by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 27, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Gontran
Il se convertit après plusieurs crimes, pleura ses péchés pendant le reste de sa vie, racheta ses fautes par ses grandes libéralités envers les pauvres, qui le surnommèrent « le bon Gontran ». Vers la fin de sa vie, il entra au monastère Saint Marcel de Châlon sur Saône. Peu après sa mort, il fut proclamé saint par son peuple.
Violet
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 138, 23-24
« Je suis le sauveur de mon peuple, dit le Seigneur, s’il crie vers moi dans les épreuves, je l’exauce ; je suis son Dieu pour toujours. »
Prière d’ouverture
Nous t’en supplions humblement, Seigneur : à mesure qu’approche le jour où nous fêterons notre salut, accorde-nous une plus grande générosité pour nous préparer à célébrer le mystère pascal. Par Jésus.
Première lecture : Jérémie 7, 23-28
Ainsi parle le Seigneur : Voici l’ordre que j’ai donné à vos pères : « Écoutez ma voix : je serai votre Dieu, et vous, vous serez mon peuple ; vous suivrez tous les chemins que je vous prescris, afin que vous soyez heureux. » Mais ils n’ont pas écouté, ils n’ont pas prêté l’oreille, ils ont suivi les mauvais penchants de leur cœur endurci ; ils ont tourné leur dos et non leur visage. Depuis le jour où vos pères sont sortis du pays d’Égypte jusqu’à ce jour, j’ai envoyé vers vous, inlassablement, tous mes serviteurs les prophètes. Mais ils ne m’ont pas écouté, ils n’ont pas prêté l’oreille, ils ont raidi leur nuque, ils ont été pires que leurs pères. Tu leur diras toutes ces paroles, et ils ne t’écouteront pas. Tu les appelleras, et ils ne te répondront pas. Alors, tu leur diras : « Voilà bien la nation qui n’a pas écouté la voix du Seigneur son Dieu, et n’a pas accepté de leçon ! La vérité s’est perdue, elle a disparu de leur bouche. »
Psaume 94 (95), 1-2, 6-7ab, 7d-9a
R/ Aujourd’hui, ne fermez pas votre cœur, mais écoutez la voix du Seigneur. cf. 94,8a.7d
1. Venez, crions de joie pour le Seigneur, acclamons notre Rocher, notre salut ! Allons jusqu’à lui en rendant grâce, par nos hymnes de fête acclamons-le !
2. Entrez, inclinez-vous, prosternez-vous, adorons le Seigneur qui nous a faits. Oui, il est notre Dieu ; nous sommes le peuple qu’il conduit.
3. Aujourd’hui écouterez-vous sa parole ? « Ne fermez pas votre cœur comme au désert, comme au jour de tentation et de défi, où vos pères m’ont tenté et provoqué. »
Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, honneur, puissance et majesté !Maintenant, dit le Seigneur, revenez à moi de tout votre cœur, car je suis tendre et miséricordieux. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, honneur, puissance et majesté !(Cf. Jl 2, 12-13)
Évangile : Luc 11, 14-23
En ce temps-là, Jésus expulsait un démon qui rendait un homme muet. Lorsque le démon fut sorti, le muet se mit à parler, et les foules furent dans l’admiration. Mais certains d’entre eux dirent : « C’est par Béelzéboul, le chef des démons, qu’il expulse les démons.» D’autres, pour le mettre à l’épreuve, cherchaient à obtenir de lui un signe venant du ciel. Jésus, connaissant leurs pensées, leur dit: « Tout royaume divisé contre lui-même devient désert, ses maisons s’écroulent les unes sur les autres. Si Satan, lui aussi, est divisé contre lui-même, comment son royaume tiendra-t-il ? Vous dites en effet que c’est par Béelzéboul que j’expulse les démons. Mais si c’est par Béelzéboul que moi, je les expulse, vos disciples, par qui les expulsent-ils ? Dès lors, ils seront eux-mêmes vos juges. En revanche, si c’est par le doigt de Dieu que j’expulse les démons, c’est donc que le règne de Dieu est venu jusqu’à vous. Quand l’homme fort, et bien armé, garde son palais, tout ce qui lui appartient est en sécurité. Mais si un plus fort survient et triomphe de lui, il lui enlève son armement, auquel il se fiait, et il distribue tout ce dont il l’a dépouillé. Celui qui n’est pas avec moi est contre moi ; celui qui ne rassemble pas avec moi disperse. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Pour que nos offrandes soient recevables, Seigneur, purifie-nous de toute atteinte du péché: ne permets pas que de fausses richesses nous retiennent quand tu veux nous mener à la vérité tout entière. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la Communion : Ps 118, 4-5
Tu as ordonné, Seigneur, de garder fidèlement tes préceptes ; puissions-nous avancer au droit chemin selon tes commandements.
Prière après la communion
Seigneur, que ton secours ne manque jamais à ceux que tu as nourris de tes sacrements, afin que nous puissions dans ces mystères et par toute notre vie, recueillir les fruits de ta rédemption. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
L’Alliance que Dieu a conclue avec Israël se résume par la fidélité de l’une et de l’autre partie : « Soyez attentifs à ma voix. Alors je serai votre Dieu, et vous serez mon peuple ; suivez jusqu’au bout la route que je vous prescris, et vous serez heureux ». Malheureusement ce peuple au cœur endurci est infidèle. C’est pourquoi le prophète Jérémie stigmatise son incrédulité : « Mais vous n’avez pas écouté, vous n’avez pas prêté l’oreille, vous avez raidi votre cou, vous avez été pires que vos pères ». Jésus fera la même expérience que Jérémie. Il fera face à l’opposition farouche et à l’incrédulité de ses détracteurs, l’accusant de chasser les esprits mauvais par Béelzéboul, le prince des démons. Disciples du Christ, prophètes de notre temps, ne nous décourageons pas face aux oppositions et contradictions des hommes de ce monde. Mus par la puissance de l’Esprit Saint, suivons Jésus sur le chemin de l’annonce du Règne de Dieu.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 27, 2019 | Evangelium
St. Venturino of Bergamo
He was a Dominican preacher and missionary crusader. He is also known for helping to organize a crusade, at the behest of Pope Clement VI against the Turks who were then menacing Europe.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
Collect
We implore your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer, so we may press forward all the more eagerly towards the worthy celebration of the Paschal Mystery. 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 Jeremiah 7:23-28
These were my orders: Listen to my voice, then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Follow right to the end the way that I mark out for you, and you will prosper. But they did not listen, they did not pay attention; they followed the dictates of their own evil hearts, refused to face me, and turned their backs on me. From the day your ancestors came out of the land of Egypt until today, day after day I have persistently sent you all my servants the prophets. But they have not listened to me, have not paid attention; they have grown stubborn and behaved worse than their ancestors. You may say all these words to them: they will not listen to you; you may call them: they will not answer. So tell them this, “Here is the nation that will not listen to the voice of the Lord its God nor take correction. Sincerity is no more, it has vanished from their mouths.”
Psalm 94(95):1-2, 6-9
R) O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
1) Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the rock who saves us. Let us come before him, giving thanks, with songs let us hail the Lord.
2) Come in; let us bow and bend low; let us kneel before the God who made us: for he is our God and we the people who belong to his pasture, the flock that is led by his hand.
3) that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the desert when your fathers put me to the test; when they tried me, though they saw my work.’
Gospel Acclamation Ezk 18:31
Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Shake off all your sins – it is the Lord who speaks – and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Gospel Luke 11:14-23
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil. ‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Cleanse your people, Lord, we pray, from every taint of wickedness, that their gifts may be pleasing to you; and do not let them cling to false joys, for you promise them the rewards of your truth. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps. 118: 4-5
You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously raise up, O Lord, those you renew with this Sacrament, that we may come to possess your salvation both in mystery and in the manner of our life. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
We call on your loving kindness and trust in your mercy, O Lord, that, since we have from you all that we are, through your grace we may seek what is right and have strength to do the good we desire. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Doubt is a terrible thing in human life because sometimes it can be a barrier between a person and a great achievement. Seeing the wonders, signs and miraculous deeds performed by Jesus, the people around were filled with doubt instead of believing in him, and they asked for a sign from heaven as a confirmation that all his miracles were performed by the power of God. They were not aware that in their midst stood what they were asking for, that is Jesus himself; Jesus is the sign that the kingdom of God has come. Doubt therefore separated and barred them from the kingdom of God. Doubt can cost us our salvation. Let us not doubt the power of Jesus; rather, let us believe in him and accept him as the one sent by God. May God grant us the gift of faith in Jesus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 26, 2019 | Evangelium
St John of Egypt (304 – 394)
A hermit in a cave, he lived a very strict life of prayer and manual work. People visited him, since he was able to perform miracles, heal the sick and read people’s hearts. He died in 394, at the age of 90.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. 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!
1) praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God! He has strengthened the bars of your gates he has blessed the children within you.
2) 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.
3) 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: Cf. 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.
Prayer over the People
Give to your people, our God, a resolve that is pleasing to you, for, by conforming them to your teachings, you bestow on them every favour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Many Jews may have started to give Jesus a sinister look as they listened to his teaching. But the part of the Sermon on the Mount about not abolishing the Law but rather completing it surely won their hearts. A biblical scholar called Richard Gardner puts it perfectly: For Matthew, the Law remains valid until all that the Law intends is fully revealed in Jesus’ teaching and fully reflected in Jesus’ community. We should therefore keep all the commandments of God without exception and teach others to do the same. Obeying the commandments and teaching them to others go hand-in-hand; we should start by keeping the commandments ourselves, and then we should invite others by our words and example to do the same.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 26, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Habib
Il était diacre et prêchait dans les campagnes quand il fut arrêté pour son prosélytisme. Il se cacha d’abord, puis sortit de sa retraite et se présenta au juge. Il fut condamné par le préfet Lysanias à être brûlé vif, achevant ainsi son glorieux combat pour le Christ.
Violet
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 118, 133
Que tes promesses orientent mes pas, Seigneur : ne laisse aucun mal me dominer.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, tu nous accordes ce temps de Carême pour nous former à la vie avec le Christ et nous alimenter de ta parole ; que notre effort de pénitence nous obtienne la fidélité à te servir et le goût de te prier d’un même cœur. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Dt 4, 1. 5-9
Moïse disait au peuple : «Maintenant, Israël, écoute les décrets et les ordonnances que je vous enseigne pour que vous les mettiez en pratique. Ainsi vous vivrez, vous entrerez, pour en prendre possession, dans le pays que vous donne le Seigneur, le Dieu de vos pères. Voyez, je vous enseigne les décrets et les ordonnances que le Seigneur mon Dieu m’a donné pour vous, afin que vous les mettiez en pratique dans le pays où vous allez entrer pour en prendre possession. Vous les garderez, vous les mettrez en pratique ; ils seront votre sagesse et votre intelligence aux yeux de tous les peuples. Quand ceux- ci entendront parler de tous ces décrets, ils s’écrieront : “Il n’y a pas un peuple sage et intelligent comme cette grande nation! ”Quelle est en effet la grande nation dont les dieux soient aussi proches que le Seigneur notre Dieu est proche de nous chaque fois que nous l’invoquons ? Et quelle est la grande nation dont les décrets et les ordonnances soient aussi justes que toute cette Loi que je vous donne aujourd’hui ? Garde-toi de jamais oublier ce que tes yeux ont vu ; ne le laisse pas sortir de ton cœur un seul jour. Enseigne-le à tes fils, et aux fils de tes fils. »
Psaume 147 (147b), 12-13, 15-16, 19-20
R/ Glorifie le Seigneur, Jérusalem! Célèbre ton Dieu, ô Sion ! Ou : Alléluia ! 147,12
1. Glorifie le Seigneur, Jérusalem! Célèbre ton Dieu, ô Sion ! Il a consolidé les barres de tes portes, dans tes murs il a béni tes enfants.
2. Il envoie sa parole sur la terre : rapide, son verbe la parcourt. Il étale une toison de neige, il sème une poussière de givre.
3. Il révèle sa parole à Jacob, ses volontés et ses lois à Israël. Pas un peuple qu’il ait ainsi traité ; nul autre n’a connu ses volontés.
Acclamation
Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant!Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie; tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. Gloire à toi, Seigneur, Fils du Dieu vivant ! (cf. Jn 6, 63c.68c)
Évangile : Mathieu 5, 17-19
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples: « Ne pensez pas que je sois venu abolir la Loi ou les Prophètes : je ne suis pas venu abolir, mais accomplir. Amen, je vous le dis : Avant que le ciel et la terre disparaissent, pas un seul iota, pas un seul trait ne disparaîtra de la Loi jusqu’à ce que tout se réalise. Donc, celui qui rejette un seul de ces plus petits commandements, et qui enseignera aux hommes à faire ainsi, sera déclaré le plus petit dans le royaume des Cieux. Mais celui qui les observera et les enseignera, celui-là sera déclaré grand dans le royaume des Cieux. ».
Prière sur les offrandes
Avec ces offrandes, Seigneur, accepte les prières de ton peuple; et nous qui prenons part à cette Eucharistie, protège-nous de tout mal. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 15, 11
Tu m’as montré, Seigneur, la route de la vie ; en ta présence, la joie est sans mesure.
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion à ton Fils Jésus christ nous sanctifie, Seigneur notre Dieu : après avoir effacé tous nos torts, qu’elle ouvre nos cœurs aux promesses de ton Règne. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Moïse, dans la première lecture de ce jour, parlant au nom de Yahvé, donne une condition indispensable au peuple d’Israël pour vivre et entrer en possession de la terre, du pays que Yahvé a promis à leurs pères : L’Écoute attentive et la pratique des commandements du Seigneur. La Loi est la clef qui ouvre les portes du Royaume. La respecter signifie avoir part à la Vie éternelle que Dieu donne à ceux qui lui obéissent. Dans l’évangile, Jésus-Christ, enseignant en Maître, ne vient pas abolir la Loi ou les prophètes, et contredire les enseignements de Moïse, mais il vient l’accomplir, c’est-à-dire que sa vie devient elle-même une Loi à suivre. Suivre Jésus, observer son enseignement, c’est avoir la vie sauve. Aujourd’hui, ne fermons pas notre cœur, mais écoutons la voix du Seigneur qui nous appelle à l’écoute attentive, et à la pratique de la Loi du Seigneur.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 25, 2019 | Evangelium
St. Margaret Clitherow
She was born in England in 1555. For hosting fugitive priests, she was arrested, imprisoned by authorities and condemned to be pressed to death on March 25, 1586. She was stretched out on the ground with a sharp rock on her back and crushed under a door over laden with unbearable weights.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8
To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.
Collect
May your grace not forsake us, O Lord, we pray, but make us dedicated to your holy service and at all times obtain for us your help. 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: Daniel 3:25,34-43
Azariah stood in the heart of the fire, and he began to pray: Oh! Do not abandon us for ever, for the sake of your name; do not repudiate your covenant, do not withdraw your favour from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac your servant, and of Israel your holy one, to whom you promised descendants as countless as the stars of heaven and as the grains of sand on the seashore. Lord, now we are the least of all the nations, now we are despised throughout the world, today, because of our sins. We have at this time no leader, no prophet, no prince, no holocaust, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense, no place where we can offer you the first-fruits and win your favour. But may the contrite soul, the humbled spirit be as acceptable to you as holocausts of rams and bullocks, as thousands of fattened lambs: such let our sacrifice be to you today, and may it be your will that we follow you wholeheartedly, since those who put their trust in you will not be disappointed. And now we put our whole heart into following you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more. Do not disappoint us; treat us gently, as you yourself are gentle and very merciful. Grant us deliverance worthy of your wonderful deeds, let your name win glory, Lord.
Psalm 24 (25):4-6, 7a-9
R/ Remember your mercy, Lord.
1) Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour.
2) In you I hope all day long because of your goodness, O Lord. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth. In your love remember me.
3) The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray, He guides the humble in the right path, He teaches his way to the poor.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Lk 8:15
Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times. ‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that this saving sacrifice may cleanse us of our faults and become an oblation pleasing to your almighty power. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 14: 1-2
Lord, who may abide in your tent, and dwell on your holy mountain? Whoever walks without fault and does what is just.
Prayer after Communion
May the holy partaking of this mystery give us life, O Lord, we pray, and grant us both pardon and protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
O God, founder and ruler of your people, drive away the sins that assail them, that they may always be pleasing to you and ever safe under your protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Considering the biblical meaning of the number seven (perfection), Peter believes that to forgive someone seven times is to make a superhuman effort. But Jesus challenges Peter to forgive not just seven times but seventy-seven times, showing him that forgiveness is not limited at all. As a follower of Jesus he has to forgive unceasingly. The parable that follows shows how ungrateful we often become; we are forgiven but we are unable to forgive others in our own turn. The teaching of the Gospel is that, since God is graciously merciful and always forgives us, we should not withhold forgiveness and mercy from other people. We can only expect forgiveness from God if we forgive those who offend us.
