Month: January 2016

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Sunday, 17 January 2016 : Second (2nd) Sunday of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot and World Day of Migrants and Refugees (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Isaiah 62 : 1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, for Jerusalem I will not keep silent, until her holiness shines like the dawn and her salvation flames like a burning torch. The nations will see your holiness and all the kings your glory. You will be called by a new name which the mouth of YHVH will reveal.

You will be a crown of glory in the hand of YHVH, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will you be named Forsaken; no longer will your land be called Abandoned; but you will be called My Delight and your land Espoused. For YHVH delights in you and will make your land His spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin, so will your Builder marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Epiphany (II Classis) – Sunday, 17 January 2016 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : White

Offertory

Psalm 65 : 1-2, 16

Jubilate Deo, universa terra : psalmum dicite Nomini Ejus : venite et audite, et narrabo vobis, omnes qui timetis Deum, quanta fecit Dominus animae meae, Alleluja.

English translation

Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing all of you a psalm to His Name. Come and hear, and I will tell you, all who fear God, what great things the Lord had done for my soul. Alleluia.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Oblata, Domine, munera sanctifica : nosque a peccatorum nostrorum maculis emunda. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Sanctify, o Lord, the gifts we offer, and purify us from the stains of our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Communion

John 2 : 7, 8, 9, 10-11

Dicit Dominus : Implete hydrias aqua et ferte architriclino. Cum gustasset architriclinus aquam vinum factam, dicit sponso : Servasti bonum vinum usque adhuc. Hoc signum fecit Jesus primum coram discipulis Suis.

English translation

The Lord said, “Fill the waterpots with water, and carry to the chief steward of the feast.” When the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, he said to the bridegroom, “You have kept the good wine until now.” This first miracle Jesus had done before His disciples.

Post-Communion Prayer

Augeatur in nobis, quaesumus, Domine, Tuae virtutis operatio : ut divinis vegetati sacramentis, ad eorum promissa capienda, Tuo munere praeparemur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May the working of Your power, we beg You, o Lord, be increased in us, that, being nourished by divine sacraments, we may by Your grace be prepared to obtain that which they promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Epiphany (II Classis) – Sunday, 17 January 2016 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 2 : 1-11

In illo tempore : Nuptiae factae sunt in Cana Galilaeae : et erat Mater Jesu ini. Vocatus est autem et Jesus, et discipuli Ejus ad nuptias. Et deficiente vino, dicit Mater Jesu ad eum : Vinum non habent.

Et dicit ei Jesus : Quid mihi et Tibi est, mulier? Nondum venit hora Mea. Dicit Mater Ejus ministris : Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite. Erant autem ibi lapidae hydriae sex positae secundum purificationem Judaeorum, capientes singulae metretas binas vel ternas.

Dicit eis Jesus : Implete hydrias aqua. Et impleverunt eas usque ad summum. Et dicit eis Jesus : Haurite nunc, et ferte architriclino. Et tulerunt. Ut autem gustavit architriclinus aquam vinum favtam, et non sciebat unde esset, ministri autem sciebant, qui hauserant aquam : vocat sponsum architriclinus, et dicit ei : Omnis homo primum bonum vinum ponit : et cum inebriati fuerint, tunc id, quod deterius est. Tu autem servasti bonum vinum usque adhuc. 

Hoc fecit initium signorum Jesus in Cana Galilaeae : et manifestavit gloriam suam, et crediderunt in eum discipuli Ejus.

English translation

At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus was also invited, and His disciples as well, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what is it to Me and to you? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the waiters, “Whatsoever He shall say to you, all of you do it.” Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece.

Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus said to them, “Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast.” And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water. The chief steward called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man at first set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

This is the beginning of miracles that Jesus had done in Cana of Galilee, and He manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Epiphany (II Classis) – Sunday, 17 January 2016 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 106 : 20-21 and Psalm 148 : 2

Misit Dominus verbum suum, et sanavit eos : et eripuit eos de interitu eorum.

Priest : Confiteantur Domino misericordiae Ejus : et mirabilia Ejus filiis hominum.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Priest : Laudate Dominum, omnes Angeli Ejus : laudate eum, omnes virtutes Ejus. Alleluja.

English translation

The Lord sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them out of their distresses.

Priest : Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to Him, and His wonderful works to the children of men.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Priest : Praise all of you the Lord, all His Angels, praise all of you, Him, all of His hosts. Alleluia.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Epiphany (II Classis) – Sunday, 17 January 2016 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : White

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Romanos – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans

Romans 12 : 6-16

Fratres : Habentes donationes secundum gratiam, quae data est nobis, differentes : sive prophetiam secundum rationem fidei, sive ministerium in ministrando, sive qui docet in doctrina, qui exhortatur in exhortando, qui tribuit in simplicitate, qui praeest in sollicitudine, qui miseretur in hilaritate.

Dilectio sine simulatione. Odientes malum, adhaerentes bono : Caritate fraternitatis invicem diligentes : Honore invicem praevenientes : Sollicitudine non pigri : Spiritu ferventes : Domino servientes : Spe gaudentes : In tribulatione patientes : Oratione instantes : Necessitatibus sanctorum communicantes : Hospitalitatem sectantes.

Benedicite persequentibus vos : benedicite, et nolite maledicere. Gaudere cum gaudentibus, flere cum flentibus : Idipsum invicem sentientes : Non alta sapientes, sed humilibus consentientes.

English translation

Brethren, having different gifts, according to the grace that is given to us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith, or ministry, in ministering, or he who teaches in doctrine, he who exhorts in exhorting, he who gives with simplicity, he who rules with carefulness, he who shows mercy with cheerfulness.

Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good. Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood, in honour preventing one another. In carefulness, not slothful, in spirit fervent, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, instant in prayer, communicating to the necessities of the saints, pursuing hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you, bless, and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Being of one mind one towards another, not minding high things, but consenting to the humble.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Epiphany (II Classis) – Sunday, 17 January 2016 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : White

Introit

Psalm 65 : 4 and 1-2

Omnis terra adoret Te, Deus, et psallat Tibi : psalmum dicat Nomini Tuo, Altissime.

Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, psalmum dicite Nomini Ejus : date gloriam laudi Ejus.

Priest : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Let all the earth adore You, o God, and sing to You. Let it sing a psalm to Your Name, o You Most High.

Shout with joy to God all the earth, sing all of you a psalm to His Name, give glory to His praise.

Priest : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui caelestia simul et terrena moderaris : supplicationes populi Tui clementer exaudi; et pacem Tuam nostris concede temporibus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Almighty, Eternal God, Who had governed all things in heaven and on earth, of Your mercy hear the supplications of Your people, and grant Your peace in our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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Saturday, 16 January 2016 : 1st Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of our Lady)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we heard about the Lord Who appointed a king to rule over His people Israel, as they have requested and begged for, in which Saul from the tribe of Benjamin was chosen as the first king to rule over God’s people, Israel. But becoming a king and ruler is indeed far from what many of us often like to think, as with power comes also great duty, obligation and responsibility.

As the king of Israel, not only that Saul was expected to be a person of great charisma and a person who was able to lead the people of God in their constant struggles against their enemies and neighbours, but he was also expected to ensure that all of the people of God will remain faithful to the covenant which their ancestors had made with the Lord.

And therefore, he himself should be exemplary in faith and be obedient to the Lord’s will and His laws, as the people would look up to their king and leader, and if the leader himself is erroneous in his beliefs and wayward in his ways, then it is inevitable that the others would also follow that person into the wrong paths. Indeed, king Saul himself would fall into this as he succumbed to his own desires and pride, causing him to disobey the Lord and brought the people of God into sinning against Him.

Even king David himself, the faithful and model king amongst all the kings of Israel and Judah, sinned against the Lord when he in his desire and lust made his own subordinate to be killed, as he plotted to have the wife of that subordinate as his own. In that regard, he had disobeyed the Lord, but he was forgiven because of his steadfast faith in other occasions as well as his sincere and genuine repentance, unlike Saul who refused to acknowledge that he had been in the wrong for his actions.

What is the significance of today’s readings to us all, brothers and sisters in Christ? It is that all of us who have been accepted into the Lord’s Church, and became one people in God, has also been given the responsibility, obligation and duty as a priestly people, a kingly people and a people who have been blessed with the authority and the ability to lead one another towards the Lord.

Yes, this means that each and every one of us are entrusted with the care of our own brethren, to ensure that all of us can be exemplary in our actions, words and deeds, so that by our faith and by our dedication to that faith, we may inspire others around us to also follow our faith and our path towards the Lord. It is instead a great scandal in the faith for us all to be wayward from our path, as if we ourselves are unfaithful, then we will likely also bring others on the same path with us towards damnation.

Let us remember that if we say and profess that we believe in the Lord our God, but in the reality of our actions, our doings and in all of our involvement, they speak otherwise, then what we are doing is really a travesty and a sacrilege to our faith in God. We do not bring others, our brethren, closer to the Lord if we ourselves do not practice what we believe in. If we want to bring them closer to God, then we ourselves should be clinging closer to God ourselves first.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us from now on redouble our efforts to strengthen our faith and be ever more devoted to the Lord in all things. Let us all show our faith through our concrete actions, and bring the Lord closer to all those around us through our own actions based on that faith we have in Him. May through us many more souls will be saved as they follow our footsteps and obey the Lord as well.

May God bless us all in all of our endeavours, and may He lead us through our life, so that we may be ever faithful and be ever obedient to His will, and may all of us together be united as one people blessed by God, and may all of us be brought into God’s salvation and eternal life in Him. Amen.

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Saturday, 16 January 2016 : 1st Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of our Lady)

Mark 2 : 13-17

At that time, when Jesus went out again beside the lake, a crowd came to Him, and He taught them. As He walked along, He saw a tax collector sitting in his office. This was Levi, the son of Alpheus. Jesus said to him, “Follow Me!” And Levi got up and followed Him.

And it so happened that when Jesus was eating in Levi’s house, tax collectors and sinners sat with Him and His disciples; there were a lot of them, and they used to follow Jesus. But Pharisees, men educated in the Law, when they saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, “Why does your Master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus heard them, answered, “Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

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Saturday, 16 January 2016 : 1st Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of our Lady)

Psalm 20 : 2-3, 4-5, 6-7

The king rejoices in Your strength, o Lord, and exults in Your saving help. You have granted him his desire; You have not rejected his request.

You have come to him with rich blessings; You have placed a golden crown upon his head. When he asked, You gave him life – the length of days forever and ever.

He glories in the victory You gave him; You shall bestow on him splendour and majesty. You have given him eternal blessings, and gladdened him with the joy of Your presence.

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Saturday, 16 January 2016 : 1st Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of our Lady)

1 Samuel 9 : 1-4, 17-19 and 1 Samuel 10 : 1a

There was a man from the tribe of Benjamin whose name was Kish. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a valiant Benjaminite. Kish had a son named Saul, a handsome young man who had no equal among the Israelites, for he was a head taller than any of them.

It happened that the asses of Kish were lost. So he said to his son Saul, “Take one of the boys with you and go look for the asses.” They went all over the hill country of Ephraim and the land of Shalishah but did not find them. They passed through the land of Shaalim and the land of Benjamin, but the asses nowhere to be found.

So, when Samuel saw Saul, YHVH told him, “Here is the man I spoke to you about! He shall rule over My people.” Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and said, “Tell me, where is the house of the seer?” Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me. In the morning, before you leave, I will tell you all that is in your heart.”

Then Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on Saul’s head.