Sunday

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Sunday, 19 January 2025 : Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

John 2 : 1-11

At that time, three days after Jesus called Nathanael, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invited to the wedding with His disciples. When all the wine provided for the celebration had been served, and they had run out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Jesus replied, “Woman, what concern is that to you and Me? My hour has not yet come.” However His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Nearby were six stone water jars, set there for ritual washing as practiced by the Jews; each jar could hold twenty or thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. Then Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the steward.” So they did. The steward tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing from where it had come; for only the servants who had drawn the water knew. So, he called the bridegroom to tell him, “Everyone serves the best wine first, and when people have drunk enough, he serves that which is ordinary. Instead you have kept the best wine until the end.”

This miraculous sign was the first, and Jesus performed it at Cana in Galilee. In this way He let His glory appear, and His disciples believed in Him.

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Sunday, 19 January 2025 : Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

1 Corinthians 12 : 4-11

There is diversity of gifts, but the Spirit is the same. There is diversity of ministries, but the Lord is the same. There is diversity of works, but the same God works in all.

The Spirit reveals His presence in each one with a gift that is also a service. One is to speak with wisdom, through the Spirit. Another teaches, according to the same Spirit. To another is given faith, in which the Spirit acts; to another, the gift of healing, and it is the same Spirit.

Another works miracles, another is a prophet, another recognises what comes from the good or evil spirit; another speaks in tongues, and still another interprets what has been said in tongues. And all of this, is the work of the one and only Spirit, who gives to each one, as he so desires.

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Sunday, 19 January 2025 : Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 95 : 1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 9-10a and 10c

Sing to YHVH a new song, sing to YHVH, all the earth! Sing to YHVH, praise His Name.

Proclaim His salvation, day after day. Recall His glory among the nations, tell all the peoples His wonderful deeds.

Give to YHVH, you families of nations, give to YHVH glory and strength. Give to YHVH the glory due His Name.

Worship YHVH with holy celebrations; stand in awe of Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, He will judge the peoples with justice.

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Sunday, 19 January 2025 : Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (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, 19 January 2025 : 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, 19 January 2025 : 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, 19 January 2025 : 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.

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

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : 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.

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

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : 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, 19 January 2025 : 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, 19 January 2025 : 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.

Response : 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.

Response : 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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Sunday, 12 January 2025 : Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and this day marks the last day of the entire Christmas season and celebrations, although traditionally, it is still celebrated in some form until the fortieth day after Christmas, which is on the second day of February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas. On this day, the Lord’s baptism at the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist is the focus of what we commemorate today, reminding ourselves that the Holy Child born in Bethlehem over two millennia ago eventually grew up in Body, Wisdom and Spirit, and became the Man ready to embark on the ministry which He had been sent into this world for, to save us all mankind and to reveal the love of God manifested perfectly through Him.

In our first reading this Sunday, we heard from the Book of the prophet Isaiah in which the Lord reassured His people living in the southern kingdom of Judah with the words of comfort reminding them of the salvation that He would give to them through the Saviour that He promised to all of them. The Lord told His people that salvation shall come to Zion, Jerusalem, representing the people of God, and this would be heralded by the ‘voice crying out in the wilderness’ which was fulfilled by St. John the Baptist, who lived in the wilderness and called on all the people to return towards the Lord their God, to repent from their many sins, evils and wickedness, turning back to the righteous paths and ways of the Lord.

The Lord revealed that in the coming of His salvation, His intentions and desire to be reunited with His people, His love and compassion towards all of them would be made known to them, and the Lord Himself would come to the people He loves very much in order to gather them all and to bring them all into His Presence, as their Good and loving Shepherd. He did all these through His Son, Who has embraced our human nature and existence, coming into our midst in the form of Man, to gather all of us back into the one flock of those whom God had called and chosen. Through His baptism, the Lord is sharing with us this journey that we shall all walk together with Him, towards the true happiness and eternal life in God.

This is what we have also heard from the second reading today, taken from the Epistle of St. Paul to St. Titus, his protege and godson, in which the Apostle spoke of the salvation which God had brought into our midst through His Son, and how by the grace of His love and mercy, all of us who believe in Him has shared the gift of the waters of baptism, hearkening back to our own baptism, the moment when we become parts and members of the One Church of God, brought together into this family of God’s Kingdom, giving us the new hope through the Sacrament of Baptism, that by sharing in His death and Resurrection, all of us share die to our past sins and wickedness, our faults and corrupt nature, and enter into a new grace-filled life with Christ.

St. Paul essentially reminded each and every one of us that through our baptism, we have received the sanctifying grace from God, and through the Holy Spirit that He has given us by this baptism, we have all been made the children of God, the adopted sons and daughters of the Lord, and through grace that we have received, the path towards eternal life and true happiness have been opened to us, and salvation itself, our reunion with God our loving Father and Creator is no longer just merely a dream or inspiration, but rather has become a reality for us all. He has given us all the grace of salvation and has redeemed us all through what He has done in His Son, by His loving sacrifice on the Cross, manifesting perfectly the great and ever enduring love that God has always had for us all.

In our Gospel passage this Sunday, all of us heard of the account of the moment the Lord’s Baptism took place, as recounted by St. John the Baptist himself, who told his own disciples about the One Who has just come into their midst, the Messiah that has been long awaited for by everyone, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. St. John the Baptist recognised the Lord when he saw Him just as much earlier on when both of them were still in their mothers’ wombs, at the time when Mary, the Mother of God visited Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist recounted to his disciples how great signs happened when Jesus was baptised, that the voice of God the Father Himself was heard, affirming that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit, completing the Presence of the Holy Trinity, descended on Him like a Dove.

All of these evidence first showed us all that our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the salvation that He has brought into our midst is one that we should truly treasure and hold firm amidst all the challenges and temptations that we may be facing in our lives, and we should not easily allow anything to dissuade us from our faith and trust in Him. We must continue to uphold our faith courageously and proclaim Him at all times in each and every moments of our lives. And reminded of our own baptism, we should also continue to live our lives worthily of the Lord henceforth, and do our best to show what we believe in within our every actions, words and deeds in life. Just as the Lord’s Baptism marked the beginning of His ministry in this world, we are also therefore reminded that our own baptism is not the end of the journey or the goal, but rather the beginning of our new mission and ministry entrusted to us by God.

Let us all therefore strive to carry out our missions entrusted to us by God faithfully in our lives, doing whatever we can so that we may truly embrace our calling in life as Christians, and to truly embody our faith in God which we have professed at our own baptism. Let us all remember that we have been made children and the holy people of God’s own flock, family and kingdom, and thus, we should do our part in ensuring that we resist whatever temptations we may have encountered in our path, that we may be free from the corruptions of sin, all the things that have become obstacles and barriers in our journey towards the Lord, our most loving and compassionate God. May the Lord be with us always, and may He continue to guide us in each and every moments of our lives, so that we will always be exemplary and good inspiration to one another in faith. Amen.