We
are very sorry for not posting anything last week for a very important reason. We
are now on the First Sunday of Lent.
LENT is a short season of six
weeks intended to prepare us for the great celebrations of Easter. The
word Lent comes from the old Anglo-Saxon and Old German words
for spring marked by days that lengthen. The idea of penitence and fasting
during Lent may have begun in earlier, hungrier times as a means of
spiritualizing real shortages of food at this time of year.
Reminders:
1. Walang Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
Holy Thursday na ulit maririnig ang Gloria. Magfa-fasting tayo from the mirth
of the angels when they sang Glory to God in the highest.
2. Walang Alleluia.
3. Walang flowers sa altar.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
The
readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year B get us thinking how God is faithful
even when we wander away from him. The first reading is the story of Noah's
Ark. The psalm reminds us to be faithful. The second reading explains that the
great flood in the time of Noah preceded our baptisms. And the gospel tells us
that Jesus spent 40 days (like the 40 days of the flood) fasting in the desert
and returned ready to spread his message.
The readings for the 1st Sunday
of Lent Year B are rich in themes that delve into the essence of Lent as a
period of renewal, repentance, and preparation for Easter. Here are some key
themes drawn from these readings:
- Covenant and Promise:
The first reading from Genesis highlights God's covenant with Noah,
symbolizing a universal promise of salvation and a new beginning for
humanity and all creation. This theme of covenant is foundational,
reminding us of God's faithfulness and the enduring nature of His
promises.
- Salvation and Baptism:
The second reading from 1 Peter connects the story of Noah to the
sacrament of Baptism. It emphasizes Christ's suffering, death, and
resurrection as the ultimate act of reconciliation between humanity and
God. Baptism is presented not merely as a ritual cleansing but as a
profound commitment to live in accordance with God's will, empowered by
Christ's victory over death.
- Temptation and Victory: The Gospel from Mark describes
Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, reflecting the trials and temptations
that believers face. Jesus' victory over these temptations, supported by
angels and in the presence of wild beasts, symbolizes His divinity and human
strength, offering hope and encouragement for followers to overcome their
own temptations.
- Repentance and the Kingdom of God: Jesus' message after His time
in the wilderness focuses on the call to repentance and the urgent
announcement of the Kingdom of God. This theme is central to the Lenten
journey, urging believers to reflect, turn away from sin, and embrace the
Gospel message with renewed commitment.
- New Beginnings and Preparation: Lent is a season of
preparation, mirroring Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. This time is an
invitation for personal and communal reflection, repentance, and
preparation for the celebration of Easter, symbolizing the new life and
hope that comes from Jesus' resurrection.
- Divine Protection and Support: The readings convey a sense of
divine protection and support through God's promises, Christ's victory
over temptation, and the guiding presence of angels. This reassurance is a
source of strength and comfort for believers as they navigate their Lenten
journey.
Entrance:
1. Tun-I
Kami Ginoo
2. Pasaylo,
Ginoo
3. Alay
sa Kapwa (Esteban & Hontiveros)
4. Buksan
ang aming puso (Tinio & Hontiveros)
5. Save
us, O Lord (Dufford)
6. Though
the mountains may fall (Schutte)
Kyrie:
1. Kaloy-I
Kami Ginoo
2. Panginoon
Maawa Ka (Francisco)
3. As
we Prepare
No Gloria
READINGS:- First
Reading: Genesis
9:8-15: God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and
every living creature, promising no future floods will destroy all life.
The rainbow, set in the clouds, symbolizes this perpetual covenant, a
reminder to God and humanity of this promise.
- Responsorial
Psalm: Psalm
25: Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your
covenant.
I ask the Lord to teach me His
ways, trusting in His salvation. Remembering His mercy and love, He guides the
humble, showing the paths of righteousness to those who follow His covenant.- Second
Reading: 1
Peter 3:18-22: Christ suffered for our sins to reconcile us with God,
resurrected in spirit. He preached to spirits from Noah's time,
paralleling baptism that saves us—not by physical cleansing but as a
commitment to God, empowered by Christ's resurrection and heavenly reign.
- Gospel: Mark
1:12-15: After a period of forty days in the wilderness, facing
Satan's temptations among wild beasts and aided by angels, Jesus commenced
his public ministry in Galilee. He proclaimed the nearness of God's
kingdom, urging repentance and acceptance of the gospel, especially
following John's arrest, marking a pivotal moment in his mission.
Offertory:
1. O
Dios Dawata (Koro Viannista)
2. Kini
Mao Akong Lawas
3. Alay
Kapwa (Tinio & Hontiveros)
4. Kung
‘Yong nanaisin (Francisco)
5. Take
and Receive
6. Prayer
of Rupert Mayer
Sanctus:
1. Santos
(Mass 4 Villanueva)
2. Santos
(Bukas Palad)
3. Sanctus
(pwede yung latin chant or yung English translation)
Acclamation:
1. Manluluwas
sa Kalibutan
2. Si
Kristo’y Namatay (Hontiveros)
3. Dying
Amen:
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. Misyon
sa Tawo
2. Ang
Atong Tulubagon
3. Ang
Tawo Niining kalibutan
4. O
Krus Kaluwasan
5. Awit
ng Paghilom
6. Halina’t
Lumapit sa Akin
7. Maging
Akin Muli (Aquino)
8. Pagkabighani
9. Sa
Dapit Hapon (Tabuena and Hontiveros)
10. Manatili
Ka (Francisco)
11. Now
we remain (Haas)
12. God
of silence (Francisco)
13. Holy
Darkness (Schute)
14. Anima
Christi (Arboleda)
Recessional:
1. Asin
ug Kahayag
2. Kinsa?
3. Sinong
Makapaghihiwalay (Anunciata)
4. Maliban
sa Mahulog sa Lupa
5. (See
entrance song)
We
are now on the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B and we are grateful
for your support by visiting us here always.
The
readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B cause us to reflect on
Jesus’ power to heal us, both physically and spiritually. In the first reading,
Job laments that he is experiencing so much misery and despair. But the psalm
reminds us to “Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.” The Gospel tells
how Jesus cured Peter’s mother in law, freed those possessed by demons, and
preached in the area.- Human
Suffering and Quest for Meaning:
Job's lament in the first reading highlights the profound struggle of
human suffering and the search for meaning amidst life's trials. This
theme resonates with anyone grappling with pain, loss, or hardship.
- Divine
Compassion and Healing:
Contrasting with human suffering, the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel
emphasize God's compassion and healing power. This theme underscores the
Christian belief in a God who cares deeply about human affliction and
actively works to restore and heal.
- Service
and Sacrifice in Ministry:
Paul's reflections in the second reading on his role as an apostle
underscore the themes of selfless service and sacrifice. His commitment to
preaching the Gospel without seeking personal gain highlights the
Christian call to serve others.
- The
Power of Jesus' Ministry:
The Gospel reading showcases Jesus' authority over illness and evil
forces, underlining the theme of the transformative power present in
Jesus' ministry. It shows the inauguration of a new era of divine action
in the world.
- Solitude
and Prayer:
Jesus seeking solitude for prayer, despite the demands of his ministry,
emphasizes the importance of prayer and communion with God. This theme is
a reminder of the need for spiritual nourishment and reflection in the
midst of active service.
- The
Role of the Community in Faith:
The interactions between Jesus and those he heals, as well as the actions
of the disciples, highlight the theme of community in the Christian
journey. It shows how faith is lived and experienced within a community,
and how the community plays a role in supporting, nurturing, and
participating in the mission of the Church.
These
themes for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B collectively offer a rich and
multifaceted insight into Christian life, emphasizing the balance between
personal spirituality and communal engagement, between human struggle and
divine grace, and between active service and contemplative prayer.
Entrance Song:
1.
Lungsod nga Balaan
2.
Diha sa Halaran
3.
Bayan, Umawit (Borres, Baltazar, Francisco) Pag-aalaala (Francisco)
4.
Sing to the Mountains (Dufford) “You have answered my plea.”
5.
Come With Praise (Schutte) Prioritize Stanza 3.
Readings:- First
Reading – Job
7:1-4, 6-7: Job laments life's hardships, comparing his suffering to a
laborer's toil and a slave's longing for relief. His nights are restless,
his days joyless, feeling his life fleeting like the wind.
- Responsorial
Psalm – Psalm
147: Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
Praise the Lord for His
kindness and mercy. He restores and unites, heals the brokenhearted, and knows
all creation intimately. He uplifts the humble, humbling the wicked.- Second
Reading –1
Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23: Preaching the gospel is my entrusted duty,
not a ground for pride. My reward lies in sharing it freely, adapting to
serve all, with the hope of sharing in its blessings.
- Gospel – Mark
1:29-39: Jesus healed Simon's mother-in-law at her home. That evening,
many sick and demon-possessed were brought to him; he healed them, not
allowing demons to speak. Seeking solitude, Jesus prayed in the early
morning. Urged by his followers, he continued his mission, preaching and
exorcising demons throughout Galilee.
Offertory:
1. Gasa
sa Gugma (Koro Viannista)
2. Diyutay lang Kini (Koro
Viannista)
3.
Dios Nia Ko
4.
Narito Ako (San Andres) Prioritize stanza 2
5. Mula
Sa’Yo (Francisco)
6.
Paghahandog ng Sarili
7.
Dwelling Place (Foley)
8.
Earthen Vessels (Foley)
Communion:
1. Gugma’g Paglaum
(Fernandez)
2. Ang Kinabuhing
Mahinungdanon
3.
Natawag Ko na Ikaw
4. O
Hesus, Hilumin Mo (Francisco)
5. Awit
ng Paghilom (Aquino)
6.
Pagsibol (Aquino)
7.
Gabing Kulimlim (Arboleda, Francisco)
8.
Far Greater Love (Go, Francisco)
9.
God of Silence (Francisco)
10.
I Seek You for I Thirst (Valdellon)
11.
In Him Alone (Francisco)
12.
Lead me Lord (De Pano)
13.
Your Heart Today (Francisco)
14.
Here I am Lord, swak sa Gospel
Recessional:
1.
Kinsa?
2.
Ang Tawag
3.
Humayo’t Ihayag (Francisco, Catalan, Go)
4.
Magpasalamat Kayo sa Panginoon (Ramirez) prioritize stanza 2
5.
I Will Sing Forever (Francisco)
6.
All My Days (Schutte, Murray)
7.
My Heart’s Thanksgiving (Aquino)