7th Sunday of Easter - Ascension Sunday - Year A - May 21, 2023

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The feast of the Ascension of the Lord Year A commemorates the day that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. He also gave the Great Commission, that all of the world should be saved. In the first reading the ascension of Jesus is recounted and the Apostles are told they will receive the Holy Spirit. In the second reading we hear that Jesus Christ rules heaven and earth. And in the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to preach the Good News to the whole world.
·       The Ascension: The first reading for the Ascension of the Lord Year A tells us that Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days after his resurrection and taught them about the kingdom of God. Before his ascension, Jesus told his disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit to come upon them. The second reading speaks of the ascension as an exaltation of Jesus Christ, who is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven, with power and authority over all things, and is a source of hope and enlightenment for believers.
·       The Great Commission: This is a command given by Jesus to his disciples to go out to the world and make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission requires the disciples to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. This emphasizes the importance of reaching out beyond one’s own community to share the message of Jesus Christ.
·       Evangelism: This is the act of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The Great Commission in all three passages emphasizes the importance of evangelism as part of making disciples.
·       Getting out of our comfort zones: Making disciples often requires stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and engaging with people who may have different backgrounds, cultures, or beliefs. This is emphasized in the Great Commission as disciples are called to go out to all nations.
·       Holy Spirit: In the first reading, Jesus tells his disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. The Holy Spirit is also mentioned in the second reading as the source of wisdom and revelation that helps believers understand the hope to which they have been called. In the gospel, Jesus promises to be with his disciples always, even to the end of the age, indicating that his presence will be with them through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is thus a vital component of the Great Commission and evangelism.
 
Entrance:
1.         Diha sa Halaran
2.         Awit sa Himaya
3.         Mag-ambahan Kita
4.         Magsiawit sa Panginoon (Isidro and Que)
5.         Bayan, Umawit (Borres, Baltazar, and Francisco)
6.         Purihin ang Panginoon (Isidro and Ramirez)
7.         Sing a new song (Schutte). Don’t forget to replace “Yahweh’s people” to “O God’s people.”
8.         Sing to the Mountains (Dufford)
9.         Play before the Lord (Dufford) Stanza 2 ang priority.
10.      Lover of us all (Schutte)
 
Reading 1                          Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for “the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
 
When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
 
Responsorial Psalm                                       Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Reading 2                                   Eph 1:17-23
Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
 
Alleluia                             Mt 28:19a, 20b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 
Gospel                             Mt 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
 
Offertory:
1.         Dios Nia Ko
2.         O Dios Dawata
3.         Diyutay Lang Kini
4.         Daygon Ikaw Ginoong Dios
5.         Narito Ako (San Andres)
6.         Narito Ako, Panginoon (Que)
7.         Unang Alay (Magnaye)
8.         Dwelling Place (Foley)
9.         How shall I sing to God (Haas)
10.      One Bread, One Body (Foley)
11.      Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda) “That I do Your most holy will”
 
Communion:
1.         O Dios Ikaw Haduol
2.         Mao Kining Akong Lawas
3.         Way Sukod ang Pagmahal
4.         Kaibigan, kapanalig (Ofrasio & Hontiveros)
5.         Pagsibol (Aquino)
6.         Kaibigan “’Di ka nag-iisa, kasama mo ako”
7.         Pagkakaibigan (Cenzon & Abad-Santos)
8.         Huwag kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan & Francisco)
9.         Tubig ng Buhay (Valdellon)
10.      Far Greater Love (Go & Francisco)
11.      Here in this Place (Haas)
12.      I am the Bread of Life (Toolan)
13.      Here I am Lord (Schutte)
 
Recessional:
1.         Kinsa?
2.         Ang atong Tulubagon
3.         Humayo’t Ihayag
4.         O Bayan ng Dios (Aquino)
5.         All my days (Schutte & Murray)
6.         I will sing forever (Francisco)

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"