Suggested Songs for July 1, 2012 Mass

July 1, 2012

13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Liturgical Color : Green

I would like to thank those people who texted me and send me emails requesting lyrics and chords. Those people who give comments and suggestions for me to improve this blog. I really appreciate it.

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For your comments and suggestions please email us at dmecchoir@yahoo.com or simply text us at +639167222465 or +639089741495. Thank you and God Bless Us… J

Entrance:

1.     Diha sa Halaran, swak sa RP as we praise HIM always

2.     Awit mga Binuhat

3.     Purihin ang Panginoon (Isidro, Ramirez)

4.     Sa Dios Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro, Que)

5.     Praise God (Dufford, Foley)

6.     Come with Praise (Schutte), prioritize stanza 3

Kyrie:

1.     Kaloy-I Kami Ginoo

2.     Kyrie 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

3.     Maawa Ka (Francisco, Reyes)

4.     Panginoon Maawa Ka (Cayabyab)

5.     Lord Have Mercy (Acts and Potencies)

6.     Lord Have Mercy (Francisco-Reyes)

Gloria:

1.     Himaya sa Dios (Fernandez) C3

2.     Gloria 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

3.     Papuri sa Dios (Francisco-Reyes-Torres)

4.     Luwalhati sa Dios (Sengson)

5.     Give Glory to God

6.     Gloria (Acts and Potencies)

First Reading                                          Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24

God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.

Responsorial Psalm                                     Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Second Reading                                        2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15

Brothers and sisters:
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality
your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
that there may be equality.
As it is written:
Whoever had much did not have more,
and whoever had little did not have less.

Gospel Acclamation:

1.     Pangitaa ang Gingharian

2.     Aleluya Lamdag Ka

3.     Alleluiah 17

4.     Aleluya Wikain mo (Francisco)

5.     Aleluya (Francisco)

6.     Sing Alleluia (Marcelo)

7.     Seek Ye First

Gospel                                         Mk 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
"My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live."
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to Jesus,
"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'"
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said,
"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
"Do not be afraid; just have faith."
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
"Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep."
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Personal Interpretation/Reflections of the Readings: (Sariling pag-unawa ko lang po ito. Minsan may mga kaibigan akong Pari na nagbibigay ng Homily nila at nilalagay ko iyon dito.)

Good morning my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have a question for you today. How many of you have eternal life? Raise your hand those of you who believe or know that you have eternal life.

(You may wish to add your personal comment at the comment box below…)

Eternal life, what is it? Some have it and do not know that they have it. Some do not have it, are searching for it, but they are rejecting the means of getting it. Blessed are those who have it and who know that they have it!

Regarding eternal life, the Holy Bible states,

"And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." [Jn.17:3]

To know God is to have a daily personal relationship with Him. Therefore, to have eternal life means to know God as He know Himself in order to be able to eternally enjoy a personal relationship with Him in His heavenly Kingdom.

Today's readings from the Holy Scriptures speak of the gift of eternal life. The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us, "God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them, and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. For righteousness is immortal." [Wis. 1:13-5]

When the Lord God created the light, the dry land, the herbs and trees, the sun and the moon, the water creatures, the winged fowl, the beasts, all what creeps on the earth and man, 'it was good.' [Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31] Seven times, the words "It was good" are repeated in the First Chapter of the Book of Genesis.

Contrary to what some say, that hell is here on earth, the Holy Bible teaches us that hell is not here on earth. [Wis. 1:14] If some think that hell is here, it is because they are creating their own hell.

For those of us who live a righteous life, we have a different perception of the world. We live for the blessed hope of the life to come, the eternal life in the Kingdom of God. While we are physically present on earth, we are not of this world. Our hearts are set on Jesus, our living hope of the salvation that has been promised to those who live a life of righteousness through their living faith in Christ.

Thanks to the living sacrifice of Jesus, we have the assurance of eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The accuser of our brothers and sisters in Christ has been thrown down from Heaven, he who accuses them day and night before our God. [Rev. 12:9] "For to know (Jesus) is complete righteousness, and to know (His) power is the root of immortality." [Wis. 15:3]

God created us for incorruption and made us in His own image [Gen. 1:27; Wis. 2:23] so we may inherit His Kingdom. If the wicked inherit spiritual death, it is because they invite it upon themselves.

But man can avoid spiritual death, he being called to inherit the Kingdom of God. To do so, he has to acquire life in Christ or risk losing it for failing to reach out for God's grace. Acquiring life in Christ by the grace of God is achieved through faith in Christ and the Sacrament of Baptism when the new convert receives the promised gifts of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, a new heart and spirit of the godly seed. [1 Jn. 3:9]

"Through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it." [Wis. 2:24] As Jesus said to those who had an evil heart, "You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." [Jn. 8:44]

"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other..." [Mt. 6:24] To have life, one must be a slave of the Lord Jesus, the eternal King of kings. To have death, one must be a slave of the prince of this world, the prince of darkness and deception.

To have eternal life in the Kingdom of God and serve the Lord Jesus, we must excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness and in our love towards one another. We know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty we might become rich. [2 Cor. 8:7, 9]

"Though (Jesus) was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross." [Phil. 2:6-8]

For our salvation, Jesus set aside His power so He could relate to mankind at the level of man. He did not come into this world as a glorious King surrounded by a myriad of angels. He came as a helpless infant, trusted in the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, in poverty, homeless, in need of tender loving care as every child that is born of the human nature. Nor did He leave this world in the full glory that He truly deserved. Instead, He was treated as a common criminal, condemned to death and crucified for having revealed the truth, that He was the Son of God. Through His death as the sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus having taken the sins of the world upon His shoulders, we found life.

Jesus died for us so that we may share our Christian love with one another. As He gave of Himself, He asked us to give of ourselves. He asked those who have an abundance to share their wealth with those in need so that those who have little, do not have too little. With that little extra that they receive through the love of their Christian brothers and sisters, they too can live a decent life above the poverty level.

As today's Gospel Reading tells us, Jesus shared generously. Reaching out to the synagogue leader who had faith in Him, Jesus raised his twelve year old daughter. As He had done with Lazarus, Jesus gave life to the little girl that had crossed over to death. Surely, if Jesus can raise the dead from the point of no return, the power is His to raise all the living dead and to grant eternal life in the Kingdom of God to those to who He chooses to do so.

In today's Gospel Reading, we also heard how a woman was healed of twelve years of hemorrhages, simply by touching the clothes of the Lord Jesus. What faith she must have had! And her faith made her well, she being healed of her disease. The Gospel of Mark tells us that she suffered for twelve years before turning to Jesus. She had endured much under many physicians and obviously drained her of all her financial resources. Jesus was her last hope... her only hope. Nothing in the physical world could heal her... it took a miracle... a miracle of God. And the Son of God was there for her when she needed Him the most, after much suffering.

How much more are we willing to suffer before we turn to God? How much are we willing to suffer before we place our complete faith in Jesus? Having received the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God through the Sacrament of Baptism, are we now walking our living faith in Christ so we may qualify to inherit our salvation? Are we receiving the Sacrament of Confession on a regular basis so we may maintain our righteousness in the eyes of God? Are we receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Living Bread, so we may have the life of Christ in us?

Eternal life in the Kingdom of God is to be acquired by the grace of God through our good works by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Most Holy Name of Jesus. If we say that we have faith in Christ and we do not shine in good works, we are dead. [Jas. 2:26] Our gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of God is rooted in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we shall inherit the Kingdom of God as worthy children of the Lord Almighty.

Offertory:

1.     Daygon Ikaw Ginoong Dios

2.     Gasa Sa Gugma

3.     Nagahalad Kami

4.     Pag-aalay (Francisco)

5.     Unang Alay (Magnaye)

6.     Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad

7.     Earthen Vessels (Foley) Stanza 2 ang priority.

8.     We Remember (Haugen) Stanza 2 ang priority.

Sanctus:

1.     Sanctus 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Sanctus Mass V (Villanueva)

3.     Santos I Chord of C F G

4.     Santo, Santo, Santo (Que)

5.     Holy, Holy, Holy (Benitez)

Acclamation:

1.     Si Kristo atong Handumon

2.     Among Gihandum

3.     Si Kristo ay Gunitain (Ramirez)

4.     Si Kristo’y Namatay (Hontiveros)

5.     Sa Krus mo at Pagkabuhay

6.     Christ Has Died (Bayogos)

7.     When We Eat This Bread

Amen:

1.     Amen (Fernandez)

2.     Amen C (GKK Nagaawit Nagadayeg Songbook)

3.     Dakilang Amen (Francisco)

4.     Amen (WYD 95)

Pater Noster:

As usual, choose the best Our Father, Ama Namin, Amahan Namo which everyone in the church can sing with you J

Agnus Dei:

1.     Agnus Dei 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Kordero sa Dios (Fernandez)

3.     Kordero ng Diyos (Arboleda-Francisco)

4.     Lamb of God (Folk)

Communion:

1.      Kalig-on sa Pagtoo (Koro Viannista), haum sa ebanghelyo diin hugot nga pagtoo ang gihuptan sa babae aron siya maayo

2.     Kinabuhi Mo, Kinabuhi Ko

3.     Ako ang Kahayag

4.     Awit ng Paghilom (Aquino)

5.     Huwag Limutin (Aquino)

6.     Manalig Ka (Perez)

7.     Manatili Ka (Francisco)

8.     I Seek You For I Thirst (Valdellon)

9.     In Him Alone (Francisco)

10.   Your Heart Today (Francisco)

If in your parish you sing during second collections, prepare a song because we have Opus Sancti Petri. This is observed on the Sunday nearest the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Paul (June 29). Collections should be remitted in support of the Pointifical Society of Saint Peter the Apostle (Formation of seminarians, novices, clergy and Religious all over the world.) Songs like Patnubay, Sa 'Yo Lamang, Tungo Sa’Yo (Hangad) or any songs about priesthood, offertory songs involve offering one's self rather than bread and wine, etc. would be good.

Recessional:

1.     Kinsa?

2.     Ang Atong Tulubagon

3.     Humayo’t Ihayag (Francisco, Catalan, Go)

4.     Sinong Makapaghihiwalay (Anunciata)

5.     How Good It is To Give Thanks (Hangad)

6.     Thank You (Hangad)

7.     I Will Sing Forever (Francisco)

Have a nice weekend everyone J

                                    Admin Brian

Suggested Songs for St. John the Baptist Nativity (June 24, 2012)

June 24, 2012

Nativity of John the Baptist (Year B)

Liturgical Color: White

(Please be reminded that the liturgical color is white and not green.)

There are only three people whose birthdays the Church celebrates: Jesus Christ, Mary, and John the Baptist. All others: the Church commemorates the date of their physical death.

As the readings suggest, it is a good day to celebrate Pro-life. Choose songs that are related to things associated with John the Baptist: chosenness, being a precursor, baptizing, following God's will, martyrdom, the kingdom of God, etc.

For your comments, suggestions and request please email us at dmecchoir@yahoo.com or simply text us at +6391672222465. Thank you J

Entrance:

1.     Lungsod nga Balaan

2.     Diosnong Magtutudlo

3.     Himaya Kanimo Kristo Jesus

4.     Halina at Lumapit (Habito) 

5.     Sa Piging Na Handog (Carlos, Villaroman) 

6.     Bayan Umawit (Borres, Baltazar, Francisco) "ika'y pinili"

7.     Pagbabasbas (Javellana, Arboleda, Francisco)

8.     Sing to the Mountains (Dufford)

9.     City of God (Schutte), stanzas 2 and 3 priority

10.   Water of Life (Haas)

Kyrie:

1.     Kyrie Mass 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Ginoo, Kaloy-I Kami

3.     Panginoon Maawa Ka (Cayabyab)

4.     Lord, Have Mercy (Francisco-Reyes)

Gloria:

1.     Gloria Mass VIII (Villanueva)

2.     Himaya sa Dios II (Gloria)

3.     Himaya sa Dios III (Fernandez)

4.     Papuri sa Dios (Hontiveros)

5.     Glory to God (Francisco-Agatep)

First Reading                                          Is 49:1-6

Hear me, O coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother's womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm                     Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15

R. (14) I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

Second Reading                                Acts 13:22-26

In those days, Paul said:
"God raised up David as king;
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am' I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."

"My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent."

Gospel Acclamation:

1.     Pangitaa ang Gingharian

2.     Aleluya Lamdag Ka

3.     Alleluiah 17

4.     Aleluya Wikain mo (Francisco)

5.     Aleluya (Francisco)

6.     Sing Alleluia (Marcelo)

7.     Seek Ye First

Gospel Lk 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
"No. He will be called John."
But they answered her,
"There is no one among your relatives who has this name."
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
"What, then, will this child be?"
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.

Personal Reflection and Interpretation of the Readings:

Welcome my friends in Jesus to today's celebration of the Holy Mass that commemorates the Feast of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist who was the forerunner of the arrival of the promised Messiah on earth.

Some of you may be wondering why the Catholic Church commemorates Saint John the Baptist in its Liturgical Calendar. What is so special about him? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "John the Baptist was more than a prophet. In him the Holy Spirit concludes His speaking through the prophets. He completes the cycle of prophets that began with Elijah. John came to bear witness to the Light. "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptized with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have born witness that this is the Son of God... Behold the Lamb of God." [Jn. 1:33-6] (C.C.C. # 719)

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets. Contrary to the claims of some other faiths, be it Mohammed or Joseph Smith, there were no more prophets after him. "St. Peter proclaimed the fulfillment of the prophetic texts in the morning of Pentecost." [Acts 2:16-21] (C.C.C. # 715)

"The patriarchs, prophets, and certain other Old Testament figures have been and always will be honoured as saints in all the Church's liturgical traditions." (C.C.C. # 61)

"Through the prophets, God forms His people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting Covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts. [Is. 2:2-4; Jer. 31:31-4; Heb. 10:16] The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations. [Ezek. 26; Is. 49:5- 6, 53:11 24; Zeph. 2:3; Lk. 1:38] Above all, the poor and humble of the Lord will bear this hope." (C.C.C. # 64)

"In Israel, those consecrated to God for a mission that He gave were anointed in His Name. This was the case for kings, for priests and, in rare instances, for prophets. This had to be the case all the more so for the Messiah whom God would send to inaugurate His kingdom definitively. It was necessary that the Messiah be anointed by the Spirit of the Lord at once as king and priest, and also as prophet. Jesus fulfilled the messianic hope of Israel in His threefold office of Priest, Prophet, and King. (C.C.C. # 436)

During today's First Reading from the Book of Isaiah, [Is. 49:1-6] we heard the words, "Before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb He named me." [Is. 49:1] This passage from the Holy Scriptures reveals to us that before we were born, God had chosen our vocation, be it to the Sacrament of the Holy Orders, the religious or single life or the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. This truth is seen in the life of the Prophet Jeremiah [Jer. 1:5], in the life of John the Baptist [Lk. 1:15], in the life of Jesus [Lk. 1:31] and in the life of Saint Paul. [Gal. 1:15]

Continuing with the First Reading, we heard the Words, "He made my mouth like a sharp sword." This means that when the prophets uttered the Word of God, it was as a sharp sword. The people paid attention. They heard the message of God. The Word of God is the Sword of the Holy Spirit. [Eph. 6:17] "Indeed the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit..." [Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16]

Next, the Lord said to Isaiah, "You are my Servant, Israel..." [Is. 49:3] From these words, it becomes clear that God was not speaking to Isaiah or of Jesus because of the word "Israel." God was speaking to the people of Israel. Their final destiny was for the righteous of Israel to be a light for the Gentiles and to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. This was not new knowledge that was being revealed! It was well known and part of the promise of God the Father to Abraham when He said,

"I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." [Gen. 22:17-8]

Yes, "all the nations" were called to gain their blessings through the Jewish nation. While this was God's original calling for His people, their desire for political greatness had obscured their original calling.

Next, we heard, "But I said, 'I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.'" [Is. 49:4] In these words, we hear the frustration of the Servant over what seems like a wasted ministry. How the worldly minded people quickly forget their blessings. This human weakness was also seen in St. John the Baptist. While in prison, he sent some of his followers to Jesus and asked, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" [Mt. 11:3] In suffering, had he forgotten the words that He had spoken on the Jordan River? "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." [Jn. 1:19]

In our time of weakness, we are no different than John the Baptist. We doubt the Presence of God. We doubt the grace of God. We doubt the love of God. Nothing would satisfy us more than to have Jesus appear right in front of us to convince us that He is here, that His grace is with us and that He loves us. In moments when we are tired or sick, Satan uses these opportunities to place doubtful thoughts in our minds. Those are the moments when we must persevere the most in our faith. Those are the moments when we must pray for each other.

Towards the end of the First Reading, we heard that God decided to encourage His Servant by extending his mission. Not only will the Servant be chosen to restore the Jewish nation, but he will also be a light "to the ends of the earth," [Gen. 12:3; Lk. 2:32; Acts 13:47] announcing the good news that salvation has come.

During today's Second Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, [Acts 13:22-26] we heard St. Paul speaking of the criteria that God set when He chose David as king. King David was a man after His heart, who would carry out all His wishes. David was a type of Jesus as His ancestors. As King David was anointed [Ps. 89:20; 1 Sam. 16:12-3; 2 Sam. 2:4] by God, Jesus, the Messiah, was also anointed. The word "Messiah" means "the Anointed One."

When Paul said that from "David's posterity God had brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as He promised," he was making a reference to the Lord Jesus who was raised up in fulfillment of all the promises of the Old Testament. The title of "to Israel a Saviour" meant that Jesus was the "Exalted One," who's function it is to save. Through the Lord Jesus, salvation came to all those who had faith in Him, who received the Church Sacraments and who persevered in their living faith.

Before the coming of the Lord Jesus, John the Baptist had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. [Acts 13:24] John the Baptist was sent to fulfill the prophecy from the Book of Malachi where it states,

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways." [Mal. 3:1; Lk. 1:76; Also Lk. 3:15-8; Mk. 1:4; Acts 19:4]

John the Baptist opened the way to Jesus. Once Jesus appeared on the scene, John's calling had come to an end. As John the Baptist said, "I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals of his feet." [Acts 13:25] Jesus, God incarnated, was more powerful than John the Baptist.

In concluding his discourse to the Israelites, Paul reminded them that the message that they had heard from John the Baptist was a message of Salvation. [Acts 11:14, 16:30-1]

Today's Reading from the Gospel of Luke [Lk. 1:57-66, 80] provided us with information regarding the birth of John the Baptist. When Elizabeth, the mother of John, gave birth to her son, the fulfillment of time had arrived. The last prophet had been sent by God. What was unique about this prophet is that while others spoke of the coming Messiah, John the Baptist personally knew the Messiah.

Because of the "old age of Elizabeth," [Lk. 1:36] no one would have expected her to bear a child. In view of this, the neighbours and relatives saw this as a "great mercy to her." [Lk. 1:58] Rarely does the Holy Bible use the word "great" unless something extra- ordinary is about to happen. In Genesis 19:19, we read of the "great kindness" of God when he saved the life of Lot before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. In 1 Samuel 12:24, we read a reference to the "great things" that God had done for the people. God had freed His people from the Egyptian slavery. He brought them to the Promised Land and prepared the way for them to possess it.

When the neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth spoke of the "great mercy" [Lk. 1:58] that God had shown towards her, they were revealing God's redemptive acts.

As commanded by God, [Lev. 12:3] on the eight day, John the Baptist was circumcised in perfect observance of the Law of Israel. This ceremony was viewed as an important act of initiating a male child into the covenanted people of God. When reviewing St. Paul's Epistles, we learn that the old custom of circumcision is not a necessity to receive salvation through Christ.

As the late custom of Israel dictated [Tob. 1:1, 9], those who were present wanted John to be named "Zechariah" after his father. To this, Elizabeth objected. She said he should be named, "John." [Lk. 1:60] When the relatives objected to this, Zechariah asked for a writing tablet on which he wrote, "His name is John." [Lk. 1:63]

At this point, it must be remembered that the angel Gabriel [Lk. 1:19] had appeared to Zachariah and told him that his wife would bear a son who must be named John. [Lk. 1:13] Because Zachariah, being of old age, did not believe Gabriel, he became mute and was to remain so until the fulfilment of this prophecy. [Lk. 1:20] When Zachariah wrote on the tablet, three things became obvious. The prophecy that Elizabeth would bear a child was fulfilled. The prophecy that the child would be called John was fulfilled. And the prophecy that Zachariah would be able to speak again was fulfilled at that moment.

In view of all this, it is no wonder that "fear came over all the neighbours and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea." [Lk. 1:65] Those who heard of these things, they asked themselves in their heart, "What then will this child become?" [Lk. 1:66]

The answer to that question, I have given to you in detail during the first part of my homily. Saint John the Baptist came to testify to the Light. [Jn. 1:8]

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we may not be prophets. But we are still called to testify to the Light. We are called to testify as to what Jesus did for us? And we are called to testify as to what Jesus has done for the world by promoting His message of salvation. This week, each and everyone of us should take a moment to assess the status of this Christian obligation. Have we answered God's call to preach the good news? Those who have yet to do so, we members of the Parish join our prayers for the Holy Spirit to guide you in your callings. May the grace of God be with all of you.

Offertory:

1.     Pagdaygon ka Dios

2.     Ania O Dios

3.     Daygon Ikaw Ginoong Dios (Koro Viannista)

4.     Mula Sa’Yo (Francisco)

5.     Paghahandog ng Sarili (Ofrasio, Hontiveros) or (Arboleda, Francisco)

6.     Tanging Alay Ko

7.     Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda)

8.     Prayer for Rupert Mayer (Francisco)

Sanctus:

1.     Sanctus 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Sanctus Mass V (Villanueva)

3.     Santos I Chord of C F G

4.     Santo, Santo, Santo (Que)

5.     Holy, Holy, Holy (Benitez)

Acclamation:

1.     Si Kristo atong Handumon

2.     Among Gihandum

3.     Si Kristo ay Gunitain (Ramirez)

4.     Si Kristo’y Namatay (Hontiveros)

5.     Sa Krus mo at Pagkabuhay

6.     Christ Has Died (Bayogos)

7.     When We Eat This Bread

Amen:

1.     Amen (Fernandez)

2.     Amen C (GKK Nagaawit Nagadayeg Songbook)

3.     Dakilang Amen (Francisco)

4.     Amen (WYD 95)

Pater Noster:

As usual, choose the best Our Father, Ama Namin, Amahan Namo which everyone in the church can sing with you J

Agnus Dei:

1.     Agnus Dei 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Kordero sa Dios (Fernandez)

3.     Kordero ng Diyos (Arboleda-Francisco)

4.     Lamb of God (Folk)

Communion:

1.     Anino

2.     Ako ang Kahayag

3.     Huwag kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan, Paraiso)

4.     Huwag Mangamba (Francisco)

5.     Sa’yo Lamang (Borres, Gan, Francisco)

6.     Tubig ng Buhay (Valdellon)

7.     Awit ng Pag-asam (Hangad Music Ministry)

8.     Wonderfully Made (Hangad Music Ministry), compliments the RP

9.     Here I am Lord (Schutte)

10.   Be not Afraid (Dufford)

Recessional:

1.     Ang Atong Tulubagon

2.     Diocesan Shared Vision

3.     Pananagutan

4.     Tanda ng Kaharian

5.     I Will sing Forever (Francisco)

6.     All my Days (Schutte, Murray)

Thanks for viewing our blog. Have a nice weekend brothers and sisters J