by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 20, 2019 | Evangelium
SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
As with so many of the early Roman martyrs, very little is now known about Agnes’ life. Agnes was filled with the love of God from an early age, vowed herself to celibacy, and when the opportunity of martyrdom arose, she did not hide away but stepped forward and took it.
Red
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who choose what is weak in the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of your Martyr Saint Agnes, may follow her constancy in the faith. 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 5:1-10
Every high priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; and so he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or uncertain because he too lives in the limitations of weakness. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honour on himself, but each one is called by God, as Aaron was. Nor did Christ give himself the glory of becoming high priest, but he had it from the one who said to him: You are my son, today I have become your father, and in another text: You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation and was acclaimed by God with the title of high priest of the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 109 (110) :1-4
R/ You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.
1.The Lord’s revelation to my Master: ‘Sit on my right: your foes I will put beneath your feet.’
2.The Lord will wield from Zion your sceptre of power: rule in the midst of all your foes.
3.A prince from the day of your birth on the holy mountains; from the womb before the dawn I begot you.
4.The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change. ‘You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.’
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 2:18-22
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offerings we bring in celebration of saint Agnes win your gracious acceptance, O Lord, we pray, just as the struggle of her suffering and passion was pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Rv 7: 17
The Lamb who is at the center of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who bestowed on saint Agnes a crown among the Saints for her twofold triumph of virginity and martyrdom, grant, we pray, through the power of this Sacrament, that, bravely overcoming every evil, we may attain the glory of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Christianity is a religion of joy. We Christians should be joyful people, because we have been saved from sin and death and made children of God. We therefore have no reason to be sad. We are united to God through Jesus; why then should we be sad? This is why Jesus says that the guests at a wedding feast do not fast when the groom is with them. Jesus, our groom is with us! But our groom is no longer physically present with us in this world. He has been taken away from us; he is with us in spirit, not in the body. We long for the day when he will come again and we will be united to him forever. For this reason, during our earthly lives we fast. Our fasting and other acts of piety should therefore take on a new meaning; they should help us to overcome all that separate us from God and make us love our neighbour more and more. They should take us closer to Jesus and hasten the coming of his kingdom, so that when he comes again our happiness will be complete.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 19, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
2èmeDimanche temps ordinaire Année C
Saint Fabien, pape et martyr
Psautier II
Vert
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 : Isaïe 62, 1-5
Pour la cause de Sion, je ne me tairai pas, et pour Jérusalem, je n’aurai de cesse que sa justice ne paraisse dans la clarté, et son salut comme une torche qui brûle. Et les nations verront ta justice ; tous les rois verront ta gloire. On te nommera d’un nom nouveau que la bouche du Seigneur dictera. Tu seras une couronne brillante dans la main du Seigneur, un diadème royal entre les doigts de ton Dieu. On ne te dira plus: « Délaissée ! » À ton pays, nul ne dira: «Désolation ! » Toi, tu seras appelée « Ma Préférence », cette terre se nommera « L’Épousée ». Car le Seigneur t’a préférée, et cette terre deviendra « L’Épousée ». Comme un jeune homme épouse une vierge, ton Bâtisseur t’épousera. Comme la jeune mariée fait la joie de son mari, tu seras la joie de ton Dieu.
Psaume 95 ;1-3, 7-10
R/ Proclamez les merveilles du Seigneur parmi toutes les nations
1. Chantez au Seigneur un chant nouveau, Chantez au Seigneur, terre entière, Chantez au Seigneur et bénissez son nom
2. Racontez à tous les peuples sa gloire, Allez dire aux nations : « le Seigneur est roi ! » Il gouverne les peuples avec droiture.
3. Joie au ciel ! Exulte la terre ! les masses de la mer mugissent, la campagne tout entière est en fête.
4. Les arbres des forêts dansent de joie devant la face du Seigneur, car il vient, car il vient pour juger la terre.
Deuxième lecture : 1Co 12 ; 4-11
Frères les dons de la grâce sont variés, mais c’est le même Esprit. Les services sont variés, mais c’est le même Seigneur. Les activités sont variées, mais c’est le même Dieu qui agit en tout et en tous. À chacun est donnée la manifestation de l’Esprit en vue du bien. À celui-ci est donnée, par l’Esprit, une parole de sagesse ; à un autre, une parole de connaissance, selon le même Esprit; un autre reçoit, dans le même Esprit, un don de foi ; un autre encore, dans l’unique Esprit, des dons de guérison ; à un autre est donné d’opérer des miracles, à un autre de prophétiser, à un autre de discerner les inspirations ; à l’un, de parler diverses langues mystérieuses ; à l’autre, de les interpréter. Mais celui qui agit en tout cela, c’est l’unique et même Esprit : il distribue ses dons, comme il le veut, à chacun en particulier.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Dieu vous a appelés par notre proclamation de l’Évangile, pour que vous entriez en possession de la gloire de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ. Alléluia.(cf.2 Th 2 ; 14)
Évangile: Jean 2 ; 1-11
En ce temps-là, il y eut un mariage à Cana de Galilée. La mère de Jésus était là. Jésus aussi avait été invité au mariage avec ses disciples. Or, on manqua de vin. La mère de Jésus lui dit : « Ils n’ont pas de vin. » Jésus lui répond : « Femme, que me veux-tu? Mon heure n’est pas encore venue. » Sa mère dit à ceux qui servaient: « Tout ce qu’il vous dira, faites-le. » Or, il y avait là six jarres de pierre pour les purifications rituelles des Juifs; chacune contenait deux à trois mesures, (c’est-à-dire environ cent litres). Jésus dit à ceux qui servaient : « Remplissez d’eau les jarres. » Et ils les remplirent jusqu’au bord. Il leur dit : « Maintenant, puisez, et portez-en au maître du repas. » Ils lui en portèrent. Et celui-ci goûta l’eau changée en vin. Il ne savait pas d’où venait ce vin, mais ceux qui servaient le savaient bien, eux qui avaient puisé l’eau. Alors le maître du repas appelle le marié et lui dit : « Tout le monde sert le bon vin en premier et, lorsque les gens ont bien bu, on apporte le moins bon. Mais toi, tu as gardé le bon vin jusqu’à maintenant. » Tel fut le commencement des signes que Jésus accomplit. C’était à Cana de Galilée. Il manifesta sa gloire, et ses disciples crurent en lui.
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
C’est aux noces de Cana que Jésus accomplit son premier miracle. Ce récit donne l’essentiel de ce que sera la vie du Fils de Dieu au milieu de l’humanité. Une vie toute donnée pour le bonheur et le salut de toute l’humanité. Par son Incarnation, non seulement Jésus épouse l’humanité, mais il la fait participer à sa mission salvatrice. Jésus aurait pu opérer son miracle sans impliquer ses disciples. Nous sommes invités à collaborer à l’œuvre de salut. Saint Augustin dit à cet effet que si Dieu nous a créés sans nous, il ne peut pas nous sauver sans nous. L’eau que les disciples remplissent constitue leur apport, leur effort et traduit leur bonne volonté, leur adhésion. C’est justement cela la foi : la ferme adhésion à la Parole de Dieu. Notre action ou notre participation à l’œuvre salvifique, quoique modeste, reste nécessaire.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 19, 2019 | Evangelium
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Psalter II
Pope St. Fabien (-250)
Green
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 65: 4
All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Isaiah 62:1-5
About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I will not grow weary, until her integrity shines out like the dawn and her salvation flames like a torch. The nations then will see your integrity, all the kings your glory, and you will be called by a new name, one which the mouth of the Lord will confer. You are to be a crown of splendour in the hand of the Lord, a princely diadem in the hand of your God; no longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken’, nor your land ‘Abandoned’, but you shall be called ‘My Delight’ and your land ‘The edded’; for the Lord takes delight in you and your land will have its wedding. Like a young man marrying a virgin, so will the one who built you wed you, and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.
Psalm 95 (96) :1-3,7-10
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.Worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him. Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’ He will judge the peoples in fairness.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given him by the Spirit; another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the same Spirit; and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit; another again the gift of healing, through this one Spirit; one, the power of miracles; another, prophecy; another the gift of recognising spirits; another the gift of tongues and another the ability to interpret them. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.
Gospel Acclamation : 1S 3:9, Jn 6:68
Alleluia, alleluia!Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 2:1-11
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said; ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’ This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 22: 5
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
Prayer after Communion
Pour on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this one heavenly Bread one in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Our readings today give us a message of hope. When we look at our lives today, we have many reasons to be discouraged. The difficulties we face in our lives, coupled with the injustice and lack of love which we witness in our society, can make us think that we have nothing to live for. God invites us not to give in to despair, but to trust in his capacity to change all things for the better. Jesus is an embodiment of this hope. In today’s Gospel, he steps in to salvage a situation that could have been catastrophic; at the moment when the wedding feast could have become a big embarrassment, he performed a sign to put a smile on the faces of the people present. He can intervene in the same way in our world and in our lives to make a change when all seems to be lost. Let us believe in him, like his disciples did, and count on him in every situation. With Jesus, there is always hope, even when all hope seems to be lost.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 19, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Henri
D’origine anglaise il accompagna Nicolas Breakspear le futur pape Adrien V en Suède où il fut évêque d’Uppsala en 1152 ; Soutenu par le roi saint Éric IX, il l’accompagna en Finlande où il fut tué à Abo-Turku par un opposant à la réforme qu’il entreprenait dans cette Église. Il fut canonisé en 1158 par la voix populaire. Considéré comme un martyr, il est patron de la Finlande.
Vert
ntienne d’ouverture Mt 3, 16-17
Portons notre regard vers l’homme à qui le ciel est donné pour trône ; la foule des anges l’adore en chantant d’une seule voix : « Voici Celui dont le pouvoir subsiste pour les siècles ».
Prière d’ouverture
Aux appels de ton peuple en prière, réponds, Seigneur, en ta bonté : Donne à chacun la claire vision de ce qu’il doit faire et la force de l’accomplir. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Hébreux 4, 12-16
Frères, elle est vivante, la parole de Dieu, énergique et plus coupante qu’une épée à deux tranchants ; elle va jusqu’au point de partage de l’âme et de l’esprit, des jointures et des moelles ; elle juge des intentions et des pensées du cœur. Pas une créature n’échappe à ses yeux, tout est nu devant elle, soumis à son regard ; nous aurons à lui rendre des comptes. En Jésus, le Fils de Dieu, nous avons le grand prêtre par excellence, celui qui a traversé les cieux ; tenons donc ferme l’affirmation de notre foi. En effet, nous n’avons pas un grand prêtre incapable de compatir à nos faiblesses, mais un grand prêtre éprouvé en toutes choses, à notre ressemblance, excepté le péché. Avançons-nous donc avec assurance vers le Trône de la grâce, pour obtenir miséricorde et recevoir, en temps voulu, la grâce de son secours.
Psaume 18, 8-10. 15
R/ Tes paroles, Seigneur, sont esprit et elles sont vie
1. La loi du Seigneur est parfaite, qui redonne vie ; la charte du Seigneur est sûre, Qui rend sage les simples.
2. Les préceptes du Seigneur sont droits, ils réjouissent le Cœur ; le commandement du Seigneur est limpide, il clarifie le regard.
3. La crainte qu’il inspire est proche, elle est là pour toujours ; les décisions du Seigneur sont justes et vraiment équitables.
4. Accueil les paroles de ma bouche, le murmure de mon Cœur ; Qu’il parvienne devant toi, Seigneur, mon rocher, mon défenseur.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.Le Seigneur m’a envoyé porter la Bonne Nouvelle aux pauvres, annoncer aux captifs leur libération » Alléluia.(Cf. Lc 4,17)
Évangile: Marc 2,13-17
En ce temps-là, Jésus sortit de nouveau le long de la mer ; toute la foule venait à lui, et il les enseignait. En passant, il aperçut Lévi, fils d’Alphée, assis au bureau des impôts. Il lui dit : « Suis-moi. » L’homme se leva et le suivit. Comme Jésus était à table dans la maison de Lévi, beaucoup de publicains (c’est-à-dire des collecteurs d’impôts) et beaucoup de pécheurs vinrent prendre place avec Jésus et ses disciples, car ils étaient nombreux à le suivre. Les scribes du groupe des pharisiens, voyant qu’il mangeait avec les pécheurs et les publicains, disaient à ses disciples : « Comment! Il mange avec les publicains et les pécheurs ! » Jésus, qui avait entendu, leur déclara : « Ce ne sont pas les gens bien portants qui ont besoin du médecin, mais les malades. Je ne suis pas venu appeler des justes, mais des pécheurs. »
Père sur les offrandes
Daigne accepter, Seigneur, l’offrande de ton peuple : Qu’elle contribue à le sanctifier et lui obtienne ce qu’il demande avec confiance. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion: Ps 35, 10
De toi, Seigneur, jaillit la vie, dans ta lumière, nous voyons la lumière.
Prière après la communion
Nous t’en supplions, Dieu tout-puissant: Toi qui refais nos forces par tes sacrements, donne-nous aussi de pouvoir te servir par une vie qui te plaise. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
Jésus ne nous appelle pas du fait de nos mérites. Bien au contraire, nos faiblesses ou nos infirmités constituent des lieux de rencontre avec le Seigneur. Dieu ne nous appelle pas parce que nous sommes saints, mais parce qu’il veut faire de nous des saints. « Soyez donc parfaits comme votre Père céleste est parfait» (Mt 5, 48). Notre vocation en tant que baptisé consiste à cheminer vers la perfection ou la sainteté et ceci, quelle que soit notre vie passée ou présente. Le salut est offert à tous, même aux pécheurs les plus endurcis. Le Seigneur regarde non pas les apparences, mais notre cœur. Il ne nous enferme pas dans des clichés et les préjugés. Plutôt que de juger et d’exclure les autres à cause de leurs péchés, nous avons la responsabilité et le devoir de les approcher et même de les fréquenter pour leur manifester la miséricorde de Dieu.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 18, 2019 | Evangelium
St. Fillan
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Fillan, son of Feriach was also known as Foelan. Extravagant miracles attributed to him, such as the one in which his prayers caused a wolf that had killed the ox he was using to drag materials to the church he was building. Fillan died on January 19.
Green
Entrance Antiphon
Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal.
Collect
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. 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 4:12-16
The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finely: it can slip through the place where the soul is divided from the spirit, or joints from the marrow; it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing can hide from him; everything is uncovered and open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves. Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
Psalm 18 (19) :8-10,15
R/ Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.
1.The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple.
2.The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes.
3.The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just.
4.May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favour in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock!
Gospel Acclamation : Ps 118:36, 29
Alleluia, alleluia! Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 2:13-17
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May your people’s oblation, O Lord, find favour with you, we pray, that it may restore them to holiness and obtain what they devoutly entreat. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 35: 10
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.
Prayer after Communion
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“The word of God is something alive and active.” “Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.” To say that the word of God is alive and active, or to say that the word of God is life, is to say that this word brings about change. It has a transforming power; it produces concrete results in the life of the person who listens to it and acts according to it. The case of Levi, better known as Matthew, is a shining example. He heard just two words from the mouth of Jesus: “Follow me,” and his life changed dramatically. He abandoned a life of cheating and extortion and became a follower of Jesus, and later he wrote one of the Gospels which we read today. Let us allow the word of God to transform us in a similar way. Let us read it, listen to it, and meditate on it day and night. Let us make it the light that guides our footsteps, the compass that points the way for us through the ocean of life. It will purify and transform our lives and bring us the true happiness we all seek, and which God alone can give.
