by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 3, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Casimir
Prince polonais, Casimir (1458-1484) fut surnommé ‘’frère et défenseur des pauvres’’. Ame très pure, il avait un ardent amour envers la Vierge Marie. Après une vie austère, il mourut de phtisie. Il est le patron de la Pologne et de la Lituanie.
Vert/Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 19-20
Le Seigneur est mon appui : il m’a dégagé, m’a donné du large, il m’a libéré, car il m’aime.
Prière d’ouverture
Fais que les événements du monde, Seigneur, se déroulent dans la paix, selon ton dessein, Et que ton peuple connaisse la joie de te servir sans inquiétude. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Siracide 17, 20 – 24
À ceux qui se repentent, Dieu ouvre le chemin du retour; il réconforte ceux qui manquent de persévérance. Convertis-toi au Seigneur, et renonce à tes péchés ; mets-toi devant lui pour prier, et diminue tes occasions de chute. Reviens vers le Très-Haut et détourne-toi de l’injustice ; les actions abominables, déteste-les. Qui pourra célébrer le Très-Haut dans le séjour des morts, remplacer les vivants qui lui rendent gloire? La louange est enlevée au mort puisqu’il n’est plus ; c’est le vivant, le bien-portant, qui célébrera le Seigneur. Qu’elle est grande, la miséricorde du Seigneur, qu’il est grand, son pardon pour ceux qui se convertissent à lui !
Psaume 31 (32), 1-2, 5, 6, 7
R/ Que le Seigneur soit votre joie! Exultez, hommes justes ! 31, 11ab
1. Heureux l’homme dont la faute est enlevée, et le péché remis! Heureux l’homme dont le Seigneur ne retient pas l’offense, dont l’esprit est sans fraude !
2. Je t’ai fait connaître ma faute, je n’ai pas caché mes torts. J’ai dit : « Je rendrai grâce au Seigneur en confessant mes péchés. »
3. Et toi, tu as enlevé l’offense de ma faute. Ainsi chacun des tiens te prier aux heures décisives ; même les eaux qui débordent ne peuvent l’atteindre.
4. Tu es un refuge pour moi, mon abri dans la détresse ; de chants de délivrance, tu m’as entouré.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.Jésus Christ s’est fait pauvre, lui qui était riche, pour que vous deveniez riches par sa pauvreté. Alléluia.(cf. 2 Co 8, 9)
Évangile : Marc 10, 17-27
Jésus se mettait en route quand un homme accourut et, tombant à ses genoux, lui demanda : « Bon Maître, que dois-je faire pour avoir la vie éternelle en héritage ? » Jésus lui dit: « Pourquoi dire que je suis bon ? Personne n’est bon, sinon Dieu seul. Tu connais les commandements: Ne commets pas de meurtre, ne commets pas d’adultère, ne commets pas de vol, ne porte pas de faux témoignage, ne fais de tort à personne, honore ton père et ta mère. » L’homme répondit : « Maître, tout cela, je l’ai observé depuis ma jeunesse. » Jésus posa son regard sur lui, et il l’aima. Il lui dit : « Une seule chose te manque : va, vends ce que tu as et donne-le aux pauvres ; alors tu auras un trésor au ciel. Puis viens, suis-moi. » Mais lui, à ces mots, devint sombre et s’en alla tout triste, car il avait de grands biens. Alors Jésus regarda autour de lui et dit à ses disciples : « Comme il sera difficile à ceux qui possèdent des richesses d’entrer dans le royaume de Dieu!» Les disciples étaient stupéfaits de ces paroles. Jésus reprenant la parole leur dit : « Mes enfants, comme il est difficile d’entrer dans le royaume de Dieu ! Il est plus facile à un chameau de passer par le trou d’une aiguille qu’à un riche d’entrer dans le royaume de Dieu. » De plus en plus déconcertés, les disciples se demandaient entre eux : « Mais alors, qui peut être sauvé ? » Jésus les regarde et dit : « Pour les hommes, c’est impossible, mais pas pour Dieu ; car tout est possible à Dieu. »
rière sur les offrandes
C’est toi qui nous donnes, Seigneur, ce que nous t’offrons, pourtant tu vois dans notre offrande un geste d’amour; aussi te prions-nous avec confiance : puisque tes propres dons sont notre seule valeur, qu’ils fructifient pour nous en bonheur éternel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 12, 6
De toute mon âme, Seigneur, je rendrai grâce en proclamant tes innombrables merveilles ; j’exulterai, je danserai auprès de toi, je fêterai ton nom, Dieu très-haut.
Prière après la communion
Tu nous as nourris, Seigneur, dans cette communion au mystère du salut ; et nous t’adressons encore une prière : par le sacrement qui est notre force aujourd’hui, fais-nous vivre avec toi pour l’éternité. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Ben Sirac le Sage nous appel à la conversion en ces termes : « Convertis-toi au Seigneur, et renonce à tes péchés… Reviens vers le Très-Haut, et détourne-toi de l’injustice, déteste les actions abominables ». Notre Dieu est ce Père miséricordieux, tendre et lent à la colère (Ex 34, 6). C’est Lui qui en premier nous appelle, car Il est Amour (I Jn 4, 8). Il nous appelle à la conversion parce qu’Il veut notre salut. Mais ce retour au Père miséricordieux exige de nous le renoncement total aux possessions de ce monde : « Va, vends tout ce que tu as, donne-le aux pauvres et tu auras un trésor au ciel ; puis, viens et suis-moi ». Le prix à payer pour nous convertir, c’est le sacrifice de nous-mêmes, dans un abandon total au Seigneur. Repentons-nous en implorant la grâce de Dieu et nous obtiendrons la Vie éternelle.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 3, 2019 | Evangelium
St Casimir (1458 – 1484)
He was the second son of King Casimir IV of Poland. He assiduously cultivated the Christian virtues, especially chastity and generosity to the poor. He died of tuberculosis on 4 March 1484.
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 19-20
The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me.
Collect
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. 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: Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28
To those who repent, God permits return, and he encourages those who were losing hope. Return to the Lord and leave sin behind, plead before his face and lessen your offence. Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hold in abhorrence all that is foul. Who will praise the Most High in Sheol, if the living do not do so by giving glory to him? To the dead, as to those who do not exist, praise is unknown, only those with life and health can praise the Lord. How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon on all those who turn towards him!
Psalm 31 (32):1-2, 5-7
R) Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just!
1)Happy the man whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted. O happy the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no guile.
2) But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide. I said: ‘I will confess my offence to the Lord.’ And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.
3) So let every good man pray to you in the time of need. The floods of water may reach high but him they shall not reach.
4) You are my hiding place, O Lord; you save me from distress. You surround me with cries of deliverance.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. 1 Th 2:13
Alleluia, alleluia!Accept God’s message for what it really is: God’s message, and not some human thinking. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 10:17-27
Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who provide gifts to be offered to your name and count our oblations as signs of our desire to serve you with devotion, we ask of your mercy that what you grant as the source of merit may also help us to attain merit’s reward. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 12: 6
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament with which you feed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The unnamed man appears before Jesus with all respect and sincerity, wanting to know what a faithful, sincere and respectful Christian would want to know from Jesus: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He is confident that he has done everything that is required, since in his heart he knows that he has kept all the commandments; however, since he acknowledges Jesus as the “Good Master”, he wants his approval. Surprisingly, Jesus points out that keeping commandments is not enough for one to inherit eternal life. The conversation reaches an anticlimax instead of a climax, because the man can’t remove the only barrier that stands between him and eternal life: wealth. As Christians, we are often barred by things which do not matter much in our lives because we can’t differentiate between things we want and things we need.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 2, 2019 | Evangelium
EIGHT SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Psalter IV
ST KATHARINE DREXEL (1858 – 1955)
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 19-20
The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me.
Collect
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. 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: Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8
In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind, so too the defects of a man appear in his talk. The kiln tests the work of the potter, the test of a man is in his conversation. The orchard where a tree grows is judged on the quality of its fruit, similarly a man’s words betray what he feels. Do not praise a man before he has spoken, since this is the test of men.
Psalm 91(92):2-3, 13-16
R) It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
1)It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your truth in the watches of the night.
2) The just will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
3) Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God, still bearing fruit when they are old, still full of sap, still green, to proclaim that the Lord is just. In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. So let us thank God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Never give in then, my dear brothers, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.
Gospel Acclamation: cf. Ac. 16:14
Alleluia, alleluia!Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 6:39-45
Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye. ‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who provide gifts to be offered to your name and count our oblations as signs of our desire to serve you with devotion, we ask of your mercy that what you grant as the source of merit may also help us to attain merit’s reward. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 12: 6
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament with which you feed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
THIS SUNDAY, THE GOSPEL SITUATES US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN (6:20-49), DURING WHICH JESUS ADDRESSES HIS DISCIPLES WITH HIS EYES FIXED ON THEM (6:20). PART OF THE SERMON IS ABOUT OUR HUMAN TENDENCY TO CRITICISE OTHERS WHEREAS WE WHO CRITICISE ARE ALSO AT FAULT. WE OFTEN SEE THE WEAKNESSES OF OTHERS AND FORGET THAT WE HAVE GREATER WEAKNESSES. WITH THIS PARABLE OF THE SPLINTER AND THE PLANK, JESUS IS CALLING US TO SELF-EVALUATION AND SERIOUS SELF-IMPROVEMENT IN ORDER TO OVERCOME OUR WEAKNESSES; IN THIS WAY, WE WILL BE IN THE RIGHT POSITION TO GUIDE OTHERS IN FOLLOWING HIM. IN THE OTHER PARABLE ABOUT A GOOD TREE PRODUCING BAD FRUITS, JESUS USES THE LAW OF NATURE TO TEACH US THAT IF WE ARE EVIL OR BAD, WE CANNOT IN ANY WAY LEAD OTHERS TO GOOD CONDUCT, FOR “EVERY TREE CAN BE TOLD BY ITS OWN FRUIT.”
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 2, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
8èmedimanche du Temps Ordinaire – Année B
Saint Guénolé
Psautier IV
Vert
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 17, 19-20
Le Seigneur est mon appui : il m’a dégagé, m’a donné du large, il m’a libéré, car il m’aime.
Prière d’ouverture
Fais que les événements du monde, Seigneur, se déroulent dans la paix, selon ton dessein, Et que ton peuple connaisse la joie de te servir sans inquiétude. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Siracide 27; 4-7
Quand on secoue le tamis, il reste les déchets ; de même, les petits côtés d’un homme apparaissent dans ses propos. Le four éprouve les vases du potier ; on juge l’homme en le faisant parler. C’est le fruit qui manifeste la qualité de l’arbre; ainsi la parole fait connaître les sentiments. Ne fais pas l’éloge de quelqu’un avant qu’il ait parlé, c’est alors qu’on pourra le juger.
Psaume 91 (92), 2 3, 13 14, 15 16
R/ Il est bon, Seigneur, de te rendre grâce ! cf. 91, 2
1. Qu’il est bon de rendre grâce au Seigneur, de chanter pour ton nom, Dieu Très-Haut, d’annoncer dès le matin ton amour, ta fidélité, au long des nuits.
2. Le juste grandira comme un palmier, il poussera comme un cèdre du Liban ; planté dans les parvis du Seigneur, il grandira dans la maison de notre Dieu.
3. Vieillissant, il fructifie encore, il garde sa sève et sa verdeur pour annoncer : « Le Seigneur est droit! Pas de ruse en Dieu, mon rocher!»
Deuxième lecture : 1 Co 15, 54 58
Frères, au dernier jour, quand cet être périssable aura revêtu ce qui est impérissable, quand cet être mortel aura revêtu l’immortalité, alors se réalisera la parole de l’Écriture: La mort a été engloutie dans la victoire. Ô Mort, où est ta victoire? Ô Mort, où est-il, ton aiguillon ? L’aiguillon de la mort, c’est le péché; ce qui donne force au péché, c’est la Loi. Rendons grâce à Dieu qui nous donne la victoire par notre Seigneur Jésus Christ. Ainsi, mes frères bien-aimés, soyez fermes, soyez inébranlables, prenez une part toujours plus active à l’œuvre du Seigneur, car vous savez que, dans le Seigneur, la peine que vous vous donnez n’est pas perdue.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Vous brillez comme des astres dans l’univers en tenant ferme la parole de vie. Alléluia.(Ph 2, 15d, 16a)
Évangile : Luc 6, 39, 45
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples en parabole : « Un aveugle peut-il guider un autre aveugle ? Le disciple n’est pas au-dessus du maître ; mais une fois bien formé, chacun sera comme son maître. Qu’as-tu à regarder la paille dans l’œil de ton frère, alors que la poutre qui est dans ton œil à toi, tu ne la remarques pas? Comment peux-tu dire à ton frère : “Frère, laisse-moi enlever la paille qui est dans ton œil”, alors que toi-même ne vois pas la poutre qui est dans le tien ? Hypocrite! Enlève d’abord la poutre de ton œil ; alors tu verras clair pour enlever la paille qui est dans l’œil de ton frère. Un bon arbre ne donne pas de fruit pourri ; jamais non plus un arbre qui pourrit ne donne de bon fruit. Chaque arbre, en effet, se reconnaît à son fruit : on ne cueille pas des figues sur des épines ; on ne vendange pas non plus du raisin sur des ronces. L’homme bon tire le bien du trésor de son cœur qui est bon ; et l’homme mauvais tire le mal de son cœur qui est mauvais : car ce que dit la bouche, C’est ce qui déborde du cœur. »
rière sur les offrandes
C’est toi qui nous donnes, Seigneur, ce que nous t’offrons, pourtant tu vois dans notre offrande un geste d’amour; aussi te prions-nous avec confiance : puisque tes propres dons sont notre seule valeur, qu’ils fructifient pour nous en bonheur éternel. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 12, 6
De toute mon âme, Seigneur, je rendrai grâce en proclamant tes innombrables merveilles; j’exulterai, je danserai auprès de toi, je fêterai ton nom, Dieu très-haut.
Prière après la communion
Tu nous as nourris, Seigneur, dans cette communion au mystère du salut ; et nous t’adressons encore une prière : par le sacrement qui est notre force aujourd’hui, fais-nous vivre avec toi pour l’éternité. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Jésus nous donne un enseignement fondamental dans l’Évangile : nous regarder nous-mêmes, nous examiner avant de porter notre regard sur les défauts de notre prochain. Jésus a raison de nous le dire car dans nos vies, chaque jour, nous avons souvent tendance à être des donneurs de leçons, à juger les autres, à médire d’eux, oubliant que nous avons nos propres faiblesses. Parfois, notre jugement est sans pitié à l’endroit de ceux que nous catégorisons pendant que nous sommes incapables de produire de bons fruits. Prenons conscience de ce que nous avons un seul juge, Dieu, et que nous sommes impardonnables, nous, qui jugeons le prochain (Rm 2, 1). Prions le Seigneur de nous accorder l’esprit d’humilité afin de reconnaître nos propres faiblesses et de les confesser, au lieu de fixer notre regard sur les tares des autres.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Mar 1, 2019 | Evangelium
St Chad (d. 672)
MEMORIAL OF THE BVM
Chad was born in Northumbria, one of four brothers, all of whom became priests. He was educated under St Aidan and partly in Ireland. Chad was outstanding for his humility and simplicity of life. He died of the plague on 2 March 672.
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 12: 6
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. 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: Ecclesiasticus 17:1-13
The Lord fashioned man from the earth, to consign him back to it. He gave them so many days’ determined time, he gave them authority over everything on earth. He clothed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image. He filled all living things with dread of man, making him master over beasts and birds. He shaped for them a mouth and tongue, eyes and ears, and gave them a heart to think with. He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and revealed to them good and evil. He put his own light in their hearts to show them the magnificence of his works. They will praise his holy name, as they tell of his magnificent works He set knowledge before them, he endowed them with the law of life. Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice. He said to them, ‘Beware of all wrong-doing’; he gave each a commandment concerning his neighbour. Their ways are always under his eye, they cannot be hidden from his sight.
Psalm 102 (103):13-18
R) The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
1)As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him; for he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
2) As for man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field; the wind blows and he is gone and his place never sees him again.
3) But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear; his justice reaches out to children’s children when they keep his covenant in truth.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia!Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate your mysteries, O Lord, with the observance that is your due, we humbly ask you, that what we offer to the honour of your majesty may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 9: 2-3
I will recount all your wonders, I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may experience the effects of the salvation which is pledged to us by these mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
One would wonder if the children of today can be compared with the children of the time of Jesus in many aspects. In antiquity, children had no control, no claim and no status; they could welcome whatever came their way with open arms, not necessarily because they were innocent and trusting, but because they had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Likewise, a disciple is the one who comes and follows Jesus with no claim or status, the one who has renounced everything in order to gain ‘everything’ – Jesus the Saviour. Such are the primary citizens of God’s realm; they come to him like children, and they enjoy the warm embrace of the Master and his blessing forever.
