Entrance:
1. Lungsod nga Balaan
2. Himaya Kanimo, Kristo
Jesus
3. Awit sa Pagdayeg
4. Alay sa Kapwa (Esteban, Hontiveros) Medyo Lenten pero swak ang message
5. Pagmamahal sa Panginoon (Hontiveros)
6. City of God (Schutte)
7. Come With Praise (Schutte)
First Reading Dt 4:1-2, 6-8
Moses said to the
people:
"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin upon you,
you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?"
Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
R. (1a) One who does justice will live in
the presence of the Lord.
Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. One who
does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. One who
does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. One who
does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Second Reading Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Dearest brothers and
sisters:
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Gospel Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
When the Pharisees
with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
--For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. --
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
"Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?"
He responded,
"Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
"Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.
"From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile."
Reflections of the Readings (Sept. 2)
Welcome
children of God to today's celebration of the Holy Mass that commemorates the
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. This means that we have now passed the
two-thirds mark of the Liturgical Year that will end in November, at which time
will begin the First Sunday of Advent.
I pray that the grace of God is rich within all of you today so your ears will
hear the glorious message of the Word of God that I am about to share with you.
During today's First Reading, we heard what happened when Moses gave the
commandments of the Lord to His people. The Israelites were told to pay
attention to the statutes and ordinances so they may live, enter and occupy the
promised land.
As commanded by God, Moses also told the people that they must not add
anything, nor take anything from the commandments of God. [Deut. 4:2] This was
to ensure that the commandments would remain intact generation after
generation.
As God's chosen leader of the people, Moses explained to the Israelites that by
diligently observing the commandments of the Lord, they would be showing an
example to the surrounding nations who worshipped false gods and sacrificed
children to their gods. When those nations would hear of the spiritual laws of
the true God, they would say, God's people are wise and discerning.
The necessity to obey the commandments of God was not to boast regarding the
richness of its spiritual benefits; it was necessary to do so because no other
nation had a god so near to it as the Lord God was to His people. And no other
nations had the fullness of the law that embraced all the physical and
spiritual needs of a people so it may shine in love, mercy and justice for the
glory of God the Father.
Moses also explained to the Israelites that obedience to the commandments of
God was mandatory. Those who obey the commandments of the Lord would be blessed
throughout their lives. Those who disobey the commandments of the Lord by
turning to other gods, would be cursed. [See Deut. 11:26-8]
As some of you are fully aware, hundreds of passages within the history of the
Old Testament are prophetic of what was to come. Many of the Scriptures echo
the coming of the Messiah, the ministry of Christ and His death on the cross.
Others echo the institution of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Others yet echo the Sacraments of the Church. Today's reading echoes the
teachings of Jesus Christ that are found in the New Testament.
As the Israelites were commanded to pay attention to the statutes and
ordinances of God the Father so that they may live, enter and occupy the
promised land, we today, are also commanded to pay attention to the teachings
of Jesus. Why? Because the teachings of Jesus are our blessed hope that leads
to eternal life and salvation. By persevering in our living faith, through the
Blood of the Lamb, we will finally rejoice in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
z Moses emphasized that it was extremely important that the people obey the
law, without adding or deleting from it. Those who obey the law would be
blessed. Those who disobey it would be cursed. In the New Testament, we find a
similar passage. "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of
this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues
described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God will take away that person's share which are described in the
book." [Rev. 22:18-9]
As God's people of the Old Testament was commanded to obey the law, we today
are also commanded to obey God through Jesus Christ. We are commanded to obey
the teachings of the Catholic Church that echo the Ten Commandments, the
teachings of the Lord Jesus and the Word of God that is found in the Holy
Bible. These are our statutes and our ordinances. If we obey them, we will be
blessed. If we disobey them, we will be cursed.
For Christ, "having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey Him." [Heb. 5:9] "When He comes to be
glorified by His saints and to be marvelled at on that day among all who have
believed [2 Thess. 1:9] He will "inflict vengeance on those who do not
know God and on those who [did] not obey His gospel." [2 Thess. 1:8]
Accordingly, it is clear that the promise of salvation is conditional, that we
must obey the teachings of Jesus Christ. Then, "if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so
that we may also be glorified with him." [Rom. 8:17] Our inheritance
depends on not being ashamed to bear the Most Holy Name of Jesus, of not being
afraid to bear our daily crosses that sanctify us so we may become more in the
likeness of Christ. For, "If we have died with Him, we will also live with
Him." [2 Tim. 2:11] As St. Peter said, "For to this you have been
called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that
you should follow in his steps." [1 Pet. 2:21]
Now, some may claim that they have cheated death. They may claim that through
their baptism, they are assured eternal life in the Kingdom of God. As such,
when their physical body dies, their soul will raise to Heaven. Have I got a
surprise for you! Listen to this passage from the Book of Baruch.
"O Lord, look down from your holy dwelling, and consider us. Incline your
ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see, for the dead who are in
Hades, whose spirit has been taken from their bodies, will not ascribe glory or
justice to the Lord; but the person who is deeply grieved, who walks bowed and
feeble, with frailing eyes and famished soul, will declare your glory and
righteousness, O Lord." [Bar. 2:16-8]
Did you all hear that, "for the dead who are in Hades, whose spirit has
been taken from their bodies"? Those who neglect their salvation lose
their soul. They lose the gift of the new creation that they have received
during the Sacrament of Baptism. Those who are saved are those who sincerely
repent, those who are humble, those who do penance, those who have a deep
regret of their sins, those who hunger for God's salvation.
It is no wonder that St. James tells us in today's Second Reading that
"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the
word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
All good actions that we perform, we do so by the grace of God through the
power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. God's laws have not changed
since the day of creation. As His creations, we are called to obey Him and
serve Him in all humility and all righteousness.
By the word of truth, in the Name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy
Spirit, we were born again as new creations. Our new birth is a first step
towards a future transformation that will take place at the twinkle of an eye
[1 Cor. 15:52] so we may be transformed in the glory of the Lord Jesus.
"For the perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body
must put on immortality." [1 Cor. 15:53]
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to welcome with meekness the
implanted word of God that has the power to save our souls. We are called to be
doers of the word, not merely hearers who deceive themselves.
We are called to be holy as our religion is holy. Religion that is pure and
undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in
their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. As doers of the
word, we are called to stand up for the oppressed. We are called to defend the
unborn. We are called to condemn the death penalty so we will not have on our
hands the blood of falsely convicted persons, this action also providing us
with the opportunity to convert the hardest of sinners for the glory of God.
What would have happened if St. Paul would have been executed for all what he
did to the early Church christians? Surely, a good part of the New Testament
would be non-existent!
Now some may say, "I am tired of helping beggars. Why don't they get a
job?" We are not called to judge the beggars for God alone knows what
hardship or human frailty has led them to become beggars. What we do know is
that when we feed the hungry or give a drink to the thirsty, we do so to
Christ. Through such sanctifying action, we receive the grace of God that
increases the beauty of our souls in the eyes of God the Father. Such actions
go to our credit so we may qualify to enter the Kingdom of God.
During today's Gospel Reading, we heard how the Pharisees and some of the
scribes questioned Jesus as to why His disciples ate without washing their
hands. In those days, their traditions demanded that all kinds of rules be
followed regarding washing.
Jesus responded by quoting the prophet Isaiah. "This people honours me
with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines."
In other words, it is more important to obey the commandments of God than to
hold on to human traditions. Doing things because our parents and grandparents
have done it exactly that way is meaningless. Putting five dollars in the
Church collection plate on Sundays, circumcising all male children, going to
Christmas midnight Mass versus the daily Mass, preparing eleven dishes for the
Easter family meal, spending so much money on a wedding or having to invite so
many guests, these are all meaningless traditions. Nobody makes it to heaven by
making sure that they followed each of these tradition of their ancestors.
In His teaching to the crowd, Jesus added that there is nothing outside of a
person, that if he does it, he is defiled. It is the things that come out that
defile. All human actions have their origin in the heart. That is where evil
intentions are planned and executed, be they: fornication, theft, murder,
adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, or
folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.
Called to be doers of the Word of God, we are not called to be doers of the
worldly pleasures that rob the grace of God from our souls. Called to be holy
children as members of the holy Body of Christ, we are called to be doers of
holy actions, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit"
[Gal. 5:22-5] so we may truly be doers of the Word.
Offertory:
1. Dios Nia Ko
2. Gasa sa Gugma
3. O Dios Dawata
4. Mula sa ‘Yo (Francisco)
5. Narito Ako (San Andres)
6.
Narito Ako, Panginoon (Que)
7. Earthen Vessels (Foley)
8. Dwelling Place (Foley)
9. Take our Bread (Wise)
10. All That I have (Hangad)
Communion:
1. Misyon sa Tawo
2. Kini Maong Akong
Lawas
3. Buta
4. Ang Mabuhay sa Pag-ibig (Tabuena, Hontiveros)
5. Kaibigan, Kapanalig (Ofrasio, Hontiveros)
6. Likhain Mong Muli (Alejo, Francisco)
7. Maliban na Mahulog sa Lupa
8. Manalig Ka (Perez)
9.
Diyos, Iniibig Kita (Rodrigo, Francisco)
10.
Tungod Sa’yo (Hangad)
11. All I Ask of You (Norbet)
12. Anima Christi (Arboleda) A little bit Lenten, though.
13. Empty Space (Go, Francisco)
14. God of Silence (Francisco)
15. Here in this Place (Haas) A little bit for Easter, though.
16. I Seek You for I Thirst (Valdellon)
17.
Love is the Answer (Hannisian)
Recessional:
1. Ang Tawag
2. Kinsa?
3. Ang Atong Tulubagon
4. Tanda ng Kaharian ng Diyos (Moreno, Francisco)
5. Humayo Kayo (Pangilinan, Hontiveros)
6. I Will Sing Forever (Francisco)
Thank you for
visiting my blog and happy weekend Brothers and Sisters J