by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 25, 2020 | Evangelium
sunday 26 JANUARY 2020
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter III
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon Ps 95: 1, 6
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. 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: Isaiah 8:23-9:3
In days past the Lord humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations. The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils. For the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor – these you break as on the day of Midian.
Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14
R/ The Lord is my light and my help.
- The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
- There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.
- I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!
Second reading: 1 Cor 1:10-13,17
I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice. From what Chloe’s people have been telling me, my dear brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean are all these slogans that you have, like: ‘I am for Paul’, ‘I am for Apollos’, ‘I am for Cephas’, ‘I am for Christ.’ Has Christ been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Mt 4:23
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom and cured all kinds of sickness among the people. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned. From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him. He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Ps 33: 6
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
When the Lord started His ministry, He called a core group: Peter and Andrew, James and John and others to become henceforth, ‘fishers of men.’ Why did Jesus call these fishermen? First, a fisherman has patience. He learns to wait patiently until the fish will take the bait. Second, a fisherman has perseverance. A fisherman learns not to be discouraged but always to try again. Third, a fisherman has courage. A fisherman is ready to risk and to face the fury of the sea and of the gale. Fourth, a fisherman has an eye for the right moment. The wise fisherman knows well that there are times when it is hopeless to fish. He knows when to cast and when not to cast. Fifth, a fisherman knows how to fit the bait to the fish. One fish will rise to one bait and another to another. Sixth, the wise fisherman must keep himself out of sight. If he reveals his own presence or even his own shadow, the fish will very certainly not bite.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 24, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
Samedi 25 Janvier 2020
Conversion de St. Paul Apôtre,
Fête
Saint Ananie
Blanc
Originaire de Perse, il y fut arrêté pour sa foi au Christ et fut soumis à de terribles supplices. A l’époque de la persécution du roi Sapor II, sur l’ordre de l’Archimage Arssag, il fut arrêté et par trois fois roué de coups de bâton avec une telle cruauté que les bourreaux, jugeant qu’il était déjà mort, le laissèrent gisant sur place. La nuit suivante, des chrétiens le portèrent dans sa maison, où il rendit l’âme. C’était en 345.
Antienne d’ouverture : 2 Tim 1, 12; 4, 8
«Je sais à qui j ’ai fais confiance; et je suis sûr que le Seigneur, le juste Juge, me donnera la récompense, au jour de sa Venue.»
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui a instruit le monde entier par la parole de l ’Apôtre Saint Paul dont nous célébrons aujourd’hui la conversion, accordes-nous d ’aller vers toi en cherchant à lui ressembler, et d ’être, dans le monde, les témoins de ton Évangile. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : Ac 22, 3-16
En ces jours-là, Paul dit au peuple: «Je suis Juif, né à Tarse en Cilicie, mais élevé ici dans cette ville, où, à l’école de Gamaliel, j’ai reçu une éducation strictement conforme à la Loi de nos pères; j’avais pour Dieu une ardeur jalouse, comme vous tous aujourd’hui. J’ai persécuté à mort ceux qui suivent le Chemin du Seigneur Jésus; j’arrêtais hommes et femmes, et les jetais en prison; le grand prêtre et tout le collège des anciens peuvent en témoigner. Ces derniers m’avaient donné des lettres pour nos frères de Damas où je me rendais: je devais ramener à Jérusalem, ceux de là-bas, enchaînés, pour qu’ils subissent leur châtiment. Donc, comme j’étais en route et que j’approchais de Damas, soudain vers midi, une grande lumière venant du ciel m’enveloppa de sa clarté. Je tombai sur le sol, et j’entendis une voix me dire: ‘Saul, Saul, pourquoi me persécuter?’ Et moi je répondis: ‘Qui es-tu, Seigneur? – Je suis Jésus le Nazaréen, celui que tu persécutes.’ Ceux qui étaient avec moi virent la lumière, mais n’entendirent pas la voix de celui qui me parlait. Alors je dis: ‘Que dois-je faire, Seigneur?’ Le Seigneur me répondit: ‘Relève-toi, va jusqu’à Damas, et là on te dira tout ce qu’il t’est prescrit de faire.’ Comme je n’y voyais plus rien, à cause de l’éclat de cette lumière, je me rendis à Damas, conduit par la main de mes compagnons. Or, Ananie, un homme religieux selon la Loi, à qui tous les Juifs résidant là rendaient un bon témoignage, vint se placer près de moi et me dit : ‘Saul, mon frère, retrouve la vue.’ Et moi, au même instant, je retrouvai la vue, et je le vis. Il me dit encore: ‘Le Dieu de nos pères t’a destiné à connaître sa volonté, à voir celui qui est le Juste et à entendre la voix qui sort de sa bouche. Car tu seras pour lui, devant tous les hommes, le témoin de ce que tu as vu et entendu. Et maintenant, pourquoi tarder? Lève-toi et reçois le baptême, sois lavé de tes péchés en invoquant son nom.’
Psaume: 116 (117), 1, 2
R/ Allez dans le monde entier. Proclamez l’Évangile
- Louez le Seigneur, tous les peuples ; fêtez-le, tous les pays!
- Son amour envers nous s’est montré le plus fort ; éternelle est la fidélité du Seigneur!
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. C’est moi qui vous ai choisis du milieu du monde, afin que vous alliez, que vous portiez du fruit, et que votre fruit demeure, dit le Seigneur. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 15, 16)
Évangile : Mc 16, 15-18
En ce temps-là, Jésus ressuscité dit aux onze Apôtres: «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.»
Prière sur les offrandes
Alors que nous célébrons tes mystères, Seigneur, fais que l’Esprit Saint communique à notre foi cette lumière dont il a éclairé saint Paul pour l’extension de ta gloire dans le monde. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion: Ga 2, 20
«Je vis dans la foi au Fils de Dieu qui m’a aimé et qui s’est livré pour moi»
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur notre Dieu, entretienne en nous la charité qui brûlait au cœur de l’Apôtre Paul et lui donnait un souci pas
Méditation
La vocation de Paul nous rappelle le projet de Dieu pour chaque chrétien : « Le Dieu de nos pères t’a destiné à connaître sa volonté, à voir celui qui est le Juste et à entendre la voix qui sort de sa bouche. Car tu seras pour lui, devant tous les hommes, le témoin de ce que tu as vu et entendu. » La réalisation de ce projet passe par un renouvellement de la vision que nous avons de la vie. Il faut, pour cela, embrasser une une autre façon d’envisager la vie centrée sur la personne de Jésus. Le point de départ de la vocation et de la mission de Paul et de tout chrétien est la rencontre personnelle avec Jésus, entendue comme une relation qui nous touche dans notre propre histoire – notre pauvreté, nos limites, nos aspirations – et qui est partagée autour de soi. Comme le dit Benoît XVI : « Il n’y a rien de plus beau que d’être rejoint, surpris par l’Évangile, par le Christ. Il n’y a rien de plus beau que de le connaître et de communiquer aux autres l’amitié avec lui. »
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 24, 2020 | Evangelium
saturday 25 JANUARY 2020
The Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle
Feast
Saul, the young man who looked after the cloaks of the men who were stoning St Stephen, grew into a dedicated and efficient persecutor of Christians. Today’s feast celebrates the day that Christ appeared to him in a vision as he was on the way to Damascus, reproached him for his persecutions and converted him to the true faith.
White
Entrance Antiphon 2 Tim 1: 12; 4: 8
I know the one in whom I have believed and I am sure that he, the just judge, the mighty, will keep safe what is my due until that day.
Collect
O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, draw us, we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 22:3-16
Paul said to the people, ‘I am a Jew and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you are today. I even persecuted this Way to the death, and sent women as well as men to prison in chains as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify, since they even sent me with letters to their brothers in Damascus. When I set off, it was with the intention of bringing prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment. ‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.” The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, “Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my companions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus. ‘Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all mankind, testifying to what you have seen and heard. And now, why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking his name.”’
Psalm 116:1-2
R/ Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
- O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!
- Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Jn15:16
Alleluia, alleluia! I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 16:15-18
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘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.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate the divine mysteries, O Lord, we pray, may the Spirit fill us with that light of faith with which he constantly enlightened the blessed Apostle Paul for the spreading of your glory. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Gal 2: 20
I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, stir up in us that fire of charity with which the blessed Apostle Paul burned ardently as he bore his concern for all the Churches. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In the conversion of St. Paul, Jesus chose an enemy to be his friend. That is what he has done to us. We who are sinners, who by our words and actions, chose to be enemies of Jesus, are the people God calls. When we accept the invitation of Christ, we leave the path of enmity. We walk a different path – the path of the disciple. The path of the disciple is the path of Christ, the path we must seek, walking behind Jesus, following his footsteps, imitating the Master.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 23, 2020 | Evangelium
friday 24 JANUARY 2020
St. Francis de Sales (1567 – 1622)
St. Francis is the patron saint of writers and journalists, who would do well to imitate his love and his moderation: as he said, “whoever wants to preach effectively must preach with love.”
White
Entrance Antiphon Cf. 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.
Collect
O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop St. Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbour. 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: 1 Samuel 24:3-21
Saul took three thousand men chosen from the whole of Israel and went in search of David and his men east of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheepfolds along the route where there was a cave, and went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave; David’s men said to him, Today is the day of which the Lord said to you, “I will deliver your enemy into your power, do what you like with him.”’ David stood up and, unobserved, cut off the border of Saul’s cloak. Afterwards David reproached himself for having cut off the border of Saul’s cloak. He said to his men, ‘The Lord preserve me from doing such a thing to my lord and raising my hand against him, for he is the anointed of the Lord.’ David gave his men strict instructions, forbidding them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. After this, David too left the cave and called after Saul, ‘My lord king!’ Saul looked behind him and David bowed to the ground and did homage. Then David said to Saul, ‘Why do you listen to the men who say to you, “David means to harm you”? Why, your own eyes have seen today how the Lord put you in my power in the cave and how I refused to kill you, but spared you. “I will not raise my hand against my lord,” I said “for he is the anointed of the Lord.” O my father, see, look at the border of your cloak in my hand. Since I cut off the border of your cloak, yet did not kill you, you must acknowledge frankly that there is neither malice nor treason in my mind. I have not offended against you, yet you hunt me down to take my life. May the Lord be judge between me and you, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be laid on you. (As the old proverb says: Wickedness goes out from the wicked, and my hand will not be laid on you.) On whose trail has the king of Israel set out? On whose trail are you in hot pursuit? On the trail of a dead dog! On the trail of a single flea! May the Lord be the judge and decide between me and you; may he take up my cause and defend it and give judgement for me, freeing me from your power.’ When David had finished saying these words to Saul, Saul said, ‘Is that your voice, my son David?’ And Saul wept aloud. ‘You are a more upright man than I,’ he said to David ‘for you have repaid me with good while I have repaid you with evil. Today you have crowned your goodness towards me since the Lord had put me in your power yet you did not kill me. When a man comes on his enemy, does he let him go unmolested? May the Lord reward you for the goodness you have shown me today. Now I know you will indeed reign and that the sovereignty in Israel will be secure in your hands.’
Psalm 56(57):2-4,6,11
R/ Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
- Have mercy on me, God, have mercy for in you my soul has taken refuge. In the shadow of your wings I take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by.
- I call to God the Most High, to God who has always been my help. May he send from heaven and save me and shame those who assail me.
- O God, arise above the heavens; may your glory shine on earth! For your love reaches to the heavens and your truth to the skies.
Gospel Acclamation : cf. 2 Th 2:14
Alleluia, alleluia! Through the Good News God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Through this saving sacrifice which we offer you, O Lord, kindle in our hearts that divine fire of the Holy Spirit with which you wonderfully inflamed the most gentle soul of St. Francis de Sales. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Lk 12: 42
Behold a faithful and prudent steward to give them their allowance of food at the proper time.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that through the Sacrament we have received, we may imitate on earth the charity and meekness of St. Francis de Sales and so attain like him the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
I have known people who dropped out of the Church because a priest or a pastor treated them badly. It is true that a priest can hurt somebody. But is that a good reason for discontinuing the practice of the faith? Saul might have been a bad person, but he was all the same God’s chosen king. That was the reason why David forgave him and did not kill him when he could have. A priest may be a bad person, but he is still God’s anointed one and the spiritual leader of his flock. As Christians, we are messengers of God’s forgiving love. One way of fulfilling our call is to forgive our priests for their shortcomings.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 23, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
Vendredi 24 Janvier 2020
Saint François de Sales, évêque et docteur de l’Église, mémoire
Blanc
Ce Savoyard (1567-1622) avait fait de solides études à Paris et à Padoue. Ordonné prêtre, il devint l’infatigable prédicateur du Chabbais, afin de ramener cette région à la foi catholique. Son zèle apostolique lui valut d’être choisi comme évêque de Genève, en résidence à Annecy. En cette ville, il fonda, avec Sainte Jeanne de Chantal, l’Ordre de la Visitation. C’était un directeur spirituel d’une douceur exigeante ; il rappela aux laïcs chrétiens qu’ils ont tous la vocation à la perfection évangélique. Sa parole captivait ses auditoires, et ses écrits, qui constituent la première grande œuvre de théologie catholique en langue française, le firent proclamer docteur de l’Eglise par Pie XI. Il est le patron des écrivains et de la presse catholique.
Antienne d’ouverture : Jr 3, 15
Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu : « Je vous donnerai des pasteurs selon mon cœur ; ils vous conduiront avec sagesse et ntelligence. »
Prière d’ouverture
Pour le salut des âmes, Seigneur, tu as voulu que l’évêque saint François de Sales devienne le serviteur de tous en toutes choses ; fais que, soutenus par son exemple, nous donnions une preuve de ta douce charité en nous dévouant pour nos frères. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 S 24, 3-21
En ces jours-là, Saül prit trois mille hommes, choisis dans tout Israël, et partit à la recherche de David et de ses gens en face du Rocher des Bouquetins. Il arriva aux parcs à moutons qui sont en bordure de la route; il y a là une grotte, où Saül entra pour se soulager. Or, David et ses hommes se trouvaient au fond de la grotte. Les hommes de David lui dirent: «Voici le jour dont le Seigneur t’a dit: “Je livrerai ton ennemi entre tes mains, tu en feras ce que tu voudras.» David vint couper furtivement le pan du manteau de Saül. Alors le cœur lui battit d’avoir coupé le pan du manteau de Saül. Il dit à ses hommes: «Que le Seigneur me préserve de faire une chose pareille à mon maître, qui a reçu l’onction du Seigneur : porter la main sur lui, qui est le messie du Seigneur.» Par ses paroles, David retint ses hommes. Il leur interdit de se jeter sur Saül. Alors Saül quitta la grotte et continua sa route. David se leva, sortit de la grotte, et lui cria: «Mon seigneur le roi!» Saül regarda derrière lui. David s’inclina jusqu’à terre et se prosterna, puis il lui cria: «Pourquoi écoutes-tu les gens qui te disent: “David te veut du mal”? Aujourd’hui même, tes yeux ont vu comment le Seigneur t’avait livré entre mes mains dans la grotte; pourtant, j’ai refusé de te tuer, je t’ai épargné et j’ai dit: “Je ne porterai pas la main sur mon seigneur le roi qui a reçu l’onction du Seigneur.” Regarde, père, regarde donc: voici dans ma main le pan de ton manteau. Puisque j’ai pu le couper, et que pourtant je ne t’ai pas tué, reconnais qu’il n’y a en moi ni méchanceté ni révolte. Je n’ai pas commis de faute contre toi, alors que toi, tu traques ma vie pour me l’enlever. C’est le Seigneur qui sera juge entre toi et moi, c’est le Seigneur qui me vengera de toi, mais ma main ne te touchera pas ! Comme dit le vieux proverbe: “Des méchants sort la méchanceté.” C’est pourquoi ma main ne te touchera pas. Après qui donc le roi d’Israël s’est-il mis en campagne ? Après qui cours-tu donc? Après un chien crevé, après une puce? Que le Seigneur soit notre arbitre, qu’il juge entre toi et moi, qu’il examine et défende ma cause, et qu’il me rende justice, en me délivrant de ta main!» Lorsque David eut fini de parler, Saül s’écria: «Est-ce bien ta voix que j’entends, mon fils David?» Et Saül se mit à crier et à pleurer. Puis il dit à David: «Toi, tu es juste, et plus que moi : car toi, tu m’as fait du bien, et moi, je t’ai fait du mal. Aujourd’hui tu as montré toute ta bonté envers moi: le Seigneur m’avait livré entre tes mains, et tu ne m’as pas tué! Quand un homme surprend son ennemi, va-t-il le laisser partir tranquillement? Que le Seigneur te récompense pour le bien que tu m’as fait aujourd’hui. Je sais maintenant que tu régneras certainement, et que la royauté d’Israël tiendra bon en ta main.»
Psaume : 56 (57), 2, 3-4ac, 6.11
R/ Pitié pour moi, mon Dieu, pitié pour moi !
- Pitié, mon Dieu, pitié pour moi ! En toi je cherche refuge, un refuge à l’ombre de tes ailes, aussi longtemps que dure le malheur.
- Je crie vers Dieu, le Très-Haut, vers Dieu qui fera tout pour moi. Du ciel, qu’il m’envoie le salut, qu’il envoie son amour et sa vérité !
- Dieu, lève-toi sur les cieux: que ta gloire domine la terre! Ton amour est plus grand que les cieux, ta vérité, plus haute que les nues.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Dans le Christ, Dieu réconciliait le monde avec lui: il a mis dans notre bouche la parole de la réconciliation. Alléluia. (cf. 2 Co 5, 19)
Évangile : Mc 3, 13-19
En ce temps-là, Jésus gravit la montagne, et il appela ceux qu’il voulait. Ils vinrent auprès de lui, et il en institua douze pour qu’ils soient avec lui et pour les envoyer proclamer la Bonne Nouvelle avec le pouvoir d’expulser les démons. Donc, il établit les Douze: Pierre – c’est le nom qu’il donna à Simon –, Jacques, fils de Zébédée, et Jean, le frère de Jacques – il leur donna le nom de «Boanerguès», c’est-à-dire: «Fils du tonnerre» – André, Philippe, Barthélemy, Matthieu, Thomas, Jacques, fils d’Alphée, Thaddée, Simon le Zélote, et Judas Iscariote, celui-là même qui le livra.
Prière sur les offrandes
Grâce au sacrifice que nous t’offrons, Seigneur, allume en nous le feu de l’Esprit qui brûlait d’amour le cœur de saint François. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 13, 35
« Ce qui montrera à tous les hommes que vous êtes mes disciples, dit le Seigneur, c’est l’amour que vous aurez les uns pour les autres. »
Prière après la communion
Accorde-nous par cette communion, Dieu tout-puissant, d’imiter la douceur et la charité de saint François, pour obtenir avec lui la gloire du ciel. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Jésus appelle et établit pour les apôtres pour une double mission : pour qu’ils soient avec lui et pour qu’il les envoie proclamer la bonne nouvelle. Ils sont Douze, chacun avec son caractère et son expérience de Dieu. Jésus les aime et leur fait confiance. C’est cela le mystère de toute vocation. C’est toujours l’amour du Christ qui rejoint chacun, au point où on est conscient de ne plus s’appartenir mais de lui appartenir. Jésus nous le rappelle à tout moment : « Ce n’est pas vous qui m’avez choisi; mais c’est moi qui vous ai choisis et vous ai établis pour que vous alliez et portiez du fruit et que votre fruit demeure. » (Jn 15,16). Nous avons répondu à ce regard en choisissant Celui qui nous avait déjà choisis. Notre vocation est un don du Christ et en même temps une réponse d’amour à l’amour qu’il a pour nous. A la suite des Douze, chacun peut mettre son nom et accomplir avec confiance la mission de Jésus.
