24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C - September 14, 2025 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

 

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross remembers the Cross of Jesus. It has been celebrated by the Church for centuries. The feast began in the 4th century, when the True Cross was found by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Tradition says she found the Cross in Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified. This discovery made a deep impression on Christians and led to honoring the Cross in a special way.

The feast celebrates the Cross because it is the symbol of our faith. The Cross shows us how much Jesus loves us. He died on the Cross to save us from our sins. In Christian tradition, the Cross is a sign of hope, even though it was an instrument of death. It reminds us that Jesus turned suffering and death into victory and life.

We celebrate this feast on September 14. On this day in the year 335, the Church in Jerusalem dedicated a new church built on the site where Jesus died and rose from the dead. The church was built to honor both His crucifixion and His resurrection. Every year since then, the Church remembers this day and the power of the Cross.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a time to reflect on what the Cross means to us. It is more than a symbol. It is a reminder of God’s love and mercy. By celebrating this feast, we honor the victory Jesus won for us through His death and resurrection.

 

Entrance:

1.    Pag-inambitay
2.    Mao Kini ang Panaghinigugmaay
3.    Pagmamahal sa Panginoon
4.    Bayan, Magsiawit na
5.    Come with Praise (Schutte)
6.    Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte)
7.    Lover of Us All (Schutte)
8.    My Heart’s Thanksgiving (Aquino)
9.    Praise God (Dufford, Foley) Very good choice.
10.  Praise the Lord, My Soul (Foley) Best choice.
11.  Save Us, O Lord (Dufford) Pero parang masyadong pang-Lent.
12.  Seek the Lord (O’Connor)
13.  Sing to the Mountains (Dufford) “You have saved my soul from death…He has turned all death to life”
14.  Though the Mountains May Fall (Schutte)
15.  Throughout All Time (Haas)

Readings:

• First Reading – Numbers 21-4b-9: Tired of their journey and food, the people complain against God and Moses. In response, God allows venomous serpents. After repenting, the people are told by God through Moses to look at a bronze serpent for healing.

• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 78: Hear, my people, how even when you turned from me, I, in my mercy, forgave you and restrained my wrath. Do not forget the works of your merciful God.

• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: Though in the form of God, Jesus didn’t strive for equality with God. He humbled himself, obeying even unto death on a cross. For this, God exalted him above all names.

• Gospel – John 3:13-17: Jesus tells Nicodemus that only he, the Son of Man, descended from and will ascend to heaven. Like Moses’ serpent, he must be lifted up for people to gain eternal life. God sent him not to condemn, but to save.

Offertory: 

1.    Dawata O, Ginoo
2.    Ning Adlaw sa Kalipay
3.    Unang Alay
4.    Take our Bread
 
Communion:
1.    Gugma ang Dios
2.    Gugma ug Paglaum
3.    Ang Kaayo sa Ginoo
4.    Kaibigan
5.    Likhain mong Muli
6.    Maging Akin Muli
7.    Pag-ibig ko
8.    Out of Roads
9.    Love is the answer
10.  How Lovely is your Dwelling Place
11.  Like a Shepherd
12.  God of Silence
 
Recessional:
1.    Pag-inambitay
2.    Ang Tawag sa Panahon
3.    Tanda ng Kaharian
4.    Inay or any Marian Song since we celebrated the Birthday of Mama Mary last Thursday
5.    Pilgrims Theme
 
Salamat po…