Good Shepherd Sunday - Year B - April 21, 2024

 
The readings for the 4th Sunday in Easter Year B (Good Shepherd Sunday) demonstrate that Jesus Christ cares for us as a shepherd cares for his flock. Jesus explains that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep and will do anything to save them.
 
The 4th Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, Year B, brings together themes that are central to understanding our relationship with Jesus and our identity as Christians. Here are the key themes based on the readings:

• Jesus as the Good Shepherd: The Gospel clearly portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, indicating His sacrificial love and commitment to us.

• Salvation Through Jesus: Peter's speech in Acts underscores that salvation is exclusively found in Jesus Christ, emphasizing His role as the cornerstone of our faith.

• Our Identity as Children of God: The letter from John reminds us that we are deeply loved children of God, an identity that the world might not recognize but is foundational to our Christian life.

• The Universality of Christ’s Call: Jesus mentions He has other sheep not of this flock, highlighting the inclusive nature of His mission and the universal call to be part of one flock under one shepherd.

• Voluntary Sacrifice and Authority of Christ: Jesus’ assertion that He lays down His life voluntarily and has the authority to take it up again speaks to His divine authority and the voluntary nature of His sacrifice for us.

• The Role of Faith in Understanding Our Identity and Mission: The readings together invite us to reflect on how faith in Jesus as the Good Shepherd and cornerstone helps us understand our identity as God's children and our mission in the world.

 
These themes invite us to reflect on the depth of Jesus' love and sacrifice, our identity as beloved children of God, and the call to unity and mission in the vast flock of 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 aat 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...”
Readings:

• First Reading - Acts 4:8-12: Peter declared the healing of a man came through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but God raised. He emphasized that salvation can only come through Jesus, the cornerstone the builders rejected.

• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118: The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

Acknowledging God's unfailing kindness, we find solace in His shelter, surpassing human or leader reliance. The once-rejected stone now underpins our faith, a divine act that fills us with awe. Blessed by God's response and rescue, we celebrate His eternal mercy.

• Second Reading - 1 John 3:1-2: We are already God's children, loved deeply by the Father. The world doesn't know us, as it didn't know Him. In the future, we'll fully become like Him, seeing Him as He truly is.

• Gospel - John 10:11-18: I am the good shepherd who sacrifices his life for the sheep, unlike a hired hand who runs when danger comes. I know my sheep and they know me. I also have other sheep not of this pen; they will listen to my voice, making one flock under one shepherd. I lay down my life voluntarily, with the authority to take it up again, as commanded by my Father.

 

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, swak for the Gospel
3.      Kini Maong akong Lawas
4.      Tungo Sa’yo (Hangad), swak for the celebration Vocation Sunday
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"

3rd Sunday of Easter - Year B - April 14, 2024

The readings for the 3rd Sunday in Easter encourage us to truly believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to accept his love. In the gospel the risen Jesus appears to his disciples and helps them understand his death and resurrection.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B touch on several interconnected themes that are crucial to understanding the Easter season and its significance in Christian life. Here are the main themes:

• Repentance and Forgiveness: A central theme, especially highlighted in the readings from Acts and the Gospel of Luke, is the call to repentance—turning back to God—and the promise of forgiveness. This theme underscores God's mercy and willingness to forgive sins for those who turn to Him and acknowledge their wrongdoings.

• The Fulfillment of Prophecy: The readings from Acts and Luke emphasize that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were all part of God's plan, foretold in the scriptures. This theme connects the events of the New Testament with the prophecies of the Old Testament, showing the continuity and fulfillment of God's salvation history.
• Witnessing to the Resurrection: The Gospel and the first reading both highlight the importance of witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples are called to share the news of Jesus' resurrection and the forgiveness of sins with all nations, emphasizing the role of Christians to bear witness to the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
• Jesus as Advocate and Atonement: The second reading from 1 John presents Jesus as the advocate for sinners and the atonement for our sins. This theme highlights the mediating role of Jesus between humanity and God, and the universal scope of Jesus' sacrifice, which is not limited to a single group but is extended to the whole world.

• Obedience to God's Commands: True knowledge of Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His commands, as mentioned in the letter of John. This theme ties in with the idea of living according to God's will as a response to understanding and accepting Jesus' role as our savior and advocate.
• The Physical Resurrection of Jesus: In the Gospel reading, Jesus shows His physical form to His disciples, eating with them and allowing them to touch Him. This emphasizes the physical reality of the resurrection, countering any notion that it was merely a spiritual or symbolic event.

These themes collectively reinforce the message of Easter as a time of renewal, hope, and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.

 

Entrance:
1.      Diosnong Magtutudlo
2.      Diha sa Halaran (Koro Viannista)
3.      Kasaulogan sa Kinabuhi (Fernandez)
4.      Daygon ta ang Ginoo
5.      Magpasalamat kayo sa Panginoon (Ramirez) prioritize stanza 2
6.      Purihi’t Pasalamat (Esteban, Hontiveros)
7.      Sumigaw sa galak (Que)
8.      Water of Life (Haas)
9.      Sing to the Mountains (Dufford) prioritize stanza 1 and 3
10.  Sing a New Song (Schutte)
 

Readings:

• First Reading - Acts 3:13-15, 17-19: Peter declares that by rejecting Jesus and choosing a murderer instead, the people and their leaders acted in ignorance. His death and resurrection fulfill God's prophecy. Peter urges repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 4: Lord, let your face shine on us.

In times of trouble, I call on God, who rescues and listens. His miracles affirm His faithfulness, and His light brings joy to my heart. In His care, I find unparalleled peace and security.

• Second Reading - 1 John 2:1-5: If we sin, Jesus Christ, the righteous, advocates for us. He atoned for our sins, extending beyond us to the whole world. True knowledge of Him is demonstrated by obeying His commands.
• Gospel - Luke 24:35-48: The disciples recounted recognizing Jesus by the breaking of bread. Jesus then appeared, offering peace and dispelling fears of his being a specter by showing his hands and feet and eating fish, demonstrating his physical resurrection. He explained scripture prophecies about his suffering, resurrection, and the call to spread forgiveness in his name, affirming their roles as witnesses.
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Offertory:
1.      Nagahalad Kami
2.      Palihug Dawata Ginoo
3.      Daygon Ikaw Ginoong Dios (Koro Viannista
4.      Isang Pagkain, Isang Katawan, Isang Bayan (San Pedro)
5.      Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad
6.      One Bread, One Body (Foley)
 
Communion:
1.      O Dios Ikaw Haduol
2.      Kalig-on sa Pagtoo
3.      Kahanga-hanga (Corpuz, Hontiveros)
4.      Kapayapaan (Aquino)
5.      Pagsibol (Aquino)
6.      Tubig ng Buhay (Valdellon)
7.      One thing I ask
8.      I seek you for I Thirst
9.      The Face of God, swak sa RP
10.  Here in this Place (Haas) best choice.
11.  I am the Bread of Life (Toolan)
 
Recessional:
1.      Ang Kalinaw Ibilin ko Kaninyo
2.      Pagbanwag
3.      Ang Tawag
4.      Humayo’t Ihayag
5.      O Bayan ng Dios
6.      I Will Sing Forever