by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 27, 2020 | Evangelium
thursday 28 May 2020
Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1473 – 1541)
Margaret Plantagenet was the niece of King Edward IV, and was born in 1473. She was beheaded on East Smithfield Green, on 27th May 1541 for opposing King Henry VIII.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Heb 4: 16
With boldness let us approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace as a timely help, alleluia.
Collect
May your Spirit, O Lord, we pray, imbue us powerfully with spiritual gifts, that he may give us a mind pleasing to you and graciously conform us to your will. 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 22:30,23:6-11
Since the tribune wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, he freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them. Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’ Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress. Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’
Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11
R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
- Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God. O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.’
- I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
- And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay.
- You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn16:7,13
Alleluia, alleluia! I will send you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will lead you to the complete truth. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 17:20-26
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 16: 7
I tell you the truth, it is for your good that I go; for if I do not go away, the Paraclete will not come to you, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May the mysteries we have received, O Lord, we pray, enlighten us by the instruction they bring and restore us through our participation in them, that we may merit the gifts of the Spirit. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus prays that “all may be one”. To be a follower of Jesus is to be part of a greater whole. According to Jesus, there are to be no solitary Christians. Within the community the prayer is for unity. Does that mean that we all have to get along all the time? Does it mean we all have to agree all the time? We are one in Christ whether we agree or not. We are one in Christ whether we like one another or not. To become a part of Christ is to become a part of the community; a part of the one. Jesus’ prayer reminds us that our unity, our “oneness” is to be a sign to the world of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Oneness and unity are based on love. And if you have been a part of a family, a community or a member of a church, you know that in that love there can be disagreements
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 27, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Germain
Mort en 576, il s’est illustré comme évêque de Paris par une série de guérisons miraculeuses et par la libération systématique des prisonniers et des esclaves. Il fonda aussi l’abbaye de Sainte-Croix-Saint-Vincent qui deviendra Saint-Germain des prés.
Antienne d’ouverture He 4, 16
Avançons-nous avec pleine assurance vers le Dieu tout puissant qui fait grâce pour obtenir miséricorde et recevoir, en ce temps voulu la grâce de son secours, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Que ton Esprit Saint, Dieu créateur, nous transforme par ses dons : qu’il change notre cœur en un cœur que tu aimes, parfaitement accordé à ta volonté. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ac 22, 30; 23, 6-11
En ces jours-là, Paul avait été arrêté à Jérusalem. Le lendemain, le commandant voulut savoir avec certitude de quoi les Juifs l’accusaient. Il lui fit enlever ses liens ; puis il convoqua les grands prêtres et tout le Conseil suprême, et il fit descendre Paul pour l’amener devant eux. Sachant que le Conseil suprême se répartissait entre sadducéens et pharisiens, Paul s’écria devant eux : « Frères, moi, je suis pharisien, fils de pharisiens. C’est à cause de notre espérance, la résurrection des morts, que je passe en jugement. » À peine avait-il dit cela, qu’il y eut un affrontement entre pharisiens et sadducéens, et l’assemblée se divisa. En effet, les sadducéens disent qu’il n’y a pas de résurrection, pas plus que d’ange ni d’esprit, tandis que les pharisiens professent tout cela. Il se fit alors un grand vacarme. Quelques scribes du côté des pharisiens se levèrent et protestèrent vigoureusement : « Nous ne trouvons rien de mal chez cet homme. Et si c’était un esprit qui lui avait parlé, ou un ange ? » L’affrontement devint très violent, et le commandant craignit que Paul ne se fasse écharper. Il ordonna à la troupe de descendre pour l’arracher à la mêlée et le ramener dans la forteresse. La nuit suivante, le Seigneur vint auprès de Paul et lui dit :« Courage ! Le témoignage que tu m’as rendu à Jérusalem, il faut que tu le rendes aussi à Rome. »
Psaume : 15 (16), 1-2a.5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R/ Garde- moi, mon Dieu : j’ai fait de toi mon refuge.
1. Garde- moi, mon Dieu : j’ai fait de toi mon refuge. J’ai dit au Seigneur : « Tu es mon Dieu ! Seigneur, mon partage et ma coupe : de toi dépend mon sort. »
2. Je bénis le Seigneur qui me conseille : même la nuit mon cœur m’avertit. Je garde le Seigneur devant moi sans relâche ; il est à ma droite : je suis inébranlable.
3. Mon cœur exulte, mon âme est en fête, ma chair elle-même repose en confiance : tu ne peux m’abandonner à la mort ni laisser ton ami voir la corruption.
4. Tu m’apprends le chemin de la vie : devant ta face, débordement de joie ! À ta droite, éternité de délices !
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Que tous soient un, comme toi, Père, tu es en moi, et moi en toi, pour que le monde croie que tu m’as envoyé. Alléluia. (Jn 17, 21)
Evangile : Jn 17, 20-26
En ce temps-là, les yeux levés au ciel, Jésus priait ainsi : « Père saint, je ne prie pas seulement pour ceux qui sont là, mais encore pour ceux qui, grâce à leur parole, croiront en moi. Que tous soient un, comme toi, Père, tu es en moi, et moi en toi. Qu’ils soient un en nous, eux aussi, pour que le monde croie que tu m’as envoyé. Et moi, je leur ai donné la gloire que tu m’as donnée, pour qu’ils soient un comme nous sommes UN : moi en eux, et toi en moi. Qu’ils deviennent ainsi parfaitement un, afin que le monde sache que tu m’as envoyé, et que tu les as aimés comme tu m’as aimé. Père, ceux que tu m’as donnés, je veux que là où je suis, ils soient eux aussi avec moi, et qu’ils contemplent ma gloire, celle que tu m’as donnée parce que tu m’as aimé avant la fondation du monde. Père juste, le monde ne t’a pas connu, mais moi je t’ai connu, et ceux-ci ont reconnu que tu m’as envoyé. Je leur ai fait connaître ton nom, et je le ferai connaître, pour que l’amour dont tu m’as aimé soit en eux, et que moi aussi, je sois en eux. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Dans ta bonté, Seigneur, sanctifie ces dons ; accepte le sacrifice spirituel de cette Eucharistie, et fais de nous-mêmes une éternelle offrande à ta gloire. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Jésus déclarait à ses disciples « Je vous dis la vérité : c’est votre intérêt que je m’en aille ; car, si je ne m’en vais pas, l’Esprit Saint, le Défenseur ne viendra pas à vous», alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Aide-nous à trouver, Seigneur, dans l’eucharistie que nous venons de célébrer un enseignement qui nous éclaire et des vivres qui soient notre force, afin que nous puissions ouvrir nos cœurs a toutes les richesses de ton Esprit. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 26, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Augustin de Cantorbéry, évêque
Envoyé en 596 par Grégoire le Grand pour évangéliser l’Angleterre, Augustin arrive avec quarante moines dans le Kent, dont le roi se convertit, entrainant son peuple avec lui. Dans ce milieu païen, Augustin suit les directives missionnaires de Grégoire : il s’applique à adapter au lieu de détruire, chaque fois qu’il trouve dans les usages païens de vraies valeurs religieuses. Il devient évêque de Cantorbéry, premier siège épiscopal d’Angleterre, et meurt vers 605.
Antienne d’ouverture :
Tous les peuples, battez des mains, acclamez Dieu par vos cris de joie. Alléluia
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu d’infinie bonté, nous t’en prions : accorde à ton Église rassemblée par l’Esprit Saint de se dévouer de tout cœur à ton service, et d’être unie dans l’accomplissement de ta volonté. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ac 20, 28-38
En ces jours-là, Paul faisait ses adieux aux Anciens de l’Église d’Éphèse. Il leur disait : « Veillez sur vous-mêmes, et sur tout le troupeau dont l’Esprit Saint vous a établis responsables, pour être les pasteurs de l’Église de Dieu, qu’il s’est acquise par son propre sang. Moi, je sais qu’après mon départ, des loups redoutables s’introduiront chez vous et n’épargneront pas le troupeau. Même du milieu de vous surgiront des hommes qui tiendront des discours pervers pour entraîner les disciples à leur suite. Soyez donc vigilants, et souvenez-vous que, durant trois ans, nuit et jour, je n’ai cessé, dans les larmes, de reprendre chacun d’entre vous. Et maintenant, je vous confie à Dieu et à la parole de sa grâce, lui qui a le pouvoir de construire l’édifice et de donner à chacun l’héritage en compagnie de tous ceux qui ont été sanctifiés. Je n’ai convoité ni l’argent ni l’or ni le vêtement de personne. Vous le savez bien vous-mêmes : les mains que voici ont pourvu à mes besoins et à ceux de mes compagnons. En toutes choses, je vous ai montré qu’en se donnant ainsi de la peine, il faut secourir les faibles et se souvenir des paroles du Seigneur Jésus, car lui-même a dit : Il y a plus de bonheur à donner qu’à recevoir. » Quand Paul eut ainsi parlé, il s’agenouilla t pria avec eux tous. Tous se mirent à pleurer bondamment ; ils se jetaient au cou de Paul et l’embrassaient ; ce qui les affligeait le plus, c’est la parole qu’il avait dite : « Vous ne verrez plus mon visage. » Puis on l’accompagna jusqu’au bateau.
Psaume : 67 (68), 29-30, 33.34c.35a, 36
R/ Royaumes de la terre, chantez pour le Seigneur.
1. Ton Dieu l’a commandé : « Sois fort ! » Montre ta force, Dieu, quand tu agis pour nous ! De ton palais, qui domine Jérusalem, on voit des rois t’apporter leurs présents.
2. Royaumes de la terre, chantez pour Dieu, jouez pour le Seigneur. Voici qu’il élève la voix, une voix puissante ; rendez la puissance à Dieu.
3. Redoutable est Dieu dans son temple saint, le Dieu d’Israël ; c’est lui qui donne à son peuple force et puissance. Béni soit Dieu !
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité ; dans cette vérité, sanctifie-nous. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 17, 17a)
Evangile : Jn 17, 11b-19
En ce temps-là, les yeux levés au ciel, Jésus priait ainsi : « Père saint, garde mes disciples unis dans ton nom, le nom que tu m’as donné, pour qu’ils soient un, comme nous-mêmes. Quand j’étais avec eux, je les gardais unis dans ton nom, le nom que tu m’as donné. J’ai veillé sur eux, et aucun ne s’est perdu, sauf celui qui s’en va à sa perte de sorte que l’Écriture soit accomplie. Et maintenant que je viens à toi, je parle ainsi, dans le monde, pour qu’ils aient en eux ma joie, et qu’ils en soient comblés. Moi, je leur ai donné ta parole, et le monde les a pris en haine parce qu’ils n’appartiennent pas au monde, de même que moi je n’appartiens pas au monde. Je ne prie pas pour que tu les retires du monde, mais pour que tu les gardes du Mauvais. Ils n’appartiennent pas au monde, de même que moi, je n’appartiens pas au monde. Sanctifie-les dans la vérité : ta parole est vérité. De même que tu m’as envoyé dans le monde, moi aussi, je les ai envoyés dans le monde. Et pour eux je me sanctifie moi-même, afin qu’ils soient, eux aussi, sanctifiés dans la vérité. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Accepte, Seigneur notre Dieu, le sacrifice que tu nous as dit de t’offrir ; et par ces mystères célèbres pour ta gloire, daigne poursuivre en tes serviteurs ton œuvre de sanctification et de salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion :
«Quand il viendra le Défenseur que je vous enverrai, dit le Seigneur, lui, l’Esprit de vérité qui procède du Père, il témoignera en ma faveur ; et vous aussi, vous rendrez témoignage », alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Que notre communion à ce mystère, Seigneur, ne cesse d’ajouter à ta grâce : qu’elle nous purifie de plus en plus et nous dispose a mieux recevoir un si grand bienfait. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 26, 2020 | Evangelium
wednesday 27 May 2020
St Augustine of Canterbury (- 605)
Augustine was consecrated archbishop of the English, and then returned to Canterbury to set up his see. The mission prospered, and he founded two more sees, at London and at Rochester in Kent. Augustine died at Canterbury on 26 May 605.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 46: 2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy, alleluia.
Collect
Graciously grant to your Church, O merciful God, that, gathered by the Holy Spirit, she may be devoted to you with all her heart and united in purity of intent. 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 20:28-38
Paul addressed these words to the elders of the church of Ephesus: ‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified. ‘I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’ When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Psalm 67(68):29-30,33-36
R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
- Show forth, O God, show forth your might, your might, O God, which you have shown for us. For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem may kings come to you bringing their tribute.
- Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens. He thunders his voice, his mighty voice. Come, acknowledge the power of God.
- His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies. God is to be feared in his holy place. He is the Lord, Israel’s God. He gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God!
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 28:19,20
Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 17:11-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the sacrifices instituted by your commands, and through the sacred mysteries, which we celebrate as our dutiful service, graciously complete the sanctifying work by which you are pleased to redeem us. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 15: 26-27
When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send you, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me, and you also will bear witness, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May our partaking of this divine Sacrament, O Lord, constantly increase your grace within us, and, by cleansing us with its power, make us always ready to receive so great a gift.
Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus sums up what his life and mission are all about. He speaks at length of the bond between him and his Father and it is from this bond of love that he is ‘sent’. Jesus tells us that we too are ‘sent’ to continue his mission. Friendship with Jesus is being with him, and being sent in his name. Our mission as his followers is in the midst of and in the depths of the world. He wants his love and message inserted in the centre of the world, the city, the neighbourhood. In following him in mission and love, we are ourselves sanctified. How do I experience this ‘being sent’? Jesus prays that we be protected from the ‘evil one’. The Pope points out that the Spirit “does not remove evil with magic wand”, instead “he pours into us the vitality of life, which is not the absence of problems, but the certainty of being loved and always forgiven.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 25, 2020 | Evangelium
tuesday 26 May 2020
St Philip Neri (1515 – 1595)
He was born in Florence in 1515. At the age of eighteen he went to Rome, and earned his living as a tutor. He undertook much-needed charitable work among the young men of the city, and started a brotherhood to help the sick poor and pilgrims.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Rom 5: 5; cf. 8, 11
The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who never cease to bestow the glory of holiness on the faithful servants you raise up for yourself, graciously grant that the Holy Spirit may kindle in us that fire with which he wonderfully filled the heart of Saint Philip Neri. 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 20:17-27
From Miletus Paul sent for the elders of the church of Ephesus. When they arrived he addressed these words to them: ‘You know what my way of life has been ever since the first day I set foot among you in Asia, how I have served the Lord in all humility, with all the sorrows and trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. I have not hesitated to do anything that would be helpful to you; I have preached to you, and instructed you both in public and in your homes, urging both Jews and Greeks to turn to God and to believe in our Lord Jesus. ‘And now you see me a prisoner already in spirit; I am on my way to Jerusalem, but have no idea what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit, in town after town, has made it clear enough that imprisonment and persecution await me. But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me – and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace. ‘I now feel sure that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will ever see my face again. And so here and now I swear that my conscience is clear as far as all of you are concerned, for I have without faltering put before you the whole of God’s purpose.’
Psalm 67(68):10-11,20-21
R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
- You poured down, O God, a generous rain: when your people were starved you gave them new life. It was there that your people found a home, prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor.
- May the Lord be blessed day after day. He bears our burdens, God our saviour. This God of ours is a God who saves. The Lord our God holds the keys of death.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 14:18
Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I go, but I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 17:1-11
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you; and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do. Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me with that glory I had with you before ever the world was. I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now at last they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you; for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me. I pray for them; I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they belong to you: all I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified. I am not in the world any longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we offer you the sacrifice of praise, O Lord, we ask that by the example of Saint Philip Neri we may always give ourselves cheerfully for the glory of your name and the service of our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 15: 9
As the Father loves me, so I also love you; remain in my love, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Having fed upon these heavenly delights, we pray, O Lord, that in imitation of Saint Philip Neri we may always long for that food by which we truly live. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The importance of the leadership of elders is evident throughout Paul’s ministry. He appointed elders in each church on his first missionary journey and addressed the holders of this office later. His words form one of the most touching passages in the New Testament. Paul was a tough man in many respects but he was also a very emotional one as the first reading shows. Jesus sent Paul out to preach and plant churches, and Paul obeyed with intensity, investing to the point of tears. And Paul doesn’t regret these tears. He speaks of them as a proof of his ministry. Some of us don’t have a bag of achievements to bring to Christ. We only have failures. We feel so inadequate and disqualified. We wonder how God could ever love us. But once we expose ourselves to God as we really are, he won’t say no to us because he has already said yes to Christ.
