December 29
St Thomas Becket
5ème jour dans l'octave de Noël — Year B
St Thomas Becket is remembered as one of the most notable English martyrs of the 12th century. Born in London, he rose to become Chancellor to King Henry II and later Archbishop of Canterbury. At first a close friend and loyal servant to the king, Thomas experienced a profound change of life after his appointment as archbishop in 1162, embracing a spirit of humility and devotion to the Church. His determination to defend the rights and freedoms of the Church led to growing conflict with Henry II, who sought greater control over ecclesiastical matters in his kingdom. This struggle epitomized the perennial tension between secular and spiritual authority during the Middle Ages. In 1170, after years of exile and negotiation, Thomas was murdered by four knights in Canterbury Cathedral, an act widely seen as carried out at the king's behest. His martyrdom shocked the Christian world and led to his swift canonization. Devotion to St Thomas Becket grew rapidly, with his tomb at Canterbury becoming a major pilgrimage site. The Church honors his courage in standing firm for the liberty of the Church, even at the cost of his life. Celebrating St Thomas Becket within the Christmas octave highlights the cost of discipleship and faithfulness to Christ amidst conflict and worldly power.
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The liturgical day
Mass readings
Reading1 Jn 2, 3-11
Beloved,
this is how we know that we know Jesus Christ:
if we keep his commandments.
Whoever says, "I know him,"
and does not keep his commandments,
is a liar:
the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
in him the love of God is truly perfected:
this is how we know that we are in him.
Whoever claims to remain in him
must also walk
as Jesus himself walked.
Beloved, it is not a new commandment
that I am writing to you,
but an old commandment
that you have had from the beginning.
The word that you have heard
is the old commandment.
And yet, it is a new commandment
that I am writing to you;
what is true in this word
is also true in you;
for the darkness is passing away
and already the true light is shining.
Whoever claims to be in the light
and hates his brother
is in darkness even now.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
But whoever hates his brother
is in darkness:
he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going,
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
– The word of the Lord.
Psalm95 (96), 1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
Sing to the Lord a new song,
sing to the Lord, all the earth,
sing to the Lord and bless his name!
Day after day, proclaim his salvation,
tell of his glory among all peoples,
his wonders among all nations!
He, the Lord, made the heavens;
before him, splendor and majesty,
in his sanctuary, power and beauty.
GospelLc 2, 22-35
When the time prescribed by the law of Moses
for purification was completed,
the parents of Jesus brought him to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
as it is written in the Law:
Every firstborn male
shall be consecrated to the Lord.
They also came to offer
the sacrifice prescribed by the law of the Lord:
a pair of turtledoves
or two young pigeons.
Now, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon.
He was a righteous and devout man,
who was awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
He had received the announcement from the Holy Spirit
that he would not see death
before he had seen the Christ, the Lord's Messiah.
Led by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple.
At the moment when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform for him what the law required,
Simeon took the child in his arms,
and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master,
you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."
The father and mother of the child
were amazed at what was said about him.
Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary his mother:
"Behold, this child
is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel.
He will be a sign of contradiction
—and a sword will pierce your own soul—
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org