by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 2, 2019 | Evangelium
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Psalter IV
St Blaise
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. 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 1:4-5, 17-19
In the days of Josiah, the word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations. ‘So now brace yourself for action. Stand up and tell them all I command you. Do not be dismayed at their presence, or in their presence I will make you dismayed. ‘I, for my part, today will make you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the country people. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks.’
Psalm Psalm 70(71):1-6,15,17
- R) My lips will tell of your help.
1)In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed to me and save me.
2) Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked.
3) It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
4) My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect; but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will disappear. When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me. Now we are seeing a dim reflection in a mirror; but then we shall be seeing face to face. The knowledge that I have now is imperfect; but then I shall know as fully as I am known. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 14:6
Alleluia, alleluia!I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me.Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’ But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’ And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country. ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’ When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Call, mission and rejection.Jeremiah is receiving his call and mission in our First Reading. All sounds well and good but the spirit soon changes he is told he has to get ready for an ordeal; he will be resisted and threatened. However, God does comfort him with words which remind Jeremiah of the ancient fidelity of God to Israel and her prophets. Jeremiah will learn, as all the prophets have even to our time, that announcing the truth does not always end in the clover patch. The Gospel continues the theme of call, mission and rejection. Luke presents Jesus to us as a prophet similar to Elijah and Elisha. As with all the prophets, Jesus begins His ministry as He will end it, with rejection fitting a true prophet. Jesus is escorted to the top of a hill where they intend to kill Him. He passes through them heading, in time, toward the Hill in Jerusalem where He will hand over His life freely, obediently, and gratefully. What is the mission to which you are called as a Christian.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 1, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Présentation du Seigneur au Temple
Saint Jean Théophane
Pour accomplir la loi juive, Marie et Joseph viennent au Temple avec Jésus, car celui-ci, étant un premier-né, doit y être présenté. Luc relate cet événement pour mettre en relief le chemin par lequel Jésus passera pour accomplir sa mission de Sauveur universel. En effet, au moment où la Sainte Famille pénètre dans le Temple, l’Esprit Saint fait parler un vieillard qui reconnaît en Jésus le Serviteur annoncé par le livre d’Isaïe. Comme ce Serviteur, le fils de Marie souffrira la contradiction. C’est sous les traits d’un Messie souffrant qu’il réalisera les promesses faites à son peuple, représenté par deux vieillards, Syméon et Anne.
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture: Ps 47,10-11
« Nous rappelons ton amour, Seigneur, au milieu de ton temple ; Sur toute la terre, ceux qui t’ont rencontré proclament ta louange: tu es toute justice.»
Prière d’ouverture:
Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, nous t’adressons cette humble prière : puisque ton Fils unique, ayant revêtu notre chair, fut en ce jour présenté dans le Temple, fais que nous puissions aussi, avec une âme purifiée, nous présenter devant toi. Par Jésus Christ, ton Fils, notre Seigneur.
Première lecture: Malachie 3, 1-4
Ainsi parle le Seigneur Dieu: Voici que j’envoie mon messager pour qu’il prépare le chemin devant moi ; et soudain viendra dans son Temple le Seigneur que vous cherchez. Le messager de l’Alliance que vous désirez, le voici qui vient – dit le Seigneur de l’univers. Qui pourra soutenir le jour de sa venue ? Qui pourra rester debout lorsqu’il se montrera? Car il est pareil au feu du fondeur, pareil à la lessive des blanchisseurs. Il s’installera pour fondre et purifier: il purifiera les fils de Lévi, il les affinera comme l’or et l’argent; ainsi pourront-ils, aux yeux du Seigneur, présenter l’offrande en toute justice. Alors, l’offrande de Juda et de Jérusalem sera bien accueillie du Seigneur, comme il en fut aux jours anciens, dans les années d’autrefois.
Psaume 23 (24), 7, 8, 9, 10
R/ C’est le Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers; c’est lui, le roi de gloire. (Ps 23, 10bc)
- Portes, levez vos frontons, élevez-vous, portes éternelles: qu’il entre, le roi de gloire!
- Qui est ce roi de gloire? C’est le Seigneur, le fort, le vaillant, le Seigneur, le vaillant des combats.
- Portes, levez vos frontons, levez-les, portes éternelles: qu’il entre, le roi de gloire!
- Qui donc est ce roi de gloire? C’est le Seigneur, Dieu de l’univers; c’est lui, le roi de gloire.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Lumière qui se révèle aux nations et donne gloire à ton peuple Israël. Alléluia. (Lc 2, 32)
Évangile: Luc 2, 22-40
Quand fut accompli le temps prescrit par la loi de Moïse pour la purification, les parents de Jésus l’amenèrent à Jérusalem pour le présenter au Seigneur, selon ce qui est écrit dans la Loi : Tout premier-né de sexe masculin sera consacré au Seigneur. Ils venaient aussi offrir le sacrifice prescrit par la loi du Seigneur: un couple de tourterelles ou deux petites colombes. Or, il y avait à Jérusalem un homme appelé Syméon. C’était un homme juste et religieux, qui attendait la Consolation d’Israël, et l’Esprit Saint était sur lui. Il avait reçu de l’Esprit Saint l’annonce qu’il ne verrait pas la mort avant d’avoir vu le Christ, le Messie du Seigneur. Sous l’action de l’Esprit, Syméon vint au Temple. Au moment où les parents présentaient l’enfant Jésus pour se conformer au rite de la Loi qui le concernait, Syméon reçut l’enfant dans ses bras, et il bénit Dieu en disant: « Maintenant, ô Maître souverain, tu peux laisser ton serviteur s’en aller en paix, selon ta parole. Car mes yeux ont vu le salut que tu préparais à la face des peuples : lumière qui se révèle aux nations et donne gloire à ton peuple Israël.» Le père et la mère de l’enfant s’étonnaient de ce qui était dit de lui. Syméon les bénit, puis il dit à Marie sa mère: «Voici que cet enfant provoquera la chute et le relèvement de beaucoup en Israël. Il sera un signe de contradiction – et toi, ton âme sera traversée d’un glaive – : ainsi seront dévoilées les pensées qui viennent du cœur d’un grand nombre.» Il y avait aussi une femme prophète, Anne, fille de Phanuel, de la tribu d’Aser. Elle était très avancée en âge; après sept ans de mariage, demeurée veuve, elle était arrivée à l’âge de 84 ans. Elle ne s’éloignait pas du Temple, servant Dieu jour et nuit dans le jeûne et la prière. Survenant à cette heure même, elle proclamait les louanges de Dieu et parlait de l’enfant à tous ceux qui attendaient la délivrance de Jérusalem. Lorsqu’ils eurent achevé tout ce que prescrivait la loi du Seigneur, ils retournèrent en Galilée, dans leur ville de Nazareth. L’enfant, lui, grandissait et se fortifiait, rempli de sagesse, et la grâce de Dieu était sur lui.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accueille, Seigneur, avec bonté les dons de ton Église en fête : elle te les présente pour le sacrifice de ton Fils unique, puisque tu as voulu qu’il s’offre à toi comme l’Agneau sans tâche pour le salut du monde. Lui qui.
Antienne de communion : Lc 2, 30-31
Nos yeux, Seigneur, ont vu ton salut, que tu as préparé à la face de tous les peuples.
Prière après la communion
Par cette communion, Seigneur, prolonge en nous l’œuvre de ta grâce, toi qui as répondu à l’espérance de Syméon : tu n’as pas voulu qu’il meure avant d’avoir accueilli le Messie ; puissions-nous aussi obtenir la vie éternelle, en allant à la rencontre du Christ. Lui qui.
MÉDITATION
À travers la présentation de Jésus au Temple et la purification de Marie, s’exprime la rencontre de Dieu avec son peuple. Cela suscite la joie et renouvelle l’espérance. Le cantique de Syméon est le chant de l’homme croyant qui, à la fin de sa vie, confirme que l’espérance en Dieu ne déçoit jamais (cf. Rm 5, 5). C’est d’ailleurs pourquoi Syméon et Anne, dans leur vieillesse, sont capables d’une nouvelle fécondité spirituelle, et ils en témoignent en chantant. Ainsi, la vie mérite d’être vécue avec espérance parce que le Seigneur garde sa promesse: cette promesse que la vie consacrée entend vivre dans l’Église pour le monde.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Feb 1, 2019 | Evangelium
Presentation of the Lord
St. Joan de Lestonnac
St. Joan de Lestonnac was born in France, in 1556. She married at the age of seventeen. After her children were raised, she entered the Cistercian monastery at Toulouse. She founded the Congregation of the Religious of Notre Dame of Bordeaux.
White
Entrance Antiphon: cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. 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: Malachi 3:1-4
The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.
Psalm 23(24):7-10
- R) Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.
1.O Gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
2.Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
3.Gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
4.Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Gospel Acclamation Lk 2:32
Alleluia, alleluia!The light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people.Alleluia!
Gospel Luke 2:22-40
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel. As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offering made with exultation by your Church be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, for you willed that your Only Begotten Son be offered to you for the life of the world as the Lamb without blemish. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon Lk 2: 30-31
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.
Prayer after Communion
By these holy gifts which we have received, O Lord, bring your grace to perfection within us, and, as you fulfilled Simeon’s expectation that he would not see death until he had been privileged to welcome the Christ, so may we, going forth to meet the Lord, obtain the gift of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Responsible parenting.Today’s feast of the Presentation comes 40 days after Christmas. It tells us about responsible parenting. The responsibility of bringing up Jesus according to the norms and values of the Father was placed on Joseph and Mary. Our Heavenly Father expected both of then to do their part in moulding the character of Jesus and making Him ready for his ministry. Though the circumstances around the birth of our children may not be same as those of the birth of Jesus, our Heavenly Father has given to us the same responsibility over our children. There may be no Simeon and Anna to proclaim the importance of our children to the waiting world. Despite this, God expects us to follow the model of Joseph and Mary in parenting our children. Our Lord speaks to our hearts and hopes that we do all that we can to mould our children into God-loving and God-fearing individuals. He wants us to lead our children into a discipleship with Christ, not only to make them physically strong but spiritually sturdy to receive His blessings. His desire is for our children to be spiritually equipped to walk confidently the unknown path of life. This same encouragement is given to the consecrated who have many spiritual children to cater for.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 31, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
3ème Semaine du Temps Ordinaire
Sainte Ella
Ella Fitzpatrick, par son époux Guillaume, était la belle-sœur de Richard Cœur de Lion, prince d’Angleterre. Son époux n’était pas des plus fidèles, ce dont elle souffrait tout en étant indulgente pour son inconduite, espérant toujours qu’il reviendrait à une vie morale plus proche des exigences évangéliques. Ce qui arriva. Au retour de la 3e croisade et sauvé d’une tempête, Guillaume résolut de ne plus la tromper et de vivre selon la vertu. Il tint parole. Devenue veuve, Ella se plaça sous la direction de saint Edmond et fonda une abbaye de religieuses augustines à Lay rock dans le Lancashire, dont elle fut la première abbesse.
Vert
Antienne d’ouverture: Ps 95, 1-6
Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, chantez au Seigneur, terre entière : La splendeur et l’éclat, la puissance et la beauté brillent dans son Temple saint!
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, dirige notre vie selon ton amour, Afin qu’au nom de ton Fils bien-aimé, nous portions des fruits en abondance. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture: Hébreux 10, 32-39
Frères, souvenez-vous de ces premiers jours où vous veniez de recevoir la lumière du Christ : vous avez soutenu alors le dur combat des souffrances, tantôt donnés en spectacle sous les insultes et les brimades, tantôt solidaires de ceux qu’on traitait ainsi. En effet, vous avez montré de la compassion à ceux qui étaient en prison ; vous avez accepté avec joie qu’on vous arrache vos biens, car vous étiez sûrs de posséder un bien encore meilleur, et permanent. Ne perdez pas votre assurance ; grâce à elle, vous serez largement récompensés. Car l’endurance vous est nécessaire pour accomplir la volonté de Dieu et obtenir ainsi la réalisation des promesses. En effet, encore un peu, très peu de temps, et celui qui doit venir arrivera, il ne tardera pas. Celui qui est juste à mes yeux par la foi vivra; mais s’il abandonne, je ne trouve plus mon bonheur en lui. Or nous ne sommes pas, nous, de ceux qui abandonnent et vont à leur perte, mais de ceux qui ont la foi et sauvegardent leur âme.
Psaume 36 (37), 3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40ac
R/ Le salut des justes vient du Seigneur. (Cf. 36, 39a)
- Fais confiance au Seigneur, agis bien, habite la terre et reste fidèle; mets ta joie dans le Seigneur : il comblera les désirs de ton cœur.
- Dirige ton chemin vers le Seigneur, fais-lui confiance, et lui, il agira. Il fera lever comme le jour ta justice, et ton droit comme le plein midi.
- Quand le Seigneur conduit les pas de l’homme, ils sont fermes et sa marche lui plaît. S’il trébuche, il ne tombe pas car le Seigneur le soutient de sa main.
- Le Seigneur est le salut pour les justes, leur abri au temps de la détresse. Le Seigneur les aide et les délivre, car ils cherchent en lui leur refuge.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Tu es béni, Père, Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, Tu as révélé aux tout-petits les mystères du royaume. Alléluia.
Évangile Marc 4, 26-34
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait aux foules : « Il en est du règne de Dieu comme d’un homme qui jette en terre la semence : nuit et jour, qu’il dorme ou qu’il se lève, la semence germe et grandit, il ne sait comment. D’elle-même, la terre produit d’abord l’herbe, puis l’épi, enfin du blé plein l’épi. Et dès que le blé est mûr, il y met la faucille, puisque le temps de la moisson est arrivé.» Il disait encore : « À quoi allons-nous comparer le règne de Dieu? Par quelle parabole pouvons-nous le représenter ? Il est comme une graine de moutarde : quand on la sème en terre, elle est la plus petite de toutes les semences. Mais quand on l’a semée, elle grandit et dépasse toutes les plantes potagères ; et elle étend de longues branches, si bien que les oiseaux du ciel peuvent faire leur nid à son ombre. » Par de nombreuses paraboles semblables, Jésus leur annonçait la Parole, dans la mesure où ils étaient capables de l’entendre. Il ne leur disait rien sans parabole, mais il expliquait tout à ses disciples en particulier.
Prière sur les offrandes
Dans ta bonté, Seigneur, accepte notre offrande : Qu’elle soit sanctifiée et serve ainsi à notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion: Ps 33, 6
Ensemble, approchez du Seigneur: resplendissez de sa lumière et sur votre visage il n’y aura plus d’ombre.
Prière après la communion
Permets, nous t’en prions, Dieu tout-puissant, Qu’ayant reçu de toi la grâce d’une nouvelle vie, nous puissions nous en émerveiller toujours. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
En recourant aux paraboles pour expliquer en quoi consiste le Règne de Dieu, Jésus veut aussi mettre en exergue la réalité de loi de la croissance ou de l’évolution. La Parole de Dieu semée dans nos cœurs est appelée à grandir, à mûrir et à répandre la vie. C’est en effet un grand défi pour nous, chrétiens d’aujourd’hui, de nous rendre disponibles en étant des canaux par lesquels L’Évangile devient vie en nous et continue de l’être pour d’autres.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 31, 2019 | Evangelium
St Brigid (451- 525)
Born in 451 or 452 at Faughart, near Dundalk, in Ireland, she converted to Christianity, inspired by the preaching of St Patrick. She founded a monastery at Kildare. She died there in 525.
Green
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Hebrews 10:32-39
Remember all the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in earlier days; sometimes by being yourselves publicly exposed to insults and violence, and sometimes as associates of others who were treated in the same way. For you not only shared in the sufferings of those who were in prison, but you happily accepted being stripped of your belongings, knowing that you owned something that was better and lasting. Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised. Only a little while now, a very little while, and the one that is coming will have come; he will not delay. The righteous man will live by faith, but if he draws back, my soul will take no pleasure in him. You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.
Psalm 36(37):3-6, 23-24, 39-40
- R) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
1.If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure. If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart’s desire.
2.Commit your life to the Lord, trust in him and he will act, so that your justice breaks forth like the light, your cause like the noon-day sun.
3.The Lord guides the steps of a man and makes safe the path of one he loves. Though he stumble he shall never fall for the Lord holds him by the hand.
4.The salvation of the just comes from the Lord, their stronghold in time of distress. The Lord helps them and delivers them and saves them: for their refuge is in him.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps 118:27
Alleluia, alleluia!Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’ Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Ps 33: 6
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Trust and hope in God in bad times. Today’s readings are about hope and confidence in God. They are not a promise of instant salvation or total security in this world. As the reading from the letter to the Hebrews states, bad things may happen; we are called to be faithful and to hope. The Author says his followers have been “exposed to insults and violence” and need “endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.” The Gospel also gives some advice on what to do in times of suffering. We need to trust in God and to be patient with Him and expect great things from Him. May our faith in Jesus’ preaching of the Kingdom of God improve our sight and fire our imaginations to see God powerfully at work in all that is small.
