by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 19, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Herbert
Cuthbert fut d’abord évêque de Kindisfarne en Angleterre. Il rétablit le rite de la liturgie romaine dans son diocèse. Il préféra reprendre la vie monastique au monastère de Melrose, de tradition irlandaise, et s’en fut solitaire dans la paix de Dieu. Et c’est là que Saint Herbert, son meilleur ami, venait le rejoindre chaque année pendant plusieurs jours pour parler des choses de Dieu. Ils eurent la grâce de mourir à quelques jours l’un de l’autre et à la même heure.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 85, 9-10
Toutes les nations viendront te reconnaître, Seigneur, et rendre gloire à ton nom. Car tu es grand et tu fais des merveilles, toi qui es le seul Dieu.
Prière d’ouverture
Répands ta grâce en nos cœurs, Dieu de bonté : que nous sachions refréner nos désirs terrestres pour mieux entendre ta parole. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Os 14, 2-10
Ainsi parle le Seigneur: Reviens, Israël, au Seigneur ton Dieu; car tu t’es effondré par suite de tes fautes. Revenez au Seigneur en lui présentant ces paroles: « Enlève toutes les fautes, et accepte ce qui est bon. Au lieu de taureaux, nous t’offrons en sacrifice les paroles de nos lèvres. Puisque les Assyriens ne peuvent pas nous sauver, nous ne monterons plus sur des chevaux, et nous ne dirons plus à l’ouvrage de nos mains: “Tu es notre Dieu”, car de toi seul l’orphelin reçoit de la tendresse. » Voici la réponse du Seigneur: Je les guérirai de leur infidélité, je les aimerai d’un amour gratuit, car ma colère s’est détournée d’Israël. Je serai pour Israël comme la rosée, il fleurira comme le lis, il étendra ses racines comme les arbres du Liban. Ses jeunes pousses vont grandir, sa parure sera comme celle de l’olivier, son parfum, comme celui de la forêt du Liban. Ils reviendront s’asseoir à son ombre, ils feront revivre le froment, ils fleuriront comme la vigne, ils seront renommés comme le vin du Liban. Éphraïm ! Peux-tu me confondre avec les idoles? C’est moi qui te réponds et qui te regarde. Je suis comme le cyprès toujours vert, c’est moi qui te donne ton fruit. Qui donc est assez sage pour comprendre ces choses, assez pénétrant pour les saisir? Oui, les chemins du Seigneur sont droits: les justes y avancent, mais les pécheurs y trébuchent.
Psaume : 80 (81), 6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14.17
R/ C’est moi, le Seigneur ton Dieu, écoute ma voix.
- J’entends des mots qui m’étaient inconnus: « J’ai ôté le poids qui chargeait ses épaules; ses mains ont déposé le fardeau. Quand tu criais sous l’oppression, je t’ai sauvé.
- « Je répondais, caché dans l’orage, je t’éprouvais près des eaux de Mériba. Écoute, je t’adjure, ô mon peuple; vas-tu m’écouter, Israël ?
- « Tu n’auras pas chez toi d’autres dieux, tu ne serviras aucun dieu étranger. C’est moi, le Seigneur ton Dieu, qui t’ai fait monter de la terre d’Égypte!
- « Ah ! Si mon peuple m’écoutait, Israël, s’il allait sur mes chemins! Je le nourrirais de la fleur du froment, je le rassasierais avec le miel du rocher ! »
Acclamation :
Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité et ta loi, délivrance. Convertissez-vous, dit le Seigneur, car le royaume des Cieux est tout proche. Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité et ta loi, délivrance.
Evangile : Mc 12, 28b- 34
En ce temps- là, un scribe s’avança vers Jésus pour lui demander: « Quel est le premier de tous les commandements?» Jésus lui fit cette réponse: « Voici le premier: Écoute, Israël: le Seigneur notre Dieu est l’unique Seigneur. Tu aimeras le Seigneur ton Dieu de tout ton cœur, de toute ton âme, de tout ton esprit et de toute ta force. Et voici le second: Tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-même. Il n’y a pas de commandement plus grand que ceux- là.» Le scribe reprit: « Fort bien, Maître, tu as dit vrai: Dieu est l’Unique et il n’y en a pas d’autre que lui. L’aimer de tout son cœur, de toute son intelligence, de toute sa force, et aimer son prochain comme soi-même, vaut mieux que toute offrande d’holocaustes et de sacrifices.» Jésus, voyant qu’il avait fait une remarque judicieuse, lui dit: « Tu n’es pas loin du royaume de Dieu. » Et personne n’osait plus l’interroger.
Prière sur les offrandes
Jette un regard bienveillant, Seigneur, sur les offrandes que nous te consacrons : qu’elles deviennent l’offrande que tu aimes, et qu’elles nous apportent le salut. Par Jésus .
Antienne de communion : Mc 12, 33
Aimer Dieu de tout son cœur, et son prochain comme soi-même vaut mieux que tous les sacrifices.
Prière après la communion
Que ta propre énergie, Seigneur, transforme nos esprits et nos corps ; ainsi, serons-nous sauvés tout entiers dans cette communion à ton Fils. Lui qui règne.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 19, 2020 | Evangelium
friday 20 March 2020
Bl. John of Parma, O.F.M
He was an Italian Franciscan friar, who served as one of the first Ministers General of the Order of Friars Minor. He was also a noted theologian of the period.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 85: 8, 10
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, for you are great and do marvellous deeds; you alone are God.
Collect
Pour your grace into our hearts, we pray, O Lord, that we may be constantly drawn away from unruly desires and obey by your own gift the heavenly teaching you give us. 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: Hosea 14:2-10
The Lord says this: Israel, come back to the Lord your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall. Provide yourself with words and come back to the Lord. Say to him, ‘Take all iniquity away so that we may have happiness again and offer you our words of praise. Assyria cannot save us, we will not ride horses any more, or say, “Our God!” to what our own hands have made, for you are the one in whom orphans find compassion.’ – I will heal their disloyalty, I will love them with all my heart, for my anger has turned from them. I will fall like dew on Israel. He shall bloom like the lily, and thrust out roots like the poplar, his shoots will spread far; he will have the beauty of the olive and the fragrance of Lebanon. They will come back to live in my shade; they will grow corn that flourishes, they will cultivate vines as renowned as the wine of Helbon. What has Ephraim to do with idols any more when it is I who hear his prayer and care for him? I am like a cypress ever green, all your fruitfulness comes from me. Let the wise man understand these words. Let the intelligent man grasp their meaning. For the ways of the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them, but sinners stumble.
Psalm 80(81):6,8-11,14,17
R/ I am the Lord your God: listen to my warning.
- A voice I did not know said to me: ‘I freed your shoulder from the burden; your hands were freed from the load. You called in distress and I saved you.
- ‘I answered, concealed in the storm cloud; at the waters of Meribah I tested you. Listen, my people, to my warning. O Israel, if only you would heed!
- ‘Let there be no foreign god among you. no worship of an alien god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt.
- ‘O that my people would heed me, that Israel would walk in my ways! But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and fill them with honey from the rock.’
Gospel Acclamation
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower; whoever finds this seed will remain for ever. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ The scribe said to him, ‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.’ Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to question him any more.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, we pray, Lord, on the offerings we dedicate, that they may be pleasing in your sight and always be salutary for us. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mk 12: 33
To love God with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself, is worth more than any sacrifice.
Prayer after Communion
May your strength be at work in us, O Lord, pervading our minds and bodies, that what we have received by participating in this Sacrament may bring us the fullness of redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
What other thing is greater than Love? Love conquers all hearts no matter how hardened they are. Christ was able to win many to himself not because he was a miracle worker but because he had so much compassion. Today, the scribes choose to test Jesus with His knowledge of the law. Jesus gives them a simple summary of all laws; the love of God through humanity. We cannot love God, if we do not love and care for His creation. It is by offending his creation that we offend God. The commandments then would not just be laws to be followed legally but instead guidelines to perfect love in the world.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 18, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Joseph, époux de la Vierge Marie
Quand Marie devint Mère de Dieu, elle était déjà accordée en mariage à Joseph. Cet homme a donc une place à part dans l’histoire du salut ; à titre d’époux et de père, il va jouer un rôle providentiel auprès de la Vierge et de Jésus. Joseph est descendant de David, et saint Matthieu affirme qu’il est un homme juste ; cela signifie qu’il veut se conformer pleinement à la parole de Dieu, qu’il écoute avec foi et accomplit en silence. C’est ainsi qu’il collabore au dessein de Dieu : il transmet à Jésus le titre messianique de ‘’fils de David’’ ; il le sauve de la mort dont le menace la jalousie d’Hérode ; il l’éduque et lui communique son expérience d’homme et son habileté d’ouvrier, en un mot sa sagesse. Marie, en parlant de Joseph à Jésus, dit sans hésiter : ‘’ton père’’ ; elle sait bien que Jésus n’a d’autre père que Dieu ; mais de ce Père céleste, Josep a été appelé à être le signe sur terre et il s’est montré fidèle à sa vocation. Il a été proclamé patron de l’Eglise universelle par Pie IX en 1870 et patron des ouvriers par Benoît XV en 1920.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 85, 9-10
Toutes les nations viendront te reconnaître, Seigneur, et rendre gloire à ton nom. Car tu es grand et tu fais des merveilles, toi qui es le seul Dieu.
Prière d’ouverture
Répands ta grâce en nos cœurs, Dieu de bonté : que nous sachions refréner nos désirs terrestres pour mieux entendre ta parole. Par Jésus Christ.
Lectures de la messe
Première lecture (2 S 7, 4-5a.12-14a.16)
Cette nuit-là, la parole du Seigneur fut adressée au prophète Nathan : « Va dire à mon serviteur David : Ainsi parle le Seigneur : Quand tes jours seront accomplis et que tu reposeras auprès de tes pères, je te susciterai dans ta descendance un successeur, qui naîtra de toi, et je rendrai stable sa royauté. C’est lui qui bâtira une maison pour mon nom, et je rendrai stable pour toujours son trône royal. Moi, je serai pour lui un père ; et lui sera pour moi un fils. Ta maison et ta royauté subsisteront toujours devant moi, ton trône sera stable pour toujours. » – Parole du Seigneur.
Psaume (Ps 88, 2-3, 4-5, 27.29)
R/ Si je traverse les ravins de la mort, tu es avec moi, Seigneur.
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. « Avec mon élu, j’ai fait une alliance, j’ai juré à David, mon serviteur : J’établirai ta dynastie pour toujours, je te bâtis un trône pour la suite des âges. « Il me dira : Tu es mon Père, mon Dieu, mon roc et mon salut ! Sans fin je lui garderai mon amour, mon alliance avec lui sera fidèle. »
Deuxième lecture (Rm 4, 13.16-18.22)
Frères, ce n’est pas en vertu de la Loi que la promesse de recevoir le monde en héritage a été faite à Abraham et à sa descendance, mais en vertu de la justice obtenue par la foi. Voilà pourquoi on devient héritier par la foi : c’est une grâce, et la promesse demeure ferme pour tous les descendants d’Abraham, non pour ceux qui se rattachent à la Loi seulement, mais pour ceux qui se rattachent aussi à la foi d’Abraham, lui qui est notre père à tous. C’est bien ce qui est écrit : J’ai fait de toi le père d’un grand nombre de nations. Il est notre père devant Dieu en qui il a cru, Dieu qui donne la vie aux morts et qui appelle à l’existence ce qui n’existe pas. Espérant contre toute espérance, il a cru ; ainsi est-il devenu le père d’un grand nombre de nations, selon cette parole : Telle sera la descendance que tu auras ! Et voilà pourquoi il lui fut accordé d’être juste. – Parole du Seigneur.
Acclamation
Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. Je ne prends pas plaisir à la mort du méchant, dit le Seigneur. Qu’il se détourne de sa conduite, et qu’il vive ! Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. (cf. Ez 33, 11)
Évangile (Mt 1, 16.18-21.24a)
Jacob engendra Joseph, l’époux de Marie, de laquelle fut engendré Jésus, que l’on appelle Christ. Or, voici comment fut engendré Jésus Christ : Marie, sa mère, avait été accordée en mariage à Joseph ; avant qu’ils aient habité ensemble, elle fut enceinte par l’action de l’Esprit Saint. Joseph, son époux, qui était un homme juste, et ne voulait pas la dénoncer publiquement, décida de la renvoyer en secret. Comme il avait formé ce projet, voici que l’ange du Seigneur lui apparut en songe et lui dit : « Joseph, fils de David, ne crains pas de prendre chez toi Marie, ton épouse, puisque l’enfant qui est engendré en elle vient de l’Esprit Saint ; elle enfantera un fils, et tu lui donneras le nom de Jésus (c’est-à-dire : Le-Seigneur-sauve), car c’est lui qui sauvera son peuple de ses péchés. » Quand Joseph se réveilla, il fit ce que l’ange du Seigneur lui avait prescrit. – Acclamons la Parole de Dieu.
Prière sur les offrandes
Ces dons que tes serviteurs te rapportent, Seigneur, pour te rendre hommage, transforme-les toi-même en sacrement de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion
Louez le Seigneur, tous les peuples ! Qu’il est fort, son amour pour nous : le Seigneur est toujours fidèle. (Ps 16, 6-8)
Prière après la communion
Que notre communion à ton sacrement, Seigneur, purifie chacun d’entre nous, et réalise notre unité. Par Jésus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 18, 2020 | Evangelium
thursday 19 March 2020
St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
He was a carpenter. He accepted the will of God and supported Mary and brought up Jesus. He is widely venerated as a patron of artisans and of workers in general.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Lk 12: 42
Behold, a faithful and prudent steward, whom the Lord set over his household.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession, your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16
The word of the Lord came to Nathan: ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: “When your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me; if he does evil, I will punish him with the rod such as men use, with strokes such as mankind gives. Yet I will not withdraw my favour from him, as I withdrew it from your predecessor. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’
Psalm 88:2-5,27,29
R/ His dynasty shall last for ever.
- 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.
- I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.
- ‘He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.” I will keep my love for him always; with him my covenant shall last.’
Second reading: Romans 4:13,16-18,22
The promise of inheriting the world was not made to Abraham and his descendants on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith. That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham’s descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us. As Scripture says: I have made you the ancestor of many nations – Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into being what does not exist. Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed, and through doing so he did become the father of many nations exactly as he had been promised: Your descendants will be as many as the stars. This is the faith that was ‘considered as justifying him.’
Gospel Acclamation:Ps83:5
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. They are happy who dwell in your house, O Lord, for ever singing your praise. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 1:16,18-21,24
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ. This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
Prayer over the Offerings
We pray, O Lord, that, just as Saint Joseph served with loving care your Only Begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, so we may be worthy to minister with a pure heart at your altar. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Mt 25: 21
Well done, good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.
Prayer after Communion
Defend with unfailing protection, O Lord, we pray, the family you have nourished with food from this altar, as they rejoice at the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, and graciously keep safe your gifts among them. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Joseph was a man of honour. How many men will hear that their fiancé is pregnant for someone else and still accept to marry her and protect the child. In our today’s world people would have called Joseph a stupid man. Who knows what his kinsmen and friends would have told him then. Joseph chose to protect Mary from the harsh Jewish laws that would have warranted her stoning to death if he exposed her. Even without hearing the message of the Angel, he was honourable enough not to disgrace Mary like many men would do. We celebrate today a man who chose to honour the sanctity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to protect Jesus’ divinity from the desecration of men. We should learn from Joseph, how to be honourable, humble and open to the Word of God.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 17, 2020 | Evangelium
wednesday 18 March 2020
St Cyril of Jerusalem (315 – 386)
He was born in 315 and became bishop of Jerusalem in 348. He was active in the Arian controversy. He is respected by both the Catholics and the Orthodox, and he was declared a Doctor of the Church by the Pope in 1883.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 118: 133
Let my steps be guided by your promise; may evil never rule me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that, schooled through Lenten observance and nourished by your word, through holy restraint we may be devoted to you with all our heart and be ever united in prayer. 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: Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9
Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. ‘See, as the Lord my God has commanded me, I teach you the laws and customs that you are to observe in the land you are to enter and make your own. Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.” And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today? ‘But take care what you do and be on your guard. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life; rather, tell them to your children and to your children’s children.’
Psalm 147:12-13,15-16,19-20
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
- O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates he has blessed the children within you.
- He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command. He showers down snow white as wool, he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
- He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees. He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 8:12
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the prayers of your people along with these sacrificial offerings, and defend those who celebrate your mysteries from every kind of danger. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 15: 11
You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly banquet, at which we have been fed, sanctify us, O Lord, and, cleansing us of all errors, make us worthy of your promises from on high. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
When Jesus speaks about the commandments he does so because during his time the Pharisees were infringing on the law and making it soothe their selfish desires. During that time, it seemed that Jesus was changing the status quo that made the people feel that he was changing the law, but Jesus was simply correcting the anomalies and misinterpretation of the law. Today we have a recycling of these Pharisees who outbid the name of Jesus to exploit gullible Christians who are desperate for material satisfaction. In this case they do not teach the word of God. Instead, they concentrate on the satisfaction of appetites are taught in place of the truth of Christ. Jesus today warns us to beware of such practices and false teachers.
