Leaving All Behind To Follow Jesus: 13th Sunday Ordinary Time

Introduction

(13^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

June 30, 2013 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, good morning!

Doing the Father’s will is Jesus’ “food,” his nourishment and delight.  The Gospel presents Him as resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, the city of His destiny.  There He will undergo His “exodus,” His liberation of the people by His passion, death, and resurrection.  Not even the close-mindedness and rejection of the Samaritans can stop Him.

The Lord expects the same kind of decisiveness from his followers.  Proclaiming the kingdom of God is so important that everything else is subordinate to it.

        Let us all stand for the entrance hymn!

Prayers of the Faithful

(13^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

(Priest):                        The road to discipleship is marked by difficulties and obstacles.  Let us pray to the Father that we may have the courage and perseverance to remain faithful to Jesus, as we pray:

“Lord, be with us in our journey”

(Reader):

·       We pray for Pope Francis on the occasion of St. Peter, the Apostle Sunday, and for all bishops that they may be blessed with collaborators in the work of evangelization, forming them through Christ who is at work even today.  We pray: (R)

·       May our newly-elected officials hasten the process of healing and reconciliation so that all may work together in building a better future for our country and its people. We pray: (R)

·       May our government and religious leaders strive to help our people to take the way of peace and resolve conflicts and differences through goodwill, dialogue, and mutual respect. We pray: (R)

·       May young people called to priestly and consecrated life have the resolve of the prophets and of Jesus to persevere in their calling. We pray: (R)

·       May we be worthy to bear the name “Christians,” joyfully accepting the reality of the cross in our lives and giving priority to the values of the Gospel.  We pray: (R)

(Priest):                        Loving Father, listen to our prayers. Be with us always that we may remain faithful disciples of Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You for ever and ever.  Amen. 

Accepting Jesus as Your Saviour, Is By Following Him: 12th Sunday Ordinary Time

Introduction

(12^th Sunday Ordinary Time)
June 23, 2013

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, good morning!

In life, we pass through various problems and hardships.  The way we face them marks our identity as Christians. Believing in Jesus, we cannot but live by his words and face life’s difficulties with hope. Behind Jesus’ words for us today is a challenge.  If we want to belong to Jesus, we must deny ourselves in love, take up our cross in sacrifice and follow Him in service.

        Let us all stand for the entrance hymn!

Prayers of the Faithful

(12^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

(Priest):                        The Lord invites us to carry our own cross after Him. St Paul says that it is our way of filling up what is lacking in the suffering of Christ, for the sake of Christ’s Body, which is the Church.  Full of confidence, we pray:

“Lord, hear our prayer”

(Reader):

·       That those who dedicate their lives to the service of the Lord and the Church may always find strength and consolation in Christ, the pioneer in the way of the cross.  We pray: (R)

·       That those who hold public office may die to the lure of money and power, and find the true meaning of life in God.  We pray: (R)

·       That the hungry, the homeless and unemployed may be empowered by the help extended to them by individuals and communities of faith.  We pray: (R)

·        That we may be spared from natural and man-made calamities, and blessed by the Lord in all our honest endeavors and plans.  We pray: (R)

·       That the Lord may keep us all in safety, give joy to our days, and welcome into His kingdom our departed loved ones.  We pray: (R)

(Priest):                        Father most powerful, we trust in You.  Hear the petitions which we carry before You today, together with the Lord Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Ever Forgiving God: 11th Sunday Ordinary Time

Introduction

(11^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, good morning!

Sometimes we can’t but ask:  Does God love people of bad moral character - people, for instance, who lie and steal, who hurt others?  Or does God love only the good, who can claim a reward because of their upright lives?

Today’s liturgy teaches us that salvation is God’s free gift.  May this celebration make us realize and be grateful for God’s freely granted love and forgiveness.  May we rejoice in His unlimited goodness.

        Let us all stand for the entrance hymn!

Prayers of the Faithful

(11^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

(Priest):                        Having experience the compassion of Christ in our lives, let us pray that we, too, may be willing to show compassion to others.  In every prayer, we say:

“Lord, help us to be like you”

(Reader):

·       That Christians may not simply be content with praying but do something concretely to alleviate and lessen the suffering in the world.  We pray: (R)

·       That all priests who are called to serve God and his people may continue to offer themselves for the sanctification and strengthening of the believing community. We pray: (R)

·       That all civil leaders may show special concern for the poor, the oppressed, the unemployed.  We pray: (R)

·        That all people in misery may receive not judgment and criticism but comforting visits that brings hope and life.  We pray: (R)

·       That all of us gathered here may receive the compassion of Christ through one another.  We pray: (R)

(Priest):                        Father, out of love and compassion, You forgive us our sins.  We ask You to grant us the same forgiving heart for our brothers and sisters through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Pamalandong

(11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

          Niining ika-napulo’g  usa nga Domingo sa Ordinaryong Panahon, ang mga pagbasa naghisgot mahitungod sa grasya sa kapasayloan.   Sa unang pagbasa, gipakita ni Natan kang David kung unsa ka daku ang nahimo niyang sala nga mao ang  pagpatay kang Urias didto sa gubat ug ang pag-ilog sa asawa niini nga si Batseba.  Apan gi-ingnan ni Natan si David nga gipasaylo siya sa Ginoo.

          Sa ika-duhang basahon, si San Pablo misugilon sa mga tawo sa Galatia nga bisan sa iyang pagkamakasasala apan gihimo siya sa Dios nga matarong dili tungod sa iyang pagtuman sa Balaod, kun dili pinaagi sa iyang pagtoo sa anak sa Dios, nga si JesuKristo.

          Sa ebanghelyo, gipasaylo ni Jesus ang babaye nga daghang mga sala.

          Ang gugma sa Dios sa tawo gipakita pinaagi sa pagpasaylo.  Ang Dios wala magtagad kung unsa ka daku sa sayop o sala nga nahimo sa tawo.  Apan ang gipangita sa Dios diha sa tawo mao lamang ang pag-amo ug paghinulsol sa kasaypanan sama kang David sa unang gibasa nga miingon: “nakasala ako sa Ginoo.” Duna ba kita’y kadasig sa pag-ila sa atong kasaypanan?

          Bisan unsa ka daku sa sayop sa tawo, apan kung maka-amgo siya tungod sa pagtoo kang Kristo, sinugdanan kini sa kausaban sa iyang kinabuhi ug musumpay sa mga buhat sa kaluwasan.  Ang kinabuhi ni San Pablo maoy buhing testigo niini.  Unsang matang  nga pagsumpay nato sa mga buhat sa kaluwasan tungod sa atong pagoo kang JesuKristo?

          Apan ang pagbuhat sa mga timaan sa gugma ug pagkamapasalamaton sa tawo, diwa sa usa ka pag-ila sa kaayo sa Ginoo.  Matud pa, kadtong mga nakasinati sa gugma labi pang mahigugmaon.  Apan kadtong  nakadawat og dyotay’ng gugma, mahadlukon nga muhatag sa iyang kaugalingon.  Kita ba manggihatagon kaha sa atong panahon ug mapasayloon?

10th Sunday Ordinary Time

Introduction

(10^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, good morning!

Today, the disciples and the large crowd witness Jesus revealing his compassion by bringing back to life the only son of the widow. 

For the Jewish society, the orphans and the widows are traditionally considered helpless and insignificant.  By raising and giving back the young son to his mother, Jesus shows a gesture that evokes God’s mercy and love regardless of the human person’s status in the society. 

Jesus indeed reveals, through His words and deeds, the mind and purpose of the Father when He takes care of the poor and weak not only physically but also spiritually.

        To begin our Eucharistic celebration, let us all stand for the entrance hymn!

Prayers of the Faithful

(10^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

(Priest):                        To show His divine compassion and authority, Jesus performed miracles.  Filled with awe at these wonders let us pray to the Father who sent us such a Savior:

“God of life hear our prayer”

(Reader):

·       That God’s love and care may be shown to our people through the guidance and help of our Church pastors.  We pray: (R)

·       That the state may become a channel of God’s compassionate love by the special attention and assistance they extend to the poor and sick people.  We pray: (R)

·       That those who have recently suffered the loss of a loved one may, with God’s help, recover their faith in life.  We pray: (R)

·       That like the widow’s son, sick people may experience the healing hand of Jesus. We pray: (R)

·       That the faithful departed may be raised to the fullness of life in God’s presence. We pray: (R)

(Priest):                        God our Father, guide us in our gesture to touch the brokenhearted and help them experience your Son, who has come among us.  This we ask through Christ our Lord.  Amen.