by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 8, 2021 | Evangelium
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER:
Psalter II
Saint George Preca
(1880 – 1962)
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 48: 20
Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, almighty God, that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion these days of joy, which we keep in honour of the risen Lord, and that what we relive in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do. 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 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man after all!’ Then Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise,’ he said, ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.’ While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, ‘Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?’ He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.
Psalm 97(98):1-4
R/ The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.
3. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
Second reading: 1 John 4:7-10
My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 14:23
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 14: 15-16
If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
God’s love unites all people and this makes us all one family. In love, God grants the gifts of conversion and generously pours out the gifts of his Spirit on us. The family of Cornelius shows us this reality about God. It shows us that we are all God’s children, for God has no favourites. The blessing that Cornelius’ family received can be ours if we live in love, removing partiality in our lives as we learn to accommodate one another. When we practice justice, God takes control of our lives.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 7, 2021 | Evangelium
Blessed Catherine of Saint Augustine
(1632 – 1668)
White
She was born in 1632 in France. She entered the Augustinian Hospitaller Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus in 1644. She spent her life ministering to the poor and sick in Quebec, and died there at the age of 36.
Entrance Antiphon: Col 2: 12
You have been buried with Christ in Baptism, through which you also rose again by faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty and eternal God, who through the regenerating power of Baptism have been pleased to confer on us heavenly life, grant, we pray, that those you render capable of immortality by justifying them may by your guidance attain the fullness of 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: Acts 16:1-10
From Cilicia Paul went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra. Here there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess who had become a believer; but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy, and Paul, who wanted to have him as a travelling companion, had him circumcised. This was on account of the Jews in the locality where everyone knew his father was a Greek. As they visited one town after another, they passed on the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with instructions to respect them. So the churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers. They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia. When they reached the frontier of Mysia they thought to cross it into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas. One night Paul had a vision: a Macedonian appeared and appealed to him in these words, ‘Come across to Macedonia and help us.’ Once he had seen this vision we lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the Good News.
Psalm 99 (100):1-3, 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. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord, who hung for us upon the tree, has risen from the tomb. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will do all this, because they do not know the one who sent me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 17: 20-21
Father, I pray for them, that they may be one in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness, that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
As the life of Christ goes against worldly values, so also should be the life of Christians, who have made up their minds to follow and imitate Christ in doing good and standing for justice and truth. The Christian life is a life of warfare against the evil of this world, and as Christ warned, we shall face persecutions. However, like St. Paul who did not stop his mission of preaching the good news despite many persecutions, we too should not be stopped by troubles from in carrying out our mission as Christians for the Lord is with us.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | May 7, 2021 | Agenda Biblique
Saint Désiré, évêque
Blanc
A l’époque mérovingienne, il contribua à rendra la Gaule chrétienne. Son épiscopat fut marqué par la conciliation et la paix. Il fut rappelé à Dieu en 550.
Antienne d’ouverture : Col 2, 12
Par le baptême, vous avez été mis au tombeau avec le Christ, avec lui vous avez été ressuscités, parce que vous avez cru en la force de Dieu qui a ressuscité le Christ d’entre les morts, alléluia.
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui donnes la vie éternelle aux hommes en les faisant renaître par le baptême, nous te prions : dans le Christ, tu nous as justifiés et rendus capables d’une existence immortelle ; conduis-nous désormais par ta grâce jusqu’à la gloire qu’il possède en plénitude. Lui qui.
Première lecture : Act 16, 1-10
En ces jours-là, Paul, qui avait quitté Antioche avec Silas, arriva ensuite à Derbé, puis à Lystres. Il y avait là un disciple nommé Timothée ; sa mère était une Juive devenue croyante, mais son père était grec. À Lystres et à Iconium, les frères lui rendaient un bon témoignage. Paul désirait l’emmener ; il le prit avec lui et le fit circoncire à cause des Juifs de la région, car ils savaient tous que son père était grec. Dans les villes où Paul et ses compagnons passaient, ils transmettaient les décisions prises par les Apôtres et les Anciens de Jérusalem, pour qu’elles entrent en vigueur. Les Églises s’affermissaient dans la foie le nombre de leurs membres augmentait chaque jour. Paul et ses compagnons traversèrent la Phrygie et le pays des Galates, car le Saint-Esprit les avait empêchés de dire la Parole dans la province d’Asie. Arrivés en Mysie, ils essayèrent d’atteindre la Bithynie, mais l’Esprit de Jésus s’y opposa. Ils longèrent alors la Mysie et descendirent jusqu’à Troas. Pendant la nuit, Paul eut une vision : un Macédonien lui apparut, debout, qui lui faisait cette demande : « Passe en Macédoine et viens à notre secours. » À la suite de cette vision de Paul, nous avons aussitôt cherché à partir pour la Macédoine, car nous en avons déduit que Dieu nous appelait à y porter la Bonne Nouvelle.
Psaume : 99 (100), 1-2, 3, 5
R/ Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière !
ou : Alléluia ! (99, 1)
1. Acclamez le Seigneur, terre entière, servez le Seigneur dans l’allégresse, venez à lui avec des chants de joie !
2. Reconnaissez que le Seigneur est Dieu : il nous a faits, et nous sommes à lui, nous, son peuple, son troupeau.
3. Oui, le Seigneur est bon, éternel est son amour, sa fidélité demeure d’âge en âge.
Acclamation
Alléluia. Alléluia. Si vous êtes ressuscités avec le Christ, recherchez les réalités d’en haut: c’est là qu’est le Christ, assis à la droite de Dieu. Alléluia. (Col 3, 1)
Évangile : Jean 15, 18-21
En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Si le monde a de la haine contre vous, sachez qu’il en a eu d’abord contre moi. Si vous apparteniez au monde, le monde aimerait ce qui est à lui. Mais vous n’appartenez pas au monde, puisque je vous ai choisis en vous prenant dans le monde ; voilà pourquoi le monde a de la haine contre vous. Rappelez-vous la parole que je vous ai dite : un serviteur n’est pas plus grand que son maître. Si l’on m’a persécuté, on vous persécutera, vous aussi. Si l’on a gardé ma parole, on gardera aussi la vôtre. Les gens vous traiteront ainsi à cause de mon nom, parce qu’ils ne connaissent pas Celui qui m’a envoyé. »
Prière sur les offrandes
Reçois avec bonté, Seigneur, les offrandes de ton peuple : garde le sous ta protection, pour qu’il ne perde aucun des biens que tu lui donnes, et découvre ceux qui demeurent toujours. Par Jésus.
Antienne de communion : Jn 17, 20-21
Jésus priait ainsi : « Pour ceux qui croiront en moi, je te demande, Père, qu’ils soient un en nous, afin que le monde reconnaisse que tu m’as envoyé », alléluia.
Prière après la communion
Ne cesse pas de protéger avec amour, Seigneur, ceux que tu as sauvés : la passion de ton Fils les a rachetés, qu’ils mettent leur joie dans sa résurrection. Lui qui.
Méditation
Paul et ses compagnons parcouraient des villes pour les informer des décisions prises par les Apôtres et les anciens de Jérusalem. Grâce à ces décisions inspirées par l’Esprit Saint, les Eglises s’affermissaient et s’agrandissaient de jour en jour pour la cause de la Bonne Nouvelle prêchée. La mission des apôtres ne pouvait pas être sans obstacles car ceux qui ne connaissent pas encore Dieu étaient animés par la haine contre eux. D’ailleurs, si le Christ-Jésus a connu la persécution, c’est à cause de l’ignorance et de la dureté des cœurs de certains hommes qui ne croyaient pas en Lui, l’envoyé de Dieu.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 29, 2021 | Evangelium
Pope St. Pius V (1504 – 1572)
A Dominican, he was elected Pope in 1566. He strenuously promoted the Catholic Reformation that was started by the Council of Trent. He encouraged missionary work and reformed the liturgy.
Entrance Antiphon Rv 5: 9-10
You have redeemed us, Lord, by your Blood, from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us into a kingdom, priests for our God, alleluia.
O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation, listen to the voice of our pleading and grant that those you have redeemed by the shedding of your Son’s Blood may have life through you and, under your protection, rejoice for ever unharmed. 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 13:26-33
Paul stood up in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, held up a hand for silence and began to speak: ‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you. What the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did, though they did not realise it, was in fact to fulfil the prophecies read on every sabbath. Though they found nothing to justify his death, they condemned him and asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out everything that scripture foretells about him they took him down from the tree and buried him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and it is these same companions of his who are now his witnesses before our people. We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise but it is to us, their children, that he has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus from the dead. As scripture says in the second psalm: You are my son: today I have become your father.’
R/ You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.
1. ‘It is I who have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’ I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day.
2. ‘Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them, shatter them like a potter’s jar.’
3. Now, O kings, understand, take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe and trembling, pay him your homage.
Gospel Acclamation Col3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rm 4: 25
Christ our Lord was handed over for our transgressions and was raised again for our justification, alleluia.
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness, that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
In Jesus’ farewell discourse, he speaks words of encouragement, kindness and promise to the disturbed disciples. Jesus knows we experience a lot of heartaches, but he says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Though all sorts of things go wrong for us, we are not abandoned. We are destined for a blessed future, because he will come again and take us to himself. Lord, I often wonder what way to go in life. May I always turn to you for guidance, and whatever way I choose, may I try to live your commandment of love.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Apr 28, 2021 | Evangelium
St. Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380)
Born in Siena, she entered Third Order of the Dominicans. She is remembered for her burning love of God and neighbour and contributions to doctrine. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ, alleluia.
O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion and her service of your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 13:13-25
Paul and his friends went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to go back to Jerusalem. The others carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the sabbath and took their seats. After the lessons from the Law and the Prophets had been read, the presidents of the synagogue sent them a message: ‘Brothers, if you would like to address some words of encouragement to the congregation, please do so.’ Paul stood up, held up a hand for silence and began to speak: ‘Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen! The God of our nation Israel chose our ancestors, and made our people great when they were living as foreigners in Egypt; then by divine power he led them out, and for about forty years took care of them in the wilderness. When he had destroyed seven nations in Canaan, he put them in possession of their land for about four hundred and fifty years. After this he gave them judges, down to the prophet Samuel. Then they demanded a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years, he deposed him and made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.”’
Psalm 88(89):2-3,21,22,25,27
R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
1. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
2. I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.
3. My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: ‘You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.’
Gospel Acclamation: cf.Rv1:5
Alleluia, alleluia! You, O Christ, are the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. Alleluia!
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them: ‘I tell you most solemnly, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him. Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me. I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He. I tell you most solemnly, whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the saving sacrifice we offer in commemoration of Saint Catherine, so that, instructed by her teaching, we may give ever more fervent thanks to you, the one true God. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Jn 1: 7
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, alleluia.
May the heavenly table at which we have been fed, O Lord, confer eternal life upon us, as even in this world it nourished the life of Saint Catherine. Through Christ our Lord.
Though we are well into the Easter season, this gospel reminds us of that wonderful night when Jesus ate and drank with his friends, and prepared them for the Passover. Jesus displayed a sense of humility by washing the feet of his disciples. Jesus wants us to remember this lesson as a central part of his teaching. We are called to wash each other’s feet. We are also called to imbibe and live in humility at the service of others.
