6th Sunday of Easter - Year A- May 14, 2023

 
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The readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter Year A remind us that God is always with us and always caring for us, no matter where we are or what the circumstance. The first reading tells of how Peter and John went from Jerusalem to Samaria to pray with the people there and call down the Holy Spirit on them. The psalm is our response to God’s loving care for us. The second reading tells us that Christ suffered for all of us, righteous and sinners alike. And in the gospel, Jesus tells us that he has not abandoned us. He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us always.

• Evangelism: The first reading for the 6th Sunday of Easter Year A emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God to non-believers and the impact it can have on their lives, as many people in Samaria believed and were baptized. Christians must share the gospel with others, to be ambassadors of Christ to those who do not know Him.

• Belief, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit: The first reading also shows that true faith is accompanied by a desire to be obedient to God’s commandments and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which enables believers to live out their faith and grow in their relationship with God.

• Following Christ’s commandments: Jesus stresses the importance of obedience to His commandments as a demonstration of our love for Him. The gospel highlights the fact that true faith is not just a matter of belief but also requires a commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God, following the example set by Jesus.

• Love for Christ: Both the gospel and the second reading for the 6th Sunday of Easter Year A emphasize the importance of love for Christ. In John, Jesus tells His disciples that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in 1 Peter, the apostle urges believers to always be ready to defend their faith with gentleness and respect, out of love for Christ. Love is central to the Christian faith, as love for Christ should motivate and guide all of our actions and decisions.

• The promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promises His disciples that He will send them the Holy Spirit, who will be with them forever. The gospel emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, as the Spirit guides and empowers us to live out our faith and remain connected to Christ.

 
Entrance:
1.     Diha sa Halaran
2.     Diosnong Magtutudlo
3.     Mao Kini ang Panaghigugmaay
4.     Kon Magkatigum Ta
5.     Magsiawit sa Panginoon (Isidro & Que) "Magsiawit kayo sa Panginoon; ALELUYA!"
6.     Isang Pananampalataya (Santos & Hontiveros)
7.     Halina na’t Lumapit (Santos, Hontiveros) Stanza 2 ang priority.
8.     Blest be the Lord (Schutte)
9.     City of God (Schutte) Stanza 2 ang priority.
10.  Come With Me Into the Fields (Schutte)
11.  Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte) Stanza 3 ang priority.
12.  Play before the Lord (Dufford). Stanza 2 ang priority. "Offering Him our joyful hearts, joining in endless praise. Alleluia (4x) joining in endless praise."
13.  Sing a new song (Schutte). Don’t forget to replace “Yahweh’s people” to “O God’s people.” "Singing Alleluia...”
 
Reading 1              Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and proclaimed the Christ to them.
With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip
when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.
For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people,
and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.
There was great joy in that city.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,
they sent them Peter and John,
who went down and prayed for them,
that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
for it had not yet fallen upon any of them;
they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them
and they received the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm                Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Reading 2                         1 Pt 3:15-18
Beloved:
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good,
if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
 
Alleluia                   Jn 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 
Gospel                   Jn 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
 
Offertory
1.      Gasa sa Gugma
2.      Diyutay lang Kini
3.      Pagdaygon ka Dios
4.      Ang Tanging Alay Ko “’Sa ‘Yo aking Ama” connects to 2R.
5.      Isang Pagkain, Isang Katawan, Isang Bayan (San Pedro)
6.      Paghahandog ng Sarili (Ofrasio-Hontiveros or Arboleda-Francisco)
7.      Blessed Be God
8.      Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda)
 
Communion
1.      Misyon sa Tawo
2.      Ang Ginoo akong Magbalantay, 
3.      Kini Maong akong Lawas
4.      Tungo Sa’yo (Hangad),
5.      Ang Mabuting Pastol (Hontiveros)
6.      Ang Panginoon ay aking Pastol (Isidro & Ramirez)
7.      Pagsibol (Aquino)
8.      Tubig ng Buhay (Valdellon)
9.      Ama Kong Mahal (Aquino)
10.  Pag-ibig Mo, Ama (Macalinao, Hontiveros)
11.  Sa Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro & Que) Ang priority ay stanza 3. “Pastol kang nagmamahal sa kawan”
12.  Panginoon ng Pag-ibig at Pag-asa. Emphasize Aleluya at finale.
13.  So the Love of God (Schutte)
14.  Shelter Me, O God
15.  Like a Shepherd (Dufford). Prioritize Stanzas 2 & 3
16.  Pastorale (Francisco)
17.  Valleys of Green (Schutte)
18.  Empty Space (Go, Francisco)
19.  For You Are My God (Foley)
20.  God of Silence (Francisco)
21.  Here I Am, Lord (Schutte)
 
Recessional
1.      Pagbanwag
2.      Ang Tawag
3.      Ang atong Tulubagon
4.      Humayo’t Ihayag (Francisco, Catalan & Go). Emphasize "Aleluya" at finale.
5.      Ito ang Bagong Araw (Isidro, Ramirez)
6.      Pananagutan
7.      Before the Sun burned bright (Schutte). Emphasize Alleluia.
8.      All My Days (Schutte) Stanza 4 ang priority.
9.      Pilgrim’s Theme (Go & Francisco) dahel Vocation Sunday.
10.  Save us, O Lord. Lenten, pero "O Shepherd of Israel"
 
 

5th Sunday of Easter - Year A - May 7, 2023

 
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The readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A tell us that we are called to follow Jesus and serve him, even though we don’t know where that might lead us. The first reading tells how and why the first deacons were chosen. The psalm reminds us that God “loves justice and right”. In the second reading Peter calls the people to be “a holy priesthood”. And in the gospel Jesus tells us to have faith in him.

• Service: In Acts 6:1-7, the theme of service is prominent as the apostles seek to meet the needs of the community by appointing seven men to serve as deacons. In the gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, Jesus emphasizes the importance of serving others and encourages his disciples to continue his work.

• Unity: The readings highlight the importance of unity within the community of believers. The appointment of the seven deacons helps to maintain unity and prevent division within the early church. Jesus speaks of his unity with the Father and encourages his disciples to remain united in him.

• Leadership: The first reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A provides an example of leadership in action as the apostles make a decision to address the needs of the community.

• Faith: Faith is a common theme in the readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, as the early believers trust in God to provide for their needs, and Jesus encourages his disciples to have faith in him as they continue his work.

• Vocations: The seven men chosen to serve as deacons were specifically selected for their ability to serve the needs of the community. The first reading highlights the importance of recognizing and affirming one’s vocational calling, as well as the value of vocations within the Church.

ENTRANCE SONG:
1.      Awit Mga Binuhat
2.      Pag-inambitay
3.      Bayan Umawit
4.      Magsiawit sa Panginoon
5.      Praise God
6.      Sing a New Song
 
Reading 1                                   Acts 6:1-7
 
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
"It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word."
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
 
Responsorial Psalm                                       Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Reading 2                         1 Pt 2:4-9
 
Beloved:
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture:
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone, and
A stone that will make people stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises" of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
 
Alleluia                             Jn 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 
Gospel                             Jn 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way."
Thomas said to him,
"Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him,

"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father."
 
OFFERTORY:
1.      Mugna sa Dios
2.      Gasa sa Gugma
3.      Pag-aalay
4.      Paghahandog ng Sarili
5.      One Bread, One Body
6.      Take our Bread
 
COMMUNION:
1.      Kini Maong Akong Lawas
2.      Balaan nga Gugma
3.      Gugma ang Dios
4.      Pagkakaibigan
5.      Pagkabighani
6.      Kahanga-hanga
7.      Kaibigan, Kapanalig
8.      God of Love (Schutte)
9.      Here in this Place (Haas)
10.  How lovely is your dwelling place (Aquino)
11.  Love is the Answer (Hannisian)
12.  We Remember (Haugen) Stanza 4 ang priority.
 
RECESSIONAL:
1.      Ang Tawag
2.      Pag-inambitay (if not used in entrance)
3.      Tanda ng Kaharian
4.      Ito ang bagong Araw
5.      All my Days
6.      I will Sing Forever
7.      My Heart’s Thanksgiving