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11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 12)

June 12, 2016
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Liturgical Color : Green

 “Salvation belongs to the soul that repents and is forgiven”

Entrance:
1.       Daygon ta ang Ginoo
2.      Diosnong Magtutudlo
3.      Dayga Siya
4.      Awit ng Pasasalamat (Hontiveros)
5.      Halina’t Umawit (Flores, Villaroman)
6.      Pag-aalaala (Francisco) 
7.      Purihin ang Panginoon (Isidro, Ramirez)
8.     Sumigaw sa Galak (Que)
9.      All My Days (Schutte, Murray) 
10.  Blest Be the Lord (Schutte)
11.   Come with Praise (Schutte)
12.   For You Are My God (Foley)
13.  Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte)
14.  Praise God (Dufford, Foley)
15.   Praise the Lord, My Soul (Foley)

First Reading                                            2 SM 12:7-10, 13
Nathan said to David:
“Thus says the LORD God of Israel:
‘I anointed you king of Israel.
I rescued you from the hand of Saul.
I gave you your lord’s house and your lord’s wives for your own.
I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah.
And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more.
Why have you spurned the Lord and done evil in his sight?
You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword;
you took his wife as your own,
and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites.
Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house,
because you have despised me
and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’
Then David said to Nathan,
“I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan answered David:
“The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin:
you shall not die.”

Responsorial Psalm                               PS 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11
R. (cf. 5c) Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Blessed is the one whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. 
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. 
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. 
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. 
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Second Reading                           GAL 2:16, 19-21
Brothers and sisters:
We who know that a person is not justified by works of the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Christ Jesus
that we may be justified by faith in Christ
and not by works of the law,
because by works of the law no one will be justified.
For through the law I died to the law,
that I might live for God.
I have been crucified with Christ;
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me;
insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God
who has loved me and given himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God;
for if justification comes through the law,
then Christ died for nothing.

Gospel                                  LK 7:36—8:3
A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher, ” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven
because she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others who provided for them
out of their resources.

Or   LK 7:36-50
A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher, ” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred day’s wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven
because she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

HOMILY

The greater the sinner who's sins are forgiven, the greater is the love that he shall display towards the Lord Jesus. Good morning my brothers and sisters in Christ. May I extend a warm welcome to the visitors who have joined our faith community on this day of the Lord.

As you may have noted, today's readings spoke of the necessity of repentance and forgiveness in order to receive the gift of salvation.

Reviewing the chain of events that led to today's First Reading from the Second Book of Samuel, verses 12:7-10, 13, one day, while David was walking about on the roof of the King's house, he saw a woman bathing. Failing to control his eyes, the sin of lust struck David to the heart. He sent someone to inquire as to who was the woman. The person reported that the woman was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. As a consequence of this grave sin of adultery, Bathsheba became pregnant.

Having already severed his relationship with God, David did not stop there. Desiring Bathsheba for himself, he engineered the death of Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba. When Uriah was killed, after having been placed in a deadly position during battle at the order of David, David brought Bathsheba to his house, married her, and she bore him a son.

Now the Lord God, He Who is all-knowing, was not blind to the lustful and murderous actions of David. God sent the prophet Nathan to pronounce judgment upon David. Because David repented of his sins, they were forgiven. But David still had to endure a punishment for the remission for his sins. His son, born through the adulteress affair, was taken away from his by the Lord.

Through today's First Reading, we learn that if an individual sincerely repents of his sins, God can and will forgive him of all his sins, even those of adultery and murder. God always seeks to call us back to faithfulness and fidelity to Him. Such is manifested by the grace of God. Without it, we could never repent and reconcile with God when we sin. 

Today's Second Reading from the Letter to the Galatians began with the following words, "We know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ." [Gal. 2:16] When Paul said that a person is not justified by the works of the law, he was referring to the Mosaic Law and all its ceremonies, the different kinds of animal sacrifices and offerings for the forgiveness of sins. With the arrival of the Messiah, the Mosaic Law had become obsolete. No one could be saved by performing the works of the law, the ceremonial sacrifices of animals. Paul appealed to the conviction that was shared by him and Peter at the time of their conversions. Like them, other Jewish person had to realize their inability to achieve uprightness by the "deeds of the Laws."

When Paul referred to justification by faith, he was making reference to the necessary attitude of a person that includes the acceptance of the Divine revelation made known through Christ and the necessity for the individual to respond to it with complete dedication of his/her personal life to Christ.

Because the Christian has been crucified with Christ, it is no longer he who lives, but it is Christ who lives in him. This new status of justification of the Christian was not achieved because of good works; it was only made possible for him through his crucifixion with Christ. Crucified with Christ, the new Christian has died to the Law. Through faith and the Sacrament of Baptism, [Rom. 6:3] the Christian has been identified with the phases of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. And so he can "live for God".

The perfection of the Christian life is expressed in these few words, "It is Christ who lives in me." [Gal. 2:20] This perfection is not merely an existence dominated by a new psychological motivation. Yet, it must eventually penetrate the individual's psychological awareness, so that he realizes in faith that his real life comes only from the redemptive and vicarious surrender of the Son of God. Faith in Christ does not substitute a new norm or goal of action. Rather it reshapes man anew internally, supplying his very new being with a new purpose in life that is moved by Christ Who lives in him.

Summarizing today's Second Reading, Paul tells us that when we are baptized, our faith transforms us. In Jesus, we become one with each other in the Body of Christ. Once a member of the Body of Christ, there is no social or religious distinctions, neither American or European, neither male or female, neither a child or a senior, neither white or black, neither rich or poor. All who have been baptized in Christ, they hold the same status, the same worth, the same value, no matter what they are or who they are. Equal in God's eyes and in His Kingdom, they all inherit the same glory.

Today's Reading from the Gospel of Luke [Lk. 7:36-8:3] related to us the event concerning the penitent woman. The reading began with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to eat with him at his house. In consideration of the fact that the Pharisees usually displayed animosity towards Jesus, it was courageous for this one Pharisee to show hospitality by inviting Jesus to dinner.

In relating the event, the Evangelist Luke does not name the woman. He simply characterized her as a sinner (possibly a prostitute, or else a woman married to a man considered an outcast, like a publican). It appears that the woman intended simply to anoint the feet of Jesus with a fragrant myrrh, but as she leaned over, tears gushed forth, which she ingenuously wiped away with her long hair. Completely overcome, she repeatedly kissed his feet.

While Simon silently condemns Jesus for not divining the character of the woman, Jesus proves Himself to be a prophet by reading the secret throughts of Simon. Jesus then presented the parable of the two debtors to Simon, asking him, which person loved the creditor the greater, the one who owed five hundred denarii or the one who only owed fifty.

Comparing this parable to the woman, Jesus said, "Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." The verse "She has shown great love" has been a classic text for showing that perfect charity has the power of forgiving sins. The woman loved Jesus because her sins were forgiven, not that "she was forgiven because she loved Jesus."

Jesus makes it clear that great love springs from a heart that is forgiven and cleansed. From the First Letter of Peter, we read, "Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins." [1 Pet. 4:8] "For love is from God." [1 Jn. 4:7]

The opposing attitudes of Simon and the woman clearly show that we can either accept or reject the mercy of God. Simon viewed himself as an upright Pharisee, displaying an attitude of having no need for love or mercy. His self-sufficiency prevented him from acknowledging his need for the grace of God.

During the Gospel Reading, it was noticed that Jesus neither judged, nor rebuked the woman as the Pharisee expected. Instead, He welcomed her. This approach goes against the ways of the world; we are asked to model love instead of judging, to welcome instead of rejecting. Those who come in contact with Jesus, they manifest one of two behaviours; they are either attracted to Him or repelled by Him. If they are like Simon, they appear to be doing good deeds in order to gain respect, honour, fame or wealth. These persons shun the company of sinners like prisoners, beggars, prostitutes, etc... By doing so, they neglect to give sinners the help that they need to find healing and wholeness.

This week, let us examine our hearts. Do we invite Jesus in our lives for prestige? Or do we love Him because He is the one and only Saviour who has died for our sins?

Offertory
1.       Gasa sa Gugma
2.      Nagahalad Kami
3.      O Dios Dawata
4.      Kapuri-puri Ka (Que) 
5.      Isang Pagkain, Isang Katawan, Isang Bayan (San Pedro)
6.      Pag-aalay (Francisco)
7.      Unang Alay (Magnaye)
8.     Blessed be God (Schutte)
9.      Into Your Presence (Valdellon) 
10.  To be Your Bread (Haas)
11.   One Bread, One Body (Foley) Best Choice.
12.   Christify (Francisco & Reyes)
13.  Take our Bread (Wise)

Communion
1.       Misyon sa Tawo
2.      Dios Nia Ko
3.      Kanimo O Dios
4.      O Dios Ikaw Haduol
5.      Awit ng Paghahangad (Cenzon)
6.      Awit ng Pahilom (Aquino) 
7.      Hindi Kita Malilimutan (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
8.     Hiram sa Diyos
9.      Huwag Kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
10.  Narito Ako (San Andres)
11.   Narito Ako, Panginoon (Que)
12.  O Hesus, Hilumin Mo (Francisco)
13.  Panginoon, Aking Tanglaw (Ramirez)
14.  Sa Dapit-Hapon (Tabuena, Hontiveros)
15.   Sa Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro, Que)
16.  Empty Space (Go, Francisco)
17.   Here in this Place (Haas)
18.   How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (Aquino)
19.   I Love the Lord (Aquino)
20. I Seek You for I Thirst (Valdellon)
21.  In Him Alone (Francisco)
22.  One Thing I Ask (Tirol)
23. You Are Mine (Haas)

Recessional
1.       Ang Tawag
2.      Ang Atong Tulubagon
3.      Humayo’t Ihayag
I am the Bread of Life

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 5, 2016)

June 5, 2016
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Liturgical Color : Green

“The Gospel is not of Human Origin”

Entrance:
1.      Daygon ta ang Ginoo
2.      Diosnong Magtutudlo
3.      Dayga Siya
4.      Awit ng Pasasalamat (Hontiveros)
5.      Halina’t Umawit (Flores, Villaroman)
6.      Pag-aalaala (Francisco) 
7.      Purihin ang Panginoon (Isidro, Ramirez)
8.      Sumigaw sa Galak (Que)
9.      All My Days (Schutte, Murray) 
10.  Blest Be the Lord (Schutte)
11.  Come with Praise (Schutte)
12.   For You Are My God (Foley)
13.  Glory and Praise to Our God (Schutte)
14.  Praise God (Dufford, Foley)
15.  Praise the Lord, My Soul (Foley)

First Reading                                                 1 KGS 17:17-24
Elijah went to Zarephath of Sidon to the house of a widow.
The son of the mistress of the house fell sick,
and his sickness grew more severe until he stopped breathing.
So she said to Elijah,
“Why have you done this to me, O man of God?
Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt
and to kill my son?”
Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.”
Taking him from her lap, he carried the son to the upper room
where he was staying, and put him on his bed.
Elijah called out to the LORD:
“O LORD, my God,
will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying
by killing her son?”
Then he stretched himself out upon the child three times
and called out to the LORD:
“O LORD, my God,
let the life breath return to the body of this child.”
The LORD heard the prayer of Elijah;
the life breath returned to the child’s body and he revived.
Taking the child, Elijah brought him down into the house
from the upper room and gave him to his mother.
Elijah said to her, “See! Your son is alive.”
The woman replied to Elijah,
“Now indeed I know that you are a man of God.
The word of the LORD comes truly from your mouth.”

Responsorial Psalm                           PS 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Second Reading                                             GAL 1:11-19
I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it,
but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism,
how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure
and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism
beyond many of my contemporaries among my race,
since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.
But when God, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart
and called me through his grace,
was pleased to reveal his Son to me,
so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles,
I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were apostles before me;
rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem
to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any other of the apostles,
only James the brother of the Lord.

Gospel                                                            LK 7:11-17
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst, ”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.

Homily
(for weekly homilies, visit http://catholicdoors.com )

My brothers and sisters in Christ, may the grace of God be with each one of you as you hear today's spiritual message that comes from the readings.

The First Reading from the First Book of Kings [1 Kgs 17:17-21, 22-24] took place in the days of the great drought that was long remembered and even recorded in the Tyrian annals, as Menander of Ephesus testified when writing about the reign of Ittobaal of Tyre.

When Elijah visited the widow’s house, she felt that Elijah had been sent by God to make sure that she knew why her son had died. According to the mentality that prevailed in the days of the Old Testament [Jn. 9:2], the people believed that bad things happened as a punishment for their sins. So here we have a women who affirmed that (1) she was a sinner, (2) that her son had died because of her sins and (3) that Elijah had come to make sure that she knew her son’s death was God’s punishment. 

But after Elijah’s triad prayerful intercession to God, the child was revived and Elijah gave him back to his mother. This event, the resurrection of the widow's son, enhances the reputation of the Prophet Elijah and thereby helps to establish the authority of his word.

As one would say, by his action, you will know that he is of God. For words without actions are dead. [James 2:17]

In today’s Second Reading from the Letter to the Galatians [Gal. 1:11-19], we heard Paul defending his apostleship. Why did Saint Paul have to defend his apostleship? Why did he have to voice his surprise and shock at the Galatian’s falseness that was taking place? Paul was denouncing another teaching that was taking place and being believed. He condemned this unauthentic gospel, affirming that his alone was the real "Gospel of Christ." [Gal. 1:5] Paul was shocked to see how easy, soon after their conversion, and his evangelization, the allowed themselves to be brainwashed and poisoned by false teachings. 

Paul made it clear that since his Gospel originated from Christ, He Who is not divided [1 Cor. 1:13], there can only be one Gospel. [Eph. 4:5]

It appears that the Judaizers had accused Paul of having derived his message not from Christ, but from other preachers, and of having watered it down for the Gentiles by eliminating the obligation of circumcision. His reply reaffirmed the Divine origin of his apostolic commission by explaining his relationship to the mother Church of Jerusalem.

Paul rejected their accusation that he was watering down the Gospel to win many converts, that he was trying to please men. Paul explained that his conversion had freed him from the "yoke of slavery," which was the Mosaic Law that emphasized human achievement.

It is interesting to hear that even 2,000 years ago, some were persecuted and accused of watering down the truth. This is obvious today by the number of religions in the world. For a few centuries now, the attitude has been, “If you do not like a teaching of the Catholic Church, start another Church without that teaching.” And so we now have 30,000 different religions. The Bible does not lie when it says that God hates divorce [Mal. 2:16], that He condemns abortion as murder, that there is no place in Heaven for those who practice homosexuality, and the list goes on. Starting another religion that supports divorce, abortion and active homosexuality is not going to change the fact that the Word of God is unchanging. Those who change it, they shall be judged accordingly!

The same applies to politicians who have two faces. They tell the people what they want to hear so they will be elected. Once elected, they do what the party wants, not what the people wants, not what is right, nor what God teaches.

Paul emphasized that the Gospel that he preached was from Christ, such being a revelation he received on the road to Damascus.

Paul brought up the fact that prior to his conversion, he violently persecuted the Church of God in an effort to destroy it. His faith was in Judaism, the religion of his ancestors. And he was very zealous in promoting and defending his tradition. No Church of Christ was going to turn the people away from their Jewish belief.

That reminds me that 'by the sacrament of Confirmation, [we the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence [we] are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.'" [LG 11; Cf. OC, Introduction 2.] (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1285)

Paul continued, that while he was a zealous member of the Jewish faith, by the grace of the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was revealed to him. God had set Paul apart so that he may proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul emphasized that since he had "seen the Lord" [1 Cor. 9:1], he was therefore an Apostle. When Paul connected his apostolic mission to the Gentiles, it was because of the revelation of Christ that he had received. It was not his decision; it was God’s decision. Paul continued by indicating that his basic insight into Christ did not come from the traditional center from which the "Word of the Lord" went forth to men. [Lk. 2:3; Lk. 24:48] He had gained Divine knowledge of God's purpose for the Church through supernatural means, not through human flesh and blood.

The point that Paul was making here was that his teachings were authentic Christians teachings that were personally taught to him by the Lord Jesus Christ. The teachings did not come from men. They did not come from the Apostles. They came directly from Jesus Christ Himself. As such, the Gospel of Christ must be accepted as being 100% pure and worthy of association. 

Today’s Reading from the Gospel of Luke [Lk. 7:11-17] is a record of the event that took place in a village called Nain (modern Nein). This event concerned the raising of the widow’s son. Nain, not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible, was located two to three hours by foot South-East of Nazareth and about eight to nine hours South-West of Capernaum.

The Evangelist Luke took special delight in portraying Jesus, not only overwhelmed with pity at the sight of tragedy, but also turning with kindly regard toward women. The dead boy was the mother's only son.

In this event, we have two crowds coming face to face. Jesus approached the town with His disciples and a large crowd. At the same time, the funeral procession, another large crowd, was leaving the village, going towards the graveyard that was just outside of the town. 

Coming face to face with each other, Jesus could not avoid seeing the widow. This was one of those instances where you are at the right place at the right time. Jesus appeared clothed with the exalted power over life and death by which he became the object of his Church's faith and worship.

And so it was as we heard, Jesus told the young man to rise and he sat up. Then Jesus gave him to his mother. Imagine the shock of the two crowds that were present! In Jesus they perceived that a great prophet had risen among them. According to them, with this kind of a sign, it was clear that God had looked favorably upon His people!

It did not take long afterwards for the word to spread out all over that Jesus, the Prophet of God, had risen the widow's son.

What messages do we get from these readings?

For one thing, we should not be corrupting the teachings of Jesus Christ that were handed down to us through apostolic succession and Divine guidance.

Secondly, when something bad happens to us, it is not a punishment from God. Sometime we are to blame for our own misfortunes. At times mother nature is to blame. Mechanical failure has been known to cause endless accidents. Aging has its impact on the human body. And the list goes on. We live in a world of many seasons and beauties. At the same time, we know that this world is called to die. This world is just a stepping stone towards the next world, the eternal spiritual world that awaits the faithful.

Thirdly, having being confirmed in Christ, we are called to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. We are called to be missionaries in the world, not oversee, but locally. We are called to evangelize to our family, our neighbours, our friends, our co-workers, our community, all with who we come in contact, in words and actions. Words without actions are dead! Faith without works is dead!

And so my brothers and sisters in Christ, that is today’s message from God to us. We possess the truth, therefore, let us go forward and share it with others in the love of Jesus.

Offertory
1.      Gasa sa Gugma
2.      Nagahalad Kami
3.      O Dios Dawata
4.      Kapuri-puri Ka (Que) 
5.      Isang Pagkain, Isang Katawan, Isang Bayan (San Pedro)
6.      Pag-aalay (Francisco)
7.      Unang Alay (Magnaye)
8.      Blessed be God (Schutte)
9.      Into Your Presence (Valdellon) 
10.  To be Your Bread (Haas)
11.  One Bread, One Body (Foley) Best Choice.
12.   Christify (Francisco & Reyes)
13.  Take our Bread (Wise)

Communion
1.      Misyon sa Tawo
2.      Dios Nia Ko
3.      Kanimo O Dios
4.      O Dios Ikaw Haduol
5.      Awit ng Paghahangad (Cenzon)
6.      Awit ng Pahilom (Aquino) 
7.      Hindi Kita Malilimutan (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
8.      Hiram sa Diyos
9.      Huwag Kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
10.  Narito Ako (San Andres)
11.  Narito Ako, Panginoon (Que)
12.  O Hesus, Hilumin Mo (Francisco)
13.  Panginoon, Aking Tanglaw (Ramirez)
14.  Sa Dapit-Hapon (Tabuena, Hontiveros)
15.  Sa Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro, Que)
16.  Empty Space (Go, Francisco)
17.  Here in this Place (Haas)
18.   How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (Aquino)
19.   I Love the Lord (Aquino)
20.  I Seek You for I Thirst (Valdellon)
21.  In Him Alone (Francisco)
22.   One Thing I Ask (Tirol)
23.  You Are Mine (Haas)

Recessional
1.      Ang Tawag
2.      Ang Atong Tulubagon
3.      Humayo’t Ihayag

4.      I am the Bread of Life

Thanks for dropping by. Your comments is much appreciated...

5th Sunday of Easter Year C

April 24, 2016
5th Sunday of Easter Year C
Liturgical Color : WHITE

“A SERVICE OF LOVE IN THE LORD JESUS”
ENTRANCE SONG:
1.      Awit Mga Binuhat
2.      Pag-inambitay
3.      Bayan Umawit
4.      Magsiawit sa Panginoon
5.      Praise God
6.      Sing a New Song

FIRST Reading                                 ACTS 14:21-27
After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news
to that city and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God.”
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

RESPONSORIAL Psalm PS 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

SECOND Reading                            REV 21:1-5A

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”

The One who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”

GOSPEL                                            JN 13:31-33A, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”

REFLECTION OF THE READINGS:
Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ to today's celebration of the Fifth Sunday of Easter. When considering Easter Sunday as a starting point for the spiritual journey of new converts, we come to perceive that during the liturgical calendar, the Spirit of God leads the souls towards a gradual spiritual growth. For us who have been Catholics for a number of years, this same spiritual process serves the purpose of reminding us of what we have already been taught during previous years so we may continue to be enriched in the knowledge and understanding of our Faith.
Reviewing the past few weeks, on Easter Sunday, we proclaimed that the Lord Jesus had indeed risen. On the Second Sunday of Easter, the liturgical readings opened our eyes to the early history of the Christian Church. The following Sunday, we were reminded of our loyalty to the Lord Jesus. Last week, we reflected on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, hearing His voice and following Him. Today, in the next step towards our spiritual growth, we are called to reflect on our service of love in the Lord Jesus.
During the Gospel Reading, we all heard the Words of Jesus when He gave us a new commandment, "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." [Jn. 13:34] To this, Jesus added, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." [Jn. 13:35] By shining in love towards one another, others will know that we are the disciples of Jesus.
These Words of Jesus remind us of the words that are found in the First Letter of John. "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." [1 Jn. 4:7-8] "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." [1 Jn. 4:16]
"Those who say, 'I love God,' and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him (Jesus) is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also." [1 Jn. 4:20-1]
My brothers and sisters, the love that we have for our brothers and sisters in Christ is but a reflection of the love that we have for God. If we love God, we seek to please Him in all things. To please God, we must obey the commandment of Jesus to love one another. By our obedience to this commandment, our love is perfected in the Lord Jesus so the heavenly Father may love us as He loves His only begotten Son.
Perfect love unites the children of God, (pause) without exception. If biological brothers and sisters are divided among each other, where is the love of God? If parents disown their children or the children continuously disobey their parents, where is the love of God? If a family is divided and no one is doing anything to reunite it in the love of God, where is the love of God? It is not in the family and it is not in those who know the family and remain silent to the division that harbours anger, hatred, violence, verbal abuse and all the works of Satan.
Where is the love of God when a nation is divided? The innocent are murdered. The children are orphaned. The women are raped. The refugees go hungry. The homes are destroyed. The drinking water is poisoned. Is this a service of love in the Lord Jesus?
Where is the love of God when the unborn are aborted? The life of the elderly and the sick is ended. The seniors are abandoned by their relatives. The state enforces the death penalty. The rich rob the poor. Those claiming to be christians are killing each other in the name of God. Is this a service of love in the Lord Jesus?
My brothers and sisters in Christ, who are we deceiving? Are we not deceiving ourselves? When the abnormal has become the norm, are we shining in a service of love in the Lord Jesus? Indeed, who are we deceiving but ourselves?
During today's First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we heard of the praiseworthy service of love that the Christians had for each other in the Lord Jesus. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission from town to town, "strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith." [Acts 14:22]
Repeating the words of Paul and Barnabas, this is what they said, "It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God." [Acts 14:22] When they were telling the believers that they must persevere through many persecutions, Paul and Barnabas were not telling them to be the cause of each other's persecution. They were not telling them that the Christians should be divided among each other and killing each other as is seen in some countries today. No, the persecutors were the non-believers, those who rejected Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God.
While it is very disturbing to see non-believers persecute Christians, how much more disturbing it is when those who are persecuting the Christians are those who claim to be Christians themselves. While they may bear the name of Christian, there is no doubt whatsoever that they are not Christians because they do not have the love of God in them. They are not Christians because they do not love their brothers and sisters in Christ. Nor do they know God because the love of God is not in them!
To shine in a service of love in the Lord Jesus is to imitate the saints of the Church such as St. Paul. In his love for Jesus, he appointed elders to lead the believers in each church. With prayer and fasting, he and Barnabas entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe. And when they completed their mission, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.
Witnessing to the power of the Holy Spirit by the grace of the Heavenly Father, they shared their spiritual joy with their brothers and sisters in Christ. By doing so, they were strengthening the faith and hope of the believers. Surely, God blessed all of the Christians who were present. He provided them with the opportunity to hear of His Almighty power as the eternal Lord.
It is the same today. When a missionary comes from a foreign land and relates his personal experience of the goodness of the Lord God towards the new converts, those who are present, they are blessed by the Lord. For the Lord God provides them with the opportunity to hear first hand of all the awesome wonders that have been performed by His Spirit in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ.
Today's Second Reading from the Book of Revelation helps us to understand the purpose of the progressive development of the spiritual wonders of God within the Holy Catholic Church.
In his vision, while in the spirit [Rev. 1:10] in a state of ecstacy, John saw a new heaven and a new earth. [Rev. 21:1] What was this new heaven and this new earth? It was the glorious arrival of the long awaited "salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah." [Rev. 12:10]
Through the Blood of the Lamb, [Rev. 12:11] the Kingdom of Heaven was regained when Michael and his angels fought against the dragon who was defeated and casted out of Heaven. [Rev. 12:7-9] At the same time, through the Blood of Christ, the spiritual Kingdom of God, invisible in nature, descended on earth. Those who qualify to enter the Kingdom of God are those who are born again of water and Spirit [Jn.3:5] through the Church Sacrament of Baptism. Through their new creation, they become members of the Body of Christ, the Kingdom of God on earth.
As Jesus said, "What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit." [Jn. 3:6] "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." [Jn. 4:23-4]
(References to the human spirit: Job 32:8; Prov. 18:14, 20:27; Ecc. 3:21; Ezek. 11:19, 36:26; Zech. 12:1; Mt. 26:41; Lk. 8:55; Jn. 3:6; Rom. 8:15; 1 Cor. 2:11)
Through the newly created nature that we have all received during the Sacrament of Baptism, we were admitted into the invisible Kingdom of God on earth so we may worship God in spirit and truth. The earth is not the same anymore. Once, Satan was its ruler. Now, through the Blood of Christ, the earth is being transformed. With each new Baptism, the number of the children of God continues to grow and grow. And it shall continue to do so until such time as every human being has been baptized to receive the new creation and "the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment." [2 Cor. 1:22] Then, it shall be said that Satan has completely lost his kingdom. Christ will have conquered him by crushing death itself.
The new heaven and the new earth are spiritual domains that are here now, coexisting with our world. They are the fulfillment of God's promise through Isaiah. "I am about to do a new thing." [Is. 43:19] "For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth." [Is. 65:17] Now some may say that the new heaven and the new earth are not here. These are yet to come. But this is not the case. Listen to the Words of God from today's reading.
"I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God.'" [Rev. 21:2-3] The reading says, "The home of God is among mortals." It does not say, "It is now among immortals." Once we have passed on from this life and we have entered the Heavenly Kingdom of God, we will have become immortals.
While it cannot be denied that God is present in Heaven, in this specific passage of the Holy Bible, it is a reference to the Divine Presence of God on earth in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and His dwelling in the Sacred Tabernacle. Through the Holy Eucharist, God is among mortals. He dwells with us as our God. Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is fulfilled the promise of Jesus to the Samaritan woman, that "the hour is now here when we as true worshippers are worshipping God the Father in spirit and in truth, such being pleasing to God." [Jn. 4:23-4]
In this case, when the Holy Bible speaks of death being no more, mourning and crying and pain being no more, these things having passed away, such a description is of the spiritual nature of the newly created human spirit that we have received during the Sacrament of Baptism. Our new creation cannot experience spiritual death because it is of the seed of God. [1 Jn. 3:9]. As the angels have no need of food or drink, our human spirits cannot hunger or thirst because of their spiritual nature. Our spiritual nature cannot feel pain because pain results from the physical nature. Through our new creation is fulfilled the promises of the Lord God.

The description of the new creation, the new earth, the new heaven, [Rev. 21:1] the new heart, the new human spirit, [Ezek. 11:19-20, 18:31, 36:26-7] the indwelling Holy Spirit, [Ezek. 11:19-20, 18:31, 36:26; Jer. 24:7, 31:33; Heb. 10:16] these are all the high point of the Book of Revelation. "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; everything has become new!" [2 Cor. 5:17]
When the Holy Bible states that the New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God is a Holy City, it tells us that it has a Divine origin. God is the Architect and the Builder of the city. [Heb. 11:10]
My brothers and sisters in Christ, in the Book of Revelation, there is only one place where God Himself speaks. His Words are, "See, I am making all things new." [Rev. 21:5] God is making all things new for us so we may shine in our service of love in the Lord Jesus.
Through our membership in the Mystical Body of Christ which includes the Kingdom of God on earth, we are drawn to love and worship God as we were created to love and worship Him. Through our spiritual growth during our daily personal relationship with God, we obtain the necessary graces for the love of God that is in us may shine towards our brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, through God's creation of new things, we are justified and sanctified so our service of love in the Lord Jesus may shine towards our brothers and sisters as it was meant to shine.
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

Apology

I would like to ask for an apology for not posting any updates for the past two weeks for my laptop is not working anymore. I will try to find a way to post any updates. Its hard for me to use a mobile phone posting updates like ds now.

But here's a link for next week (4th Sunday of Lent suggestions from my old post way back 2013...

http://choirmassguide.blogspot.com/2013/03/suggested-songs-for-march-10-2013-mass.html

February 7, 2016 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

February 7, 2016
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)


“Go Away From Me LORD, For I Am A Sinful Man.”



Entrance:
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.


First Reading Is 6:1-2a, 3-8
In the year King Uzziah died,
I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne,
with the train of his garment filling the temple.
Seraphim were stationed above.

They cried one to the other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!
All the earth is filled with his glory!”
At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook
and the house was filled with smoke.

Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed!
For I am a man of unclean lips,
living among a people of unclean lips;
yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me,
holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

He touched my mouth with it, and said,
“See, now that this has touched your lips,
your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
R. (1c) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD:
“Great is the glory of the LORD.”
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Second Reading                                                 1 Cor 15:1-11 Or 15:3-8, 11
I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,
of the gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, Christ appeared to more
than five hundred brothers at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.
For I am the least of the apostles,
not fit to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective.
Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them;
not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.
Therefore, whether it be I or they,
so we preach and so you believed.

or

Brothers and sisters,
I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one abnormally born,
he appeared to me.
Therefore, whether it be I or they,
so we preach and so you believed. 

Gospel                                                            Lk 5:1-11
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.


Homily/Reflection of the Readings
Wow! What powerful readings that we have just heard from the Holy Scriptures. What I mean by powerful is that the readings make us think twice of how we would behave if we suddenly found ourselves in the Divine Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many of us would like to think that if Jesus suddenly appeared to us, we would run towards Him and hug Him. Our words would probably be, "Finally Jesus, I waited so long for You," or "Oh Jesus, I love you."

But these were not the responses of Isaiah, Paul and Peter. The prophet Isaiah viewed himself as a great sinner among sinners, he not being worthy of being in the Divine Presence of Yahweh. [Is. 6:5] Paul, still full of guilt for having persecuted the Holy Catholic Church instituted by Jesus, viewed himself as being unfit of being called an apostle. [1 Cor. 15:9] And Peter, the first Pope, begged Jesus to get away from him because he was a sinful man. [Lk. 5:8]

Are we not also sinners living among sinners? "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." [1 Jn. 1:8] As sinners, are we worthy of being in the Divine Presence of the Lord? Or, should we also fall on our knees and say, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful person!"

Isaiah, Paul and Peter were blessed. They perceived the divinity of the Lord. As the Book of Revelation tells us, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." [Rev. 4:11] These early Church saints perceived that they who were unholy and unworthy of being in the presence of He Who was the Most Holy. Most likely, they asked themselves, "Why me?" "Why do you come to me Lord?" "Can you not find someone else who is more holy than I am?" Knowing what they were, frail creations of God, they humbled themselves before the Lord.

How did the Lord God react to the sincere state of mind and heart of these three children of His? He forgave the sins of each one of them and gave them a mission to fulfill. Isaiah was called to bring the Israelites to repentance. Paul was called to bring others to follow Jesus. Peter was called by Jesus to assist Him in His ministry and to provide leadership to the Holy Catholic Church after the death and glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As history tells us, in each case, the grace of God has not been in vain. Isaiah, Paul and Peter were most grateful to the Lord God for having chosen them and they have made a great effort to answer their calling to the best of their capabilities. This is not to say that they were perfect. Isaiah wished at times that God would have chosen someone else because the people would not listen to him. St. Paul started on the wrong track by persecuting the Christians. St. Peter ran and denied Jesus during the last twenty- four hours of His life. All of them were weak. All of them made mistakes. But, what was most important, all of them had sincere hearts and overcame their weaknesses by placing their complete trust in the Lord God.

Going back to my original question, "How would we behave if we suddenly found ourselves in the Divine Presence of the Lord Jesus?" Many of us can answer that question in absolute truth. You see, Jesus is physically present in the Holy Eucharist and in the Holy Tabernacle. In the past, how have we behaved in His Sacred Presence?

In the physical presence of the Lord, do some of us fall down with our faces to the ground? Do some of us genuflect piously before Him? Do some of us half genuflect as a habit and forget why we are doing it? Do some of us deny ourselves the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist? Or, do some of us pass before the Holy Tabernacle without displaying any honour and respect towards the Lord Jesus? What we have done in the past is but a reflection in the mirror of what we will truly do when we find ourselves in the Sacred Presence of Jesus. If we have never shown honour and respect for the Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, nor before the Holy Tabernacle, should we behave differently before Him when we will see Him, surely Jesus will call us hypocrites. To avoid being called hypocrites, we must now begin to give the Lord Jesus the honour and respect that He truly deserves.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus, in human form, has been gone for a long time. And we cannot deny that we are weak. Like Isaiah, Paul and Peter, we are not perfect, but we do have sincere hearts. Because Jesus has been gone for a long time, we are tempted to forget about Him. And, by modelling after those who are weaker than we, we are easily influenced to live as though Jesus does not exist.

To ensure that we would never forget Him, over and above the many invisible gifts that have been given to us, Jesus gave us many visible gifts as reminders that He is our Lord and God. He gave us His Holy Church to which we belong as children. He gave us the Church leadership that has handed down the tradition since the days of the incarnation of God on earth. He gave us the Holy Bible as His inspired Word. He gave us the Sacraments. He gave us the Sacramentals. Every generation, He gave us saints to prove to us that it is possible to love and serve Him in all humility. And by the grace of the Heavenly Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, in the Most Holy Name of Jesus, miracles have been manifested as an affirmation that it was God's Divine Will for the saints to be canonized.

Jesus never left us alone. Over and above His physical Divine Presence in the Holy Eucharist, He has given us many visible gifts that can be seen with our eyes. These gifts are the strength of our living faith in the blessed hope that awaits us all.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, by the grace of God, while we are what we are, let not the grace of the Lord towards us be in vain. If we have neglected our salvation, let us start again from where we left off and together, let us move ahead with Jesus so the grace of the heavenly Father may shine brilliantly through us.


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)


Happy Sunday :)
January 31, 2016
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)

“The Manifestation of Divine Love”

HAPPY 5th YEAR ANNIVERSARY. PARANG KAILAN LANG... 5 YEARS NA PALA ANG BLOG KONG ITO... SANA'Y MAIPAGPATULOY KO PA ITO HANGGA'T KAYA KO..... :)

The book that I'm talking about last last week is now available in gumroad.com. I posted a link also in the side bar of this blog.

Entrance:
1.     Diha sa Halaran, swak sa Psalm “Dayga ang Ginoo”
2.     Daygon ta ang Ginoo, swak pa rin sa Psalm “Dagyga ang Ginoo”
3.     Awit ng Pasasalamat (Hontiveros)
4.     Pag-aalaala (Francisco) Prioritize Stanza 2.
5.     All I ask of you (Norbet)
6.     Blest be the Lord (Schutte)

First Reading                  Jer 1:4-5, 17-19
The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

But do you gird your loins;
stand up and tell them
all that I command you.
Be not crushed on their account,
as though I would leave you crushed before them;
for it is I this day
who have made you a fortified city,
a pillar of iron, a wall of brass,
against the whole land:
against Judah’s kings and princes,
against its priests and people.
They will fight against you but not prevail over you,
for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm             Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17
R. (cf. 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

Second Reading                1 Cor 12:31—13:13 Or 13:4-13
Brothers and sisters:
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues,
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
It is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.
If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease;
if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child,
think as a child, reason as a child;
when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,
but then face to face.
At present I know partially;
then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

or

Brothers and sisters:
Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.
If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease;
if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child,
think as a child, reason as a child;
when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,
but then face to face.
At present I know partially;
then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

Gospel                         Lk 4:21-30
Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”
He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,
‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,
‘Do here in your native place
the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’”
And he said, “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you,
there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

Homily/Reflection of the Readings (February 3, 2013)
Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ to today's celebration of the Holy Mass in remembrance of the infinite goodness and love of the Lord Jesus who has revealed the Heavenly Father to us. Today, progressing through the early development of the Liturgical Calendar, we are celebrating the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. At this stage, our hearts are progressively opening to the manifestation of Divine Love.

During today's First Reading, in the dialogue between Yahweh and the prophet Jeremiah, we heard a perfect example of Divine Love. Some of the Words that the Heavenly Father spoke are very touching. Yahweh said, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"

In His infinite knowledge, the Almighty Lord God knew Jeremiah before He formed him in the womb of his mother. There is no doubt that before each and everyone of us were formed in the womb of our mothers, the Lord God also knew us.

Then, the Lord God said, "Before you were born, I consecrated you." When studying the biblical history of the term to consecrate something or someone, we learn that it means to set it aside for a Divine service. Consequently, we can conclude that Yahweh had set Jeremiah aside for His prophetic mission to the nations.

While we are not all called to be prophets, by the grace of God, through our Baptism, we also have been set aside for a Divine service. Our Divine calling, as revealed to us through Jesus Christ, is to adore the Lord God, to obey His commandments, to share the good news in all four corners of the world, to serve one another and to shine in love towards others for the glory of God.

When the Lord God told Jeremiah "gird up your loins," He was emphasizing the necessity to be prompt to accomplish the order [1 Kings 18:46] of being a prophet to the nations. To gird up your loins means to be in an immediate state of preparation. [Job 38:3, 40:7]

In the same way, in our calling to serve the Lord Jesus, we must always be in a state of preparation. We must always be prompt to accomplish what God has commanded us to do through Jesus Christ. As Jesus said, "Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." [Mt. 25:13] No one knows which will come first, if the Lord Jesus will return in His glory with His angels at the end of time or if we will be called to appear before the Lord God at the end of this earthly life.

The Apostle Peter said, "Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." [1 Pet. 5:6-10]

During today's Second Reading, St. Paul was addressing the Corinthians. Based on the content of the First Letter to the Corinthians, it is believed that the faithful were debating as to which gift of God was the greatest. Was it speaking in tongues? Was it the gift of prophecy? Was it understanding the mysteries of God? Or was it faith? In answer to those questions, St. Paul stated that the best gift of God is the gift of love.

The type of love that St. Paul was speaking about is called "agape" in Greek. This is the kind of love that flows to us from God through Jesus Christ. It is creative and unmotivated. It seeks nothing. It is not attracted by goodness because God loves us as sinners in Jesus. As such, we must open ourselves to the Divine love of God to allow it to be active in us. Then and only then will our love towards others always be pure and unmotivated. 

One of the reasons that love is so important is because it is eternal. It will always be with us. The love that we show towards God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, it will be with us for eternity. The manner in which we love one another today in this world, in Heaven, we will be required to continue to manifest this love.

While all the gifts of the Holy Spirit will come to an end, love will not. While our limited knowledge and understanding of things will come to an end, love will persist forever. Why will love persist forever? It is because "God is love." [1 Jn. 4:8] It is because "Love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." [1 Jn. 4:7] "All who obey His Commandments abide in Him, and He abides in them. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit that He has given us." [1 Jn. 3:24]

Some of you may have realized that some versions of the Holy Scripture uses the word "love" while other versions use the word "charity." The word "charity" echoes active love. No Christian actions can be performed without active love. If you are kind to someone, it is because you love the person in Christ. If you are feeding the hungry or clothing the sick, such charitable acts are acts of love. Love is perfected by our charitable acts towards others. What we do to others, we do to Christ.

During today's Gospel Reading, thinking spiritually, we were able to perceive how God manifested His Divine love in a very personal way. Through the incarnation in Jesus Christ, God came to dwell among us. What great love God has for us, that He set aside His divinity, took human form upon Himself, and dwelled in our midst so we may come to know Him as He truly is, holy, perfect, eternal, merciful, forgiving, etc... There are no other like Him.

When God came down from Heaven to dwell upon us, not all accepted the manifestation of His Divine love. As the prophets of the Old Testament were rejected in their hometown, the Lord Jesus also found rejection among His own. In the eyes of the people of His hometown, He did not meet their standards. Because they knew Him since His childhood, He was nothing special to them. How judgmental and blind the human nature can be at times.

In our daily Christian lives, we must always be aware of our thoughts, our words and our actions. Do we misjudge and condemn others as the villagers judged and condemned Jesus? Do we discriminate against others because of their colour, their race, their nationality, their education, their gender, their age or the way they dress? None of these judgments perceive the soul of others, all souls being equal in the eyes of God.

To manifest Divine love towards others, we must be prepared to make ourselves little so others may be raised. We must be prepared to serve so others may be served. We must be prepared to take the back seat so others may have the front seat. We must be prepared to honour others as we would like to be honoured. We must die in Christ so Christ may shine in others. That is what Divine love is all about.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this week, let us take time to assess our personal status in the world. Are we gladly serving versus demanding service? Are we humble versus being proud? Are we giving love versus always expecting to receive it? Are we at the giving end of charity versus taking advantage of receiving it? These are holy reflections. May our hearts feed upon them so we may always glorify the Lord God in all things.

Offertory:
1.     O Dios Dawata (Koro Viannista)
2.     Diyutay lang Kini
3.     Ang Tanging Alay Ko
4.     Narito Ako (San Andres) Prioritize Stanza 2.
5.     Narito Ako, Panginoon (Que)
6.     Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda) 
7.     To Be Your Bread (Haas)

Communion:
1.     Ang Kinabuhing Mahinungdanon
2.     Ang Tawo niining Kalibutan
3.     Kini maong Akong Lawas
4.     Awit ng Paghilom (Aquino) 
5.     Kaibigan
6.     Halina, Lumapit sa Akin (Isidro, Que) Best choice.
7.     Hesus ng Aking Buhay (Aquino)
8.     Huwag Kang Mangamba (Pagsanghan, Francisco)
9.     Huwag Limutin (Aquino)
10.   H’wag Mangamba (Francisco)
11.   Far Greater Love (Go, Francisco)
12.   God of Silence (Francisco)
13.   Here I Am, Lord (Schutte)


Recessional:
1.     Ang Atong Tulubagon
2.     Kinsa?
3.     Ang Tawag
4.     Magpasalamat sa Kanya (Ramirez)
5.     O Bayan ng Dios (Aquino)
6.     My Heart’s Thanksgiving (Aquino)

Enjoy and have a nice weekend everyone J

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