Suggested Mass Line-up for January 8, 2012 (Epiphany)

Sunday, January 8, 2012
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord


What is the Epiphany?

The word "epiphany" comes from two Greek words, the preposition epi and the verb phainen, and can variously mean, "to shine upon," "to reveal," or "to appear, manifest." The verb epiphainen as well as the noun epiphaneia both occur in the Greek New Testament. For example, 2 Timothy 1:8-10 joyously declares,

God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing [epiphaneia] of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

At times the word is used to refer to the first appearing or revealing of Jesus (either His birth or the beginning of His Messianic ministry) as in the verse above, Titus 2:11, 3:4, and Luke 1:79. At other times it is the revealing and appearing of Jesus at the end of time which is in view as in 1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 4:1,8, and Titus 2:13.

Whereas most of the occurrences of epiphaneia or epiphaino carry the meaning "to reveal" or "to appear," in Luke 1:79 it means "to shine upon." In Luke 1, Zechariah prophesies that his newborn son John the Baptist will

give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on [epiphaino] those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:77-79).

This passage is one of the reasons that light is so emphasized at Epiphany time, as is the case, for example, in the Orthodox Church's "Festival of Lights." It also partly explains why candles are so often used.

Here are my suggestions of songs for the mass... :)

Entrance:

1. Aleluya, Daygon ang Ginoo, swak for the Gospel
2. Atong Daygon ang Ginoo
3. Pagmamahal sa Panginoon (Hontiveros), "simula ng karunungan" in honor of the Three wise men
4. Magsiawit sa Panginoon (Isidro and Que)
5. Let Heaven Rejoice (Dufford), prioritize Stanza 5 and 6
6. Sing a New Song (Schutte) prioritize stanza 2 and 3

Kyrie:

1. Kyrie (Villanueva)
2. Maawa Ka (Francisco, Reyes)
3. Lord Have Mercy (Acts and Potencies)

Gloria:

1. Himaya sa Dios (Francisco)
2. Papuri sa Dios (Francisco-Reyes-Torres)
3. Give Glory to GOD

First Reading:

Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise. Jerusalem, shine, for your light has come.

Responsorial Psalm:

Psalm 72:1-13

Lord, every nation on earth will adore You.

Second Reading:

Ephisians 3:2-3, 5-6

Gentiles are saved too.

Alleluia:

1. Aleluya Lamdag Ka, swak sa gospel
2. Salamat sa Dios (Hontiveros)
3. Sing Alleluia (Marcelo)

Gospel:

Matthew 2:1-12 relates:

1. The Wise Men wanted to pay homage to Jesus
2. King Herod meets with them and tries to trick them
3. The Wise Men finally see and visit the Christ Child
4. They gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh 
5. They avoided Herod after being told to do so in a dream.

Important Ideas: 
1. Jesus is savior to all, both Gentiles and Jew. 
2. The Magi represents the Gentiles. Gentiles too pay homage to JC. 
3. Jesus as the Light to all nations. 
4. Pro-Negritis Sunday: Attention is on the Missions to Africa. Actually, kahet saang mission.

My Personal Reflection of the Readings:

This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The word ‘epiphany’ comes from the Greek language 'epiphaneia' meaning 'appearance', ‘showing forth’ or ‘manifestation’. So we could say that we celebrate the manifestation of the Lord. The feast of the Epiphany originated in the third century to commemorate the first appearance of Christ (the infant King) to the entire world as Saviour. The first reading from Isaiah speaks about light shining through the darkness and the clouds—a wonderful image of describing what epiphany is trying to tell us about our Lord. Our own darkness and the clouds of our lack of understanding so often make it difficult for us to recognize the presence of God, in daily life, in the Lord Jesus, in the Church or in other people. Psalm 72 focuses on the nations coming adore the Lord. “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you” and then speaks of kings from foreign lands bringing gifts to the Lord. The Psalm in a sense introduces the Gospel of today that recounts the story of the three wise kings from the East (also called the Magi), who represent all the nations. These Magi come as seekers of the source of the light. The star is only a guide for them. On finding the source, the infant king, they are overjoyed, they confess, worship him and offer him gifts. In the preface of the Epiphany, we get a sense of the mystery we celebrate. "Today you revealed in Christ your eternal plan of salvation and showed in him as the light of all peoples". The mystery of Christ's birth, the mystery of the Incarnation, is therefore made known to all people all over the world without exception. St. Paul in the second reading speaks about the inclusive nature of salvation in God’s plan. 

The central message of the Epiphany is that Jesus is revealed to us as a light to the nations. The Magi go in search of this light guided by a star until they find the source of the light in Bethlehem. With them we too seek and recognise the child who is born to be our Saviour. Like them, we too pay homage to Christ and accept the light that Christ brings into our hearts. Since we are led to discover Christ, we are therefore called to go out and share with others the Good News revealed to us. Through our daily witness, in loving others, in forgiving them, in our faith and compassion, in our courage and perseverance, may we be like the star that guides them in their journey of faith, to seek and to discover Christ in their lives. The message we take home is two-fold: 1) We are invited today to recognize God's light, God's presence in our lives, and to let our hearts rejoice and throb and overflow because we know that God is with us 2) Consequently, we are called to go out and share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ revealed to us; to share the light that Christ has given us.

Offertory:

1. Gasa sa Gugma (Koro Viannista), swak sa Gospel ang mga gasa nga gidala sa tulo ka hari
2. Ning Adlawa sa Kalipay
3. Pag-aalay ng Sarili (Villaldon)
4. Sumasamo Kami (Judan)
5. One Bread, One Body
6. Earthen Vessel (John Foley)

Sanctus:

1. Santos (R. Villanueva)
2. Santo, Santo, Santo (Francisco-Arboleda-Torres)
3. Holy, Holy, Holy (Dufford-Schutte)

Acclamation:

1. Si Kristo atong Handumon (Cebuano version of Si Kristo ay Gunitain)
2. Si Kristo ay gunitain (Ramirez)
3. Memorial Acclamation (Marcelo-Fenomeno)

Amen:

1. Amen Pagdaygon ang Dios 
2. Amen (Francisco-Arboleda-Reyes-Torres)
3. Amen Alleluia (Bayogos)

Pater Noster:

1. Amahan Namo
2. Ama Namin (Francisco-Arboleda-Torres)
3. Our Father (Pat-Martell)

Doxology:

1. Kay Imo Man
2. Sapagkat Sa’yo ang Kaharian (Francisco-Arboleda-Torres)
3. For The Kingdom

Agnus Dei:

1.  Kordero sa Dios (Pastorella version by Fr. Villanueva)
2.  Kordero ng Diyos (Hontiveros)
3. Lamb of God (Folk)

Communion:

1. Ako ang Kahayag, swak sa Gospel which is Jesus is the light of all the nations
2. Hiyas, sibo na sab sa ebanghelyo
3. Pagpanaw, actually i don't know how to sing this one. nakita lang nako siya sa songbook then akong gibasa iyang lyrics arang kasibo kaayo sa ebanghelyo the journey of the three kings
4. Magpuri sa Panginoon (Hontiveros)
5. Panginoon, Aking Tanglaw (Ramirez)
6. Liwanag ng Aming Puso (Tagle and Hontiveros)
7. Here I am Lord
8. Sing of Him (Dufford)
9. So the Love of GOD (Schutte)

Recessional:

1. Ang Atong Tulubagon
2. Pananagutan
3. The Work of Christmas (Arboleda)

Hope this will help... By the way those visitors outside from Philippines, please introduce yourself. I really want to know WHO YOU and WHERE YOU FROM... Hope you will spare a little time to post a comment :)