1st Sunday of Advent - Year B - December 3, 2023

 
Another year of our church calendar has been ended and we are now on Year B. We are still grateful for your help and support for us to continue this ministry despite the odds we encounter this year. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
 
The readings for the First Sunday in Advent for Year B are a call to be alert in waiting for the coming of the Lord. The first reading begs the Lord to return to us and save us. The psalm also asks God to look upon us and have mercy. The second reading calls us to remain steadfast in our discipleship. And in the gospel, Jesus warns us to be watchful. Not everyone will be ready in the final hour.
 
Theme:
 

• Vigilance: The passage emphasizes the importance of being watchful and alert. It suggests that one must always be prepared for significant events or the return of Christ, as the exact time is unknown.

• Preparedness: The theme of preparedness is linked to the concept of vigilance. It implies that one should live in a state of readiness, both spiritually and morally, for the end times or second coming.

• Accountability: The passage indicates that there will be a time of reckoning. It teaches that individuals are responsible for their actions and must be ready to account for them at any unexpected moment.

• Faithfulness in Duty: Servants are instructed to carry out their tasks diligently. This reflects the broader spiritual principle that followers should be consistent in their responsibilities and faithful in their duties.

• The Unpredictability of God’s Timing: The text stresses that the timing of divine actions is not for humans to know. It challenges believers to trust in God’s timing and plan, despite not knowing the details.

 
Entrance:

1. Ayaw Paglangan Ginoo
2. Andama Ang Dalan
3. Bayan magsiawit na (Song #33)
4. Advent is about, among others, anticipation for Christ’s coming. Naturally being repetitive, this song’s refrain would have an adventish touch and begin very strongly that mission to arouse the congregation’s anticipation for the coming JC when one sings: “Dakilang biyayang pangako Niya sisilay na” rather than “sumilay” na. Kung baga ang lakas ng pasok/dating nito. Parang the film outfit would be creating a teaser dahel may ilo-launch na big budget film! Most sincere apologies po to Father Arnel if binastardo ko yung song niya.
5. Halina, Jesus, aming Mananakop (Isidro, Que) 
6. Dinggin Mo (Esteban, Hontiveros) "Ama nami't Panginoon" is so 1R.
7. Seek the Lord (especially Stanza 1) (Song #289)
8. Advent is not only about anticipation for the Christ’s first coming. It is also about preparedness for the Second Coming. (Traces of 32nd and 33rd Sundays in Ordinary Time.)
9. Blest be the Lord (Schutte)
10. All the Ends of the Earth (Dufford)

 
Readings:

• First Reading – Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7: We acknowledge You as our eternal redeemer, yet we’ve strayed and become sinful. We long for Your mighty presence and deeds, as we are lost without Your guidance.

• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 80: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Shepherd of Israel, hear us and save us. Look down, care for us, and let Your face shine upon us that we may be strong and faithful.

• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:3-9: I thank God for the grace given to you, enriching you with knowledge and spiritual gifts as you await Jesus Christ, who will keep you steadfast until His return.

• Gospel – Mark 13:33-37: Jesus advises his disciples to stay vigilant as no one knows when He will return. It’s likened to a man going on a journey who instructs his servants to be watchful in his absence, emphasizing the need to remain prepared at all times.

 

Offertory:

1. Gasa sa Gugma (Koro Viannista) good choice
2. Daygon Ikaw, Ginoong Dios
3. Gasa Namo Kanimo
4. Pag-aalay ng Puso (Minsan Lamang) (Nemy & Que) as advent (at least the earlier part) has an eschatological notion. Traces of 32nd and 33rd Sundays in Ordinary Time yata ito.
5. Ang Tanging Alay Ko Prioritize Stanza 3. One reinforces the more common message of Advent even more when in Stanza 3 this is sung: “Aking hinihintay ang ‘Yong pagdarating, Jesus” rather than “pagbabalik, Jesus.” Nevertheless, pagbabalik can certainly remain, as again this season also has an eschatological notion.
6. Unang Alay (best choice) We can instantly make this song have an Adventish notion: The last line originally runs: “...Ngayo’y nananalig, nagmamahal sa ‘Yo.” Sing instead, “Ngayo’y umaasa, naghihintay sa ‘Yo.” You then reinforce the message re: anticipation.
7. Now if your choir sings the Koda, you deliver one solid message if you sing: “Ngayo’y nananalig (umaawit), dumudulog (sumasamba), umaasa (naghihintay) sa ‘Yo.” 
8. I will be so excommunicated by Fr. Rey Magnaye.
9. Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda)
10. Take our Bread (Wise)
11. To Be Your Bread (Haas)

 
Communion:
1.      Panahon na Karon sa Pagbag-o, literally Christians repent during Advent and Lent season. So this is a good choice
2.      O Dios, Ikaw Haduol
3.      Andani, Pag-andam sa Ani, the main keyword is Pag-andam. For his coming we should prepare.
4.      Ginoo, Sayud Ka sa Tanan (Ad-7)
5.      Awit ng Paghahangad (Cenzon) Our response to be watchful: Ika’y pagmamasdan sa dakong banal, nang Makita ko ang ‘Yong pagkarangal.
6.      Awit ng Paghilom (Aquino). “Hanap-hanap Ka ng puso”
7.      Hesus na Aking Kapatid (Hontiveros) Focus on “Tulutan Mo aking mata” Lentish admittedly though.
8.      Liwanag ng Aming Puso: Lentish but (“...sa amin manahan Ka...”) 
9.      O Diyos, Iniibig Kita (Rodrigo & Hontiveros)
10.  Pagsibol (Aquino)
11.  Panginoon Aking Tanglaw (Ramirez)
12.  Sa Dapit Hapon (Tabuena & Hontiveros) Sing stanza 1 repeatedly.
13.  Patience People (Foley) 
14.  The Face of God (Francisco)
15.  God of Silence (Francisco)
16.  Holy Darkness “As we await You” pero some consider this for the Easter Vigil mas apt.
17.  Hosea (Norbet) Lentish mas kilala, pero if you consider its links to eschatology...
18.  Love is the answer (Hannisian)
19.  One Thing I Ask (Tirol)
20.  This Alone (Manion)
21.  We Remember (Haugen)
 
Recessional:

1. Pagpangatagak na Yamog
2. Balang Araw - Suggestion ko lang ‘toh; anyone can very well disagree: consider changing yung ‘Narito na’ng Manunubos, luwalhatiin ang Diyos!’ into ‘Darating na’ng Manunubos, luwalhatiin ang Diyos!’ I just think it will be more faithful to the chronology, na for this season of advent, we should all help build up the anticipation for His coming. Technically Christ already came 2000 years ago, but we do have a liturgical year—every year and time, events that happened 2000 years ago are ever more renewed and ever more recalled to mind, and akma yung message mo when you hit the right pamanahon ng pandiwa (tenses of verbs).
3. Tanda ng Kaharian ng Diyos (Morano & Francisco)
4. Any Marian Song (kasi Nov 27 is Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal)
5. A Time Will Come for Singing (Schutte) 
6. Wait for the Lord
7. Life Forever More (Ellerton & Francisco)