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 3rd 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.
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.
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."
"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.
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,
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,
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.
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
3rd 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 3rd 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
