4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) - Year 1 Cycle B (March 17, 2021)

 

4th Sunday of Lent
Laetare Sunday
March 14, 2021

Latin appears to be a dead language. Sometimes, though, it pops up in a few specific places. The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday (Sunday of rejoicing). It’s like a little relief from the austerity of much of Lent.

Laetare Sunday so called from the incipit of the Introit at Mass, "Laetare Jerusalem" ("O be joyful, Jerusalem"), is a name often used to denote the fourth Sunday of the season of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar. This Sunday is also known as Mothering Sunday, Refreshment Sunday, Mid-Lent Sunday (in French mi-carême), and Rose Sunday (because the golden rose sent by the popes to Catholic sovereigns used to be blessed at this time). The term "Laetare Sunday" is used predominantly, though not exclusively, by Roman Catholics and Anglicans. The word translates from the Latin laetare, singular imperative of laetari to rejoice.

 

This Sunday was also once known as "the Sunday of the Five Loaves," from the traditional Gospel reading for the day. Prior to the adoption of the modern "common" lectionaries, the Gospel reading for this Sunday in the Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Western-rite Orthodox, and Old Catholic churches was the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

In the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and some Protestant traditions, there may be flowers on the high altar, and priests are given the option to wear rose-coloured vestments at Mass held on this day, in place of the violet vestments normally worn during Lent. The day is a day of relaxation from normal lenten rigors; a day of hope with Easter being at last within sight. Traditionally, even weddings (otherwise banned during Lent) could be performed on this day.

Laetare Sunday can fall on any date between March 1 and April 4.

Notes:

1. Turn down the mirth. Huwag mag-concert. Huwag bumirit. 
2. Lent is the time for musical instruments also to be austere. Musical instruments during Lent should give only the bare minimum or necessary support to the singing (the human voice). Sustenance lang po.

Entrance:
1.      Tun-I Kami Ginoo
2.      Mag-awit Kita
3.      Dios Namo sa Kalooy
4.      Buksan ang Aming Puso (Tinio, Hontiveros)
5.      Blest be the Lord
6.      Seek the Lord (O’Connor)
 
Kyrie:
1.      Ginoo, Malooy Ka
2.      Kyrie –Mass 3 (Fr. Villanueva)
3.      Ginoo Kaloy-I Kami
4.      Panginoon Maawa Ka (Cayabyab)
5.      Lord, Have Mercy (Francisco-Reyes)

NO GLORIA

First Reading                                              2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23

In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people 
added infidelity to infidelity, 
practicing all the abominations of the nations 
and polluting the LORD’s temple 
which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers, 
send his messengers to them, 
for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.
But they mocked the messengers of God, 
despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, 
until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed 
that there was no remedy.
Their enemies burnt the house of God,
tore down the walls of Jerusalem, 
set all its palaces afire, 
and destroyed all its precious objects.
Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon, 
where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons
until the kingdom of the Persians came to power.
All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah: 
“Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths, 
during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest 
while seventy years are fulfilled.”

In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, 
in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, 
the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia 
to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, 
both by word of mouth and in writing: 
“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: 
All the kingdoms of the earth
the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, 
and he has also charged me to build him a house 
in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people, 
let him go up, and may his God be with him!”

Responsorial Psalm                                              137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R. (6ab)  Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
    we sat and wept
    when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
    we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
For there our captors asked of us
    the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
    “Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
    in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
    if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
    ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Reading II                                         Eph 2:4-10

Brothers and sisters:
God, who is rich in mercy, 
because of the great love he had for us, 
even when we were dead in our transgressions, 
brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, 
raised us up with him, 
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 
that in the ages to come 
He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace 
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, 
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; 
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works 
that God has prepared in advance,
that we should live in them

 

Verse Before the Gospel                          Jn 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel                                                           Jn 3:14-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, 
so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, 
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish 
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, 
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, 
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world, 
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light, 
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, 
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Offertory:
1.      O Dios Dawata
2.      Aniang among Halad
3.      Diyutay Lang Kini
4.      Sumasamo Kami (Judan)
5.      Panginoon Narito Ako
6.      Unang Alay (modified version)
7.      Now We Remain (Haas)
8.      Take Our Bread (Wise)
 
Sanctus:

1. Santos (Mass 21 Villanueva)
2. Santos (Bukas Palad)
3. Sanctus (pwede yung latin chant or yung English translation)
4. Holy, Holy, Holy (Dufford – Schutte)
5. Mas maigi yung alam ng mga tao o maninimba para makasabay sila

 
Acclamation:
1.      Manluluwas sa Kalibutan
2.      Si Kristo’y Namatay (Hontiveros)
3.      Dying
 
Amen: (bawal ang Dakilang Amen or Great Amen for this season)
1.      Amen (chord of A D)
2.      Amen (Francisco, Arboleda, Reyes, Torres)
 
Pater Noster:
At your choice… If the congregation can participate to sing this, that would be better.
 
Doxology:
1.      Kay Imo Man (Chord of Am)
2.      Sapagkat
3.      For the Kingdom
 
Agnus Dei:
1.      Kordero sa Dios IV (chord of Dm-B)
2.      Kordero ng Dios (Que)
3.      Lamb of God (Folk)
 
Communion:
1.      Kini Maong Akong Lawas
2.      Kinabuhi mo Kinabuhi Ko
3.      Ako ang Kahayag
4.      Balaan nga Gugma
5.      Dios Namo sa Kalooy
6.      Awit ng Paghilom (Aquino)
7.      Maging akin Muli (Aquino)
8.      Dakilang Pag-ibig (Pangilinan, Hontiveros) Prioritize Stanza 2. Swak sa 2R.
9.      Likhain mong Muli (Alejo, Francisco)
10.  God of Silence (Francisco)
11.  Empty Space (Go, Francisco)
 
Recessional:
1.      Kinsa?
2.      Ang Atong Tulubagon
3.      Alay sa Kapwa (Esteban, Hontiveros) Prioritize Stanza 3.
4.      Save Us, O Lord (Dufford)

 

3rd Sunday of Lent - Year 1 Cycle B (March 7, 2021)

 

March 7, 2021

3^rd Sunday of Lent

 

Short Catechesis

1. The word Lent means spring. It is from the Old English ‘lencten’ which means spring. It used to describe the lengthening of days that marks the coming of spring. Di ba kapag winter, medyo mahaba ang gabi, at maikli ang day. The original period of Lent was 40 hours. People back then spent the time fasting to commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ, and the “40 hours” He spent in the tomb. In the early 3rd century, Lent was lengthened to 6 days. About 800 AD, it was changed to 40 days. 

2. Now it is a 40-day long season of preparation before Easter. Because Jesus Christ rose on a Sunday, Sundays in Lent should therefore not be counted. Lent is a reminder of the 40 days and 40 nights of Jesus’ fasting in the desert. It is a great spiritual retreat lasting 40 days. It is an extraordinary time of repentance and reconciliation. It is an opportune time to turn away from sin, and turn toward the Lord Jesus. It is a call to conversion.

3. Conversion involves a new discovery of God. Conversion is an intimate encounter with God Himself.

4. The key penitential practices of Lent involve increased prayer, increased almsgiving, increased fasting, and increased self-denial. 
a. Ang panalangin ang tapat at matiyagang pagsisikap ng ating sarili na makipag-ugnay sa Panginoon.
b. Almsgiving represents a specific way to assist those in need. It is an exercise to free us from attachment to worldly goods. We can apply this concretely through doing the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. 
c. Fasting detoxifies us from the pollution of sin and evil. We are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and are encouraged to fast on Fridays of Lent. (In fact, some even eat mongo only on Fridays, even if it’s not Lent.) But the heart of the precept involves fasting from sin and from “luxuries”. Baka pwedeng mag-fasting tayo sa pakikipag-away sa mga taga-ibang choir, o taga-ibang ministry, or tsismisan tungkol sa kanila. 
d. Self-denial means giving up things this Lent. Palagi akong may line-up sa mga estudyante ko about things that they can sacrifice during Lent: Internet, social networking sites like FaceBook, Twitter, coffee, alcoholic drinks, television, chocolate, soda, swearing/cussing, smoking, sugar, porn, red meat, fast food, beer, sweets, French fries, Starbucks, cookies, ice cream, shopping, nagging, rumor-mongering, gambling, bacon, lying, teasing fellow classmates, fighting with others, being disrespectful to their parents or teachers, texting, DOTA, Internet gaming, designer clothes and bags, the latest gadgets, etc. I explain to them that sacrifices help each of us to be spiritually mindful that our Lord suffered and died for our sins. 

5. Walang Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Holy Thursday na ulit maririnig ang Gloria. Magfafasting tayo from the mirth of the angels when they sang Glory to God in the highest.

6. Walang Alleluia. 

7. Walang flowers sa altar.

8. Turn down the volume. Minimize the musical instruments to be used. Musical instruments during Lent should give only the bare minimum, or just the necessary support to the singing. Sustenance lang. Baka nga mas maganda pa ang kalabasan kung mag-a capella tayo. Kailangan maramdaman and ma-realize ng mga taong assembled that this season is very distinct from other liturgical seasons, most especially Easter, and one way of doing that is ibang style ng ating pagiging liturgical music leader. 

9. Instrumental solos are bawal kapag Lent. When movement of people ends (such as in the processional songs in entrance, preparation of the gifts, communion), immediately find an ending for the processional song. Halimbawa, sa communion, wala na namang taong nakapila para tumanggap ng communion. Huwag nang kumanta. Find an end. Tumahimik. Give the congregation an opportunity for silent reflection. Yung ibang parishes nga, tinitigil talaga yung kanta, no matter what part they are in, when movement of people ceases. Huwag nang maglagay ng 2nd communion song. People should be made aware to reflect so they won’t chit-chat. Silence is far better during the season of Lent.

10. During service songs, if you can apply these to the tune of pasyon, the congregation will surely notice, and thereby realize that this is a distinct season altogether. For example, if you can sing si Kristo ay namatay into the tune of pasyon...ginawa yan minsan sa parish. Also, you're encouraging enculturation.

 

SONG LINE-UP SUGGESTIONS:

 

Entrance:

1.    Tun-I Kami Ginoo

2.    Himaya ug Pagdayeg

3.    Ang Tawag N’ya (Ofrasio, Hontiveros)

4.    Buksan ang Aming Puso (Tinio, Hontiveros)Dinggin Mo (Esteban, Hontiveros) 

5.    Minamahal Mo ang Lahat (Reginio)

6.    Pagbabalik-loob (Ofrasio, Hontiveros)

7.    Pagbabalik-loob (Macalinao, Hontiveros)

8.    Panginoon ay Dinggin (Bautista)

9.    Bless the Lord, My Soul (Berthier)

10. God of Mercy and Compassion (Vaughn)

11. Hosea (Norbet)

12. Save Us, O Lord (Dufford)

13. Way of the Cross (Francisco). Prioritize Stanzas 2, 5, and 13.

 

First Reading                                                          Ex 20:1-17

In those days, God delivered all these commandments:
“I, the LORD, am your God, 
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not carve idols for yourselves 
in the shape of anything in the sky above 
or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; 
you shall not bow down before them or worship them.
For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, 
inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness 
on the children of those who hate me, 
down to the third and fourth generation; 
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation 
on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished 
the one who takes his name in vain.

“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Six days you may labor and do all your work, 
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God.
No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, 
or your male or female slave, or your beast, 
or by the alien who lives with you.
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, 
the sea and all that is in them; 
but on the seventh day he rested.
That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

“Honor your father and your mother, 
that you may have a long life in the land 
which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, 
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, 
nor anything else that belongs to him.”

 

OR: 

Ex 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17

In those days, God delivered all these commandments:
“I, the LORD am your God, 
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished 
the one who takes his name in vain.

“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Honor your father and your mother, 
that you may have a long life in the land 
which the Lord, your God, is giving you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, 
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, 
nor anything else that belongs to him.”

 

Responsorial Psalm                                                          19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (John 6:68c)  Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
    refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
    giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
    enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
    all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
They are more precious than gold,
    than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
    or honey from the comb.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

 

Second Reading                                                     1 Cor 1:22-25

Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 
but we proclaim Christ crucified, 
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, 
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, 
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

 

Verse Before the Gospel                                      Jn 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

 

Gospel Acclamation:

1.      Ang mga Pulong mo

2.      Pagdayeg Alang Kanimo

3.      Alalahanin mo Panginoon

4.      Wika Mo

5.      Glory and Praise

6.      Words of Life

 

Gospel                                                           Jn 2:13-25

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, 
as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, 
and spilled the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables, 
and to those who sold doves he said,
“Take these out of here, 
and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, 
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
“What sign can you show us for doing this?”
Jesus answered and said to them, 
“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews said, 
“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, 
and you will raise it up in three days?”
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, 
his disciples remembered that he had said this, 
and they came to believe the Scripture 
and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, 
many began to believe in his name 
when they saw the signs he was doing.
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, 
and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.

 

Offertory

1.    O Dios Dawata (Koro Viannista)

2.    Kini Mao Akong Lawas

3.    Kung ‘Yong Nanaisin (Francisco) Alay-Kapwa (Tinio, Hontiveros)

4.    Nang Buo Kong Buhay (Alejo, Hontiveros)

5.    Pag-aalay (Pangilinan, Hontiveros)

6.    Sumasamba, Sumasamo (Dionisio)

7.    Sumasamo Kami Sa ‘Yo (Judan)

8.    Prayer of Rupert Mayer (Francisco)

9.    Take Our Bread (Wise) Stanza 2 ang priority. "Your blood"

10. To Be Your Bread (Haas) Stanza 3 ang priority. Best choice.

11. To You, O Lord (Haugen)

 

Do not sing Dakilang Amen (Francisco).

 

Communion

1.    Misyon sa Tawo

2.    Ang Atong Tulubagon

3.    Ang Tawo Niining kalibutan

4.    Krus Kaluwasan

5.    Ama, Kaawaan Ako (Isidro, Ramirez)

6.    Ang Biyaya ng Diyos (Judan, Hontiveros)

7.    Ang Kaluluwa Ko’y Nauuhaw (Isidro, Que) Best choice.

8.    Awit ng Paghahangad (Cenzon) “Nauuhaw akong”

9.    Dunong ng Puso (Labendia, Villaroman)

10. Hesus na Hain ng Diyos (Tinio, Hontiveros)

11. Huwag Mabalisa (Aquino)

12. Likhain Mong Muli (Alejo, Hontiveros, Francisco)

13. Pag-ibig Ko (Cenzon)

14. Pag-ibig, Patawad (Valcos)

15. Pananalig (Borres, Francisco)

16. Sa Piling Mo (Borres, Que)

17. Sa Iyong Mga Yapak (Cerino, Samuel)

18. Saan Kami Tutungo (Macalinao, Hontiveros)

19. Anima Christi (Arboleda) “Water from the side of Christ”

20. Change Our Hearts (Coney)

21. Deep Within (Haas)

22. Eat This Bread (Berthier)

23. Empty Space (Go & Francisco)

24. Father, Mercy (Dufford)

25. God of Silence (Francisco)

26. I Seek You For I Thirst (Valdellon) Best choice.

27. Lord Jesus, Sun of Righteousness (Consolacion)

28. Only This I Want (Schutte)

29. Turn to Me (Foley) 

 

Recessional

1.    Asin ug Kahayag

2.    Kinsa?

3.    Ang Tawag ng Panahon (Tinio, Hontiveros)

4.    Pagkatao (Hontiveros)

5.    Pinapawi Mo Ang Tao (Reginoo)

6.    Time to Change