by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 6, 2019 | Evangelium
St Raymond of Peñafort
(c.1175 – 1275)
Psalter Week II
St Raymond of Peñafort (c.1175 – 1275) was a Spanish Dominican friar in the 13th-century, who compiled a collection of canon laws that remained a major part of Church law until the 20th century. He is the patron saint of lawyers, especially canon lawyers.
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Entrance Antiphon
A holy day has dawned upon us: Come, you nations, and adore the Lord, for a great light has come down upon the earth.
Collect
O God, whose eternal Word adorns the face of the heavens yet accepted from the Virgin Mary the frailty of our flesh, grant, we pray, that he who appeared among us as the splendour of truth may go forth in the fullness of power for the redemption of the world. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 3:22-4:6
Whatever we ask God, we shall receive, because we keep his commandments and live the kind of life that he wants. His commandments are these: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another as he told us to. Whoever keeps his commandments lives in God and God lives in him. We know that he lives in us by the Spirit that he has given us. It is not every spirit, my dear people, that you can trust; test them, to see if they come from God, there are many false prophets, now, in the world. You can tell the spirits that come from God by this: every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus the Christ has come in the flesh is from God; but any spirit which will not say this of Jesus is not from God, but is the spirit of Antichrist, whose coming you were warned about. Well, now he is here, in the world. Children, you have already overcome these false prophets, because you are from God and you have in you one who is greater than anyone in this world; as for them, they are of the world, and so they speak the language of the world and the world listens to them. But we are children of God, and those who know God listen to us; those who are not of God refuse to listen to us. This is how we can tell the spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood.
Psalm 2:7-8,10-11
R/ I will give you the nations for your heritage.
1. The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession.’
2. Now, O kings, understand, take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe and trembling, pay him your homage.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt4:16
Alleluia, alleluia!The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17,23-25
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive our oblation, O Lord, by which is brought about a glorious exchange, that, by offering what you have given, we may merit to receive your very self. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Jn. 1: 14
We have seen his glory, the glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with grace and truth.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, by the power of these holy mysteries, our life may be constantly sustained. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Why did Jesus not begin his ministry in Nazareth, his hometown? Charity begins at home, we often say. But he left his hometown. Moreover, he went to begin his ministry in Galilee, which was a Gentile town. He left his family, he left the Jews who were his fellow people and who were convinced that they were the Chosen People, and he went to those whom the Jews despised and rejected. Herein lies an important lesson; Jesus’ message of conversion concerns our attitudes towards the people we meet. Jesus wants us to change the way we look at and relate to the people we meet. He is inviting us to stop paying attention only to the people we get along with, who belong to the same social or professional milieu as us. He wants us to leave these comfort zones and to reach out, like him, to those whom society rejects, to those we would rather avoid. He invites us to reach out to these people, so that through us they too can experience his light.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 6, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Raymond de Penyafort, Prêtre Dominicain Catalan (1175-1275)
Maître général des Dominicains. Il fut l’un des grands maîtres de la théologie morale et du droit canonique. Il rédige, à la demande du pape Grégoire IX, une « Somme des cas pénitentiaux » et les « Décrétales » qui serviront de Code de Droit canonique à l’Église jusqu’en 1917. Il fut canonisé en 1601 par Clément VIII
Blanc
Antienne d’ouverture
Un jour très saint, a brillé à nos yeux: que toutes les nations viennent, qu’elles adorent le Seigneur : une grande lumière est descendue sur la terre.
Prière d’ouverture
Seigneur, nous t’en prions, éclaire nos cœurs de ta lumière souveraine: nous trouverons alors la force d’avancer dans un monde obscur pour atteindre le pays du jour sans déclin.
Première lecture : Jean 3, 22 – 4, 6
Bien-aimés, quoi que nous demandions à Dieu, nous le recevons de lui, parce que nous gardons ses commandements, et que nous faisons ce qui est agréable à ses yeux. Or, voici son commandement: mettre notre foi dans le nom de son Fils Jésus Christ, et nous aimer les uns les autres comme il nous l’a commandé. Celui qui garde ses commandements demeure en Dieu, et Dieu en lui ; et voilà comment nous reconnaissons qu’il demeure en nous, puisqu’il nous a donné part à son Esprit. Bien-aimés, ne vous fiez pas à n’importe quelle inspiration, mais examinez les esprits pour voir s’ils sont de Dieu, car beaucoup de faux prophètes se sont répandus dans le monde. Voici comment vous reconnaîtrez l’Esprit de Dieu : tout esprit qui proclame que Jésus Christ est venu dans la chair, celui-là est de Dieu. Tout esprit qui refuse de proclamer Jésus, celui-là n’est pas de Dieu : c’est l’esprit de l’anti-Christ, dont on vous a annoncé la venue et qui, dès maintenant, est déjà dans le monde. Vous, petits enfants, vous êtes de Dieu, et vous avez vaincu ces gens-là ; car Celui qui est en vous est plus grand que celui qui est dans le monde. Eux, ils sont du monde ; voilà pourquoi ils parlent le langage du monde, et le monde les écoute. Nous, nous sommes de Dieu; celui qui connaît Dieu nous écoute ; celui qui n’est pas de Dieu ne nous écoute pas. C’est ainsi que nous reconnaissons l’esprit de la vérité et l’esprit de l’erreur.
Psaume 2, 7bc-8, 10-11
R/ Tu es mon fils ; je te donne en héritage les nations. cf. 2, 7b.8a
1. Le Seigneur m’a dit : « Tu es mon fils; moi, aujourd’hui, je t’ai engendré. Demande, et je te donne en héritage les nations, pour domaine la terre tout entière. »
2. Maintenant, rois, comprenez, reprenez-vous, juges de la terre. Servez le Seigneur avec crainte, rendez-lui votre hommage en tremblant.
Acclamation
Alléluia, Alléluia.Jésus proclamait l’Évangile du Royaume, et guérissait toute maladie dans le peuple. Alléluia.(cf. Mt 4, 23)
Évangile: Mathieu 4, 12-17.23-25
En ce temps-là, quand Jésus apprit l’arrestation de Jean le Baptiste, il se retira en Galilée. Il quitta Nazareth et vint habiter à Capharnaüm, ville située au bord de la mer de Galilée, dans les territoires de Zabulon et de Nephtali. C’était pour que soit accomplie la parole prononcée par le prophète Isaïe : Pays de Zabulon et pays de Nephtali, route de la mer et pays au-delà du Jourdain, Galilée des nations! Le peuple qui habitait dans les ténèbres a vu une grande lumière. Sur ceux qui habitaient dans le pays et l’ombre de la mort, une lumière s’est levée. À partir de ce moment, Jésus commença à proclamer : « Convertissez-vous, car le royaume des Cieux est tout proche. » Jésus parcourait toute la Galilée ; il enseignait dans leurs synagogues, proclamait l’Évangile du Royaume, guérissait toute maladie et toute infirmité dans le peuple. Sa renommée se répandit dans toute la Syrie. On lui amena tous ceux qui souffraient, atteints de maladies et de tourments de toutes sortes : possédés, épileptiques, paralysés. Et il les guérit. De grandes foules le suivirent, venues de la Galilée, de la Décapole, de Jérusalem, de la Judée, et de l’autre côté du Jourdain.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur notre Dieu, ce que nous présentons pour cette eucharistie où s’accomplit un admirable échange : En offrant ce que tu nous as donné, puissions-nous te recevoir toi-même. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Jn 1, 14
Nous avons vu la gloire du Verbe fait chair, la gloire qu’il tient de son Père comme Fils unique, plein de grâce et de vérité
Prière après la communion
Dieu tout-puissant, nous t’en prions: fais que la communion à tes mystères sacrés soutienne constamment notre vie. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
L’installation de Jésus à Capharnaüm, ville située dans la région de la Galilée est d’une portée symbolique inouïe. Galilée en hébreu signifie «carrefour des nations » (Is 8, 23). La Galilée était une région de brassage culturel, où Juifs et païens venant de différentes régions se côtoyaient, sans forcément s’apprécier. Le choix de Jésus d’inaugurer sa prédication en Galilée exprime son ouverture missionnaire. C’est à toutes les nations que Jésus apporte le salut. La mission constitue le fondement de l’Église. L’Église n’existe que parce qu’elle est missionnaire. C’est pourquoi, comme nous le rappelle le Pape François, nous sommes invités à aller aux «périphéries». Où se trouve la périphérie ou la «Galilée » vers laquelle je suis appelé à aller ? Ma Galilée peut être un lieu géographique mais aussi toute autre situation existentielle personnelle qui me répugne ou que je redoute d’affronter.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 5, 2019 | Evangelium
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Solemnity, PSALTER PROPER
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Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Mal 3: 1; 1 Chr 29:12
Behold, the Lord, the Mighty One, has come; and kingship is in his grasp, and power and dominion.
Collect
O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy, that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory. 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 60:1-6
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. Above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears. The nations come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness. Lift up your eyes and look around: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away and your daughters being tenderly carried. At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart throbbing and full; since the riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations come to you; camels in throngs will cover you, and dromedaries of Midian and Ephab; everyone in Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing the praise of the Lord.
Psalm 71 (72) :1-2.7-8.10-13
R/ All the nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
1.O God, give your judgement to the king, to a king’s son your justice, that he may judge your people in justice, and your poor in tight judgement.
2.In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea, from the Great Sea to earth’s bounds.
3.The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts, shall pay him tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba, shall bring him gifts. Before him all kings shall fall prostrate, all nations shall serve him.
4.For he shall save the people when they cry, and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak, and save the lives of the poor.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 2:2
Alleluia, alleluia!We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him, ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel. ‘Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look with favour, Lord, we pray, on these gifts of your Church, in which are offered now not gold or frankincense or myrrh, but he who by them is proclaimed, sacrificed and received, Jesus Christ. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Mt 2: 2
We have seen his star in the East, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Go before us with heavenly light, O Lord, always and everywhere, that we may perceive with clear sight and revere with true affection the mystery in which you have willed us to participate. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
On Christmas Day, we celebrated the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; today, we celebrate his manifestation to the world. On Christmas Day, we welcomed the one whose coming was predicted by the prophets to Israel; today, we learn that this Messiah did not come only for the Jews or any particular group of people, but for all of humanity. Isaiah tells the people of Jerusalem that the glory of the Lord will shine in their city and will attract people from every nation. This means that God’s glory is not reserved for the Israelites alone. Paul says the same thing to the Ephesians: the pagans have received the same promise of eternal life as the Jews. The pagans are represented by the three wise men, who are guided by the star to Jesus and who pay him homage. Jesus is the light of the world, and his light shines on everybody, regardless of race or origin. All those who believe in him will inherit the gifts he has brought for mankind. The light of the star which guided the wise men to him is the light of the Gospel; let us all follow this light and let it lead us to the Saviour of the world.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 5, 2019 | Agenda Biblique
L’Épiphanie du Seigneur – Année C, Psautier Propre
Balthazar, Gaspard, Melchior
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ntienne d’ouverture : Ml 3, 1; 1 Ch. 19, 12
Voici venir le Seigneur souverain ; il tient en main la royauté, la puissance et l’empire.
Prière d’ouverture
Aujourd’hui, Seigneur, tu as révélé ton Fils unique aux nations, grâce à l’étoile qui les guidait ; Daigne nous accorder, à nous qui te connaissons déjà par la foi, d’être conduits jusqu’à la claire vision de ta splendeur. Par Jésus Christ.
Première lecture : Is 60, 1-6
Debout, Jérusalem, resplendis ! Elle est venue, ta lumière, et la gloire du Seigneur s’est levée sur toi. Voici que les ténèbres couvrent la terre, et la nuée obscure couvre les peuples. Mais sur toi se lève le Seigneur, sur toi sa gloire apparaît. Les nations marcheront vers ta lumière, et les rois, vers la clarté de ton aurore. Lève les yeux alentour, et regarde tous, ils se rassemblent, ils viennent vers toi ; tes fils reviennent de loin, et tes filles sont portées sur la hanche. Alors tu verras, tu seras radieuse, ton cœur frémira et se dilatera. Les trésors d’au-delà des mers afflueront vers toi, vers toi viendront les richesses des nations. En grand nombre, des chameaux t’envahiront, de jeunes chameaux de Madiane et d’Épha. Tous les gens de Saba viendront, apportant l’or et l’encens ; ils annonceront les exploits du Seigneur.
Psaume 71 (72)
R/ Toutes les nations, Seigneur, se prosterneront devant toi. (cf. Ps 71,11)
1.Dieu, donne au roi tes pouvoirs, à ce fils de roi ta justice. Qu’il gouverne ton peuple avec justice, qu’il fasse droit aux malheureux
2.En ces jours-là, fleurira la justice, grande paix jusqu’à la fin des lunes ! Qu’il domine de la mer à la mer, et du Fleuve jusqu’au bout de la terre !
3.Les rois de Tarsis et des Îles apporteront des présents. Les rois de Saba et de Seba feront leur offrande. Tous les rois se prosterneront devant lui, tous les pays le serviront.
4.Il délivrera le pauvre qui appelle et le malheureux sans recours. Il aura souci du faible et du pauvre, du pauvre dont il sauve la vie.
Deuxième lecture : Eph 3, 2-3a.5-6
Frères, vous avez appris, je pense, en quoi consiste la grâce que Dieu m’a donnée pour vous : par révélation, il m’a fait connaître le mystère. Ce mystère n’avait pas été porté à la connaissance des hommes des générations passées, comme il a été révélé maintenant à ses saints Apôtres et aux prophètes, dans l’Esprit. Ce mystère, c’est que toutes les nations sont associées au même héritage, au même corps, au partage de la même promesse, dans le Christ Jésus, par l’annonce de l’Évangile.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia.Nous avons vu son étoile à l’orient, et nous sommes venus adorer le Seigneur. Alléluia.(cf. Mt 2, 2)
Évangile : Mt 2, 1-12
Jésus était né à Bethléem en Judée, au temps du roi Hérode le Grand. Or, voici que des mages venus d’Orient arrivèrent à Jérusalem et demandèrent : «Où est le roi des Juifs qui vient de naître ? Nous avons vu son étoile à l’orient et nous sommes venus nous prosterner devant lui. » En apprenant cela, le roi Hérode fut bouleversé, et tout Jérusalem avec lui. Il réunit tous les grands prêtres et les scribes du peuple, pour leur demander où devait naître le Christ. Ils lui répondirent: « À Bethléem en Judée, car voici ce qui est écrit par le prophète : Et toi, Bethléem, terre de Juda, tu n’es certes pas le dernier parmi les chefs-lieux de Juda, car de toi sortira un chef, qui sera le berger de mon peuple Israël. » Alors Hérode convoqua les mages en secret pour leur faire préciser à quelle date l’étoile était apparue ; puis il les envoya à Bethléem, en leur disant : «Allez-vous renseigner avec précision sur l’enfant. Et quand vous l’aurez trouvé, venez me l’annoncer pour que j’aille, moi aussi, me prosterner devant lui. » Après avoir entendu le roi, ils partirent. Et voici que l’étoile qu’ils avaient vue à l’orient les précédait, jusqu’à ce qu’elle vienne s’arrêter au-dessus de l’endroit où se trouvait l’enfant. Quand ils virent l’étoile, ils se réjouirent d’une très grande joie. Ils entrèrent dans la maison, ils virent l’enfant avec Marie sa mère ; et, tombant à ses pieds, ils se prosternèrent devant lui. Ils ouvrirent leurs coffrets, et lui offrirent leurs présents : de l’or, de l’encens et de la myrrhe. Mais, avertis en songe de ne pas retourner chez Hérode, ils regagnèrent leur pays par un autre chemin.
Prière sur les offrandes
Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église qui ne t’offre plus ni l’or, ni l’encens, ni la myrrhe, Mais celui que ces présents révélaient, qui s’immole et se donne en nourriture : Jésus, le Christ, notre Seigneur. Lui qui.
Antienne de la communion : Mt 2, 2
Comme les mages guidés par l’étoile, nous sommes venus avec des présents adorer le Seigneur.
Prière après la communion
Que la clarté d’en haut, Seigneur, nous dirige en tous temps et en tous lieux, Et puisque tu nous fais communier à ce mystère, puissions-nous désormais le pénétrer d’un regard pur et l’accueillir dans un cœur plus aimant. Par Jésus.
MÉDITATION
L’Épiphanie désigne la fête de la manifestation de Jésus au monde, aux nations païennes. Cette fête nous aide à approfondir le mystère de l’Incarnation. S’il est vrai qu’à Noël, c’est Dieu qui vient à la rencontre de l’humanité, cette rencontre doit être dynamique et transformatrice. Autant le Seigneur vient à nous autant nous devons aller vers lui. Oui, même si c’est Lui qui nous trouve en premier, nous avons à chercher sans cesse Dieu. «Vous me chercherez et vous me trouverez, car vous me chercherez de tout votre cœur, je me laisserai trouver par vous» (Jr 29, 13). Pour rencontrer Jésus, nous devons nécessairement nous mettre en route, nous devons bouger, nous déplacer. Pas de rencontre véritable avec le Seigneur sans mouvement, sans déplacement. Suis-je capable, en ce temps de la Nativité, d’identifier concrètement ce qui a bougé en moi ?
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 4, 2019 | Evangelium
St. John Neumann,
This American saint was born in Bohemia in 1811. John was appointed bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Fluent in many languages, he was dedicated to helping the poor and most abandoned. John died on January 5, 1860 at the age of 48.
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Entrance Antiphon: Gal 4: 4-5
God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading 1 John 3:11-21
This is the message as you heard it from the beginning: that we are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brother’s throat; cut his brother’s throat simply for this reason, that his own life was evil and his brother lived a good life. You must not be surprised, brothers, when the world hates you; we have passed out of death and into life, and of this we can be sure because we love our brothers. If you refuse to love, you must remain dead; to hate your brother is to be a murderer, and murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them. This has taught us love –that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers. If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be living in him? My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence, whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything. My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence.
Psalm 99 100:1-5
R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
1. Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
2. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
3. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
4. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb 1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia!At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:43-51
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn. 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
After Andrew and Simon, Philip and Nathanael are the next to become followers of Jesus. They respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me.” They are able to see in Jesus something that they do not see in others. After meeting Jesus, Andrew told his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” Philip realises that Jesus is the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. Nathanael recognises Jesus as the Son of God and the king of Israel. Jesus invites us, just as he invited them, to follow him. And following Jesus means taking on a new life, a life driven by love. When we hate, when we are jealous, when we exploit, we destroy our brothers, just like Cain killed his brother. However, when we love, when we show concern and sympathy, when we show mercy and seek justice, we give life, just as Jesus gave life to us. Let us become followers of Jesus; let us love one another.
