’Hérode pour lui tendre un piège en le faisant parler, et ceux-ci vinrent lui dire : « Maître, nous le savons : tu es toujours vrai ; tu ne te laisses influencer par personne, car ce n’est pas selon l’apparence que tu considères les gens, mais tu enseignes le chemin de Dieu selon la vérité. Est-il permis, oui ou non, de payer l’impôt à César, l’empereur ? Devons-nous payer, oui ou non ? » Mais lui, sachant leur hypocrisie, leur dit : « Pourquoi voulez-vous me mettre à l’épreuve ? Faites-moi voir une pièce d’argent. » Ils en apportèrent une, et Jésus leur dit : « Cette effigie et cette inscription, de qui sont-elles ? – De César », répondent-ils. Jésus leur dit : « Ce qui est à César, rendez-le à César, et à Dieu ce qui est à Dieu. » Et ils étaient remplis d’étonnement à son sujet.
Prière sur les offrandes
Confiants dans ton amour, Seigneur, nous venons à ton autel avec nos offrandes: puissions-nous, par un effet de ta grâce, être purifiés dans l’Eucharistie que nous célébrons. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 16,6
Je t’appelle, mon Dieu, car tu peux me répondre : écoute-moi ! Entends ce que je dis.
Prière après la communion :
Guide-nous, Seigneur, par ton Esprit, toi qui nous as donné le corps et le sang de ton Fils : accorde-nous de te rendre témoignage, non seulement avec des paroles, mais aussi par nos actes; et nous pourrons entrer dans le Royaume des cieux. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 31, 2020 | Evangelium
Monday 01 June 2020
Psalter I
St Justin, Martyr (165)
Justin was converted from a pagan philosopher to Christianity. He then became the most illustrious opponent of pagan philosophers. He died in 165.
Red
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 118: 85, 46
The wicked have told me lies, but not so is your law: I spoke of your decrees before kings, and was not confounded.
Collect
O God, who through the folly of the Cross wondrously taught Saint Justin the Martyr the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, grant us, through his intercession, that, having rejected deception and error, we may become steadfast in the faith. 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 Peter 1:2-7
May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more. By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion, bringing us to know God himself, who has called us by his own glory and goodness. In making these gifts, he has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come: through them you will be able to share the divine nature and to escape corruption in a world that is sunk in vice. But to attain this, you will have to do your utmost yourselves, adding goodness to the faith that you have, understanding to your goodness, self-control to your understanding, patience to your self-control, true devotion to your patience, kindness towards your fellow men to your devotion, and, to this kindness, love.
Psalm 90(91):1-2,14-16
R/ My God, in you I trust.
- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty says to the Lord: ‘My refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!’
- His love he set on me, so I will rescue him; protect him for he knows my name. When he calls I shall answer: ‘I am with you.’
- I will save him in distress and give him glory. With length of life I will content him; I shall let him see my saving power.
Gospel Acclamation: Col 3:16a, 17
Alleluia, alleluia! Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you; through him give thanks to God the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 12:1-12
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce from the vineyard. But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully. And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest. He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all. “They will respect my son” he said. But those tenants said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this text of scripture: It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone. This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see? And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, that we may celebrate worthily these mysteries, which Saint Justin strenuously defended. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 2: 2
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Prayer after Communion
Refreshed by heavenly food, we humbly implore you, O Lord, that, attentive to the teaching of Saint Justin the Martyr, we may abide at all times in thanksgiving for the gifts we have received. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel passage, the Lord Jesus in his typical style uses familiar activities of his time to draw the attention of his listeners. Land owners in Israel could give out their land to tenants who in turn paid back a percentage of the produce to the owner. The land owner in today’s parable builds new facilities and improvements, plants a vineyard and leases it out. When the period of farming ends and the land owner sends someone to get his portion of the harvest, problems arise as the tenants turn away the representatives; abusing and even killing them. Subsequently, the land owner sends his own son whom they kill. Now they feel they can become owners of the land. The farmers forgot that they were only stewards and their sole responsibility as tenants was to return to their landlord a portion of the proceeds of their labour. It is easy to forget God’s blessings and we should never imagine that God’s blessings are rights, they are gifts. We are stewards and God has been so patient and loving in our lives that he sent his only Son and who died for our sake.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 31, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Justin, martyr (vers 10-166)
Dans son Dialogue avec le Juif Tryphon, Justin raconte comment il avait longtemps cherché la vérité dans les philosophies en vogue à son époque. S’étant mis à méditer sur le conseil d’un vieillard, il reconnut dans le christianisme la sagesse véritable. Converti, il se mit à enseigner cette sagesse à Rome, et écrivit deux défenses (Apologies) de la foi chrétienne contre les persécuteurs. Une de ses dernières paroles fut cette réplique, adressée au juge qui le pressait de renier le Christ : ‘’ Personne, dans son bon sens, n’abandonne la vérité pour l’erreur.’’
Antienne d’ouverture : cf Ps 118, 85.46
Regarde-moi, Seigneur, et prends pitié de moi, car je suis seul et misérable ; vois ma misère et ma peine, enlève tous mes péchés. (Ps 24, 16.18)
Prière d’ouverture :
Seigneur notre Père, nous en appelons à ta providence qui jamais ne se trompe en ses desseins : tout ce qui fait du mal, écarte-le, et donne-nous ce qui peut nous aider. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 2 P 1, 2-7
Bien-aimés, que la grâce et la paix vous soient accordées en abondance par la vraie connaissance de Dieu et de Jésus notre Seigneur. Sa puissance divine nous a fait don de tout ce qui permet de vivre avec piété, grâce à la vraie connaissance de celui qui nous a appelés par la gloire et la force qui lui appartiennent. De la sorte nous sont accordés les dons promis, si précieux et si grands, pour que, par eux, vous deveniez participants de la nature divine, et que vous échappiez à la dégradation produite dans le monde par la convoitise. Et pour ces motifs, faites tous vos efforts pour joindre à votre foi la vertu, à la vertu la connaissance de Dieu, à la connaissance de Dieu la maîtrise de soi, à la maîtrise de soi la persévérance, à la persévérance la piété, à la piété la fraternité, à la fraternité l’amour.
Psaume : 90, 1-2, 14-15ab, 15c-16
R/ Mon Dieu, je suis sûr de toi !
1. Quand je me tiens sous l’abri du Très-Haut et repose à l’ombre du Puissant, je dis au Seigneur : « Mon refuge, mon rempart, mon Dieu, dont je suis sûr ! »
2. « Puisqu’il s’attache à moi, je le délivre ; je le défends, car il connaît mon nom. Il m’appelle, et moi, je lui réponds ; je suis avec lui dans son épreuve.
3. « Je veux le libérer, le glorifier ; de longs jours, je veux le rassasier, et je ferai qu’il voie mon salut. »
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Jésus Christ, témoin fidèle, premier-né d’entre les morts, tu nous aimes, et par ton sang tu nous délivres du péché. Alléluia. (cf. Ap 1, 5ab)
Evangile : Mc 12, 1-12
En ce temps-là, Jésus se mit à parler en paraboles aux chefs des prêtres, aux scribes et aux anciens : « Un homme planta une vigne, il l’entoura d’une clôture, y creusa un pressoir et y bâtit une tour de garde. Puis il loua cette vigne à des vignerons, et partit en voyage. Le moment venu, il envoya un serviteur auprès des vignerons pour se faire remettre par eux ce qui lui revenait des fruits de la vigne. Mais les vignerons se saisirent du serviteur, le frappèrent, et le renvoyèrent les mains vides. De nouveau, il leur envoya un autre serviteur ; et celui-là, ils l’assommèrent et l’humilièrent. Il en envoya encore un autre, et celui-là, ils le tuèrent ; puis beaucoup d’autres serviteurs : ils frappèrent les uns et tuèrent les autres. Il lui restait encore quelqu’un : son fils bien-aimé. Il l’envoya vers eux en dernier, en se disant : “Ils respecteront mon fils.” Mais ces vignerons-là se dirent entre eux : “Voici l’héritier : allons-y ! tuons-le, et l’héritage va être à nous !” Ils se saisirent de lui, le tuèrent, et le jetèrent hors de la vigne. Que fera le maître de la vigne ? Il viendra, fera périr les vignerons, et donnera la vigne à d’autres. N’avez-vous pas lu ce passage de l’Écriture ? La pierre qu’ont rejetée les bâtisseurs est devenue la pierre d’angle : c’est là l’œuvre du Seigneur, la merveille devant nos yeux ! » Les chefs du peuple cherchaient à arrêter Jésus, mais ils eurent peur de la foule. – Ils avaient bien compris en effet qu’il avait dit la parabole à leur intention. Ils le laissèrent donc et s’en allèrent.
Prière sur les offrandes
Confiants dans ton amour, Seigneur, nous venons à ton autel avec nos offrandes: puissions-nous, par un effet de ta grâce, être purifiés dans l’Eucharistie que nous célébrons. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 16,6
Je t’appelle, mon Dieu, car tu peux me répondre : écoute-moi ! Entends ce que je dis.
Prière après la communion :
Guide-nous, Seigneur, par ton Esprit, toi qui nous as donné le corps et le sang de ton Fils : accorde-nous de te rendre témoignage, non seulement avec des paroles, mais aussi par nos actes; et nous pourrons entrer dans le Royaume des cieux. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 30, 2020 | Evangelium
saturday 30 May 2020
St Luke Kirby (c.1549-1582)
He was born in England and was ordained priest at Cambrai. In June 1580, he came to England He was immediately arrested and committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster. He died on May 1582.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Acts 1: 14
The disciples devoted themselves with one accord to prayer with the women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and his brethren, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who have celebrated the paschal festivities, may by your gift hold fast to them in the way that we live our lives. 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 28:16-20,30-31
On our arrival in Rome Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his own with the soldier who guarded him. After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and would have set me free, since they found me guilty of nothing involving the death penalty; but the Jews lodged an objection, and I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation to make against my own nation. That is why I have asked to see you and talk to you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain.’ Paul spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone.
Psalm 10(11):4-5,7
R/ The upright shall see your face, O Lord.
- The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord, whose throne is in heaven. His eyes look down on the world; his gaze tests mortal men.
- The Lord tests the just and the wicked; the lover of violence he hates. The Lord is just and loves justice; the upright shall see his face.
Gospel Acclamation: Col3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’ This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true. There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the Holy Spirit coming near, we pray, O Lord, prepare our minds for the divine Sacrament, since the Spirit himself is the remission of all sins. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 16: 14
The Holy Spirit will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and declare it to you, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear in your compassion our prayers, O Lord, that, as we have been brought from things of the past to new mysteries, so, with former ways left behind, we may be made new I holiness of mind. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
To love Jesus and be loved by Jesus is to ‘follow him’. The beloved disciple is given the task of testifying to what has happened in his life. I too am called to ‘testify’ to the ‘great things the Lord has done in my life’. Peter’s questions and the assumptions of the other disciples could be an example of the sin of pride, sadness or envy. One’s whole life is a relationship with Jesus. This is true for others as well. Peter is more concerned about the other disciple rather than about living his own “follow me” at the moment. Does this also happen to you? When there is gossip about another person, do you think Jesus says, “What concern is it of yours?”
