Sunday, April 29,
2012
4th Sunday of Easter in Year B, Good Shepherd Sunday, World
Day of Prayer for Vocations
Liturgical Color : White
Good Shepherd Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of
Easter in the new Catholic
liturgical calendar; that
is, the Sunday three weeks after
Easter Sunday. The name derives from the
gospel readings on this day which are taken
from the
10th chapter of
John. In this reading
Christ is described as the Good
Shepherd who, by
dying on the Cross, lays down his life for his sheep. In the Traditional
(pre-1970) Latin Liturgy (see
Tridentine Mass), this Mass is said on the Second Sunday after
Easter, i.e., the Sunday after the Octave of Easter (
Quasimodo or "Low" Sunday).
In recent times the feast day has also
become known as
Vocations
Sunday, a day on which prayers should be said for vocations to the
priesthood and
religious life.
Entrance:
1.
Diha
sa Halaran
2.
Diosnong
Magtutudlo
3.
Mao
Kini ang Panaghigugmaay
4.
Kon
Magkatigum Ta
5.
Magsiawit sa Panginoon (Isidro & Que)
"Magsiawit kayo sa Panginoon; ALELUYA!"
6.
Isang Pananampalataya (Santos & Hontiveros)
7.
Halina aat Lumapit (Santos, Hontiveros) Stanza 2
ang priority.
8.
Blest be the Lord (Schutte)
9.
City of God (Schutte) Stanza 2 ang priority.
10. Come
With Me Into the Fields (Schutte)
11. Glory
and Praise to Our God (Schutte) Stanza 3 ang priority.
12. Play
before the Lord (Dufford). Stanza 2 ang priority. "Offering Him our joyful
hearts, joining in endless praise. Alleluia (4x) joining in endless
praise."
13. Sing
a new song (Schutte). Don’t forget to replace “Yahweh’s people” to “O God’s
people.” "Singing Alleluia...”
Kyrie:
1.
Ginoo Kaloy-I Kami (Set IV)
2.
Panginoon Maawa Ka (Francisco)
3.
Maawa Ka (Francisco-Reyes)
4.
Lord, Have Mercy (Francisco-Reyes)
5.
As We Prepare
Gloria:
1.
Himaya sa Dios (C7)
2.
Luwalhati sa Dios (Sengson)
3.
Glory to God (Francisco-Agatep)
First
Reading Acts
4:8-12
Peter,
filled with the Holy Spirit, said:
"Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved."
Responsorial
Psalm Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
R. (22) The
stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his kindness endures forever.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
Second
Reading 1
Jn 3:1-2
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Gospel Acclamation:
1.
Aleluya, Lamdag Ka
2.
Aleluya, Mao Kini ang Adlaw
3.
Aleluya sa ‘Tong Ginoo
4.
Aleluya, Wikain Mo (Francisco)
5.
Aleluya, Kami ay Gawin mong Daan (Francisco)
6.
Aleluya (Francisco-Arboleda-Torres)
7.
Sing Aleluia to the Lord
Jesus
said:
"I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father."
Homily/Reflection of
the Readings
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, today, the faithful of the Holy
Catholic Church are united as one throughout the world to pray for religious
vocations. Being of one mind as Jesus and the Father are of one mind, the
faithful are calling upon the grace of Our Lord Jesus shine on His Church by
blessing it with an abundance of religious vocations.
This special day harmonizes with the holy readings that we have just heard. As
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for we who are His sheep,
those who are called to the religious life in service to the Lord
wholeheartedly and continuously embrace a life of self-denial for the spiritual
well- being of the Church and its followers.
During today's First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:7-12], we
heard how Peter and John answered their calling to serve the Lord Jesus. Having
been arrested for preaching the resurrection of the Lord, they stood before the
rulers, the elders and the scribes to account for their actions. Filled with
the Holy Spirit, Peter answered that his actions of good works were performed
in the Name of Jesus Christ Who had been crucified and raised from the dead by
God.
Using the opportunity that was available to testify in the Most Holy Name of
Jesus, Peter added that Jesus, the Stone that was rejected by the authorities,
the builders, had become the Cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else,
for there is no other Name under Heaven given among mortals by which we must be
saved.
In his discourse, Peter referred to the rulers, the elders and the scribes as
the "builders." Giving credit where it is due, Peter acknowledged the
authority of the leadership of the Jewish people. He was speaking to those who
had been called to lead God's people, to teach the Scriptures, the Ten
Commandments, the Mosaic Laws and the righteousness of the Lord. As teachers,
they were the builders of God's people under the Old Covenant of the Laws of
Moses.
Peter informed the builders of God's people that they had erred in their
interpretation of the Scriptures regarding the coming of the Messiah. As the
leaders of the people, they had rejected Jesus, the promised Messiah, He who
was the Cornerstone of God's people, the Church.
As you must realize, those to who Peter was speaking were like our bishops, our
judges and senior officials of the government. Filled with the Holy Spirit,
Peter spoke boldly. While attempting to open their minds to spiritual truths,
Peter was fearless of what the authorities thought. He had a greater fear of
failing to do the work of the Lord than of offending those who were listening
to his discourse.
In his discourse, Peter stated, "There is salvation in no one
else..." Our living faith teaches us that our salvation is through Jesus,
He who is the one Mediator between God and man. [1 Tim. 2:5-6] It is through
Jesus alone that we find the forgiveness of sins that leads to our salvation.
This forgiveness of sins is found in the Church Sacrament of Confession that
was instituted on earth by Our Lord Jesus.
About three years ago, it came to my attention that some of the faithful were
claiming that salvation could be obtained by another way than through Jesus who
is the one and only Mediator between God and man. They were promoting the
private messages of an alleged mystic. These private messages claimed that one
could bypass Jesus and go directly to God the Father. They further claimed that
if one was to call out just once in their lifetime on the word
"Father," they would be saved. In other words, these private messages
were denying the necessity of salvation through Christ and the Church
Sacraments that Our Lord has instituted on earth. What a deception!
According to Canon Law # 823, as a priest I am obligated to safeguard the
integrity of the faith. As such, I have a duty to condemn these writings which
harm the true faith by deceiving those who believe in such nonsense.
Moving on to the Second Reading from the First Letter of John, [1 Jn. 3:1-2] we
are reminded of the love of God the Father for us. So great is the love of God
that it results in our being called His children.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Jesus. In the
eyes of many, it is "strange" that those who have been genuinely
called to the religious life choose to be celibate. It is strange that many of
them live in poverty, renouncing worldly possessions. To them, it is strange that
someone would renounce their free will by making the vow of obedience. To these
of worldly minds, they fail to perceive the beauty of self-denial and
self-giving in the love of God. Those of the world do not understand those who
give themselves to the religious life because, contrary to their claims, they
do not know Jesus.
As God's children know, we do not know what we will be like after the
resurrection of the bodies because it has not been revealed to us. What we do
know is that we will be like Jesus glorified. During our eternal life, we will
not have a physical form because Jesus no longer has a physical body. This is
known by the fact that He is no longer physically present in this world in
human form. Nor will we be spirits because Jesus and His Spirit, the Holy
Spirit, are two separate Divine Presences in God.
There are two things that the Holy Bible tells us. First of all, after the
resurrection of the dead, at the twinkle of an eye, our bodies will be
transformed into imperishable and immortal bodies. [1 Cor. 15:52] Secondly,
those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky and those who
lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. [Dan. 12:3]
Today's reading from the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John reminded us
through the spoken Words of Jesus that He is the Good Shepherd. What is the
difference between the Good Shepherd and the hired hand? When the hired hand
sees the wolf approaching, he abandons the sheep. After all, why should he risk
his life for what is not his? But, the Good Shepherd, He lays down His life to
save His sheep from the approaching wolf. So loving and caring is the Good
Shepherd that when He sees one of His sheep is missing, He will leave the
ninety-nine who are safe to go and find His missing sheep.
Similar to this, those who answer their religious calling have a duty to
safeguard the faith of the children of God, the believers of the Church. When
they see a lost child who has been misled away from the Body of Christ, they
have an obligation to reach out to this child so he or she may be reconciled
with God, with the Church and with the faithful. This will ensure that every
child shall bear spiritual fruits. This will ensure that when the Heavenly
Father prunes the Tree of Life, He will not remove this child as a dead branch
that should be burned.
Jesus said that He knows His own and they know Him. Jesus knows each and
everyone of us by our first name and we know Him by His first name, Jesus.
Jesus also said that He has other sheep that do not belong to the fold. He must
bring them also and they will listen to His voice. Consequently, they will be
of one flock, having one Shepherd.
When Jesus spoke of His other sheep, He was referring to the Gentiles who at
the time were not inheritors of the Old Testament promises of God for His
chosen people. He was referring to all the people throughout the world, no
matter their language, their nationality, their race or their culture. All are
called to be of one flock, to have one Shepherd. Through faith in Jesus and the
Sacrament of Baptism, all are born again of the godly seed to belong to the One
Body of Christ. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, all are equal as children of
God.
The Heavenly Father loves His Son Jesus because He voluntarily laid down His
life for all of mankind. Jesus laid down His life so He can take it up again.
Equally, the Heavenly Father has a special love for those who voluntarily give
their lives in the service of the Lord Jesus through the Holy Catholic Church.
While not all lay down their lives by being called to martyrdom, all those who
embrace the religious life are fully aware that their calling may send them to
foreign missions where they may become martyrs.
Since today is the World Day of Prayers for Vocations, I would like to take a
moment as a humble instrument of the Lord to draw to God those who think they
may have a calling to the religious life.
If any of you are contemplating the religious life, being frequently inspired
by the Holy Spirit to reflect on this possibility, then I would like to hear
from you.
If any of you enjoy a burning desire to serve the Lord by tending to the sheep,
even as a lay missionary, then I would like to hear from you.
If any of you entertain a spiritual mind that is continuously compelled to
reflect on spiritual things, being in this world but not of this world, then I
would like to hear from you.
If you suspect for a moment that the Lord Jesus is calling you to care for His
sheep, then I urge you to investigate the nature of this suspicion. If you are
called to the religious life and you answer your call, you will have fulfilled
your calling according to the will of God. If it is determined that you are not
called to the religious life, at least you will gain the peace of mind in knowing
that the religious life was not for you, that God had simply blessed you with a
very spiritual mind.
As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, may our minds be
strengthened by the Word of God and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that we
are about to receive. And let us humbly ask the Heavenly Father for His grace
to shine on our Parish by the power of His Spirit so we may be blessed with
religious vocations to fruitfully continue the ministry of our Lord Jesus
Christ among His children.
Offertory
1. Gasa sa Gugma
2. Diyutay lang Kini
3. Pagdaygon ka Dios
4.
Ang Tanging Alay Ko “’Sa ‘Yo aking Ama” connects
to 2R.
5.
Isang Pagkain, Isang Katawan, Isang Bayan (San
Pedro)
6.
Paghahandog ng Sarili (Ofrasio-Hontiveros or
Arboleda-Francisco)
7.
Blessed Be God
8.
Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda)
Sanctus:
1.
Sanctus Mass IV (Villanueva)
2.
Santos Pastorela (Villanueva)
3.
Santo, Santo, Santo (Que)
4.
Santo, Santo, Santo (Francisco)
5.
Holy, Holy, Holy (Dufford-Schutte)
Acclamation:
1.
Among Gihandum
2.
Si Kristo Namatay
3.
Si Kristo ay Gunitain (Ramirez)
4.
Sa Krus Mo at Pagkabuhay
5.
Memorial Acclamation (Marcelo-Fenomeno)
6.
Dying
Amen:
1.
7 Amen
2.
Dakilang Amen
3.
Great Amen
Pater Noster:
Please choose the best Amahan
Namo/Ama Namin/Our Father which all the people in the church can sing with you.
Doxology:
1.
Kay Imo Man
2.
Sapagkat
3.
For Thine (Mallote)
Agnus Dei:
1.
Kordero sa Dios Pastorella (Villanueva)
2.
Agnus Dei Mass VIII (Villanueva)
3.
Kordero ng Dios (Ryan Cayabyab)
4.
Kordero ng Dios (Que)
5.
Lamb of God (Folk)
6.
Lamb of God (Arboleda-Francisco)
Communion
1. Misyon sa Tawo
2. Ang Ginoo akong Magbalantay, swak for the Gospel
3. Kini Maong akong Lawas
4. Tungo Sa’yo (Hangad), swak for the celebration Vocation Sunday
5.
Ang Mabuting Pastol (Hontiveros)
6.
Ang Panginoon ay aking Pastol (Isidro &
Ramirez)
7.
Pagsibol (Aquino)
8.
Tubig ng Buhay (Valdellon)
9.
Ama Kong Mahal (Aquino)
10. Pag-ibig
Mo, Ama (Macalinao, Hontiveros)
11. Sa
Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro & Que) Ang priority ay stanza 3. “Pastol
kang nagmamahal sa kawan”
12. Panginoon
ng Pag-ibig at Pag-asa. Emphasize Aleluya at finale.
13. So
the Love of God (Schutte)
14. Shelter
Me, O God
15. Like
a Shepherd (Dufford). Prioritize Stanzas 2 & 3
16. Pastorale
(Francisco)
17. Valleys
of Green (Schutte)
18. Empty
Space (Go, Francisco)
19. For
You Are My God (Foley)
20. God
of Silence (Francisco)
21. Here
I Am, Lord (Schutte)
Recessional
1.
Pagbanwag
2.
Ang Tawag
3.
Ang atong Tulubagon
4.
Humayo’t Ihayag (Francisco, Catalan & Go).
Emphasize "Aleluya" at finale.
5.
Ito ang Bagong Araw (Isidro, Ramirez)
6.
Pananagutan
7.
Before the Sun burned bright (Schutte).
Emphasize Alleluia.
8.
All My Days (Schutte) Stanza 4 ang priority.
9.
Pilgrim’s Theme (Go & Francisco) dahel
Vocation Sunday.
10. Save
us, O Lord. Lenten, pero "O Shepherd of Israel"
