by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 25, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Psautier Propre
Saints Timothée et Tite, évêques
L’Église en Occident les unit comme disciples très chers à Paul qui leur confie la charge épiscopale dans l’Église naissante. Si Timothée fut le compagnon des travaux et des souffrances et aussi confident de Paul, Tite était le négociateur, celui qu’il envoyait pour dissiper les malentendus, apaiser les discordes et organiser une nouvelle Église.
Blanc
ntienne d’ouverture : Ps 65, 4
Que toute la terre se prosterne devant toi : Seigneur, qu’elle chante pour toi, qu’elle chante à la gloire de ton nom, Dieu très-haut.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, qui régis l’univers du ciel et de la terre : Exauce, en ta bonté, les prières de ton peuple et fais à notre temps la grâce de la paix. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : 2 Timothée 1, 1-8
Paul, Apôtre du Christ Jésus par la volonté de Dieu, selon la promesse de la vie que nous avons dans le Christ Jésus, à Timothée, mon enfant bien-aimé. À toi, la grâce, la miséricorde et la paix de la part de Dieu le Père et du Christ Jésus notre Seigneur. Je suis plein de gratitude envers Dieu, à qui je rends un culte avec une conscience pure, à la suite de mes ancêtres, je lui rends grâce en me souvenant continuellement de toi dans mes prières, nuit et jour. Me rappelant tes larmes, j’ai un très vif désir de te revoir pour être rempli de joie. J’ai souvenir de la foi sincère qui est en toi : c’était celle qui habitait d’abord Loïs, ta grand-mère, et celle d’Eunice, ta mère, et j’ai la conviction que c’est aussi la tienne. Voilà pourquoi, je te le rappelle, ravive le don gratuit de Dieu, ce don qui est en toi depuis que je t’ai imposé les mains. Car ce n’est pas un esprit de peur que Dieu nous a donné, mais un esprit de force, d’amour et de pondération. N’aie donc pas honte de rendre témoignage à notre Seigneur, et n’aie pas honte de moi, qui suis son prisonnier ; mais, avec la force de Dieu, prends ta part des souffrances liées à l’annonce de l’Évangile.
Psaume 95,1-3,7-8,10
R/ Allez dire au monde entier les merveilles de Dieu (Ps 95,3)
1. Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, chantez au Seigneur, terre entière, chantez au Seigneur et bénissez son nom!
2. De jour en jour, proclamez son salut, racontez à tous les peuples sa gloire, à toutes les nations ses merveilles !
3. Rendez au Seigneur, familles des peuples, rendez au Seigneur la gloire et la puissance, rendez au Seigneur la gloire de son nom.
4. Allez dire aux nations : « Le Seigneur est roi ! ». Le monde, inébranlable, tient bon. Il gouverne les peuples avec droiture.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.Le Seigneur lui ouvrit l’esprit pour la rendre attentive à ce que disait Paul. Alléluia.(cf. Act 16, 14)
Évangile : Marc 3,20-21
Jésus revient à la maison, où de nouveau la foule se rassemble, si bien qu’il n’était même pas possible de manger. Les gens de chez lui, l’apprenant, vinrent pour se saisir de lui, car ils affirmaient : « Il a perdu la tête. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Seigneur, accorde-nous la grâce de vraiment participer à cette eucharistie ; Car chaque fois qu’est célébré ce sacrifice en mémorial, c’est l’œuvre de notre Rédemption qui s’accomplit. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Ps 22, 5
Pour moi, Seigneur, tu as dressé la table, et ma coupe me remplit de joie.
Prière après la communion
Pénètre-nous, Seigneur, de ton esprit de charité, Afin que soient unis par ton amour ceux que tu as nourris d’un même pain. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
La tentative de la famille de Jésus de se saisir de lui pour le soustraire à la foule qui l’empêche de manger et de prendre du repos montre à quel point Jésus est entièrement donné à sa mission. Bien que cette attitude apparaisse aux yeux de ses proches comme « folie », elle exprime pourtant la radicalité à laquelle nous sommes appelés, c’est-à-dire des personnes entièrement données dans ce que nous faisons. Le don total de soi est l’expression parfaite de l’amour. C’est ce que fit le Christ en s’offrant lui-même sur la Croix. Oui, « aimer, c’est tout donner et se donner soi-même » (Sainte Thérèse de Lisieux). Cette sagesse de Dieu est folie aux yeux des hommes, mais « la sagesse de ce monde est folie auprès de Dieu (1 Co 3, 19). Alors, n’ayons pas peur d’aimer pleinement et acceptons d’être des fous de Dieu !
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 25, 2019 | Evangelium
Saints Timothy and Titus
Timothy and Titus were converted to Christianity by St Paul, and became his companions and helpers. He wrote them the so-called “pastoral” epistles, giving advice for pastors and people alike.
White
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 95: 3-4
Tell among the nations his glory, and his wonders among all the peoples, for the Lord is great and highly to be praised.
Collect
O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues, grant, through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland. 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 : 2 Timothy 1:1-8
From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus; to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers; I remember your tears and long to see you again to complete my happiness. Then I am reminded of the sincere faith which you have; it came first to live in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I have no doubt that it is the same faith in you as well. That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy.
Psalm 95 (96):1-3, 7-8, 10
R/ Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.
1.O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name.
2.Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.
3.Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name.
4.Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the peoples in fairness.
Gospel Acclamation: 2Co 5:19
Alleluia, alleluia!God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 3:20-21
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, which we bring in celebration of Saints Timothy and Titus, and, in your kindness, render us fully acceptable by giving us sincerity of heart.Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Mk 16: 15; Mt 28: 20
Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel. I am with you always, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, nourish in us that faith taught by the preaching of the Apostles and kept safe by the labours of Saints Timothy and Titus. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Saints Timothy and Titus, whom we celebrate today, were close companions of Saint Paul. Paul ordained them as bishops and gave them a share in his missionary work. This feast can be occasion for us to reflect on the importance of parenthood, both biological and spiritual, in the transmission of the faith. Timothy received his faith from his mother, Eunice, who received it from her own mother, Lois. Paul, for his part, considered himself to be a spiritual father to Timothy and Titus, and this capacity, he wrote letters to them to encourage them in the faith and instruct them on how to organise their respective communities. Can parents and godparents of today boast of the same efforts? What do we do to help our children and godchildren grow in the faith? Let us resolve today to take our role in the spiritual growth of the children God has entrusted to us seriously.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 24, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Conversion de Saint Paul Apôtre, Fête
(Fin de la semaine de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens.)
Paul est né à Tarse, en Cilicie, province romaine du Sud-Est de l’Asie Mineure (Turquie actuelle), entre 7 et 10 (environ l’an 8). Il était un Juif de la diaspora. Il parlait grec et était citoyen romain. Entre 12 et 13 ans, il quitte Tarse pour s’installer à Jérusalem pour y recevoir l’enseignement du rabbin Gamaliel l’Ancien. Paul était un Pharisien accompli, marqué par une profonde orthodoxie. Ce qui justifie sa hargne et son intolérance vis-à-vis des chrétiens qu’il considère comme une menace pour sa religion. Paul était sincère dans son engagement.
Blanc
ntienne d’ouverture: 2Tim 1,12;4,8
« Je sais à qui j ’ai fait confiance; et je suis sûr que le Seigneur, le juste Juge, me donnera la récompense, au jour de sa Venue. »
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui a instruit le monde entier par la parole de l ’Apôtre Saint Paul dont nous célébrons aujourd’hui la conversion, accordes-nous d ’aller vers toi en cherchant à lui ressembler, et d ’être, dans le monde, les témoins de ton Évangile. Par Jésus Christ.
Actes des Apôtres 9,1-22
Saul était toujours animé d’une rage meurtrière contre les disciples du Seigneur. Il alla trouver le grand prêtre et lui demanda des lettres pour les synagogues de Damas, afin que, s’il trouvait des hommes et des femmes qui suivaient le Chemin du Seigneur, il les amène enchaînés à Jérusalem Comme il était en route et approchait de Damas, soudain une lumière venant du ciel l’enveloppa de sa clarté. Il fut précipité à terre; il entendit une voix qui lui disait : «Saul, Saul, pourquoi me persécuter ? » Il demanda : « Qui es-tu, Seigneur?» La voix répondit : « Je suis Jésus, celui que tu persécutes. Relève-toi et entre dans la ville : on te dira ce que tu dois faire. » Ses compagnons de route s’étaient arrêtés, muets de stupeur : ils entendaient la voix, mais ils ne voyaient personne. Saul se releva de terre et, bien qu’il eût les yeux ouverts, il ne voyait rien. Ils le prirent par la main pour le faire entrer à Damas. Pendant trois jours, il fut privé de la vue et il resta sans manger ni boire. Or, il y avait à Damas un disciple nommé Ananie. Dans une vision, le Seigneur lui dit : « Ananie!» Il répondit : « Me voici, Seigneur. » Le Seigneur reprit : « Lève-tôt, va dans la rue appelée rue Droite, chez Jude: tu demanderas un homme de Tarse nommé Saul. Il est en prière, et il a eu cette vision : un homme, du nom d’Ananie, entrait et lui imposait les mains pour lui rendre la vue. » Ananie répondit : « Seigneur, j’ai beaucoup entendu parler de cet homme, et de tout le mal qu’il a fait subir à tes fidèles à Jérusalem. Il est ici, après avoir reçu de la part des grands prêtres le pouvoir d’enchaîner tous ceux qui invoquent ton nom. » Mais le Seigneur lui dit : «Va! Car cet homme est l’instrument que j’ai choisi pour faire parvenir mon nom auprès des nations, des rois et des fils d’Israël. Et moi, je lui montrerai tout ce qu’il lui faudra souffrir pour mon nom.» Ananie partit donc et entra dans la maison. Il imposa les mains à Saul, en disant : « Saul, mon frère, celui qui m’a envoyé, c’est le Seigneur, c’est Jésus qui t’est apparu sur le chemin par lequel tu venais. Ainsi, tu vas retrouver la vue, et tu seras rempli d’Esprit Saint.» Aussitôt tombèrent de ses yeux comme des écailles, et il retrouva la vue. Il se leva, puis il fut baptisé. Alors il prit de la nourriture et les forces lui revinrent. Il passa quelques jours à Damas avec les disciples et, sans plus attendre, il proclamait Jésus dans les synagogues, affirmant que celui-ci est le Fils de Dieu. Tous ceux qui écoutaient étaient stupéfaits et disaient : « N’est-ce pas lui qui, à Jérusalem, s’acharnait contre ceux qui invoquent ce nom-là, et n’est-il pas venu ici afin de les ramener enchaînés chez les grands prêtres ? » Mais Saul, avec une force de plus en plus grande, réfutait les Juifs qui habitaient Damas, en démontrant que Jésus est le Christ.
Psaume 116, 1-2
R/ Allez dans le monde entier proclamez l’Évangile (Mc 16,15)
1. Louez le Seigneur, tous les peuples; fêtez-le, tous les pays !
2. Son amour envers nous s’est montré le plus fort ; éternelle est la fidélité du Seigneur !
Acclamation
Alléluia.C’est moi qui vous ai choisis et établis, afin que vous alliez, que vous portiez du fruit, et que votre fruit demeure. Alléluia Alléluia.(cf. Jn 15 ; 16)
Évangile : Marc 16, 15-18
Jésus ressuscité dit aux onze apôtres : « Allez dans le monde entier. Proclamez l’Évangile à toute la création. Celui qui croira et sera baptisé sera sauvé ; celui qui refusera de croire sera condamné. Voici les signes qui accompagneront ceux qui deviendront croyants : en mon nom, ils expulseront les démons; ils parleront en langues nouvelles; ils prendront des serpents dans leurs mains et, s’ils boivent un poison mortel, il ne leur fera pas de mal ; ils imposeront les mains aux malades, et les malades s’en trouveront bien. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Que ton Esprit, Seigneur notre Dieu, nous donne, dans cette eucharistie, la lumière de la foi qui éclairait l’Apôtre Paul quand il annonçait ta gloire aux nations païennes. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« Je vis dans la foi au Fils de Dieu qui m’a aimé et qui s’est livré pour moi »
Prière après la communion
Que cette communion, Seigneur notre Dieu, entretienne en nous la charité qui brûlait au cœur de l’Apôtre Paul et lui donnait un souci passionné de toutes les Églises. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Sur le chemin de Damas, Paul fait la rencontre personnelle avec le Ressuscité. Cette rencontre l’a totalement bouleversé et transformé. La conversion véritable est cette rencontre personnelle avec Jésus-Christ, le Ressuscité ; une rencontre transformatrice, une rencontre qui change tout, bouleverse tout en nous et surtout, nous met sur la route de la mission et du témoignage. Toute conversion est vocation, car elle constitue à un appel du Christ pour une mission. Il ne saurait avoir de conversion réelle sans apostolat, sans engagement missionnaire. C’est pourquoi, dans l’évangile, Jésus ressuscité, avant d’être « enlevé au ciel » envoie ses apôtres en mission en leur donnant des instructions précises : la proclamation de la Bonne Nouvelle à tous, l’administration du baptême à ceux qui auront cru. L’annonce de la Bonne Nouvelle doit conduire à la conversion, à la foi et au baptême.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 24, 2019 | Evangelium
The conversion of St. Paul
FEAST
Saul, the young man who looked after the cloaks of the men who were stoning St Stephen, grew into a dedicated and efficient persecutor of Christians. Today’s feast celebrates the day that Christ appeared to him in a vision as he was on the way to Damascus, reproached him for his persecutions and converted him to the true faith.
White
Entrance Antiphon : 2 Tim 1: 12; 4: 8
I know the one in whom I have believed and I am sure that he, the just judge, the mighty, will keep safe what is my due until that day.
Collect
O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, draw us, we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world. 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 : Acts 22:3-16
Paul said to the people, ‘I am a Jew and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you are today. I even persecuted this Way to the death, and sent women as well as men to prison in chains as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify, since they even sent me with letters to their brothers in Damascus. When I set off it was with the intention of bringing prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment. ‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.” The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, “Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my companions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus. ‘Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all mankind, testifying to what you have seen and heard. And now why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking his name.”’
Psalm 116 (117):1-2
R/ Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
1. O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!
2. Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever.
Gospel Acclamation : cf. Jn 15:16
Alleluia, alleluia!I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 16:15-18
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
Prayer over the Offerings
As we celebrate the divine mysteries, O Lord, we pray, may the Spirit fill us with that light of faith with which he constantly enlightened the blessed Apostle Paul for the spreading of your glory. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Gal 2: 20
I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, stir up in us that fire of charity with which the blessed Apostle Paul burned ardently as he bore his concern for all the Churches. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The conversion of St. Paul is an event of great significance in the history of the Church, because through this act, God gave to the Church one of her greatest missionaries. Paul stands out in his faithfulness to the command which Jesus gave to the Church after his resurrection: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.” In obedience to this command, he spread the Gospel all over the Eastern Mediterranean and in Rome. Through his letters, he continues to evangelise today. In a very special way, he reminds us that the Church is missionary by her very essence. We have a duty to preach the Good News, to make Jesus known wherever we find ourselves. May he obtain for us the grace to preach the crucified Christ by our words and our actions.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 23, 2019 | Evangelium
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor, (1567 – 1622)
St Francis is the patron saint of writers and journalists, who would do well to imitate his love and his moderation: as he said, “Whoever wants to preach effectively must preach with love.”
White
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.
Collect
O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbour. 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 7:25-8:6
The power of Jesus to save is utterly certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him. To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up above the heavens; one who would not need to offer sacrifices every day, as the other high priests do for their own sins and then for those of the people, because he has done this once and for all by offering himself. The Law appoints high priests who are men subject to weakness; but the promise on oath, which came after the Law, appointed the Son who is made perfect for ever. The great point of all that we have said is that we have a high priest of exactly this kind. He has his place at the right of the throne of divine Majesty in the heavens, and he is the minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tent of Meeting which the Lord, and not any man, set up. It is the duty of every high priest to offer gifts and sacrifices, and so this one too must have something to offer. In fact, if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are others who make the offerings laid down by the Law and these only maintain the service of a model or a reflection of the heavenly realities. For Moses, when he had the Tent to build, was warned by God who said: See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. We have seen that he has been given a ministry of a far higher order, and to the same degree it is a better covenant of which he is the mediator, founded on better promises.
Psalm 39 (40):7-10,17
R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
1. You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, here am I.
2. In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart.
3. Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord.
4.O let there be rejoicing and gladness for all who seek you. Let them ever say: ‘The Lord is great’, who love your saving help.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn6:63,68
Alleluia, alleluia!Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life; you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
Prayer over the Offerings
Through this saving sacrifice which we offer you, O Lord, kindle in our hearts that divine fire of the Holy Spirit with which you wonderfully inflamed the most gentle soul of Saint Francis de Sales. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Cf. Lk 12: 42
Behold a faithful and prudent steward to give them their allowance of food at the proper time.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that through the Sacrament we have received, we may imitate on earth the charity and meekness of Saint Francis de Sales and so attain like him the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Crowds flock to Jesus to receive his healing. They go to him because they see that he has the power to deliver them from their suffering and solve their problems. But it is the same crowd that will shout later, “Crucify him!” How can we explain such a change of attitude towards Jesus? It can only mean that these people, for the most part, were only interested in the miraculous power of Jesus and his ability to solve their immediate worries. They had no real faith in him. We too are like them. Jesus interests us insofar as he can solve our problems. We pray to him only when we have difficulties; we hawk for churches where we can obtain miracles. May we, like the psalmist, go to Jesus not just to ask for healing and solutions, but more especially to submit ourselves to his will and to obey his commandments.
