by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 1, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint François de Paule, ermite
Les fils de saint François d’Assise s’appelaient, par humilité, les ‘’Frères mineurs’’. Un ermite originaire de Paola en Calabre et portant le prénom du Poverello voulut, pour lui-même et ses disciples, une humilité plus radicale encore : ces religieux furent les ‘’Minimes’’ (les plus petits) ! François de Paule (1416-1507) n’était pas prêtre, mais il avait le don des miracles. Le roi Louis XI, malade et redoutant la mort, entendit parler de lui et obtint du pape que le saint vînt en France. Il ne fut pas guéri par le thaumaturge, mais, sous son influence, il affronta la mort avec sérénité. Par la suite, François demeura à Plessis-Lès-Tours, d’où son ordre essaima.
Violet
Antienne d’ouverture : cf Is 55, 1
« Vous tous qui avez soif, venez, voici de l’eau ! dit le Seigneur. Même si vous n’avez pas d’argent, venez et buvez avec joie. »
Prière d’ouverture
Donne à tes fidèles, Seigneur, en ce temps de pénitence, une vraie générosité à te servir ; qu’ils se disposent ainsi à recevoir dans un cœur purifié l’annonce du mystère pascal et à transmettre au monde la joyeuse nouvelle du salut. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Ezéchiel 47, 1-9.12
En ces jours-là, au cours d’une vision reçue du Seigneur, l’homme me fit revenir à l’entrée de la Maison, et voici: sous le seuil de la Maison, de l’eau jaillissait vers l’orient, puisque la façade de la Maison était du côté de l’orient. L’eau descendait de dessous le côté droit de la Maison, au sud de l’autel. L’homme me fit sortir par la porte du nord et me fit faire le tour par l’extérieur, jusqu’à la porte qui fait face à l’orient, et là encore l’eau coulait du côté droit. L’homme s’éloigna vers l’orient: une corde, au à la main, et il mesura une distance de mille coudées ; alors il me fit traverser l’eau : j’en avais jusqu’aux chevilles. Il mesura encore mille coudées et me fit traverser l’eau : j’en avais jusqu’aux genoux. Il mesura encore mille coudées et me fit traverser: j’en avais jusqu’aux reins. Il en mesura encore mille : c’était un torrent que je ne pouvais traverser ; l’eau avait grossi, il aurait fallu nager : c’était un torrent infranchissable. Alors il me dit: « As-tu vu, fils d’homme ? » Puis il me ramena au bord du torrent. Quand il m’eut ramené, voici qu’il y avait au bord du torrent, de chaque côté, des arbres en grand nombre. Il me dit : « Cette eau coule vers la région de l’orient, elle descend dans la vallée du Jourdain, et se déverse dans la mer Morte, dont elle assainit les eaux. En tout lieu où parviendra le torrent, tous les animaux pourront vivre et foisonner. Le poisson sera très abondant, car cette eau assainit tout ce qu’elle pénètre, et la vie apparaît en tout lieu où arrive le torrent. Au bord du torrent, sur les deux rives, toutes sortes d’arbres fruitiers pousseront; leur feuillage ne se flétrira pas et leurs fruits ne manqueront pas. Chaque mois ils porteront des fruits nouveaux, car cette eau vient du sanctuaire. Les fruits seront une nourriture, et les feuilles un remède.».
Psaume 45 (46), 2-3, 5-6, 8-9a.10a
R/ Il est avec nous, le Dieu de l’univers; citadelle pour nous, le Dieu de Jacob 45, 8
- Dieu est pour nous refuge et force, secours dans la détresse, toujours offert. Nous serons sans crainte si la terre est secouée, si les montagnes s’effondrent au creux de la mer.
- Le Fleuve, ses bras réjouissent la ville de Dieu, la plus sainte des demeures du Très-Haut. Dieu s’y tient: elle est inébranlable ; quand renaît le matin, Dieu la secourt.
- Il est avec nous, le Seigneur de l’univers; citadelle pour nous, le Dieu de Jacob ! Venez et voyez les actes du Seigneur, il détruit la guerre jusqu’au bout du monde.
Acclamation:Ps 50, 12a.14a
Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus! Crée en moi un cœur pur, ô mon Dieu ; rends- moi la joie d’être sauvé. Gloire et louange à toi, Seigneur Jésus!
Évangile : Jean 5, 1-16
À l’occasion d’une fête juive, Jésus monta à Jérusalem. Or, à Jérusalem, près de la porte des Brebis, il existe une piscine qu’on appelle en hébreu Bethzatha. Elle a cinq colonnades, sous lesquelles étaient couchés une foule de malades, aveugles, boiteux et impotents. Il y avait là un homme qui était malade depuis trente-huit ans. Jésus, le voyant couché là, et apprenant qu’il était dans cet état depuis longtemps, lui dit: «Veux-tu être guéri?» Le malade lui répondit: « Seigneur, je n’ai personne pour me plonger dans la piscine au moment où l’eau bouillonne; et pendant que j’y vais, un autre descend avant moi. » Jésus lui dit : « Lève-tôt, prends ton brancard, et marche. » Et aussitôt l’homme fut guéri. Il prit son brancard : il marchait! Or, ce jour-là était un jour de sabbat. Les Juifs dirent donc à cet homme que Jésus avait remis sur pied: « C’est le sabbat! Il ne t’est pas permis de porter ton brancard. » Il leur répliqua: «Celui qui m’a guéri, c’est lui qui m’a dit: “Prends ton brancard, et marche!” » Ils l’interrogèrent : « Quel est l’homme qui t’a dit: “Prends ton brancard, et marche” ? » Mais celui qui avait été rétabli ne savait pas qui c’était; en effet, Jésus s’était éloigné, car il y avait foule à cet endroit. Plus tard, Jésus le retrouve dans le Temple et lui dit : « Te voilà guéri. Ne pèche plus, il pourrait t’arriver quelque chose de pire. » L’homme partit annoncer aux Juifs que c’était Jésus qui l’avait guéri. Et ceux-ci persécutaient Jésus parce qu’il avait fait cela le jour du sabbat.
Prière sur les offrandes
Nous te présentons, Seigneur, des biens que toi-même nous as donnés : qu’ils te disent notre reconnaissance devant tout ce que ta création nous propose pour assurer notre vie sur la terre ; qu’ils deviennent aussi le remède qui nous guérira et nous fera vivre éternellement. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 22, 1-2
Mon berger, c’est le Seigneur : je ne manque de rien ; sur de frais pâturages, il me laisse reposer. Il me mène auprès des eaux tranquilles et me fait revivre.
Prière après la communion
Purifie nos esprits, Seigneur : que tes mystères les renouvellent ; fais que même nos corps y trouvent des forces pour aujourd’hui et pour l’éternité. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
La prophétie d’Ézéchiel consiste en une vision qui annonce que le corps du Christ, temple d’où jaillit l’eau vive du baptême, inondera de sa sève de vie nouvelle tous les peuples de la terre. Qu’ils viennent de l’Occident, du Midi, du Nord ou de l’Orient d’où vient cette eau, tous auront part à la table du Seigneur. La croix dont les fruits nourriront les justes, est un remède pour les malades et un secours toujours offert. De même, la parole de Jésus est pour le malade de Besatha un traitement efficace qui lui donne la guérison. L’Élu de Dieu est à la porte de notre cœur, ouvrons nous avec confiance et tendresse à sa miséricorde. Grâce à elle, notre guérison est assurée même pour les péchés les plus coriaces que nous avons commis consciemment ou inconsciemment.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 1, 2019 | Evangelium
St Francis of Paola (1436 – 1507)
He was born in Paola in Calabria. He founded the Order of Minims. He died on Good Friday, 2 April 1507, at Plessis in France.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 55: 1
All who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord. Though you have no money, come and drink with joy.
Collect
May the venerable exercises of holy devotion shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord, to welcome worthily the Paschal Mystery and proclaim the praises of your salvation. 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: Ezekiel 47:1-9,12
The angel brought me to the entrance of the Temple, where a stream came out from under the Temple threshold and flowed eastwards, since the Temple faced east. The water flowed from under the right side of the Temple, south of the altar. He took me out by the north gate and led me right round outside as far as the outer east gate where the water flowed out on the right-hand side. The man went to the east holding his measuring line and measured off a thousand cubits; he then made me wade across the stream; the water reached my ankles. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across the stream again; the water reached my knees. He measured off another thousand and made me wade across again; the water reached my waist. He measured off another thousand; it was now a river which I could not cross; the stream had swollen and was now deep water, a river impossible to cross. He then said, ‘Do you see, son of man?’ He took me further, then brought me back to the bank of the river. When I got back, there were many trees on each bank of the river. He said, ‘This water flows east down to the Arabah and to the sea; and flowing into the sea it makes its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. Along the river, on either bank, will grow every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails; they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary. And their fruit will be good to eat and the leaves medicinal.’
Psalm 45 (46):2-3, 5-6, 8-9
R/ The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
1) God is for us a refuge and strength, a helper close at hand, in time of distress, so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea.
2) The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within, it cannot be shaken; God will help it at the dawning of the day.
3) The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, consider the works of the Lord, the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 50:12, 14
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! A pure heart create for me, O God, and give me again the joy of your help. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: John 5:1-3, 5-16
There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’ The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and walked away. Now that day happened to be the sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.’ He replied, ‘But the man who cured me told me, “Pick up your mat and walk.”’ They asked, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Pick up your mat and walk”?’ The man had no idea who it was, since Jesus had disappeared into the crowd that filled the place. After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, ‘Now you are well again, be sure not to sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.’ The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had cured him. It was because he did things like this on the sabbath that the Jews began to persecute Jesus.
Prayer over the Offerings
We offer to you, O Lord, these gifts which you yourself have bestowed; may they attest to your care as Creator for this our mortal life, and effect in us the healing that brings us immortality. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 1-2
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.
Prayer after Communion
Purify our minds, O Lord, we pray, and renew them with this heavenly Sacrament, that we may find help for our bodies now and likewise in times to come. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Grant, O merciful God, that your people may remain always devoted to you and may constantly receive from your kindness whatever is for their good. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
The prophecy of Ezekiel consists of a vision which announces that the body of Christ is the temple. From it, the living water of baptism springs and floods all the peoples of the earth with its sap of new life. Whether they come from the West, from the South, from the North, or from the East, all will be partakers of the Lord’s banquet. The cross whose fruit will nourish the righteous is a remedy for the sick. In the same way, the word of Jesus is an effective treatment that gives healing to the patient of Bethesda. Jesus is at the door of our heart; let us open up with confidence and tenderness to his mercy.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 31, 2019 | Evangelium
St Ceallach (1080 – 1129)
He became hereditary bishop of Armagh in 1105 and made many reforms; not least on his deathbed, when he abolished the hereditary principle by appointing St Malachy as his successor.
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Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 7-8
As for me, I trust in the Lord. Let me be glad and rejoice in your mercy, for you have seen my affliction.
Collect
O God, who renew the world through mysteries beyond all telling, grant, we pray, that your Church may be guided by your eternal design and not be deprived of your help in this present age. 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 65:17-21
Thus says the Lord: Now I create new heavens and a new earth, and the past will not be remembered, and will come no more to men’s minds. Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever for what I am creating, because I now create Jerusalem ‘Joy’ and her people ‘Gladness.’ I shall rejoice over Jerusalem and exult in my people. No more will the sound of weeping or the sound of cries be heard in her; in her, no more will be found the infant living a few days only, or the old man not living to the end of his days. To die at the age of a hundred will be dying young; not to live to be a hundred will be the sign of a curse. They will build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
Psalm 29 (30):2, 4-6, 11-13
R/ I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
1) I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead, restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.
2) Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life. At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.
3) The Lord listened and had pity. The Lord came to my help. For me you have changed my mourning into dancing: O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Ps 129:5, 7
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word, because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: John 4:43-54
Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended. He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, ‘So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!’ ‘Sir,’ answered the official ‘come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go home,’ said Jesus ‘your son will live.’ The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way; and while he was still on the journey back his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. ‘The fever left him yesterday’ they said ‘at the seventh hour.’ The father realised that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, ‘Your son will live’; and he and all his household believed. This was the second sign given by Jesus, on his return from Judaea to Galilee.
Prayer over the Offerings
May we receive O Lord, we pray, the effects of this offering dedicated to you, so that we may be cleansed from old earthly ways and be renewed by growth in heavenly life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ez 36: 27
I will place my spirit within you and make you walk according to my laws; and my judgements you shall keep and observe, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May your holy gifts, O Lord, we pray, give us life by making us new, and, by sanctifying us, lead us to things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
Renew your people within and without, O Lord, and, since it is your will that they be unhindered by bodily delights, give them, we pray, perseverance in their spiritual intent. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Jesus recalls in this episode the difficulty of being a prophet at home and in the midst of one’s family. It is very possible that despite the signs of healing and miracles, our heart is slow to believe. Jesus’ miracles are signs that manifest the presence and power of God’s kingdom. The court official believed in Jesus’ word without doubt. We are challenged today to surrender our doubts and fears, our pride and fame at the feet of Jesus and trust in his saving word and healing love. The word of God has inherent power to heal and make us whole. The spoken word of Jesus creates faith as we see in the court official; it transforms and heals the dying son. Do you accept the authority and the power of the spoken word of God and submit to it with faith and obedience?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 31, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Hugues, Évêque
Homme austère et droit, Hugues (1053-1132) fut choisi comme arbitre dans maints conflits. Se convaincant régulièrement d’être indigne de l’épiscopat alors qu’il fut désigné comme évêque de Grenoble, il prendra courageusement parti pour le pape Pascal aux prises avec l’empereur d’Allemagne Henri IV.
Violet
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 30, 7-8
Je compte sur toi, Seigneur, tu vois ma misère et tu sais ma détresse, j’exulte et je me réjouis dans ton amour.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui renouvelles ce monde au moyen de tes sacrements, fais que ton Eglise progresse par ces biens du ciel et ne manque jamais de tes secours ici-bas. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Isaïe 65, 17-21
Ainsi parle le Seigneur : Oui, voici : je vais créer un ciel nouveau et une terre nouvelle, on ne se souviendra plus du passé, il ne reviendra plus à l’esprit. Soyez plutôt dans la joie, exultez sans fin pour ce que je crée. Car je vais recréer Jérusalem, pour qu’elle soit exultation, et que son peuple devienne joie. J’exulterai en Jérusalem, je trouverai ma joie dans mon peuple. On n’y entendra plus de pleurs ni de cris. Là, plus de nourrisson emporté en quelques jours, ni d’homme qui ne parvienne au bout de sa vieillesse ; le plus jeune mourra centenaire, ne pas atteindre cent ans sera malédiction. On bâtira des maisons, on y habitera; on plantera des vignes, on mangera leurs fruits.
Psaume 29 (30), 2a.3-4, 5-6, 9.12a.13cd
R/ R/ Je t’exalte, Seigneur : tu m’as relevé. (29, 2a)
- Je t’exalte, Seigneur : tu m’as relevé. Quand j’ai crié vers toi, Seigneur. Seigneur, tu m’as fait remonter de l’abîme et revivre quand je descendais à la fosse.
- Fêtez le Seigneur, vous, ses fidèles, rendez grâce en rappelant son nom très saint. Sa colère ne dure qu’un instant, sa bonté, toute la vie ; avec le soir, viennent les larmes, mais au matin, les cris de joie.
- Et j’ai crié vers toi, Seigneur, j’ai supplié mon Dieu. Tu as changé mon deuil en une danse. Que sans fin, Seigneur, mon Dieu, je te rende grâce!
Acclamation : Cf. Am 5, 14
Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance. Cherchez le bien, non le mal, afin de vivre. Ainsi le Seigneur sera avec vous. Ta parole, Seigneur, est vérité, et ta loi, délivrance.
Évangile : Jean 4, 43-54
En ce temps-là, après avoir passé deux jours chez les Samaritains, Jésus partit de là pour la Galilée.– Lui-même avait témoigné qu’un prophète n’est pas considéré dans son propre pays. Il arriva donc en Galilée ; les Galiléens lui firent bon accueil, car ils avaient vu tout ce qu’il avait fait à Jérusalem pendant la fête de la Pâque, puisqu’ils étaient allés eux aussi à cette fête. Ainsi donc Jésus revint à Cana de Galilée, où il avait changé l’eau en vin. Or, il y avait un fonctionnaire royal, dont le fils était malade à Capharnaüm. Ayant appris que Jésus arrivait de Judée en Galilée, il alla le trouver; il lui demandait de descendre à Capharnaüm pour guérir son fils qui était mourant. Jésus lui dit : «Si vous ne voyez pas de signes et de prodiges, vous ne croirez donc pas !» Le fonctionnaire royal lui dit: « Seigneur, descends, avant que mon enfant ne meure ! » Jésus lui répond : « Va, ton fils est vivant. » L’homme crut à la parole que Jésus lui avait dite et il partit. Pendant qu’il descendait, ses serviteurs arrivèrent à sa rencontre et lui dirent que son enfant était vivant. Il voulut savoir à quelle heure il s’était trouvé mieux. Ils lui dirent : « C’est hier, à la septième heure (au début de l’après-midi), que la fièvre l’a quitté.» Le père se rendit compte que c’était justement l’heure où Jésus lui avait dit : « Ton fils est vivant. » Alors il crut, lui, ainsi que tous les gens de sa maison. Tel fut le second signe que Jésus accomplit lorsqu’il revint de Judée en Galilée.
Prière sur les offrandes
De l’offrande qui t’est consacrée, Seigneur, nous attendons des fruits du salut : débarrasse-nous de tout ce qui doit mourir, renouvelle-nous constamment de ta propre vie. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ez 36, 27
Parole du Seigneur : « Je mettrai en vous mon Esprit, alors vous suivrez mes lois, vous observerez mes commandements et vous y serez fidèles. »
Prière après la communion
Que notre communion, Seigneur, répare nos forces et nous fasse revivre ; qu’elle nous sanctifie et nous conduise aux biens éternels. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Jésus rappelle dans cet épisode, la difficulté d’être prophète chez soi, au milieu des siens. C’est un rapport d’équilibre qu’il faut admettre avec foi, la vérité de Dieu. Malgré, les signes de guérisons et des miracles, notre cœur est lent à croire. La promesse de joie et d’éternité du livre d’Isaïe est aujourd’hui à l’œuvre dans la nouvelle Jérusalem que préfigure l’Église du Christ Jésus, comme signe vivant de cette réalisation. Nous vivons dès ici-bas le début de ce Royaume des Cieux dans un « déjà là et pas encore ». Participons, en tant que membre de cet ensemble, à la sainte réalisation de l’Église.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 30, 2019 | Evangelium
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT:
Psalter IV
ST. BENJAMIN
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 66: 10-11
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.
Collect:
O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. 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: Joshua 5:9-12
The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have taken the shame of Egypt away from you.’ The Israelites pitched their camp at Gilgal and kept the Passover there on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening in the plain of Jericho. On the morrow of the Passover they tasted the produce of that country, unleavened bread and roasted ears of corn, that same day. From that time, from their first eating of the produce of that country, the manna stopped falling. And having manna no longer, the Israelites fed from that year onwards on what the land of Canaan yielded.
Psalm 33(34):2-7
R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.
1) I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.
2) Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.
3) Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.
Second reading 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work. It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation. In other words, God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, not holding men’s faults against them, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God.
Gospel Acclamation: Lk 15:18
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’ Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them: ‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery. ‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father. ‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate. ‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.” ‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’
Prayer over the Offerings
We place before you with joy these offerings, which bring eternal remedy, O Lord, praying that we may both faithfully revere them and present them to you, as is fitting, for the salvation of all the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon
You must rejoice, my son, for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who enlighten everyone who comes into this world, illuminate our hearts, we pray, with the splendour of your grace, that we may always ponder what is worthy and pleasing to your majesty and love you in all sincerity. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today’s Gospel passage is famously titled “The Prodigal Son” or “The Merciful Father”. It could also be called the parable of the unmerciful brother, considering the unbecoming behaviour of the elder son after the return of his brother. If he was truly a brother he would have joined the father, servants and others in celebrating the return of his brother. But he doesn’t; in his conversation with their father, he refers to him as “this son of yours”, thus expressing his total disregard for him. He could not understand his father’s mercy for his younger brother, because he did not realise that God’s desire is not to punish but to save. To use the language of the Second Reading, with the return of the prodigal son, the old creation is gone and the new creation has come; the irresponsible boy is dead and a new son, forgiven and united with his father,has been born. This is what God wants for all of us; he wants us to renounce our sinful ways and be reconciled with him.
