by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 2, 2020 | Evangelium
friday 03 JANUARY 2020
The Most Holy Name of Jesus,
St. Genevieve
St. Genevieve was born about the year 422, at Nanterre near Paris. The life of St. Genevieve was one of great austerity, constant prayer, and works of charity. She died in the year 512.
White
Entrance Antiphon : Ps III: 4
A light has risen in the darkness for the upright of heart; the Lord is generous, merciful and just.
Collect
Cast your kindly light upon your faithful, Lord, we pray, and with the splendour of your glory set their hearts ever aflame, that they may never cease to acknowledge their Saviour and may truly hold fast to him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 2:29-3:6
You know that God is righteous –then you must recognise that everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by him. Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. Surely, everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ. Anyone who sins at all breaks the law, because to sin is to break the law. Now you know that he appeared in order to abolish sin, and that in him there is no sin; anyone who lives in God does not sin, and anyone who sins has never seen him or known him.
Psalm 97:1,3-6
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
- Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm, have brought salvation.
- All the ends of the earth have seen, the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
- Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, acclaim the King, the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:29-34
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen, and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Jn 4: 9
By this the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who touch us through our partaking of your Sacrament, work, we pray, the effects of its power in our hearts, that we may be made fit to receive your gift through this very gift itself. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
St. John the Evangelist loves to refer to the followers of Jesus simply as ‘Children of God.’ Imagine if all Christians today would be given the official title of ‘Children of God.’ Our many denominations and titles divide us from each other. It is very encouraging to remember that we are Christians and are therefore to be known as ‘Children of God.’ We are called to be members of one family. Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer, which clearly implies that we are one family because we have one Heavenly Father. The more we can trust God with childlike faith, the more we are acting as true children of God.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 1, 2020 | Evangelium
Thursday 02 JANUARY 2020
St Basil the Great (330 – 379),
St Gregory Nazianzen (330 – 389)
Basil became bishop of Caesarea in 370. He fought against the Arians and was generous to the poor. Nazianzen was elected Bishop of Constantinople in 381, where he died on January 25, 389. He is known as “Gregory the Theologian” in honour of his learning and eloquence
Psalter week I
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 44: 15, 14
Let the peoples recount the wisdom of the Saints, and let the Church proclaim their praise. Their names will live on and on.
Collect
O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by the example and teaching of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory, grant, we pray, that in humility we may learn your truth and practice it faithfully in charity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 2:22-28
The man who denies that Jesus is the Christ – he is the liar, he is Antichrist; and he is denying the Father as well as the Son, because no one who has the Father can deny the Son, and to acknowledge the Son is to have the Father as well. Keep alive in yourselves what you were taught in the beginning: as long as what you were taught in the beginning is alive in you, you will live in the Son and in the Father; and what is promised to you by his own promise is eternal life. This is all that I am writing to you about the people who are trying to lead you astray. But you have not lost the anointing that he gave you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; the anointing he gave teaches you everything; you are anointed with truth, not with a lie, and as it has taught you, so you must stay in him. Live in Christ, then, my children, so that if he appears, we may have full confidence, and not turn from him in shame at his coming.
Psalm 97:1-4
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
- Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm, have brought salvation.
- The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love, for the house of Israel.
- All the ends of the earth have seen, the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 1: 14, 12
Alleluia, alleluia! The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him, he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1: 19-28
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’ Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept this sacrifice from your people, we pray, O Lord, and make what is offered for your glory, in honour of Saints Basil and Gregory, a means to our eternal salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon :
Cf. 1 Cor 1: 23-24
We proclaim Christ crucified; Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking at the heavenly table, almighty God, confirm and increase strength from on high in all who celebrate the feast day of Saints Basil and Gregory, that we may preserve in integrity, the gift of faith, and walk in the path of salvation you trace for us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
One striking fact about John the Baptist is that he knew and accepted who he was. He knew he was not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor one of the ancient prophets. John was truthful and humble. His role was to prepare the people for the coming of the one whose sandal straps he was unworthy to undo. This makes him an outstanding saint. John was bigger than life in the view of others. But in his own estimation he was simply another of the friends of God. He was only a voice crying out in the wilderness. In this way, he affirms the role of Jesus. When we are honest to ourselves then we become honest to God.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 1, 2020 | Agenda Biblique
Jeudi 02 Janvier 2020
Saint Basile le Grand et saint Grégoire de Nazianze,
évêques et docteurs de l’Eglise, mémoire.
Blanc
Ces deux saints, devenus moines ensemble, étaient amis depuis leurs études à Athènes. Basile (329-379), né dans une famille de dix qui deviendront presque tous des saints, est l’auteur des règles qui jouèrent un rôle considérable dans l’orientation du monachisme. Dans son œuvre théologique se trouve un important traité sur le Saint Esprit. Grégoire (329-390) fut un orateur de grand talent. En raison des intrigues fomentées par ses ennemis alors qu’il était évêque de Sasimes, puis patriarche de Constantinople, il préféra se retirer à Nazianze. Ce mystique est l’auteur d’ouvrages qui l’ont fait surnommer «le Théologien».
Antienne d’ouverture
Dans son Église, le Seigneur a donné la parole à saint Grégoire ; il l’a rempli de l’esprit de sagesse et d’intelligence, et l’a revêtu de gloire.
Prière d’ouverture
Tu as voulu, Seigneur, illuminer ton Église par l’enseignement et par les exemples de saint Basile et de saint Grégoire de Nazianze ; accorde-nous de chercher humblement à connaître ta vérité pour que ta charité imprègne notre vie. Par Jésus Christ.
1ère lecture : 1 Jean 2, 22-28
Bien- aimés, le menteur n’est- il pas celui qui refuse que Jésus soit le Christ? Celui- là est l’anti- Christ: il refuse à la fois le Père et le Fils ; quiconque refuse le Fils n’a pas non plus le Père ; celui qui reconnaît le Fils a aussi le Père. Quant à vous, que demeure en vous ce que vous avez entendu depuis le commencement. Si ce que vous avez entendu depuis le commencement demeure en vous, vous aussi, vous demeurerez dans le Fils et dans le Père. Et telle est la promesse que lui- même nous a faite : la vie éternelle. Je vous ai écrit cela à propos de ceux qui vous égarent. Quant à vous, l’onction que vous avez reçue de lui demeure en vous, et vous n’avez pas besoin d’enseignement. Cette onction vous enseigne toutes choses, elle qui est vérité et non pas mensonge; et selon ce qu’elle vous a enseigné, vous demeurez en lui. Et maintenant, petits-enfants, demeurez-en lui ; ainsi, quand il se manifestera, nous aurons de l’assurance, et non pas la honte d’être loin de lui à son avènement.
Psaume: 97 (98), 1, 2-3ab, 3cd- 4
R/ La terre tout entière a vu le salut de notre Dieu. 97, 3
- Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, car il a fait des merveilles ; par son bras très saint, par sa main puissante, il s’est assuré la victoire.
- Le Seigneur a fait connaître sa victoire et révélé sa justice aux nations ; il s’est rappelé sa fidélité, son amour, en faveur de la maison d’Israël.
- La terre tout entière a vu la victoire de notre Dieu. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, sonnez, chantez, jouez!
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. À bien des reprises, Dieu, dans le passé, a parlé à nos pères par les prophètes; à la fin, en ces jours où nous sommes, il nous a parlé par son Fils. Alléluia
Évangile: Jn 1, 19-28
Voici le témoignage de Jean le Baptiste, quand les Juifs lui envoyèrent de Jérusalem des prêtres et des lévites pour lui demander: «Qui es-tu?» Il ne refusa pas de répondre, il déclara ouvertement: «Je ne suis pas le Christ.» Ils lui demandèrent : « Alors qu’en est- il ? Es-tu le prophète Élie?» Il répondit: «Je ne le suis pas. Es-tu le Prophète annoncé?» Il répondit: «Non.» Alors ils lui dirent: «Qui es-tu? Il faut que nous donnions une réponse à ceux qui nous ont envoyés. Que dis-tu sur toi-même?» Il répondit: «Je suis la voix de celui qui crie dans le désert: Redressez le chemin du Seigneur, comme a dit le prophète Isaïe.» Or, ils avaient été envoyés de la part des pharisiens. Ils lui posèrent encore cette question: «Pourquoi donc baptises-tu, si tu n’es ni le Christ, ni Élie, ni le Prophète?» Jean leur répondit: «Moi, je baptise dans l’eau. Mais au milieu de vous se tient celui que vous ne connaissez pas ; c’est lui qui vient derrière moi, et je ne suis pas digne de délier la courroie de sa sandale.» Cela s’est passé à Béthanie, de l’autre côté du Jourdain, à l’endroit où Jean baptisait.
Prière sur les offrandes
Daigne accepter, Seigneur, ce sacrifice que nous te présentons de grand cœur en la fête de saint Grégoire ; fidèles à son enseignement, nous voulons nous offrir tout entiers en célébrant cette eucharistie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
Voici l’intendant fidèle et sensé que le Maître a placé à la tête de ses serviteurs, pour leur donner en temps voulu leur part de blé.
Prière après la communion
Ceux que tu fortifies, Seigneur, par le pain vivant, forme-les aussi par l’enseignement du Christ, pour qu’à l’exemple de saint Grégoire, ils connaissent ta vérité et en vivent dans ton amour. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La réponse de Jean-Baptiste aux prêtres et lévites venus s’enquérir de son identité et de son ministère est belle : « Au milieu de vous se tient celui que vous ne connaissez pas. » Au cœur de notre foi chrétienne, la connaissance de Jésus est essentielle. Qui est ce Fils de Marie ? Qui est cet homme qui a marché et qui marche encore sur nos routes humaines ? Qu’est-ce qu’il nous apporte ? Comment le reconnaître dans notre vie et vivre de sa présence ? Il nous faut le chercher. Il nous faut donc aller à sa rencontre. Il est là au cœur de nos vies et c’est lui qui nous fait vivre, comme nous le chantons souvent. Quand nous le connaissons, il donne un sens et un goût particulier à la vie. Il nous fait regarder la vie autrement.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Dec 31, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Mercredi 01 Janvier 2020
Solennité
Sainte Marie Mère de Dieu
Blanc
Huit jours après la Nativité de notre Seigneur et sauveur Jésus-Christ, nous célébrons sa Mère, celle qui lui a donné son essence humaine avec la puissance du Saint-Esprit. C’est pourquoi le concile d’Ephèse en 431 la proclama Theotokos, la Mère de Dieu, puisque son Fils est Dieu.
Antienne d’ouverture
«Nous te saluons, Mère très sainte: tu as mis au monde le Roi qui gouverne le ciel et la terre pour les siècles sans fin».
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu tout-puissant, par la maternité virginale de la bienheureuse Marie, tu as offert au genre humain les trésors du salut éternel; accorde-nous de sentir qu’intervient en notre faveur celle qui nous permit d’accueillir l’auteur de la vie, Jésus Christ, ton Fils, notre Seigneur. Lui qui…
1er lecture: Nb 6, 22-27
Le Seigneur parla à Moïse. Il dit: «Parle à Aaron et à ses fils. Tu leur diras: Voici en quels termes vous bénirez les fils d’Israël: “Que le Seigneur te bénisse et te garde! Que le Seigneur fasse briller sur toi son visage, qu’il te prenne en grâce! Que le Seigneur tourne vers toi son visage, qu’il t’apporte la paix!” Ils invoqueront ainsi mon nom sur les fils d’Israël, et moi, je les bénirai.»
Psaume 66 (67), 2-3, 5, 6.8
R/ Que Dieu nous prenne en grâce et qu’il nous bénisse!
- Que son visage s’illumine pour nous; et ton chemin sera connu sur la terre, ton salut, parmi toutes les nations.
- Que les nations chantent leur joie, car tu gouvernes le monde avec justice ; sur la terre, tu conduis les nations.
- La terre a donné son fruit; Dieu, notre Dieu, nous bénit. Que la terre tout entière l’adore !
2e lecture: Ga 4, 4-7
Frères, lorsqu’est venue la plénitude des temps, Dieu a envoyé son Fils, né d’une femme et soumis à la loi de Moïse, afin de racheter ceux qui étaient soumis à la Loi et pour que nous soyons adoptés comme fils. Et voici la preuve que vous êtes des fils : Dieu a envoyé l’Esprit de son Fils dans nos cœurs, et cet Esprit crie «Abba!», C’est-à-dire: Père ! Ainsi tu n’es plus esclave, mais fils, et puisque tu es fils, tu es aussi héritier: c’est l’œuvre de Dieu.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. À bien des reprises, Dieu, dans le passé, a parlé à nos pères par les prophètes; à la fin, en ces jours où nous sommes, il nous a parlé par son Fils. Alléluia.
Évangile: Lc 2, 16-21
En ce temps-là, les bergers se hâtèrent d’aller à Bethléem, et ils découvrirent Marie et Joseph, avec le nouveau-né couché dans la mangeoire. Après avoir vu, ils racontèrent ce qui leur avait été annoncé au sujet de cet enfant. Et tous ceux qui entendirent s’étonnaient de ce que leur racontaient les bergers. Marie, cependant, retenait tous ces événements et les méditait dans son cœur. Les bergers repartirent; ils glorifiaient et louaient Dieu pour tout ce qu’ils avaient entendu et vu, selon ce qui leur avait été annoncé. Quand fut arrivé le huitième jour, celui de la circoncision, l’enfant reçut le nom de Jésus, le nom que l’ange lui avait donné avant sa conception.
Prière sur les offrandes
Tu es à l’origine de tous les biens, Seigneur, et tu les mènes à leur plein développement ; puisque cette de Marie, Mère de Dieu, nous fait célébrer notre salut dans son germe, donne-nous la joie d’en recueillir tous les fruits. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion: He 13, 8
Jésus Christ est le même hier, aujourd’hui et pour les siècles
Prière après la communion
Nous avons communié à ton sacrement, Seigneur, en ce jour où nous saluons avec fierté, dans la bienheureuse Vierge Marie, La Mère de ton Fils, et la Mère de l’Église ; que cette communion fasse grandir en nous la vie éternelle. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Quoi de plus beau que de commencer l’année avec la Vierge Marie, la Mère de Dieu. Parmi les multiples résolutions que nous prenons en début d’année, nous pourrions vouloir vivre cette année à l’école de Marie. L’évangile de ce jour nous donne une double attitude de Marie : elle est là, aux côtés de Jésus, d’une part ; elle retient tous ces événements et les médite dans son cœur. Etre aux côtés de Jésus tous les jours signifie pour nous fréquenter sa parole et ses sacrements. Cela signifie aussi être proche de tous ceux qui auront besoin de nous, car, à travers eux, Jésus est présent. Retenir toutes les actions de Dieu dans nos vies et les méditer nous permettra alors d’admirer les bienfaits de Dieu. Nous pourrons alors vivre cette année en présence de Jésus. C’est ainsi que nous serons, à l’exemple de Marie, ses véritables disciples.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Dec 31, 2019 | Evangelium
Wednesday 01 JANUARY 2020
Solemnity Mary, Mother of God
White
From antiquity, Mary has been called “God-Bearer”. The word in Greek is “Theotokos”. The term was used as part of the popular piety of the early first millennium church.
Entrance Antiphon
Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King, who rules heaven and earth forever.
Collect
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.” This is how they are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.’
Psalm 66:2-3.5.6.8
R/ O God, be gracious and bless us.
- O God, be gracious and bless us, and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth, and all nations learn your saving help.
- Let the nations be glad and exult, for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth.
- Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all peoples praise you. May God still give us his blessing, till the ends of the earth revere him.
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father,’ and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave anymore; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.
Gospel Acclamation : Hebrews 1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia! At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told. When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who in your kindness begin all good things and bring them to fulfilment, grant to us, who find joy in the Solemnity of the holy Mother of God, that, just as we glory in the beginnings of your grace, so one day we may rejoice in its completion. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Hebrew 13: 8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
We have received this heavenly Sacrament with joy, O Lord: grant, we pray, that it may lead us to eternal life, for we rejoice to proclaim the blessed ever-Virgin Mary Mother of your Son and Mother of the Church. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today, we celebrate the glorious truth that Mary is the Mother of God. We know that Mary is the Mother of Jesus. We also know that Jesus is both God and Man. She is rightly called the Mother of the God-Man. Mary did not give birth to Jesus as God. She is not God or a goddess. We simply maintain that she was the Mother of Jesus who was both God and Man. Since she is the Mother of the God-Man, she is the Mother of every one of us. We belong to the Church, the family of God. Jesus is the Head of that family. His Mother is our Mother. Without a mother, human life cannot begin. Even Jesus had to have a mother. If every human life begins with a mother, then every phase of life, a New Year, for instance, begins with a mother, the Mother of God. Mary greets us at the beginning of a New Year. She bends over us to take care of us in every way. Mary makes the New Year worthwhile for us.
