by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 26, 2020 | Evangelium
monday 27 April 2020
St Asicus (c.490)
He was converted to Christianity by St Patrick, who made him bishop of Elphin. He is the patron saint of that diocese.
White
Entrance Antiphon
The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, putting off our old self with all its ways, we may live as Christ did, for through the healing paschal remedies you have conformed us to his nature. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 6:8-15
Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what he said. So they procured some men to say, ‘We heard him using blasphemous language against Moses and against God.’ Having in this way turned the people against him as well as the elders and scribes, they took Stephen by surprise, and arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin. There they put up false witnesses to say, ‘This man is always making speeches against this Holy Place and the Law. We have heard him say that Jesus the Nazarene is going to destroy this Place and alter the traditions that Moses handed down to us.’ The members of the Sanhedrin all looked intently at Stephen, and his face appeared to them like the face of an angel.
Psalm 118(119):23-24,26-27,29-30
R/ They are happy whose life is blameless.
- Though princes sit plotting against me I ponder on your statutes. Your will is my delight; your statutes are my counsellors.
- I declared my ways and you answered; teach me your statutes. Make me grasp the way of your precepts and I will muse on your wonders.
- Keep me from the way of error and teach me your law. I have chosen the way of truth with your decrees before me.
Gospel Acclamation Jn20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! ‘You believe, Thomas, because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6:22-29
After Jesus had fed the five thousand, his disciples saw him walking on the water. Next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side saw that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that the disciples had set off by themselves. Other boats, however, had put in from Tiberias, near the place where the bread had been eaten. When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into those boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they found him on the other side, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life, the kind of food the Son of Man is offering you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do if we are to do the works that God wants?’ Jesus gave them this answer, ‘This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 14: 27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
My dear brothers and sisters, we begin our third week of Easter with the story of the martyrdom of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr and a sign of what it means to bear witness to Christ Jesus. We must be ready for the ordeal but we must also be ready to forgive those who hurt and hate us because truly they do not know what they are doing. Christianity is the only religion which preaches love of enemy and the call to do good to those who hate us. Jesus Christ set the example of praying for those who were nailing him on the cross. As his followers, we do the same. But this is not the easiest of things to do. The natural human tendency is to want to retaliate. Today, the Church reminds us that vengeance is for God.
In the Gospel, the crowds follow Jesus to Capernaum all seeking his company; but he rebukes them telling them that they are looking for him not for the word of God but because of the food that they ate after the miracle of the multiplication. He then advices them to seek the kind of food that will last. Many people in our world today are overwhelmed by the greed for money, wealth and power. These elements have taken many captive; and they hardly understand that we shall leave behind all these very values that we treasure today. What is most important is to have God from whom we came.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 25, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Clet ou Anaclet
Cité dans la première prière eucharistique, il est considéré comme le successeur de saint Lin, second après Pierre. On ignore encore tout des actes de sa vie historique.
Antienne d’ouverture
Il est ressuscité, Jésus, le vrai Pasteur, lui qui a donné sa vie pour son troupeau, lui qui a choisi de mourir pour nous sauver. Alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu qui montres aux égarés la lumière de ta vérité pour qu’ils puissent reprendre le bon chemin, donne à tous ceux qui se déclarent chrétiens de rejeter ce qui est indigne de ce nom et de rechercher ce qui lui fait honneur. Par Jésus Christ.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (Ac 2, 14.22b-33)
Le jour de la Pentecôte, Pierre, debout avec les onze autres Apôtres, éleva la voix et leur fit cette déclaration : « Vous, Juifs, et vous tous qui résidez à Jérusalem, sachez bien ceci, prêtez l’oreille à mes paroles. Il s’agit de Jésus le Nazaréen, homme que Dieu a accrédité auprès de vous en accomplissant par lui des miracles, des prodiges et des signes au milieu de vous, comme vous le savez vous-mêmes. Cet homme, livré selon le dessein bien arrêté et la prescience de Dieu, vous l’avez supprimé en le clouant sur le bois par la main des impies. Mais Dieu l’a ressuscité en le délivrant des douleurs de la mort, car il n’était pas possible qu’elle le retienne en son pouvoir. En effet, c’est de lui que parle David dans le psaume : Je voyais le Seigneur devant moi sans relâche : il est à ma droite, je suis inébranlable. C’est pourquoi mon cœur est en fête, et ma langue exulte de joie ; ma chair elle-même reposera dans l’espérance : tu ne peux m’abandonner au séjour des morts ni laisser ton fidèle voir la corruption. Tu m’as appris des chemins de vie, tu me rempliras d’allégresse par ta présence. Frères, il est permis de vous dire avec assurance, au sujet du patriarche David, qu’il est mort, qu’il a été enseveli, et que son tombeau est encore aujourd’hui chez nous. Comme il était prophète, il savait que Dieu lui avait juré de faire asseoir sur son trône un homme issu de lui. Il a vu d’avance la résurrection du Christ, dont il a parlé ainsi : Il n’a pas été abandonné à la mort, et sa chair n’a pas vu la corruption. Ce Jésus, Dieu l’a ressuscité ; nous tous, nous en sommes témoins. Élevé par la droite de Dieu, il a reçu du Père l’Esprit Saint qui était promis, et il l’a répandu sur nous, ainsi que vous le voyez et l’entendez. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (Ps 15 (16), 1-2a.5, 7-8, 9-10, 11)
R/ Tu m’apprends, Seigneur, le chemin de la vie. ou : Alléluia ! (Ps 15, 11a)
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. »
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.
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.
Tu m’apprends le chemin de la vie : devant ta face, débordement de joie ! À ta droite, éternité de délices !
Deuxième lecture (1 P 1, 17-21)
Bien-aimés, si vous invoquez comme Père celui qui juge impartialement chacun selon son œuvre, vivez donc dans la crainte de Dieu, pendant le temps où vous résidez ici-bas en étrangers. Vous le savez : ce n’est pas par des biens corruptibles, l’argent ou l’or, que vous avez été rachetés de la conduite superficielle héritée de vos pères ; mais c’est par un sang précieux, celui d’un agneau sans défaut et sans tache, le Christ. Dès avant la fondation du monde, Dieu l’avait désigné d’avance et il l’a manifesté à la fin des temps à cause de vous. C’est bien par lui que vous croyez en Dieu, qui l’a ressuscité d’entre les morts et qui lui a donné la gloire ; ainsi vous mettez votre foi et votre espérance en Dieu. – Parole du Seigneur.
Alléluia. Alléluia. Seigneur Jésus, ouvre-nous les Écritures ! Que notre cœur devienne brûlant tandis que tu nous parles. Alléluia. (cf. Lc 24, 32)
Évangile (Lc 24, 13-35)
Le même jour (c’est-à-dire le premier jour de la semaine), deux disciples faisaient route vers un village appelé Emmaüs, à deux heures de marche de Jérusalem, et ils parlaient entre eux de tout ce qui s’était passé. Or, tandis qu’ils s’entretenaient et s’interrogeaient, Jésus lui-même s’approcha, et il marchait avec eux. Mais leurs yeux étaient empêchés de le reconnaître. Jésus leur dit : « De quoi discutez-vous en marchant ? » Alors, ils s’arrêtèrent, tout tristes. L’un des deux, nommé Cléophas, lui répondit : « Tu es bien le seul étranger résidant à Jérusalem qui ignore les événements de ces jours-ci. » Il leur dit : « Quels événements ? » Ils lui répondirent : « Ce qui est arrivé à Jésus de Nazareth, cet homme qui était un prophète puissant par ses actes et ses paroles devant Dieu et devant tout le peuple : comment les grands prêtres et nos chefs l’ont livré, ils l’ont fait condamner à mort et ils l’ont crucifié. Nous, nous espérions que c’était lui qui allait délivrer Israël. Mais avec tout cela, voici déjà le troisième jour qui passe depuis que c’est arrivé. À vrai dire, des femmes de notre groupe nous ont remplis de stupeur. Quand, dès l’aurore, elles sont allées au tombeau, elles n’ont pas trouvé son corps ; elles sont venues nous dire qu’elles avaient même eu une vision : des anges, qui disaient qu’il est vivant. Quelques-uns de nos compagnons sont allés au tombeau, et ils ont trouvé les choses comme les femmes l’avaient dit ; mais lui, ils ne l’ont pas vu. » Il leur dit alors : « Esprits sans intelligence ! Comme votre cœur est lent à croire tout ce que les prophètes ont dit ! Ne fallait-il pas que le Christ souffrît cela pour entrer dans sa gloire ? » Et, partant de Moïse et de tous les Prophètes, il leur interpréta, dans toute l’Écriture, ce qui le concernait. Quand ils approchèrent du village où ils se rendaient, Jésus fit semblant d’aller plus loin. Mais ils s’efforcèrent de le retenir : « Reste avec nous, car le soir approche et déjà le jour baisse. » Il entra donc pour rester avec eux. Quand il fut à table avec eux, ayant pris le pain, il prononça la bénédiction et, l’ayant rompu, il le leusr donna. Alors leurs yeux s’ouvrirent, et ils le reconnurent, mais il disparut à leurs regards. Ils se dirent l’un à l’autre : « Notre cœur n’était-il pas brûlant en nous, tandis qu’il nous parlait sur la route et nous ouvrait les Écritures ? » À l’instant même, ils se levèrent et retournèrent à Jérusalem. Ils y trouvèrent réunis les onze Apôtres et leurs compagnons, qui leur dirent : « Le Seigneur est réellement ressuscité : il est apparu à Simon-Pierre. » À leur tour, ils racontaient ce qui s’était passé sur la route, et comment le Seigneur s’était fait reconnaître par eux à la fraction du pain. – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes :
Que nos prières montent vers toi, Seigneur, avec ces offrandes pour le sacrifice ; dans ta bonté purifie-nous, et nous correspondrons davantage au sacrement de ton amour. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 14, 27
«C’est la paix que je vous laisse, dit le Seigneur, c’est ma paix que je vous donne. Ce n’est pas à la manière du monde que je vous la donne», Alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Dieu tout-puissant, dans la résurrection du Christ, tu nous recrées pour la vie éternelle ; multiplie en nous les fruits du sacrement pascal : fais-nous prendre des forces neuves à cette nourriture qui apporte le salut. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 25, 2020 | Evangelium
sunday 26 April 2020
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Psalter III
St. Cletus
White
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 65: 1-2
Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise, alleluia.
Collect
May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. 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 2:14,22-33
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him: I saw the Lord before me always, for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me. So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy; my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades nor allow your holy one to experience corruption. You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence. ‘Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.’
Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11
R/ Show us, Lord, the path of life.
- 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.
Second reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21
If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake. Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason – so that you would have faith and hope in God.
Gospel Acclamation: Lk24:32
Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, explain the Scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’ Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’ They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
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: Lk 24: 35
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread, 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
Beloved brothers and sisters; today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter. The readings remind us of the miracle and significance of the Resurrection. It gives meaning to our Faith and belief in Jesus the Christ. That is why in the First Reading of today, Peter again reminds the Jewish leaders that commended this Jesus to them but they killed Him. The miracles he performed and the fact of the Resurrection should now convince them that the one they killed was indeed the Saviour of the world, descendant of David as was foretold by the prophets.
In the Second Reading we are told that Jesus the Christ paid a heavy price to free us from the slavery of sin and eternal death in the hands of the devil. So, we have every reason to be grateful. Often we are in doubt and do not easily recognize the presence of God in our lives. That is why in the Gospel of today, we are once more given the episode of the experience of the two Apostles on their way to Emmaus. Jesus travelled along with them but they did not recognize him until they reached the little village. However, when they recognized that it was indeed the risen Lord, they immediately made their way back to share the Good News with the rest. This is a typical experience that most people have; they hardly see the hand of God in their lives and in the daily events that they go through. But when they do at any one instant, they are so excited. We need to continuously announce the Good News to all humanity. God is good; all the time! He accompanies us on our journey of faith through life.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 24, 2020 | Evangelium
saturday 25 April 2020
Feast
St Mark the Evangelist
He was a cousin of Barnabas and accompanied the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey; later he followed him to Rome. He is credited with founding the Church in Alexandria.
Red
Entrance Antiphon: Mk 16: 15
Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel to every creature, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 Peter 5:5-14
All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day; unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you. Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen. I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness. Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Psalm 88:2-3,6-7,16-17
R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
- I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
- The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord; the assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth. For who in the skies can compare with the Lord or who is like the Lord among the sons of God?
- Happy the people who acclaim such a king, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who find their joy every day in your name, who make your justice the source of their bliss.
Gospel Acclamation: 1 Co 1:23-24
Alleluia, alleluia! We are preaching a crucified Christ, who is the power and the wisdom of God. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 16:15-20
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven, and said to them: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’ And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
Prayer over the Offerings
As we venerate the glory of Saint Mark, we offer you, Lord, the sacrifice of praise and humbly beseech you, that your Church may always persevere in the preaching of the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 28: 20
Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that what we have received from your holy altar may sanctify us and make us strong in the faith of the Gospel which Saint Mark proclaimed. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The universal Church celebrates the Feast of St Mark. He is usually identified with the Mark of Acts 12:12. When Saint Peter escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark’s mother. Paul and Barnabas took him along on the first missionary journey, but for some reason Mark returned alone to Jerusalem. Paul’s refusal to let Mark accompany him on the second journey despite Barnabas’ insistence, is an indication that Mark may have displeased Paul. However, that Paul later asks Mark to visit him in prison, is an equal sign that the trouble did not last long. Mark wrote the first and shortest of the Synoptic Gospels likely for Jewish converts into Christianity. The Gospel emphasizes the gradual rejection of the Messiah by the Jews leading up to the scandal of the crucifixion. St Mark is credited with the foundation of the Church of Alexandria. Mark was not an apostle of Jesus Christ. However, Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do: proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation.
Mark is conscious of the temptation of the evil one. In fact in our First Reading, we are told to watch out for our enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. So we should stand up to him, strong in faith. Unfortunately many of us easily fall into his tricks. But Mark holds very strongly that we have a mission to go out to the whole world and make disciples of everyone, baptising those who believe and assuring them of the love of God. And as we read in the Gospel today, those who believe in Christ will receive both his blessing and protection.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 24, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
ROUGE
Saint Marc, évangéliste
Saint Marc est le patron de Venise où son corps aurait été ramené en 830 d’Alexandrie. En effet, d’après une tradition, c’est dans ce grand centre intellectuel de l’Orient que saint Marc serait mort martyr après y avoir prêché l’Evangile. Les Actes des Apôtres nous montrent Jean-Marc aux côtés de son cousin Barnabé et de l’Apôtre Paul, lors du premier voyage missionnaire de celui-ci vers 47 ; l’épreuve sera trop lourde pour le jeune homme qui s’arrêtera en route. Mais il se trouvera plus tard à Rome au nombre des collaborateurs de Pierre et de Paul. C’est là probablement qu’il rédigera un évangile.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ap 5, 9-10
Seigneur, par ton sang, tu as racheté pour Dieu des hommes de toute race, langue, peuple et nation; tu en as fait pour notre Dieu un royaume de prêtres, Alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Puisque tu as voulu, Seigneur, que ton Fils fût crucifié pour nous afin de nous arracher au pouvoir de Satan, fais que nous puissions recevoir la grâce de la résurrection. Par Jésus Christ.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (1 P 5, 5b-14)
Bien-aimés, vous tous, les uns envers les autres, prenez l’humilité comme tenue de service. En effet, Dieu s’oppose aux orgueilleux, aux humbles il accorde sa grâce. Abaissez-vous donc sous la main puissante de Dieu, pour qu’il vous élève en temps voulu. Déchargez-vous sur lui de tous vos soucis, puisqu’il prend soin de vous. Soyez sobres, veillez : votre adversaire, le diable, comme un lion rugissant, rôde, cherchant qui dévorer. Résistez-lui avec la force de la foi, car vous savez que tous vos frères, de par le monde, sont en butte aux mêmes souffrances. Après que vous aurez souffert un peu de temps, le Dieu de toute grâce, lui qui, dans le Christ Jésus, vous a appelés à sa gloire éternelle, vous rétablira lui-même, vous affermira, vous fortifiera, vous rendra inébranlables. À lui la souveraineté pour les siècles. Amen. Par Silvain, que je considère comme un frère digne de confiance, je vous écris ces quelques mots pour vous exhorter, et pour attester que c’est vraiment dans la grâce de Dieu que vous tenez ferme. La communauté qui est à Babylone, choisie comme vous par Dieu, vous salue, ainsi que Marc, mon fils. Saluez-vous les uns les autres par un baiser fraternel. Paix à vous tous, qui êtes dans le Christ. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (Ps 88, 2-3, 6-7, 16-17)
R/ Ton amour, Seigneur, sans fin je le chante ! ou : Alléluia. (Ps 88, 2a)
L’amour du Seigneur, sans fin je le chante ; ta fidélité, je l’annonce d’âge en âge. Je le dis : C’est un amour bâti pour toujours ; ta fidélité est plus stable que les cieux.
Que les cieux rendent grâce pour ta merveille, Seigneur, et l’assemblée des saints, pour ta fidélité. Qui donc, là-haut, est comparable au Seigneur ? Qui d’entre les dieux est semblable au Seigneur ?
Heureux le peuple qui connaît l’ovation ! Seigneur, il marche à la lumière de ta face ; tout le jour, à ton nom il danse de joie, fier de ton juste pouvoir.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Nous proclamons un Messie crucifié, il est puissance de Dieu et sagesse de Dieu. Alléluia. (cf. 1 Co 1, 23a-24b)
Évangile (Mc 16, 15-20)
En ce temps-là, Jésus ressuscité se manifesta aux onze Apôtres et leur dit : « Allez dans le monde entier. Proclamez l’Évangile à toute la création. Celui qui croira et sera baptisé sera sauvé ; celui qui refusera de croire sera condamné. Voici les signes qui accompagneront ceux qui deviendront croyants : en mon nom, ils expulseront les démons ; ils parleront en langues nouvelles ; ils prendront des serpents dans leurs mains et, s’ils boivent un poison mortel, il ne leur fera pas de mal ; ils imposeront les mains aux malades, et les malades s’en trouveront bien. » Le Seigneur Jésus, après leur avoir parlé, fut enlevé au ciel et s’assit à la droite de Dieu. Quant à eux, ils s’en allèrent proclamer partout l’Évangile. Le Seigneur travaillait avec eux et confirmait la Parole par les signes qui l’accompagnaient. – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes :
Reçois avec bonté, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple : garde-le sous ta protection, pour qu’il ne perde aucun des biens que tu lui donnes, et qu’il découvre ceux qui demeurent toujours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Rm 4, 25
Le Christ, notre Seigneur, livré pour nos péchés, Dieu l’a ressuscité pour nous rendre saints. Alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Ne cesse pas de protéger avec amour, Seigneur, ceux que tu as sauvés : la passion de ton Fils les a rachetés, qu’ils mettent leur joie dans sa résurrection. Lui qui règne.
