1st Sunday of Lent - Year B - February 18, 2024

 
We are very sorry for not posting anything last week for a very important reason. We are now on the First Sunday of Lent.
 
LENT is a short season of six weeks intended to prepare us for the great celebrations of Easter. The word Lent comes from the old Anglo-Saxon and Old German words for spring marked by days that lengthen. The idea of penitence and fasting during Lent may have begun in earlier, hungrier times as a means of spiritualizing real shortages of food at this time of year.
 
Reminders:
1. Walang Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Holy Thursday na ulit maririnig ang Gloria. Magfa-fasting tayo from the mirth of the angels when they sang Glory to God in the highest.
2. Walang Alleluia.
3. Walang flowers sa altar.
4. Turn down the volume. Minimize the musical instruments to be used. Musical instruments during Lent should give only the bare minimum, or just the necessary support to the singing. Sustenance lang. Baka nga mas maganda pa ang kalabasan kung mag-a capella tayo. Kailangan maramdaman and ma-realize ng mga taong assembled that this season is very distinct from other liturgical seasons, most especially Easter, and one way of doing that is ibang style ng ating pagiging liturgical music leader.
5. Instrumental solos are bawal kapag Lent. When movement of people ends (such as in the processional songs in entrance, preparation of the gifts, communion), immediately find an ending for the processional song. Halimbawa, sa communion, wala na namang taong nakapila para tumanggap ng communion. Huwag nang kumanta. Find an end. Tumahimik. Give the congregation an opportunity for silent reflection. Yung ibang parishes nga, tinitigil talaga yung kanta, no matter what part they are in, when movement of people ceases. Huwag nang maglagay ng 2nd communion song. People should be made aware to reflect so they won’t chit-chat. Silence is far better during the season of Lent.
6. During service songs, if you can apply these to the tune of pasyon, the congregation will surely notice, and thereby realize that this is a distinct season altogether. For example, if you can sing si Kristo ay namatay into the tune of pasyon...ginawa yan minsan sa parish. Also, you're encouraging enculturation.
 
The readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year B get us thinking how God is faithful even when we wander away from him. The first reading is the story of Noah's Ark. The psalm reminds us to be faithful. The second reading explains that the great flood in the time of Noah preceded our baptisms. And the gospel tells us that Jesus spent 40 days (like the 40 days of the flood) fasting in the desert and returned ready to spread his message.
 
The readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year B are rich in themes that delve into the essence of Lent as a period of renewal, repentance, and preparation for Easter. Here are some key themes drawn from these readings:
 

• Covenant and Promise: The first reading from Genesis highlights God's covenant with Noah, symbolizing a universal promise of salvation and a new beginning for humanity and all creation. This theme of covenant is foundational, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the enduring nature of His promises.

• Salvation and Baptism: The second reading from 1 Peter connects the story of Noah to the sacrament of Baptism. It emphasizes Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection as the ultimate act of reconciliation between humanity and God. Baptism is presented not merely as a ritual cleansing but as a profound commitment to live in accordance with God's will, empowered by Christ's victory over death.

• Temptation and Victory: The Gospel from Mark describes Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, reflecting the trials and temptations that believers face. Jesus' victory over these temptations, supported by angels and in the presence of wild beasts, symbolizes His divinity and human strength, offering hope and encouragement for followers to overcome their own temptations.

• Repentance and the Kingdom of God: Jesus' message after His time in the wilderness focuses on the call to repentance and the urgent announcement of the Kingdom of God. This theme is central to the Lenten journey, urging believers to reflect, turn away from sin, and embrace the Gospel message with renewed commitment.

• New Beginnings and Preparation: Lent is a season of preparation, mirroring Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. This time is an invitation for personal and communal reflection, repentance, and preparation for the celebration of Easter, symbolizing the new life and hope that comes from Jesus' resurrection.

• Divine Protection and Support: The readings convey a sense of divine protection and support through God's promises, Christ's victory over temptation, and the guiding presence of angels. This reassurance is a source of strength and comfort for believers as they navigate their Lenten journey.

Entrance:
1.       Tun-I Kami Ginoo
2.       Pasaylo, Ginoo
3.       Alay sa Kapwa (Esteban & Hontiveros) 
4.       Buksan ang aming puso (Tinio & Hontiveros)
5.       Save us, O Lord (Dufford)
6.       Though the mountains may fall (Schutte)

Kyrie:
1.      Kaloy-I Kami Ginoo
2.      Panginoon Maawa Ka (Francisco)
3.      As we Prepare
 
No Gloria
 
READINGS:

• First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15: God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature, promising no future floods will destroy all life. The rainbow, set in the clouds, symbolizes this perpetual covenant, a reminder to God and humanity of this promise.

• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25: Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

I ask the Lord to teach me His ways, trusting in His salvation. Remembering His mercy and love, He guides the humble, showing the paths of righteousness to those who follow His covenant.

• Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22: Christ suffered for our sins to reconcile us with God, resurrected in spirit. He preached to spirits from Noah's time, paralleling baptism that saves us—not by physical cleansing but as a commitment to God, empowered by Christ's resurrection and heavenly reign.

• Gospel: Mark 1:12-15: After a period of forty days in the wilderness, facing Satan's temptations among wild beasts and aided by angels, Jesus commenced his public ministry in Galilee. He proclaimed the nearness of God's kingdom, urging repentance and acceptance of the gospel, especially following John's arrest, marking a pivotal moment in his mission.
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Offertory:
1.      O Dios Dawata (Koro Viannista)
2.      Kini Mao Akong Lawas
3.      Alay Kapwa (Tinio & Hontiveros) 
4.      Kung ‘Yong nanaisin (Francisco) 
5.      Take and Receive
6.      Prayer of Rupert Mayer 
 
Sanctus:
1.     Santos (Mass 4 Villanueva)
2.     Santos (Bukas Palad)
3.     Sanctus (pwede yung latin chant or yung English translation)
 
Acclamation:
1.      Manluluwas sa Kalibutan
2.      Si Kristo’y Namatay (Hontiveros)
3.      Dying
 
Amen:
1.      Amen (chord of A D)
2.      Amen (Francisco, Arboleda, Reyes, Torres)
 
Pater Noster:
At your choice… If the congregation can participate to sing this, that would be better.
 
Doxology:
1.      Kay Imo Man (Chord of Am)
2.      Sapagkat
3.      For the Kingdom
 
Agnus Dei:
1.      Kordero sa Dios IV (chord of Dm-B)
2.      Kordero ng Dios (Que)
3.      Lamb of God (Folk)
 
Communion:
1.      Misyon sa Tawo
2.      Ang Atong Tulubagon
3.      Ang Tawo Niining kalibutan
4.      O Krus Kaluwasan
5.      Awit ng Paghilom
6.      Halina’t Lumapit sa Akin 
7.      Maging Akin Muli (Aquino)
8.      Pagkabighani 
9.      Sa Dapit Hapon (Tabuena and Hontiveros)
10.  Manatili Ka (Francisco)
11.      Now we remain (Haas) 
12.      God of silence (Francisco) 
13.      Holy Darkness (Schute) 
14.  Anima Christi (Arboleda) 
 
Recessional:
1.      Asin ug Kahayag
2.      Kinsa?
3.      Sinong Makapaghihiwalay (Anunciata)
4.      Maliban sa Mahulog sa Lupa
5.      (See entrance song)