by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 18, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Léon IX, pape
Dans le gouvernement de l’Eglise, Léon IX (1002-1054) fut remarqué pour son souci de la vie chrétienne des fidèles et son abnégation. L’un de se grands collaborateurs finira par devenir pape, Grégoire VII.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ap 19, 7.6
Soyons dans la joie, exultons, rendons grâce : le Seigneur notre Dieu a pris possession de sa royauté. Alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture :
Seigneur, fais-nous déployer aux yeux du monde la vitalité du Christ vainqueur de la mort: après avoir reçu le germe de sa grâce, que nous en portions tous les fruits. Par Jésus Christ.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (Ac 4, 32-35)
La multitude de ceux qui étaient devenus croyants avait un seul cœur et une seule âme ; et personne ne disait que ses biens lui appartenaient en propre, mais ils avaient tout en commun. C’est avec une grande puissance que les Apôtres rendaient témoignage de la résurrection du Seigneur Jésus, et une grâce abondante reposait sur eux tous. Aucun d’entre eux n’était dans l’indigence, car tous ceux qui étaient propriétaires de domaines ou de maisons les vendaient, et ils apportaient le montant de la vente pour le déposer aux pieds des Apôtres ; puis on le distribuait en fonction des besoins de chacun. – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (117 (118), 2-4, 16ab-18, 22-24)
R/ Rendez grâce au Seigneur : Il est bon ! Éternel est son amour ! ou : Alléluia ! (117, 1)
Oui, que le dise Israël : Éternel est son amour ! Que le dise la maison d’Aaron : Éternel est son amour ! Qu’ils le disent, ceux qui craignent le Seigneur : Éternel est son amour ! Le bras du Seigneur se lève, le bras du Seigneur est fort ! Non, je ne mourrai pas, je vivrai pour annoncer les actions du Seigneur. Il m’a frappé, le Seigneur, il m’a frappé, mais sans me livrer à la mort. La pierre qu’ont rejetée les bâtisseurs est devenue la pierre d’angle : c’est là l’œuvre du Seigneur, la merveille devant nos yeux. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie !
Deuxième lecture (1 Jn 5, 1-6)
Bien-aimés, celui qui croit que Jésus est le Christ, celui-là est né de Dieu ; celui qui aime le Père qui a engendré aime aussi le Fils qui est né de lui. Voici comment nous reconnaissons que nous aimons les enfants de Dieu : lorsque nous aimons Dieu et que nous accomplissons ses commandements. Car tel est l’amour de Dieu : garder ses commandements ; et ses commandements ne sont pas un fardeau, puisque tout être qui est né de Dieu est vainqueur du monde. Or la victoire remportée sur le monde, c’est notre foi. Qui donc est vainqueur du monde ? N’est-ce pas celui qui croit que Jésus est le Fils de Dieu ? C’est lui, Jésus Christ, qui est venu par l’eau et par le sang : non pas seulement avec l’eau, mais avec l’eau et avec le sang. Et celui qui rend témoignage, c’est l’Esprit, car l’Esprit est la vérité. – Parole du Seigneur.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Thomas, parce que tu m’as vu, tu crois, dit le Seigneur. Heureux ceux qui croient sans avoir vu ! Alléluia. (Jn 20, 29)
Évangile (Jn 20, 19-31)
C’était après la mort de Jésus. Le soir venu, en ce premier jour de la semaine, alors que les portes du lieu où se trouvaient les disciples étaient verrouillées par crainte des Juifs, Jésus vint, et il était là au milieu d’eux. Il leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous ! » Après cette parole, il leur montra ses mains et son côté. Les disciples furent remplis de joie en voyant le Seigneur. Jésus leur dit de nouveau : « La paix soit avec vous ! De même que le Père m’a envoyé, moi aussi, je vous envoie. » Ayant ainsi parlé, il souffla sur eux et il leur dit : « Recevez l’Esprit Saint. À qui vous remettrez ses péchés, ils seront remis ; à qui vous maintiendrez ses péchés, ils seront maintenus. » Or, l’un des Douze, Thomas, appelé Didyme (c’est-à-dire Jumeau), n’était pas avec eux quand Jésus était venu. Les autres disciples lui disaient : « Nous avons vu le Seigneur ! » Mais il leur déclara : « Si je ne vois pas dans ses mains la marque des clous, si je ne mets pas mon doigt dans la marque des clous, si je ne mets pas la main dans son côté, non, je ne croirai pas ! » Huit jours plus tard, les disciples se trouvaient de nouveau dans la maison, et Thomas était avec eux. Jésus vient, alors que les portes étaient verrouillées, et il était là au milieu d’eux. Il dit : « La paix soit avec vous ! » Puis il dit à Thomas : « Avance ton doigt ici, et vois mes mains ; avance ta main, et mets-la dans mon côté : cesse d’être incrédule, sois croyant. » Alors Thomas lui dit : « Mon Seigneur et mon Dieu ! » Jésus lui dit : « Parce que tu m’as vu, tu crois. Heureux ceux qui croient sans avoir vu. » Il y a encore beaucoup d’autres signes que Jésus a faits en présence des disciples et qui ne sont pas écrits dans ce livre. Mais ceux-là ont été écrits pour que vous croyiez que Jésus est le Christ, le Fils de Dieu, et pour qu’en croyant, vous ayez la vie en son nom. – Acclamons la Paro
Prière sur les offrandes :
Donne-nous, Seigneur, de te rendre grâce toujours par ces mystères de Pâques ; ils continuent en nous ton œuvre de rédemption, qu’ils nous soient une source intarissable de joie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Lc 24, 46.26
Il fallait que le Christ connaisse la souffrance et ressuscite d’entre les morts pour entrer dans la gloire, alléluia.
Prière après la communion :
Écoute nos prières, Seigneur : que cet échange mystérieux où l’homme est racheté nous soutienne durant la vie présente et nous apporte les joies éternelles. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 18, 2020 | Evangelium
sunday 19 April 2020
Divine Mercy Sunday,
2nd Sunday of Easter
White
Entrance Antiphon 1 Pt 2: 2
Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia.
Collect
God of everlasting mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. 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 2:42-47
The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed. They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.
Psalm 117(118):2-4,13-15,22-24
R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
- Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let the sons of Aaron say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
- I was thrust down, thrust down and falling, but the Lord was my helper. The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just.
- The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
Second reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Alleluia!
Gospel: John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. ‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’ Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the oblations of your people (and of those you have brought to new birth), that, renewed by confession of your name and by Baptism, they may attain unending happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 20: 27
Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that our reception of this paschal Sacrament may have a continuing effect in our minds and hearts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Our First Reading presents the beauty of the solidarity and community existence of the early Christian community. They were so concerned about each other that no one was ever really in great need. This is the type of atmosphere that is lacking today among us. In the Second Reading we learned that God has loved us and made us his own children; so, we rejoice and are glad. And in the Gospel, Jesus appears to the Apostles in the presence of Thomas who had doubted. Once Thomas realizes that truly it was Jesus Himself,he makes a deep act of Faith: My Lord and My God. When we discover the truth, we should submit to it. Unfortunately we have people who see the truth and still state the contrary.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 17, 2020 | Evangelium
saturday 18 April 2020
St Laserian or Molaise (- 639)
He was born in Ireland, became a monk on Iona, and was ordained priest in Rome by St Gregory the Great. He was active in promoting harmony between the Celtic and Roman churches on the date on which Easter should be celebrated.
White
Entrance Antiphon Ps 104: 43
The Lord brought out his people with joy, his chosen ones with shouts of rejoicing, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who by the abundance of your grace give increase to the peoples who believe in you, look with favour on those you have chosen and clothe with blessed immortality those reborn through the Sacrament of Baptism. 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 4:13-21
The rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.’ So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, ‘You must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.’ The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.
Psalm 117(118):1,14-21
R/ I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just.
2) The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die.
3) Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. This is the Lord’s own gate where the just may enter. I will thank you for you have answered and you are my saviour.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 16:9-15
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him. After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either. Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
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: Gal 3: 27
All of you who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ, 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
Dear brothers and sisters, today is the last day of our Easter Octave. The joy of the Risen Lord seemed to have swamped the whole of Jerusalem, much to the annoyance of the Jewish leaders. They were angry at all the excitement and they summoned Peter and John ordering them to stop preaching about Jesus. The apostles were clear and forthright with their reply: You must judge for yourself whether it is better to obey God than to obey man. In other words, the two were not ready to stop proclaiming what they knew was true. They were witnesses. Many of us know what the truth is but we are easily cowed into submission by other powers. Our Christian faith must continue to sustain us so that we stand firm for the truth and for what is right. The Gospel text today explains how Jesus appeared to some of the apostles. It ends with a command for all to go out to the whole world and bring the Good News to everyone. And that is the spirit with which we end the Easter Octave- a determination to make sure that everyone hears the Good News of the Risen Saviour. We have no option as Christians other than to proclaim the Risen Lord to all and sundry.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 17, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
BLANC
Saint Parfait
C’était un prêtre espagnol de Cardoue. Pour avoir, dans une conversation, dit sa foi au Christ, il fut traduit devant le Cadi, condamné et exécuté.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 104, 43
Le Seigneur a fait sortir son peuple en grande liesse, et ses élus poussaient des cris de joie, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture :
Dieu qui donnes sans cesse ta grâce pour augmenter le nombre de tes enfants, veille sur ceux que tu viens d’agréger à ton peuple ; ils ont pris naissance dans le baptême : qu’ils soient revêtus de l’immortalité du Christ, pour se présenter à la table de ses noces. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ac 4, 13-21
En ces jours-là, les chefs du peuple, les Anciens et les scribes constataient l’assurance de Pierre et de Jean et, se rendant compte que c’était des hommes sans culture et de simples particuliers, ils étaient surpris ; d’autre part, ils reconnaissaient en eux ceux qui étaient avec Jésus. Mais comme ils voyaient, debout avec eux, l’homme qui avait été guéri, ils ne trouvaient rien à redire. Après leur avoir ordonné de quitter la salle du Conseil suprême, ils se mirent à discuter entre eux. Ils disaient : « Qu’allons-nous faire de ces gens-là ? Il est notoire, en effet, qu’ils ont opéré un miracle ; cela fut manifeste pour tous les habitants de Jérusalem, et nous ne pouvons pas le nier. Mais pour en limiter la diffusion dans le peuple, nous allons les menacer afin qu’ils ne parlent plus à personne en ce nom-là. » Ayant rappelé Pierre et Jean, ils leur interdirent formellement de parler ou d’enseigner au nom de Jésus. Ceux-ci leur répliquèrent : « Est-il juste devant Dieu de vous écouter, plutôt que d’écouter Dieu ? À vous de juger. Quant à nous, il nous est impossible de nous taire sur ce que nous avons vu et entendu. » Après de nouvelles menaces, ils les relâchèrent, faute d’avoir trouvé le moyen de les punir : c’était à cause du peuple, car tout le monde rendait gloire à Dieu pour ce qui était arrivé.
Psaume : 117 (118), 1.14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
R/ Seigneur, je te rends grâce, car tu m’as exaucé.
- Rendez grâce au Seigneur : Il est bon ! Éternel est son amour ! Ma force et mon chant, c’est le Seigneur ; il est pour moi le salut. Clameurs de joie et de victoire sous les tentes des justes :
- « Le bras du Seigneur se lève, le bras du Seigneur est fort ! » Non, je ne mourrai pas, je vivrai pour annoncer les actions du Seigneur : il m’a frappé, le Seigneur, il m’a frappé, mais sans me livrer à la mort.
- Ouvrez- moi les portes de justice : j’entrerai, je rendrai grâce au Seigneur. « C’est ici la porte du Seigneur : qu’ils entrent, les justes ! » Je te rends grâce car tu m’as exaucé : tu es pour moi le salut.
Acclamation :
Alléluia. Alléluia. Voici le jour que fit le Seigneur, qu’il soit pour nous jour de fête et de joie ! Alléluia. (Ps 117, 24)
Evangile : Mc 16, 9-15
Ressuscité le matin, le premier jour de la semaine, Jésus apparut d’abord à Marie Madeleine, de laquelle il avait expulsé sept démons. Celle-ci partit annoncer la nouvelle à ceux qui, ayant vécu avec lui, s’affligeaient et pleuraient. Quand ils entendirent que Jésus était vivant et qu’elle l’avait vu, ils refusèrent de croire. Après cela, il se manifesta sous un autre aspect à deux d’entre eux qui étaient en chemin pour aller à la campagne. Ceux- ci revinrent l’annoncer aux autres, qui ne les crurent pas non plus. Enfin, il se manifesta aux Onze eux-mêmes pendant qu’ils étaient à table : il leur reprocha leur manque de foi et la dureté de leurs cœurs parce qu’ils n’avaient pas cru ceux qui l’avaient contemplé ressuscité. Puis il leur dit : « Allez dans le monde entier. Proclamez l’Évangile à toute la création. »
Prière sur les offrandes :
Donne-nous, Seigneur, de te rendre grâce toujours par ces mystères de Pâques ; ils continuent en nous ton œuvre de rédemption, qu’ils nous soient une source intarissable de joie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ga 3, 27
Vous tous qui avez été baptisés dans le Christ, vous avez revêtu le Christ. 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 | Apr 16, 2020 | Evangelium
friday 17 April 2020
St. Anicetus
Anicetus was a Syrian from Emesa. He became pope about 155. He actively opposed Marcionism and Gnosticism
White
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 77: 53
The Lord led his people in hope, while the sea engulfed their foes, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who gave us the Paschal Mystery in the covenant you established for reconciling the human race, so dispose our minds, we pray, that what we celebrate by professing the faith we may express in deeds. 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 4:1-12
While Peter and John were talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next day. But many of those who had listened to their message became believers, the total number of whom had now risen to something like five thousand. The next day the rulers, elders and scribes had a meeting in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families. They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, ‘By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, ‘Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.’
Psalm 117(118):1-2,4,22-27
R/ The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
1) Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
2) The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
3) Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 21:1-14
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
Prayer over the Offerings
Perfect within us, O Lord, we pray, the solemn exchange brought about by these paschal offerings, that we may be drawn from earthly desires to a longing for the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 21: 12-13
Jesus said to his disciples: Come and eat. And he took bread and gave it to them, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Dear brothers and sisters, not everyone is happy that there is joy in the world. There are always some people who think just about themselves and what they stand to gain. They are sometimes joy-killers. In the first reading, while the whole of Jerusalem is vibrating with the joy of the risen Lord and the miracles worked in His name, the Jewish leaders gang up against the Apostles, determined to stop all the excitement. But Peter and John courageously remind them that all what is happening is a consequence of the power of the Risen Lord; the same Jesus whom they nailed on the Cross, has truly risen and he is the one in whose name all the good things are happening to others. So, the apostles gain the courage to dare to suggest that the Jewish leaders also get converted. That suggestion will spark more conflict between the apostles and the Jewish leaders who are bent on silencing the truth. In the Gospel, Jesus appeared to Peter and other apostles who were fishing by the Lake of Tiberius. They had worked the whole night and did not catch any fish; and in the morning someone appears telling them to throw in their nets for a catch. They do it in obedience and the catch was enormous. Once more the power of the risen Lord is overwhelming. If we always listen to Christ Jesus, success is guaranteed. We may have doubts and difficulties in our lives, but when we submit these to Jesus the Christ, He takes control.
