Day: September 12, 2016

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Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red
John 3 : 13-17

At that time, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one has ever gone up to heaven except the One Who came from heaven, the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

“Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through Him the world is to be saved.”

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Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red
Psalm 77 : 1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

Give heed, o My people, to My teaching; listen to the words of My mouth! I will speak in parables, I will talk of old mysteries.

When God slew them, they repented and sought Him earnestly. They remembered that He was their Rock, the Most High their Redeemer.

But they flattered Him with their mouths, they lied to Him with their tongues, while their hearts were unfaithful; they were untrue to His covenant.

Even then, in His compassion, He forgave their offences and did not destroy them. Many a time He restrained His anger and did not fully stir up His wrath.

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Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red
Numbers 21 : 4b-9

The people were discouraged by the journey and began to complain against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is neither bread nor water here and we are disgusted with this tasteless manna.”

YHVH then sent fiery serpents against them. They bit the people and many of the Israelites died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, speaking against YHVH and against you. Plead with YHVH to take the serpents away.”

Moses pleaded for the people and YHVH said to him, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a standard; whoever has been bitten and then looks at it shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a standard. Whenever a man was bitten, he looked towards the bronze serpent and he lived.

Alternative reading
Philippians 2 : 6-11

Though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in His appearance found as a Man.

He humbled Himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted Him and gave Him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

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(Usus Antiquior) Exaltation of the Holy Cross (II Classis) – Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : Red

Offertory

Tradition of the Faith

Protege, Domine, plebem Tuam per signum Sanctae Crucis ab omnibus insidiis inimicorum omnium : ut tibi gratam exhibeamus servitutem, et acceptabile fiat sacrificium nostrum, Alleluja.

 

English translation

Through the sign of the Holy Cross, protect Your people, o Lord, from the snares of all enemies, that we may pay You a pleasing service, and our sacrifice be acceptable, Alleluia.

 

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Jesu Christi, Domini nostri, Corpore et Sanguine saginandi, per quem Crucis est sanctificatum vexillum : quaesumus, Domine, Deus noster; ut, sicut illud adorare meruimus, ita perreniter Ejus gloriae salutaris potiamur effectu. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

Being about to be fed with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom the banner of the Cross was sanctified, we beseech You o Lord, our God, that, as we have had the grace to adore it, so we may forever enjoy the effect of its salutary glory. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

 

Preface of the Holy Cross

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : Qui salutem humani generis in ligno Crucis constituisti : ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret : et, qui in ligno vincebat, in ligno quoque vinceretur : per Christum, Dominum nostrum.

Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Caeli caelorumque Virtutes ac beata Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes :

 

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and profitable for us, at all times, and in all places, to give thanks to You, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, You Who had established the salvation of mankind in the wood of the Cross, that from whence death came into the world, thence a new life might spring, and that he who by a tree overcame, by a tree might be overthrown. Through Christ our Lord.

Through Whom the Angels praise, the Dominations adore, the Powers, trembling with awe, worship Your majesty, which the heavens, and the forces of heaven, together with the Blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify, and You do command that it be permitted to our lowliness to join with them in confessing You and unceasingly to repeat :

 

Communion

Tradition of the Faith

Per signum Crucis de inimicis nostris libera nos, Deus noster.

 

English translation

Through the sign of the Cross deliver us from our enemies, o our God.

 

Post-Communion Prayer

Adesto nobis, Domine, Deus noster : et, quos Sanctae Crucis laetari facis honore, ejus quoque perpetuis defende subsidiis. 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 You be with us, o Lord, our God, and as You had made us rejoice in honour of the Holy Cross, defend us also by its perpetual assistance. 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) Exaltation of the Holy Cross (II Classis) – Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Red

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

John 12 : 31-36

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum : Nunc judicium est mundi : nunc princeps hujus mundi ejiciatur foras. Et ego si exaltatum fuero a terra, omnia traham ad meipsum. (Hoc autem dicebat, significans, qua morte esset moriturus.)

Respondit ei turba; Nos audivimus ex lege, quia Christus manet in aeternum : et quomodo Tu dicis : Oportet exaltari Filium Hominis? Quis est iste Filius Hominis?

Dixit ergo eis Jesus : Adhuc modicum lumen in vobis est. Ambulate, dum lucem habetis, ut non vos tenebrae comprehendant : et qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit, quo vadat. Dum lucem habetis, credite in lucem, ut filii lucis sitis.

 

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews, “Now is the judgment of the world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself. (Now this He said, signifying what death He should die.)

The multitude answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law, that Christ abides forever, and how can You say, the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is the Son of Man?”

Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while, the Light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that the darkness does not overtake you. And he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Exaltation of the Holy Cross (II Classis) – Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : Red

Philippians 2 : 8, 9 and Tradition of the Faith

Christus factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis.

Priest : Propter quod et Deus exaltavit illum, et dedit illi Nomen, quod est super omne nomen.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Priest : Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dulcia ferens pondera : quae sola fuisti digna sustinere Regem caelorum et Dominum. Alleluja.

 

English translation

Christ became obedient for us unto death, even the death of the cross.

Priest : For which cause also God had exalted Him a Name which is above all names.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Priest : Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs thereon, to bear up the King and Lord of heaven nought was worthy save you, o Holy Cross. Alleluia.

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(Usus Antiquior) Exaltation of the Holy Cross (II Classis) – Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : Red

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

Philippians 2 : 5-11

Fratres : Hoc enim sentite in vobis, quod et in Christo Jesu : qui, cum in forma Dei esset, non rapinam arbitratus est esse se aequalem Deo : sed semetipsum exinanivit, formam servi accipiens, in similitudinem hominum factus, et habitu inventus ut homo.

Humiliavit semetipsum, factus obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltavit illum : et donavit illi Nomen, quod est super omne nomen :

(Genuflect)

Ut in Nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur caelestium, terrestrium, et infernorum : et omnis lingua confiteatur, quia Dominus Jesus Christus in gloria est Dei Patris.

 

English translation

Brethren, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who being in the form of God, thought in not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself as nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a Man.

He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. For which cause God also had exalted Him, and had given Him a Name which is above all names.

(Genuflect)

That in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

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(Usus Antiquior) Exaltation of the Holy Cross (II Classis) – Wednesday, 14 September 2016 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : Red

Introit

Galatians 6 : 14 and Psalm 66 : 2

Nos autem gloriari oportet in Cruce Domini nostri Jesu Christi : in quo est salus, vita et resurrectio nostra : per quem salvati et liberati sumus.

Deus misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis : illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri.

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

 

English translation

But it behooves us to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in Whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, by Whom we are saved and delivered.

May God have mercy on us, and bless us, may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us.

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

Deus, qui nos hodierna die Exaltationis sanctae Crucis annua sollemnitate laetificas : praesta, quaesumus; ut, cujus mysterium in terra cognovimus, ejus redemptionis praemia in caelo mereamur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

O God, You Who had gladdened us this day by the annual solemnity of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, grant, we beseech You, that, as we have known its mystery on earth, we may deserve in heaven the reward which it had purchased. Through the same 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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Tuesday, 13 September 2016 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard the messages from the Sacred Scriptures, talking to us about the gifts which God had imparted upon His disciples, the Apostles and all others who devoted themselves to Him. To each and every members of the Church were given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which manifested differently among the members of the Church, which is the united communion of all the faithful in the Body of Christ.

How do we understand this, brethren? We are all members of the Church, and we are the Church of God. The Church is not just its buildings and edifices, but also all of us, the faithful people of God. And in the Church there are many parts just as a body has many parts. We know that in a body, different parts and organs have different functions and purposes. Things will not work well if every parts are doing the same job and function.

Thus even in the Church, we have different people who have different calling, different missions and actions, but all with the same purpose, that is to bring greater glory to God, and to preach and deliver the Good News to as many people as possible. But everyone cannot be preachers at the same time, nor can everyone be those who are in the priestly and religious order, or otherwise, how can the Church support itself in that way?

There are many people who misunderstood the purpose and the workings of the Church. Some are even thinking that the laity has no role in the Church or has no part or participation in it. And some others are also thinking that the Church and its matters are the sole domain of the priests and the religious alike, and others have no interest or business in them. They cannot be further mistaken than this.

The fact is that the laity must work in tandem with the priests and the religious, all working together to support the good works of the Church for the sake of the Lord and for His people. In fact, the laity are the ones who contributed much of the Church’s effort for the help of the poor, the needy and all those who are in need of help. It is the contributions from the people, mostly from the laity, which enabled the Church to perform its extensive and numerous charitable activities.

Meanwhile the priests and the religious help to guide the Church and the faithful in their journey to God, providing them with the necessary spiritual guidance and help along the way. Thus, all the different parts of the Church working together in tandem and harmony is very important in ensuring that the works of the Lord made through His Church will be successful and feasible.

That said, we should be working to encourage vocations in the Church, that many more people whom God had called and chosen will be willing to join Him in a life of service and total commitment to Him and to His Church. In this world today, one of the greatest challenges facing the Church has been its lack of sufficient priests and also the dearth in the number of seminarians preparing themselves to be priests and also among the religious vocations as well.

Temptations of this world are hard to resist, and for many to let go of many of these in order to serve the Lord and His Church may be quite a difficult task for them. Therefore we have to help each other, and help to support the works of the entire Church so that the Church as a whole will be great and efficient in how it administers its functions and works.

Perhaps the example of the great saint, St. John Chrysostom will help to inspire us all in our faith and in our commitment to the Church. He was an important figure in the early Church, very important in his role in establishing the role of the Church and its members in the society. As the Archbishop of Constantinople, the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, his works and commitments had far-reaching effects in inspiring many others to follow in his footsteps.

Based on his name suffix title, he was known as the golden-mouthed, due to his many and constantly inspiring and encouraging homilies and sermons, through which he had called many people into repentance and into the salvation in God. He was hardworking and was thoroughly dedicated to help the people to find their way to the Lord. Many were inspired by his hard work and many respected him for his many contributions.

We too can follow in his footsteps, and we can commit ourselves to help the Church as its members, spending our time, effort and even money to help its works. Let us all devote ourselves and no longed be hesitant in contributing to the Church and to the works of God. May the Lord help us and bless us, and may He keep us in His grace at all times. Amen.

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Tuesday, 13 September 2016 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White
Luke 7 : 11-17

At that time, a little later after Jesus healed the servant of a captain, He went to a town called Naim. He was accompanied by His disciples and a great number of people. As He reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople.

On seeing her, the Lord had pity on her and said, “Do not cry.” Then He came up and touched the stretcher, and the men who carried it stopped. Jesus then said, “Young man, I say to you, wake up!” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

A holy fear came over them all, and they praised God saying, “A great Prophet has appeared among us; God, has visited His people.” This news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding places.