Suggested Songs for July 15, 2012 Mass

July 15, 2012

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Liturgical Color : Green

This Sunday, GOD wants us to know that we are DESTINED TO BE HIS CHILDREN and our mission to spread his word to the world.

Songs about being a faithful prophet, God’s assistance and assurance, vocation, missions, apostolate, volunteerism, sending forth are highly recommended.

Note:

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Entrance

1.     Diosnong Magtutudlo, literally sibo siya sa tema o mensahe nga misyon

2.     Pag-inambitay

3.     Kasaulogan sa Kinabuhi

4.     Bayan, Magsiawit Na! (Aquino)

5.     Bayan, Umawit (Borres, Baltazar, Francisco)

6.     Come With Praise (Schutte)

7.     For You Are My God (Foley)

8.     Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte)

Kyrie

1.     Kyrie 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Kaloy-I Kami Ginoo, chord of Am E7

3.     Ginoo Malooy Ka, chord of Dm A7 Dm

4.     Panginoon Maawa Ka, chord of Em-Am-B7

5.     Panginoon Maawa Ka (Cayabyab)

6.     Lord Have Mercy (Francisco – Reyes)

7.     Kyrie Eleison (Misa de Angeles)

Gloria

1.     Gloria 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Papuri sa Dios (Francisco-Reyes-Torres)

3.     Glory to God (Francisco – Agatep)

First Reading                                  Am 7:12-15

Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos,
"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."
Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
Go, prophesy to my people Israel."

Responsorial Psalm                             Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD --for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Second Reading                                Eph 1:3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.

Or Eph 1:3-10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of God's grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

Gospel Acclamation

1.     Aleluya sa ‘tong Ginoo (Fernandez)

2.     Aleluya (Francisco)

3.     Celtic Alleluia (O’Caroll – Walker)

Gospel                                         Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick--
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them."
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Homily/Reading Reflections

My brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome to today's celebration of the Holy Mass, the visible reflection of the invisible banquet to which we will participate in the Divine presence of our Lord Jesus through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Today's readings from the Holy Gospel echo that we have all been called by the Lord, destined for adoption to become children of God.

Originally, when preparing my reflection or reading interpretation, I had planned on asking two questions. The first question was, how many of you have been called by the Lord Jesus? The second one was, how many of you have answered your calling?

The reason that I decided not to ask these questions is because I thought some of you might associate the word "calling" with a religious vocation. That would have implied that those who are not called to the religious life have not been called by God. But this is not the case! We are all called by the grace of God, each according to our commission. Yes, it is true that some are called to the religious life. But others are called to the married life. And others yet are called to remain single. In each of these different callings, we are called to the same spiritual vocation, to worship God in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him. [Jn. 4:23]

Each has a calling according to the Divine Will of God. Each and everyone of us have been commissioned through Jesus Christ to lead a life worthy of adoption to become children of God.

During today's First Reading from the Book of Amos that is found in the Old Testament, we heard that the Lord told Amos, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel." As you heard from this reading and previous biblical readings, in those days, "in many and various ways God spoke of old to our father by the prophets." (C.C.C. # 65) Each prophet received a distinct commission according to his calling.

"But in these days," it is different! "God has spoken to us through His Son Jesus Christ, God made man." (C.C.C. # 65) As such, "no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ." (C.C.C. # 66) All what God the Father had to say to us was said through Jesus Christ. We do not have to wait days, months or years for God to appear to each and everyone of us.

By the grace of God the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, through our faith in Jesus Christ and the Sacrament of Baptism, we have been called to become children of God. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we have been equipped with spiritual "gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the grace that has been given to us." [Rom. 12:6] and sent forth by our Bishop as shining lights in the world [Mt. 5:16] "to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross." (C.C.C. # 1303)

Our personal calling does not demand us to push ourselves upon others. Certainly not! We are called to be disposed in Christian love to share the Word of God with those who are open to Divine grace. After all, everyone has a free will to accept or to reject the gospel of their salvation. As we heard from the First Reading, the Word of God through Amos was not welcomed. Amos was told to go somewhere else to prophesy.

During today's Gospel, we heard Jesus say, "If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." Note what Jesus said. He did not say that we should persecute those who reject His Word. He said to shake the dust off our feet. Amen. That is it!

Having been sent by the apostolic Church to spread and defend the faith before our family, our friends and our co-workers, we can expect that our christian obligation will not be easy. Some will reject us because we represent Jesus on earth. But we should not feel so bad about it because we are in good company. We will be counted among those who have been rejected, our Lord Jesus, St. Paul, St. Stephen and all the martyrs of the Holy Catholic Church. We will be counted among our brothers and sisters in Christ who today are sharing the same hardship in the hope of the glory to come.

When our efforts to spread and defend the faith to the people are rejected, we should always remember the Words of the Lord to Moses, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being King over them." [1 Sam. 8:7]

Today's Second Reading from the Letters to the Ephesians teaches us that we were chosen by God before creation. God did not choose us when we committed ourselves at our Baptism. Nor when we were confirmed, attended to our first confession, or when we received our First Communion. He chose each and everyone of us to be saved through the Blood of Christ before creation! Stop and think about that! [Pause]

Having destined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Father chose each and everyone of us to be holy and blameless before Him in love. And all of this is freely given [Rom. 5:15] to us to manifest the praise of His glorious grace.

In His Divine wisdom and insight, God determined that when the fullness of time would come, He would make known to us the mystery of His Will that He set forth through Christ, in Heaven and on earth. The grace of God was not only limited to Heaven or to the earth, but to both. Through Christ, "being born in human likeness, being found in human form [Col. 2:7] on earth, the Holy Catholic and apostolic Church was instituted to reveal the holy Sacraments that lead to salvation and eternal life in Heaven. Through Christ in Heaven, the "firstfruit" [Rom. 8:23, 11:16; 1 Cor. 15:20] of many to follow, the Kingdom of God was eternally instituted. And the Kingdom of God is not limited to Heaven; it is here on earth today for us to enter its doors through the Sacrament of Baptism. 

That is our inheritance that comes through Christ, through who we were destined according to the Will of God to be called the children of God. Our hope is in Christ so we may live for the praise of His glory.

My brothers and sisters, when we first heard the "word of truth," [Jas. 1:18] the gospel of our salvation and we believed in Jesus, we were marked by the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. At that moment was fulfilled in each and everyone of us the promises of God that are found in the Old Testament, that He would give us a new heart and spirit. [Ezek. 11:19-20; 18:31] Not only did God promise to give each and everyone of us those gifts before we were born, but He also promised to place His Holy Spirit within each and everyone of us to help us remain good by obeying His Holy ways. [Ezek. 36:26-7] Blessed be our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. [Ephes. 1:3]

So powerful is the Word of God that "indeed, it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit..." [Heb. 4:12] When the grace of God touched each and everyone of us, we were drawn to Him. To transform us as new creations that are holy and blameless before Him, our loving God gives us a new heart during the Sacrament of Baptism. At that moment, through the Word of God that was spoken, our old nature died because it had inherited the sin of Adam. At that moment, "we died," [Rom. 6:5] "were buried" [Rom. 6:4] in water and raised with Christ as new creations in fulfillment of the promise of God the Father. [Ezek. 11:19-20; 18:31]

Listen to the final words that were read in today's Second Reading. "This is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, in the praise of His glory." [Ephes. 1:14] What I have just finished explaining to you was fulfilled through each and everyone of us during the Sacrament of Baptism. At that moment, we were made righteous in the eyes of God through our new creation that was given to us as a gift of Divine love. Just as Adam and Eve enjoyed the beatific vision of God in the Garden of Eden, we have received the promise of an equal blessing, the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we received a second chance!

Now that we have been made righteous by the grace of God, a gift freely given to us by His infinite grace, we have to maintain our righteousness through our living faith in Christ. When we sin, we have to make use of the Catholic Church Sacrament of Confession that reinstates our righteousness before God. Having been made righteous again, we have to partake in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the Living Bread that seals our salvation.

How do we live our faith in Christ? By partaking in the Sacraments and by answering the Lord's call to go forth to spread and defend the faith by announcing the good news that the promises of the Old Testament are being fulfilled through the Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church. Salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of God is within the reach of all those who will fix their eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ who is in the glory of God, the fullness of the Holy Trinity dwelling bodily. [Col 1:19, 2:9]

My brothers and sisters, we all have a calling to answer. As a priest, I am called to administer the Church Sacraments, to preach the Word, to perform exorcisms, to anoint the sick with holy oils and all what my ministry requires of me as a servant of the Lord.

Those of you who have been called to the religious life as a brother or a sister, your calling is different. And so it is different for those who have been called to the Sacrament of Marriage and those who have been called to remain single. While our callings differ greatly in the visible world, the spiritual calling that we must answer in the invisible world is identical to all of us. As St. Paul states at the beginning of the Letter to the Romans, it is through our human spirit that we serve God by announcing the gospel of His Son. [Rom. 1:9]

We have all received a new heart and spirit, over and above the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, so we may be enslaved to Jesus Christ in obedience, servitude and humility. Through our new creation, we are destined for adoption as children of God. But such is not fulfilled until we have persevered in our living faith until our LAST BREATH.

My brothers and sisters, let us reflect upon these words this week. Let us reflect on how awesome it is that God destined us to saved before we were born. Let us reflect on the fact that God made promises to us thousands of years ago and He is fulfilling those promises through the Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church. Let us reflect on the fact that God had each and everyone of us on His mind, knowing in advance that He would be giving us the gifts of our inheritance to come for the glory of Jesus Christ. We are destined for adoption as children of God!

Offertory

1.     Dios Nia Ko, best choice diin gidalit nimo imong kaugalingon sa pagpangalagad

2.     O Dios Dawata, best choice diin gidalit nimo imong kaugalingon sa pagpangalagad

3.     Paghahandog ng Sarili (Arboleda, Francisco)

4.     Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad (Arboleda, Francisco)

5.     Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda)

6.     Prayer of Rupert Mayer

Sanctus

1.     Sanctus 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Santos (Fernandez) chord of C-F-G-C-G7-C

3.     Santo, Santo, Santo (Francisco-Arboleda, Torres)

4.     Sanctus (Misa de Angeles)

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.     Pwede gamiton ang AMEN nga last part sa Gloria 3^rd Mass

2.     7 Amen

3.     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

Doxology

1.     Kay Imo Man

2.     Sapagkat

3.     For Thine (Mallote)

Agnus Dei

1.     Cordero sa Dios 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.     Kordero sa Dios Pastorella (Villanueva)

3.     Kordero ng Dios (Cayabyab)

4.     Lamb of God (Folk)

Communion

1.     Misyon sa Tawo

2.     Ang Kinabuhing Mahinungdanon, prioritize Koro 2

3.     Ang Tanging Alay Ko

4.     Huwag Kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan, Francisco)

5.     Huwag Mangamb a (Francisco)

6.      Panginoon, Narito Ako (Isidro, Que)

7.     Panunumpa (Gonzales)

8.     Patnubay (Cuyugkeng, Caguioa, Sta. Maria, La Vina) Best choice.

9.     Sa ‘Yo Lamang

10.   Sino Kayo? (Javellana, Que) Also a very good choice.

11.   Tungo Sa’yo (Francia, Reyes, Tirol)

12.   All I Ask of You (Norbet)

13.   At Home in our Hearts (Francisco)

14.   Be Not Afraid (Dufford)

15.   Come With Me Into the Fields (Schutte)

16.   Here I am, Lord (Schutte)

17.   I Hear My Name (Francisco)

18.   I Love the Lord (Aquino)

19.   In Him Alone (Francisco)

20.  Lead Me, Lord (De Pano)

21.   You Are Mine (Haas)

22.  Your Heart Today (Francisco)

Recessional

1.     Kinsa?

2.     Ang Atong Tulubagon

3.     Diocesan Shared Vision (if you have)

4.     Humayo Tayo (Pangilinan, Hontiveros)

5.     Humayo’t Ihayag (Francisco, Catalan, Go)

6.     I Will Sing Forever (Francisco)

7.     Pilgrim’s Theme (Go, Francisco)

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK EVERYONE J

Suggested Songs for July 8, 2012 Mass

July 8, 2012

14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Liturgical Color : Green

This Sunday, the Lord will teach us to be Obedience, Servitude and Humility.

Note:

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Entrance:

1.     Awit mga Binuhat, “alagaran ta ang atong Ginoo” being obedience

2.    Bag-ong Huni sa Kinabuhi

3.    Halina’t Umawit (Flores, Villaroman) 

4.    Purihin ang Panginoon (Isidro, Ramirez) 

5.    Sa Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro, Que) 

6.    Blest Be the Lord (Schutte) 

7.    Come With Praise (Schutte) Stanza 3 ang priority. 

8.    Praise God (Dufford, Foley)

Kyrie:

1.     Kaloy-I Kami Ginoo

2.    Kyrie 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

3.    Maawa Ka (Francisco, Reyes)

4.    Panginoon Maawa Ka (Cayabyab)

5.    Lord Have Mercy (Acts and Potencies)

6.    Lord Have Mercy (Francisco-Reyes)

Gloria:

1.     Himaya sa Dios (Fernandez) C3

2.    Gloria 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

3.    Papuri sa Dios (Francisco-Reyes-Torres)

4.    Luwalhati sa Dios (Sengson)

5.    Give Glory to God

6.    Gloria (Acts and Potencies)

First Reading                                 Ez 2:2-5

As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD!
And whether they heed or resist--for they are a rebellious house--
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

Responsorial Psalm                     Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4

R. (2cd) Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven --
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

Second Reading                               2 Cor 12:7-10

Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness."
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.

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                                  Mk 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, "Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?"
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house."
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Homily/Reflection of the Readings:

My brothers and sisters, "grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father to whom be the glory forever and ever." [Gal. 1:3-5]

Today's three readings from the Holy Scriptures echo the Christian virtues of obedience, servitude and humility on the part of the Lord Jesus, the prophet Ezekiel and St. Paul. All three, subjected to a greater authority, submitted themselves to the Divine Will of the Lord God. [Lk. 9:1; 20:2-8]

During the First Reading from the Book of Ezekiel, [Eze. 2:2-5] we heard that the Spirit entered into Ezekiel, stood him on his feet and commissioned him to go to the people of Israel and to preach to them. During his commission, Ezekiel was warned that there was a possibility that the people would reject the message that he was delivering from God. But, whether they hear or refuse to hear, they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.

Humbly obeying, biblical history tells us that Ezekiel did serve the Lord God by going to the people, preached to them, and the Word of God was rejected by many.

When we consider the days of Ezekiel, they remind us of our own calling. As Catholics who have been baptized and confirmed, we who have received the seal of the Holy Spirit have been called to become slaves of the Lord Jesus, we have been sent forward to obey and serve in all humility. [Rom. 6:15-23](C.C.C. 1294-6) As Ezekiel was called to preach, whether they hear or not, we too have been sent to testify regarding the Word of God to our children, our spouse, our parents, our brothers and sisters, our relatives, our friends, our co-workers and all those with who we come in contact. Whether they hear or not is not important. What is important is that God is provided with the opportunity to manifest Himself through us so that when the day of judgment comes, those who appear before Him will not be able to say, "Lord, you never spoke to me!" [Mt. 25:34-46]

If we see someone sin and we remain silent to their sin, it means that we are giving our seal of approval to their sin. As such, we are just as guilty as the one who sins and we can be assured that the Lord God will remind us on judgment day that we have failed as true Catholics to obey His commandments and to serve Him in all humility.

My brothers and sisters, nothing comes free. There is a price for us to pay with the gift of the new creation that we received during the Sacrament of Baptism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we received during the Sacrament of Confirmation. While God is good and generous, giving to us freely, He expects us to give something to Him in return. Our gift to God is our Christian behaviour, our words and our actions, as true Catholics who shine in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Those who walk by the Spirit of Christ are the children of God. [1 Jn. 5:2] Those who refuse to walk by the Spirit of Christ, they are not the children of God. [1 Jn. 3:10]

During today's Reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians, we heard how serving God in obedience can get to our heads. As such, the sin of pride sets in.

As we mature in Christ, by the grace of God the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, we gain greater understanding and knowledge of the spiritual mysteries of Christ and His mystical Body. During sanctification, the Holy Spirit is provided with the opportunity to move more freely through us. At this stage of spiritual growth, we no longer need milk, the basic teachings of christianity. [Heb. 5:11-3] Rather, we can now eat solid food, this meaning that we qualify to teach to others what we have learned. [Heb. 5:14]

While we qualify to teach, be it as a priest, a brother, a sister or a catechist, we are called to always remain humble in our obedience and servitude to the Lord Jesus. We are called to always remember that if our spiritual work shines in inspirations because we have the gift of teaching, it is because IT IS a gift of teaching. It is NOT because of anything that we can or have achieved on our own. All praise and glory should always be given to the Lord God for His spiritual work that is manifested through us as humble servants.

During the same reading, we heard that St. Paul had a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him, to keep him from being too elated. We are not going to speculate as to what was the thorn because it is not revealed in the Holy Bible. The lesson that is important to learn from this is that sometimes the Lord will allow Satan to torment us with a human weakness in order to keep us humble. As long as we have a weakness, it will discourage us from judging others who have a weakness of their own. Our hearts will tell us that we too are weak in the human nature and we should refrain from judging others.

Therefore, it can be said that through a thorn in the flesh, a human weakness, the grace of God is at work and sufficient for us to remain humble in His eyes. Through that weakness, by remaining humble, one shines in Christlikeness. Is this not sufficient reason to be content with a human weakness just as one would be content with insults, hardships, persecution and calamities for the sake of Christ? St. Paul affirms that it is so!

During today's Reading from the Gospel of Mark, we heard how the Lord Jesus served God the Father in obedience and humility. Jesus came on earth to do the Divine Will of His Father and obeyed to the end. "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross." [Phil. 2:8] He did not come as a King with a myriad of angels, but rather as a humble servant in human flesh. [Jn. 1:14; 1 Pet. 3:18]

Jesus went to His hometown and taught in the synagogues. As we heard, few believed in Him because they personally knew Him as the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and as the cousin of James, Joses, Judas and Simon. Because of their lack of faith, the grace of God could not manifest itself through Jesus. Very few were healed.

How often during His ministry did Jesus say, "If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." [Jn. 10:37-8]

Surely, the people from the hometown of Jesus had heard of the great miracles He was performing throughout the country. Surely, it must have been obvious that the grace of God was at work through Him. If only they would have believed that God the Father was manifesting Himself through Jesus, would that not have been sufficient faith for numerous cures? But no, the unbelief of the people was limited to their worldly perception of the human nature of Jesus. Refusing to believe in the Son of God, the grace of God did not manifest itself upon them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today, there are similar circumstances in many parishes throughout the world. When in need of a healing through the anointing of the holy oils, many Catholics search for a charismatic priest who is alleged to perform miracles. During this time, they have no faith in the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit that is manifested through their own local priest who has the authority from Jesus to administer the Sacrament of the Sick in the Church. Their vision is limited to the physical appearance of the priest, someone they know. As Jesus was rejected, today, many priests are rejected.

Has the world forgotten that when any priest administers the Holy Sacraments of the Catholic Church, he is the instrument of the Lord Jesus? While the priest is visible at the ceremony of Baptism, during the Consecration of the bread and wine or during the Sacrament of Confession, Jesus is also present, He being the One who is administering the Sacraments. As the Father manifested His power through Jesus during the healing of the sick, it is Jesus who is manifesting Himself through the priest of the Catholic Church during the anointing of the sick. If one has no faith in a priest for whatever reason, he should at least have faith in the power and glory of God that is manifested through the Sacraments. Would that not be sufficient faith to obtain the healing that they seek? 

My brothers and sisters, as Jesus obeyed and served the Father in humility, the priests, the brothers, the sisters, all those who have consecrated their lives to God, are also called to obey and serve the Lord in humility. As the power of the Spirit of the Father was manifested through Jesus Christ, so it is in the Holy Catholic Church, be it through the priest who is administering the Sacraments, a Christian Brother who is teaching in a classroom or a religious sister who is administering a hospital.

Todays's readings call us to awaken our hearts so we may see the Divine truth beyond the human appearance of those we know. Obeying and serving the Lord as slaves indebted to Him for our salvation, we should humbly believe in the grace of God the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit that is manifested through our brothers and sisters in the Most Holy Name of Jesus. When we will have attained that elevation of spiritual knowledge and understanding, our faith will bring us to the realization that God is manifesting Himself all around us, in ways that we have never seen before. 

My brothers and sisters, may the abounding grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you this week as you reflect on the spiritual wealth that is found in today's readings.

Offertory:

1.     Daygon Ikaw Ginoong Dios

2.    Gasa Sa Gugma

3.    Nagahalad Kami

4.    O Dios Dawata

5.    Ang Tanging Alay Ko

6.    Mula Sa ‘Yo (Francisco)

7.    Narito Ako (San Andres)

8.    Narito Ako, Panginoon (Que)

9.    Pag-aalay (Francisco) 

10. Paghahandog (San Andres)

11.  Paghahandog ng Sarili (Ofrasio, Hontiveros) or (Arboleda, Francisco)

12. Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas-Palad (Arboleda, Francisco)

13. Panginoon, Narito Ako (Isidro, Que)

14. Patnubay (Cuyugken, Caguioa, Sta. Maria, La Vina)

15. Earthen Vessels (Foley) Stanza 2 ang priority.

16. We Remember (Haugen) Stanza 2 ang priority.

17. Christify

Sanctus:

1.     Sanctus 3^rd 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 3^rd Mass (Villanueva)

2.    Kordero sa Dios (Fernandez)

3.    Kordero ng Diyos (Arboleda-Francisco)

4.    Lamb of God (Folk)

Communion:

1.     Ang Kinabuhing Mahinungdanon, “gitawag kita sa pag-alagad” swak sa 1R

2.    Kinabuhi Mo, Kinabuhi Ko

3.    Ang Paglingap ng Diyos (Hontiveros) Don’t forget to change Yahweh to Poon.

4.    Huwag Kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan, Francisco)

5.    H’wag Mangamba (Francisco)

6.    Manalig Ka (Perez)

7.    Manatili Ka (Francisco)

8.    O Diyos, Iniibig Kita (Rodrigo, Hontiveros)

9.    O Hesus, Hilumin Mo (Francisco)

10. Pagbabalik (Alcaraz, Francisco)

11.  Pananalanging Maging Bukas-Palad (Rodrigo, Ramirez)

12. Panginoon, Aking Tanglaw (Ramirez) 

13. Sa ‘Yo Lamang (Borres, Gan, Francisco)

14. Sa ‘Yong Piling (Castro, Villaroman)

15. Sino Kayo? (Javellana, Que)

16. Tungo Sa’Yo (Francia, Reyes, Tirol)

17. Empty Space (Go, Francisco)

18. I Am the Bread of Life (Toolan)

19. I Love the Lord (Aquino)

20.I Seek You for I Thirst (Valdellon)

21. In Him Alone (Francisco)

22.On Eagle’s Wings (Joncas)

23.Your Heart Today (Franc.isco)

24.Here I Am, Lord

25. In your Own Time (Tirol)

Recessional:

1.     Kinsa?

2.    Ang Atong Tulubagon

3.    Diocesan Shared Vision

4.    Humayo’t Ihayag

5.    Magpasalamat sa Kanya

6.    I Will Sing Forever

7.    All My Days

Have a blessed weekend everyone J