by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 3, 2020 | Evangelium
monday 04 May 2020
The English Martyrs
On 4 May 1535, at Tyburn in London, there died three Carthusian monks, the first of many martyrs of the English Reformation. They are remembered for the example they gave of constancy in their faith and courage in the face of persecution.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Collect
O God, perfect light of the blessed, by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to rejoice in the full measure of your grace for ages unending. 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 11:1-18
The apostles and the brothers in Judaea heard that the pagans too had accepted the word of God, and when Peter came up to Jerusalem the Jews criticised him and said, ‘So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them, have you?’ Peter in reply gave them the details point by point: ‘One day, when I was in the town of Jaffa,’ he began ‘I fell into a trance as I was praying and had a vision of something like a big sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. This sheet reached the ground quite close to me. I watched it intently and saw all sorts of animals and wild beasts – everything possible that could walk, crawl or fly. Then I heard a voice that said to me, “Now, Peter; kill and eat!” But I answered: Certainly not, Lord; nothing profane or unclean has ever crossed my lips. And a second time the voice spoke from heaven, “What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane.” This was repeated three times, before the whole of it was drawn up to heaven again. ‘Just at that moment, three men stopped outside the house where we were staying; they had been sent from Caesarea to fetch me, and the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going back with them. The six brothers here came with me as well, and we entered the man’s house. He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, “Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter; he has a message for you that will save you and your entire household.” ‘I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I realised then that God was giving them the identical thing he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?’ This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’
Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4
R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
1) Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.!
2) My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?
3) Send forth your light and your truth; let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
4) And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:11-18
Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. ‘The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s first reading, the charge brought against Peter was that he, who was supposed to be a faithful Jew, associated with Gentiles and even ate with them. Sharing a meal together was a special sign of fellowship in that time and culture. In response to the accusations of his Jewish Christian brothers, Peter repeated the vision he was given in chapter 10. The last part of this passage underlines the action of the Holy Spirit in the process of conversion. We are to allow ourselves too to be transformed by God’s Spirit as the pagans did and as such become witnesses of God’s love and mercy to those around us.
monday 04 May 2020
The English Martyrs
On 4 May 1535, at Tyburn in London, there died three Carthusian monks, the first of many martyrs of the English Reformation. They are remembered for the example they gave of constancy in their faith and courage in the face of persecution.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Collect
O God, perfect light of the blessed, by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to rejoice in the full measure of your grace for ages unending. 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 11:1-18
The apostles and the brothers in Judaea heard that the pagans too had accepted the word of God, and when Peter came up to Jerusalem the Jews criticised him and said, ‘So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them, have you?’ Peter in reply gave them the details point by point: ‘One day, when I was in the town of Jaffa,’ he began ‘I fell into a trance as I was praying and had a vision of something like a big sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. This sheet reached the ground quite close to me. I watched it intently and saw all sorts of animals and wild beasts – everything possible that could walk, crawl or fly. Then I heard a voice that said to me, “Now, Peter; kill and eat!” But I answered: Certainly not, Lord; nothing profane or unclean has ever crossed my lips. And a second time the voice spoke from heaven, “What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane.” This was repeated three times, before the whole of it was drawn up to heaven again. ‘Just at that moment, three men stopped outside the house where we were staying; they had been sent from Caesarea to fetch me, and the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going back with them. The six brothers here came with me as well, and we entered the man’s house. He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, “Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter; he has a message for you that will save you and your entire household.” ‘I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I realised then that God was giving them the identical thing he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?’ This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’
Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4
R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
1) Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.!
2) My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?
3) Send forth your light and your truth; let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
4) And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:11-18
Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. ‘The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s first reading, the charge brought against Peter was that he, who was supposed to be a faithful Jew, associated with Gentiles and even ate with them. Sharing a meal together was a special sign of fellowship in that time and culture. In response to the accusations of his Jewish Christian brothers, Peter repeated the vision he was given in chapter 10. The last part of this passage underlines the action of the Holy Spirit in the process of conversion. We are to allow ourselves too to be transformed by God’s Spirit as the pagans did and as such become witnesses of God’s love and mercy to those around us.
monday 04 May 2020
The English Martyrs
On 4 May 1535, at Tyburn in London, there died three Carthusian monks, the first of many martyrs of the English Reformation. They are remembered for the example they gave of constancy in their faith and courage in the face of persecution.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Collect
O God, perfect light of the blessed, by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to rejoice in the full measure of your grace for ages unending. 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 11:1-18
The apostles and the brothers in Judaea heard that the pagans too had accepted the word of God, and when Peter came up to Jerusalem the Jews criticised him and said, ‘So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them, have you?’ Peter in reply gave them the details point by point: ‘One day, when I was in the town of Jaffa,’ he began ‘I fell into a trance as I was praying and had a vision of something like a big sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. This sheet reached the ground quite close to me. I watched it intently and saw all sorts of animals and wild beasts – everything possible that could walk, crawl or fly. Then I heard a voice that said to me, “Now, Peter; kill and eat!” But I answered: Certainly not, Lord; nothing profane or unclean has ever crossed my lips. And a second time the voice spoke from heaven, “What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane.” This was repeated three times, before the whole of it was drawn up to heaven again. ‘Just at that moment, three men stopped outside the house where we were staying; they had been sent from Caesarea to fetch me, and the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going back with them. The six brothers here came with me as well, and we entered the man’s house. He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, “Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter; he has a message for you that will save you and your entire household.” ‘I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I realised then that God was giving them the identical thing he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?’ This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’
Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4
R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.
1) Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.!
2) My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?
3) Send forth your light and your truth; let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
4) And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:11-18
Jesus said: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. ‘The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s first reading, the charge brought against Peter was that he, who was supposed to be a faithful Jew, associated with Gentiles and even ate with them. Sharing a meal together was a special sign of fellowship in that time and culture. In response to the accusations of his Jewish Christian brothers, Peter repeated the vision he was given in chapter 10. The last part of this passage underlines the action of the Holy Spirit in the process of conversion. We are to allow ourselves too to be transformed by God’s Spirit as the pagans did and as such become witnesses of God’s love and mercy to those around us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 3, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Sylvain
Prêtre doux et pacifique et condamné aux mines avec 40 autres chrétiens, il eut, comme de règle, un œil arraché et un pied brûlé avec un fer rougi. Devenu inutile en raison de son état physique, il fut décapité.
Antienne d’ouverture : Rm 6, 9
Le Christ, ressuscité des morts, ne meurt plus ; sur lui la mort n’a plus aucun pouvoir, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as relevé le monde par les abaissements de ton Fils, donne à tes fidèles une joie sainte : tu les as tirés de l’esclavage du péché ; fais-leur connaître le bonheur impérissable. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Ac 11, 1-18
En ces jours-là, les Apôtres et les frères qui étaient en Judée avaient appris que les nations, elles aussi, avaient reçu la parole de Dieu. Lorsque Pierre fut de retour à Jérusalem, ceux qui étaient juifs d’origine le prirent à partie, en disant : « Tu es entré chez des hommes qui ne sont pas circoncis, et tu as mangé avec eux ! » Alors Pierre reprit l’affaire depuis le commencement et leur exposa tout dans l’ordre, en disant : « J’étais dans la ville de Jaffa, en train de prier, et voici la vision que j’ai eue dans une extase : c’était un objet qui descendait. On aurait dit une grande toile tenue aux quatre coins ; venant du ciel, elle se posa près de moi. Fixant les yeux sur elle, je l’examinai et je vis les quadrupèdes de la terre, les bêtes sauvages, les reptiles et les oiseaux du ciel. J’entendis une voix qui me disait : “Debout, Pierre, offre-les en sacrifice, et mange !” Je répondis : “Certainement pas, Seigneur ! Jamais aucun aliment interdit ou impur n’est entré dans ma bouche.” Une deuxième fois, du haut du ciel la voix répondit : “Ce que Dieu a déclaré pur, toi, ne le déclare pas interdit.” Cela se produisit par trois fois, puis tout fut remonté au ciel. Et voici qu’à l’instant même, devant la maison où j’étais, survinrent trois hommes qui m’étaient envoyés de Césarée. L’Esprit me dit d’aller avec eux sans hésiter. Les six frères qui sont ici m’ont accompagné, et nous sommes entrés chez le centurion Corneille. Il nous raconta comment il avait vu l’ange se tenir dans sa maison et dire : “Envoie quelqu’un à Jaffa pour chercher Simon surnommé Pierre. Celui-ci t’adressera des paroles par lesquelles tu seras sauvé, toi et toute ta maison.”Au moment où je prenais la parole, l’Esprit Saint descendit sur ceux qui étaient là, comme il était descendu sur nous au commencement. Alors je me suis rappelé la parole que le Seigneur avait dite : “Jean a baptisé avec l’eau, mais vous, c’est dans l’Esprit Saint que vous serez baptisés.” Et si Dieu leur a fait le même don qu’à nous, parce qu’ils ont cru au Seigneur Jésus Christ, qui étais-je, moi, pour empêcher l’action de Dieu ? » En entendant ces paroles, ils se calmèrent et ils rendirent gloire à Dieu, en disant : « Ainsi donc, même aux nations, Dieu a donné la conversion qui fait entrer dans la vie ! »
Psaume : 41 (42), 2, 3 ; 42 (43), 3, 4
R/ Mon âme a soif de Dieu, le Dieu vivant.
- Comme un cerf altéré cherche l’eau vive, ainsi mon âme te cherche toi, mon Dieu.
- Mon âme a soif de Dieu, le Dieu vivant ; quand pourrai-je m’avancer, paraître face à Dieu ?
- Envoie ta lumière et ta vérité : qu’elles guident mes pas et me conduisent à ta montagne sainte, jusqu’en ta demeure.
- J’avancerai jusqu’à l’autel de Dieu, vers Dieu qui est toute ma joie ; je te rendrai grâce avec ma harpe, Dieu, mon Dieu.
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Je suis le bon pasteur, dit le Seigneur ; je connais mes brebis et mes brebis me connaissent. Alléluia. (Jn 10, 14)
Evangile :Jn 10, 1-10
En ce temps-là, Jésus déclara : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis : celui qui entre dans l’enclos des brebis sans passer par la porte, mais qui escalade par un autre endroit, celui-là est un voleur et un bandit. Celui qui entre par la porte, c’est le pasteur, le berger des brebis. Le portier lui ouvre, et les brebis écoutent sa voix. Ses brebis à lui, il les appelle chacune par son nom, et il les fait sortir. Quand il a poussé dehors toutes les siennes, il marche à leur tête, et les brebis le suivent, car elles connaissent sa voix. Jamais elles ne suivront un étranger, mais elles s’enfuiront loin de lui, car elles ne connaissent pas la voix des étrangers. » Jésus employa cette image pour s’adresser aux pharisiens, mais eux ne comprirent pas de quoi il leur parlait. C’est pourquoi Jésus reprit la parole : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis : Moi, je suis la porte des brebis. Tous ceux qui sont venus avant moi sont des voleurs et des andits ; mais les brebis ne les ont pas écoutés. Moi, je suis la porte. Si quelqu’un entre en passant par moi, il sera sauvé ; il pourra entrer ; il pourra sortir et trouver un pâturage. Le voleur ne vient que pour voler, égorger, faire périr. Moi, je suis venu pour que les brebis aient la vie, la vie en abondance. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Accueille, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église en fête : tu es à l’origine d’un si grand bonheur; qu’il s’épanouisse en joie éternelle. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 20, 19
Jésus, débout au milieu des disciples, leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous », alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, le peuple que tu as rénové par tes sacrements ; accorde-nous de parvenir à la résurrection bienheureuse, toi qui nous as destinés à connaître ta gloire. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 2, 2020 | Evangelium
sunday 03 May 2020
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Psalter IV
White
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 32: 5-6
The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 2:14,36-41
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.’ Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, ‘What must we do, brothers?’ ‘You must repent,’ Peter answered ‘and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.’ He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, ‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation.’ They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
Psalm 22(23)
R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
- The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
- He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
- You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
- Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Second reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing punishment patiently when you are punished after doing your duty. This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Jesus said: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’ Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them. So Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look upon your flock, kind Shepherd, and be pleased to settle in eternal pastures the sheep you have redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The keywords we find in the psalm and gospel text of today are; flock, sheep, sheepfold, and shepherd. Jesus presents himself as the gate of the sheepfold because in Him, we find the model of the true shepherd. The image of the Good Shepherd amongst other images in the Bible shows God’s tenderness and compassion and equally expresses great authority. The task of the shepherd is to take care of the sheep and lead them not to oppress or maltreat them. The sheep on its part recognizes his voice and follows him. The voice of Jesus contains a message of liberation for them. Jesus is the model shepherd in three ways: first he is willing to lay down his life for his sheep: secondly, he knows his sheep and thirdly he is the gate of the sheepfold. We too are called to be shepherds to our fellow brothers and sisters. We are called to guide others on the right path not only by words but above all by our actions. How well do I listen for the voice of the Good shepherd? Where do I seek to hear him?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 2, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saints Philippe et Jacques, apôtres
Le quatrième évangile nous fait connaître Philippe : il était de Bethsaïde, comme Pierre et André ; comme eux, il fut un des premiers que Jésus ait appelés à le suivre, avant même le début de la prédication en Galilée. A Jérusalem, peu avant la passion, c’est à Philippe que des Grecs s’adressent pour être introduits auprès de Jésus. Enfin, dans les dialogues qui suivent la Cène, Philippe révèle la profondeur de son âme en s’écriant : ‘’Seigneur, montre-nous le Père, et cela nous suffit !’’
Quant à Jacques, dit le ‘’Mineur’’ pour le distinguer de Jacques ‘’le Majeur’’, frère de Jean, on hésite à l’identifier avec un autre Jacques, frère du Seigneur, auquel est attribuée une épître du Nouveau Testament, et qui dirige l’Eglise de Jérusalem, avant de mourir martyr en 62.
Antienne d’ouverture : Rm 6, 9
Le Christ, ressuscité des morts, ne meurt plus ; sur lui la mort n’a plus aucun pouvoir, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as relevé le monde par les abaissements de ton Fils, donne à tes fidèles une joie sainte : tu les as tirés de l’esclavage du péché ; fais-leur connaître le bonheur impérissable. Par Jésus.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (Ac 2, 14a.36-41)
Le jour de la Pentecôte, Pierre, debout avec les onze autres Apôtres, éleva la voix et fit cette déclaration : « Que toute la maison d’Israël le sache donc avec certitude : Dieu l’a fait Seigneur et Christ, ce Jésus que vous aviez crucifié. » Les auditeurs furent touchés au cœur ; ils dirent à Pierre et aux autres Apôtres : « Frères, que devons-nous faire ? » Pierre leur répondit : « Convertissez-vous, et que chacun de vous soit baptisé au nom de Jésus Christ pour le pardon de ses péchés ; vous recevrez alors le don du Saint-Esprit. Car la promesse est pour vous, pour vos enfants et pour tous ceux qui sont loin, aussi nombreux que le Seigneur notre Dieu les appellera. » Par bien d’autres paroles encore, Pierre les adjurait et les exhortait en disant : « Détournez-vous de cette génération tortueuse, et vous serez sauvés. » Alors, ceux qui avaient accueilli la parole de Pierre furent baptisés. Ce jour-là, environ trois mille personnes se joignirent à eux. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (Ps 22 (23), 1-2ab, 2c-3, 4, 5, 6)
R/ Le Seigneur est mon berger: rien ne saurait me manquer.
ou :Alléluia ! (cf. Ps 22, 1)
Le Seigneur est mon berger : je ne manque de rien. Sur des prés d’herbe fraîche, il me fait reposer.
Il me mène vers les eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre ; il me conduit par le juste chemin pour l’honneur de son nom.
Si je traverse les ravins de la mort, je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es avec moi : ton bâton me guide et me rassure.
Tu prépares la table pour moi devant mes ennemis ; tu répands le parfum sur ma tête, ma coupe est débordante.
Grâce et bonheur m’accompagnent tous les jours de ma vie ; j’habiterai la maison du Seigneur pour la durée de mes jours.
Deuxième lecture (1 P 2, 20b-25)
Bien-aimés, si vous supportez la souffrance pour avoir fait le bien, c’est une grâce aux yeux de Dieu. C’est bien à cela que vous avez été appelés, car c’est pour vous que le Christ, lui aussi, a souffert ; il vous a laissé un modèle afin que vous suiviez ses traces. Lui n’a pas commis de péché ; dans sa bouche, on n’a pas trouvé de mensonge. Insulté, il ne rendait pas l’insulte, dans la souffrance, il ne menaçait pas, mais il s’abandonnait à Celui qui juge avec justice. Lui-même a porté nos péchés, dans son corps, sur le bois, afin que, morts à nos péchés, nous vivions pour la justice. Par ses blessures, nous sommes guéris. Car vous étiez errants comme des brebis ; mais à présent vous êtes retournés vers votre berger, le gardien de vos âmes. – Parole du Seigneur.
Évangile (Jn 10, 1-10)
Alléluia. Alléluia.
Je suis le bon Pasteur, dit le Seigneur ;
je connais mes brebis
et mes brebis me connaissent.
Alléluia. (Jn 10, 14)
En ce temps-là, Jésus déclara : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis : celui qui entre dans l’enclos des brebis sans passer par la porte, mais qui escalade par un autre endroit, celui-là est un voleur et un bandit. Celui qui entre par la porte, c’est le pasteur, le berger des brebis. Le portier lui ouvre, et les brebis écoutent sa voix. Ses brebis à lui, il les appelle chacune par son nom, et il les fait sortir. Quand il a poussé dehors toutes les siennes, il marche à leur tête, et les brebis le suivent, car elles connaissent sa voix. Jamais elles ne suivront un étranger, mais elles s’enfuiront loin de lui, car elles ne connaissent pas la voix des étrangers. » Jésus employa cette image pour s’adresser aux pharisiens, mais eux ne comprirent pas de quoi il leur parlait. C’est pourquoi Jésus reprit la parole : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis : Moi, je suis la porte des brebis. Tous ceux qui sont venus avant moi sont des voleurs et des bandits ; mais les brebis ne les ont pas écoutés. Moi, je suis la porte. Si quelqu’un entre en passant par moi, il sera sauvé ; il pourra entrer ; il pourra sortir et trouver un pâturage. Le voleur ne vient que pour voler, égorger, faire périr. Moi, je suis venu pour que les brebis aient la vie, la vie en abondance. » – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes :
Accueille, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église en fête : tu es à l’origine d’un si grand bonheur; qu’il s’épanouisse en joie éternelle. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 20, 19
Jésus, débout au milieu des disciples, leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous », alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, le peuple que tu as rénové par tes sacrements ; accorde-nous de parvenir à la résurrection bienheureuse, toi qui nous as destinés à connaître ta gloire. Par Jésus.
BLANC
Saints Philippe et Jacques, apôtres
Le quatrième évangile nous fait connaître Philippe : il était de Bethsaïde, comme Pierre et André ; comme eux, il fut un des premiers que Jésus ait appelés à le suivre, avant même le début de la prédication en Galilée. A Jérusalem, peu avant la passion, c’est à Philippe que des Grecs s’adressent pour être introduits auprès de Jésus. Enfin, dans les dialogues qui suivent la Cène, Philippe révèle la profondeur de son âme en s’écriant : ‘’Seigneur, montre-nous le Père, et cela nous suffit !’’
Quant à Jacques, dit le ‘’Mineur’’ pour le distinguer de Jacques ‘’le Majeur’’, frère de Jean, on hésite à l’identifier avec un autre Jacques, frère du Seigneur, auquel est attribuée une épître du Nouveau Testament, et qui dirige l’Eglise de Jérusalem, avant de mourir martyr en 62.
Antienne d’ouverture : Rm 6, 9
Le Christ, ressuscité des morts, ne meurt plus ; sur lui la mort n’a plus aucun pouvoir, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as relevé le monde par les abaissements de ton Fils, donne à tes fidèles une joie sainte : tu les as tirés de l’esclavage du péché ; fais-leur connaître le bonheur impérissable. Par Jésus.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (Ac 2, 14a.36-41)
Le jour de la Pentecôte, Pierre, debout avec les onze autres Apôtres, éleva la voix et fit cette déclaration : « Que toute la maison d’Israël le sache donc avec certitude : Dieu l’a fait Seigneur et Christ, ce Jésus que vous aviez crucifié. » Les auditeurs furent touchés au cœur ; ils dirent à Pierre et aux autres Apôtres : « Frères, que devons-nous faire ? » Pierre leur répondit : « Convertissez-vous, et que chacun de vous soit baptisé au nom de Jésus Christ pour le pardon de ses péchés ; vous recevrez alors le don du Saint-Esprit. Car la promesse est pour vous, pour vos enfants et pour tous ceux qui sont loin, aussi nombreux que le Seigneur notre Dieu les appellera. » Par bien d’autres paroles encore, Pierre les adjurait et les exhortait en disant : « Détournez-vous de cette génération tortueuse, et vous serez sauvés. » Alors, ceux qui avaient accueilli la parole de Pierre furent baptisés. Ce jour-là, environ trois mille personnes se joignirent à eux. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (Ps 22 (23), 1-2ab, 2c-3, 4, 5, 6)
R/ Le Seigneur est mon berger: rien ne saurait me manquer.
ou :Alléluia ! (cf. Ps 22, 1)
Le Seigneur est mon berger : je ne manque de rien. Sur des prés d’herbe fraîche, il me fait reposer.
Il me mène vers les eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre ; il me conduit par le juste chemin pour l’honneur de son nom.
Si je traverse les ravins de la mort, je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es avec moi : ton bâton me guide et me rassure.
Tu prépares la table pour moi devant mes ennemis ; tu répands le parfum sur ma tête, ma coupe est débordante.
Grâce et bonheur m’accompagnent tous les jours de ma vie ; j’habiterai la maison du Seigneur pour la durée de mes jours.
Deuxième lecture (1 P 2, 20b-25)
Bien-aimés, si vous supportez la souffrance pour avoir fait le bien, c’est une grâce aux yeux de Dieu. C’est bien à cela que vous avez été appelés, car c’est pour vous que le Christ, lui aussi, a souffert ; il vous a laissé un modèle afin que vous suiviez ses traces. Lui n’a pas commis de péché ; dans sa bouche, on n’a pas trouvé de mensonge. Insulté, il ne rendait pas l’insulte, dans la souffrance, il ne menaçait pas, mais il s’abandonnait à Celui qui juge avec justice. Lui-même a porté nos péchés, dans son corps, sur le bois, afin que, morts à nos péchés, nous vivions pour la justice. Par ses blessures, nous sommes guéris. Car vous étiez errants comme des brebis ; mais à présent vous êtes retournés vers votre berger, le gardien de vos âmes. – Parole du Seigneur.
Évangile (Jn 10, 1-10)
Alléluia. Alléluia.
Je suis le bon Pasteur, dit le Seigneur ;
je connais mes brebis
et mes brebis me connaissent.
Alléluia. (Jn 10, 14)
En ce temps-là, Jésus déclara : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis : celui qui entre dans l’enclos des brebis sans passer par la porte, mais qui escalade par un autre endroit, celui-là est un voleur et un bandit. Celui qui entre par la porte, c’est le pasteur, le berger des brebis. Le portier lui ouvre, et les brebis écoutent sa voix. Ses brebis à lui, il les appelle chacune par son nom, et il les fait sortir. Quand il a poussé dehors toutes les siennes, il marche à leur tête, et les brebis le suivent, car elles connaissent sa voix. Jamais elles ne suivront un étranger, mais elles s’enfuiront loin de lui, car elles ne connaissent pas la voix des étrangers. » Jésus employa cette image pour s’adresser aux pharisiens, mais eux ne comprirent pas de quoi il leur parlait. C’est pourquoi Jésus reprit la parole : « Amen, amen, je vous le dis : Moi, je suis la porte des brebis. Tous ceux qui sont venus avant moi sont des voleurs et des bandits ; mais les brebis ne les ont pas écoutés. Moi, je suis la porte. Si quelqu’un entre en passant par moi, il sera sauvé ; il pourra entrer ; il pourra sortir et trouver un pâturage. Le voleur ne vient que pour voler, égorger, faire périr. Moi, je suis venu pour que les brebis aient la vie, la vie en abondance. » – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes :
Accueille, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église en fête : tu es à l’origine d’un si grand bonheur; qu’il s’épanouisse en joie éternelle. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 20, 19
Jésus, débout au milieu des disciples, leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous », alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, le peuple que tu as rénové par tes sacrements ; accorde-nous de parvenir à la résurrection bienheureuse, toi qui nous as destinés à connaître ta gloire. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 1, 2020 | Evangelium
saturday 02 May 2020
St Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor
(295 – 373)
He was born in Alexandria. He fought hard against Arianism all his life, undergoing many sufferings and spending a total of 17 years in exile. He wrote outstanding works to explain and defend orthodoxy.
White
Entrance Antiphon: 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, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. 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 9:31-42
The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Peter visited one place after another and eventually came to the saints living down in Lydda. There he found a man called Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you: get up and fold up your sleeping mat.’ Aeneas got up immediately; everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they were all converted to the Lord. At Jaffa there was a woman disciple called Tabitha, or Dorcas in Greek, who never tired of doing good or giving in charity. But the time came when she got ill and died, and they washed her and laid her out in a room upstairs. Lydda is not far from Jaffa, so when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men with an urgent message for him, ‘Come and visit us as soon as possible.’ Peter went back with them straightaway, and on his arrival they took him to the upstairs room, where all the widows stood round him in tears, showing him tunics and other clothes Dorcas had made when she was with them. Peter sent them all out of the room and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the dead woman and said, ‘Tabitha, stand up.’ She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to her feet, then he called in the saints and widows and showed them she was alive. The whole of Jaffa heard about it and many believed in the Lord.
Psalm 115(116):12-17
R/ How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
- How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.
- My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.
- Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! We know that Christ is truly risen from the dead: have mercy on us, triumphant King. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6:60-69
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? ‘It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. ‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him. Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look, O Lord, upon the offerings we present to you in commemoration of Saint Athanasius, and may witnessing to your truth bring salvation to those who profess the same unblemished faith as him. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 3: 11
No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant us, we pray, almighty God, that the true divinity of your Only Begotten Son, which we firmly profess with Saint Athanasius, may, through this Sacrament, ever give us life and protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The words of Jesus caused a split among his followers and some ceased to follow him, but this provoked a great act of faith from Simon Peter “Lord, who we shall go to? You have the words of eternal life”. On what grounds do people walk away from Jesus? There’s a deep desire in each of us to have a continuous and transforming relationship with Christ but at times we get discouraged by the challenges of this life. To what extent have we too walked away from Jesus and what makes us draw close to him? Peter’s answer is full of trust. Even without understanding everything, Peter accepts Jesus as Messiah and believes in him. He abandons himself to Christ. If I put myself in Peter’s place, how would I respond to Christ?
