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Sunday, 6 June 2021 : Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Genesis 3 : 9-15

YHVH God called the man saying to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard Your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I ordered you not to eat?”

The man answered, “The woman You put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it.” God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me and I ate.”

YHVH God said to the serpent, “Since you have done that, be cursed among all the cattle and wild beasts! You will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 6 June 2021 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : White

Offertory

Psalm 6 : 5

Domine, convertere, et eripe animam meam : salvum me fac propter misericordiam Tuam.

English translation

Turn to me, o Lord, and deliver my soul. O save me for Your mercy’s sake.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Oblatio nos, Domine, Tuo Nomini dicanda purificet : et de die in diem ad caelestis vitae transferat actionem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Dei, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Let the oblation about to be offered to Your Holy Name, o Lord, purify us and day by day change us to the living of the heavenly life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Communion

Psalm 12 : 6

Cantabo Domine, qui bona tribuit mihi : et psallam Nomini Domini Altissimi.

English translation

I will sing to the Lord, Who has given me good things, and I will sing to the Name of the Lord, the Most High.

Post-Communion Prayer

Sumptis muneribus sacris, quaesumus, Domine : ut cum frequentatione mysterii, crescat nostrae salutis effectus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Dei, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Having received Your sacred gifts, we pray, o Lord, that, as we now frequently assist at this mystery so may it cause to increase the grace of our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 6 June 2021 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 14 : 16-24

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus pharisaeis parabolam hanc : Homo quidam fecit cenam magnam, et vocavit multos. Et misit servum suum hora cenae dicere invitatis, ut venirent, quia jam parata sunt omnia. Et coeperunt simul omnes excusare. Primus dixit ei : Villam emi, et necesse habeo exire et videre illam : rogo te, habe me excusatum. Et alter dixit : Juga boum emi quinque et eo probare illa : rogo te, habe me excusatum. Et alius dixit : Uxorem duxi, et ideo non possum venire.

Et reversus servus nuntiavit haec domino suo. Tunc iratus paterfamilias, dixit servo suo : Exi cito in plateas et vicos civitatis : et pauperes ac debiles et caecos et claudos introduc huc. Et ait servus : Domine, factum est, ut imperasti, et adhuc locus est. Et ait dominus servo : Exi in vias et sepes : et compelle intrare, ut impleatur domus mea. Dico autem vobis, quod nemo virorum illorum, qui vocati sunt, gustabit cenam meam.

English translation

At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable, “A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. And he sent his servant, at the hour of supper, to say to those who were invited, that they should come, for now all things are ready. And they began all at once to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a farm, and I have to go out, and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yokes of oxen, and I need to go to try them, I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'”

“And the servant returning, told these things to his lord. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in to here the poor, the feeble and the blind, and the lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Lord, it is done as you has commanded, and yet there is still room.’ And the lord said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.’ But I say unto you, that none of these men who were invited shall taste my supper.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 6 June 2021 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 119 : 1-2 and Psalm 7 : 2

Ad Dominum, cum tribularer, clamavi, et exaudivit me.

Response : Domine, libera animam meam a labiis iniquis, et a lingua dolosa.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Domine, Deus meus, in Te speravi : salvum me fac ex omnibus persequentibus me et libera me. Alleluja.

English translation

In my trouble I cried to the Lord and He heard me.

Response : O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips and a deceitful tongue.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : O Lord my God, in You have I put my trust. Save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me. Alleluia.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 6 June 2021 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : White

Lectio Epistolae Beati Joannis Apostoli – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed John the Apostle

1 John 3 : 13-18

Carissimi : Nolite mirari, si odit vos mundus. Nos scimus, quoniam translati sumus de morte ad vitam, quoniam diligimus fratres. Qui non diligit, manet in morte : omnis, qui odit fratrem suum, homicida est. Et scitis, quoniam omnis homicida non habet vitam aeternam in semetipso manentem. In hoc cognovimus caritatem Dei, quoniam ille animam suam pro nobis posuit : et nos debemos pro fratribus animas ponere.

Qui habuerit substantiam hujus mundi, et viderit fratrem suum necessitatem habere, et clauserit viscera sua ab eo : quomodo caritas Dei manet in eo? Filioli mei, non diligamus verbo neque lingua, sed opere et veritate.

English translation

Dearly beloved, do not wonder if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love, will abide in death. Whomsoever hated his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because He had laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

He who had the substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and shut up his bowels from him, how had the charity of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

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(Usus Antiquior) Second Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 6 June 2021 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : White

Introit

Psalm 17 : 19-20 and 2-3

Factus est Dominus Protector meus, et eduxit me in latitudinem : salvum me fecit, quoniam voluit me.

Diligam Te, Domine, virtus mea : Dominus firmamentum meum et refugium meum et liberator meus.

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

English translation

The Lord became my Protector, and He brought me forth into a large place. He saved me, because He was well-pleased with me.

I will love You, o Lord my strength. The Lord is my firmament, and my refuge, and my deliverer.

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

Sancti Nominis Tui, Domine, timorem pariter et amorem fac nos habere perpetuum : quia numquam Tuam gubernatione destituis, quos in soliditate Tuae dilectionis instituis. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Dei, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant us, o Lord, an abiding fear and love of Your Holy Name, for You never fail to govern those whom You had firmly established in Your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Saturday, 5 June 2021 : 9th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Scriptures we are all reminded to be good and faithful, to be righteous and just in all of our actions and dealings, that we may be exemplary and as good inspirations to one another in faith. All of us are called to give of ourselves to the Lord wholeheartedly, sincerely and with good commitment.

In our first reading today, we heard the conclusion of the story of Tobit which we have heard for much of the past week. Tobit was an Israelite exile in the land of Assyria, who encountered an unfortunate incident and had lost his eyesight, but through his prayer and virtue, God listened to Tobit and helped him, sending to him the Archangel Raphael to assist him and to restore his eyesight. He showed us that He truly loves us and He hears our prayers.

Not only that, but Archangel Raphael also helped and guided Tobias, Tobit’s son, on his journey to meet Tobit’s friend, Ragouel. He helped Tobias in the journey, and not just that, but he also helped to free Sara, Ragouel’s daughter, from the oppression and troubles she had from the demon Asmodeus. The Archangel Raphael showed Tobit and his family, and all of us, the love of God and the generous mercy and compassion that He has for each and every one of us.

And in today’s first reading, Archangel Raphael revealed himself to Tobit and his family, that all that he had done, all are God’s way of showing His love and care to His faithful ones. Archangel Raphael showed Tobit how God knows all that he had done, in him being virtuous and just, in caring for his fellow exiles, burying one of his fellow countryman who had died, and showed care and concern for his own brethren, showing no concern for his own selfish needs and desires. And God of course listened to his prayers and knew what is needed.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard of the moment when the Lord and His disciples encountered an old, poor widow at the Temple of Jerusalem, who donated two small copper coins to the Temple treasury, and compared to all others who donated plenty of money and offerings, what the widow gave to the Temple was almost worthless and paltry in comparison. But she gave all that she had, even when she herself did not have enough to go on for herself.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us are called to reflect on all these things that we have heard and witnessed. We are all called to love the Lord wholeheartedly just as much as the Lord Himself has loved us. As Christians, we should devote ourselves and our time to walk in the path that the Lord has set before us. And if we have not done whatever we could to glorify the Lord and to follow Him, then we should commit ourselves more and follow God with ever greater zeal and faith, in each and every moments of our lives.

Today, we should look upon the examples and inspiration set up by St. Boniface, a great saint and servant of God, who was a renowned missionary to the region now known as Germany. His dedication and contribution in all things were so profound that he was called the Apostle to the Germans. St. Boniface helped to establish a firm foundation of the Church by his contributions and works, reaching out to the still pagan populations in Germany, while strengthening the faith in those who had already believed in Christ.

It was not an easy journey as there were plenty of obstacles and also opposition against his work. In a now famous occasion, St. Boniface converted the people of an entire town when he chopped off a great sacred oak revered by the local pagans, and when a great gust of wind brought down the oak and nothing happened to the saint, the whole populace believed in God and turned to the Christian faith, giving themselves to be baptised in the faith. Through this occasions and many other moments of his works, St. Boniface reached out and preached the truth of God to many people.

And he gave it all to the mission he has been entrusted with, just like the poor widow giving everything she had in the offering to the Temple. St. Boniface helped to strengthen the foundation of the Church and converted many pagans to the true faith, and eventually, in his missionary works among the pagan Frisians in northern Germany, he was martyred during one of his missionary journeys, when he was ambushed by group of armed robbers, and killed. To the very end, St. Boniface remained firmly faithful to the Lord.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore follow in the examples showed by the saints, especially that of St. Boniface, and let us all be true and genuine Christians, in all things, in all and every one of our actions and works. Let us all turn towards the Lord and put ourselves with full trust to the Lord. May the Lord continue to guide us and strengthen us at all times, and may He empower each one of us with the strength and courage to carry on living our lives with faith and commitment. May God bless us all, now and always. Amen.

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Saturday, 5 June 2021 : 9th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Mark 12 : 38-44

At that time, as Jesus was teaching, He also said to His disciples, “Beware of those teachers of the Law, who enjoy walking around in long robes and being greeted in the marketplace, and who like to occupy reserved seats in the synagogues, and the first places at feasts. They even devour the widow’s and the orphan’s goods while making a show of long prayers. How severe a sentence they will receive!”

Jesus sat down opposite the Temple treasury, and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings. But a poor widow also cane and dropped in two small coins. Then Jesus called His disciples and said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty, and put in everything she had, her very living.”

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Saturday, 5 June 2021 : 9th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Tobit 13 : 2cdef, 6fghi, 6klmn

God makes people go down to hell and rise up again. No one can escape His hand.

If you turn back to Him with all your heart and soul, and live justly before Him, then He will turn back to you and will no longer hide His face from you.

See what He has done for you and return Him thanks aloud. Bless the Lord who alone is just and praise the King of ages.

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Saturday, 5 June 2021 : 9th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Tobit 12 : 1, 5-15, 20

At that time, when the wedding feast was over, Tobit called Tobias, his son, and said to him, “Be sure you give the wages to the man who accompanied you, and we should add something extra.”

Then Tobias called the Angel and said to him, “Please take half of all that you have brought.” The Angel took Tobit and Tobias to one side and said to them, “Bless God, return thanks to Him, proclaim His glory and render Him thanks before all the living for all He has done for you. It is good to praise God and to exalt His Name, by making known in a worthy manner the story of God’s deeds. Do not be slow in giving Him thanks.”

“It is good to hide the secrets of kings but to make known publicly the works of God. Do the works of God. Do good, and evil will not harm you. It is a good thing to accompany prayer with fasting, almsgiving and justice. It is better to do a little with honour than much with injustice. It is better to give alms than to treasure up gold. Almsgiving preserves from death; it purifies from all sin. Those people who give alms and act justly will have a long life, but sinners only harm themselves.”

“I will hide nothing from you. Yes, I have said that it is good to keep the secrets of kings but to make known publicly the glorious works of God. Tobit, when you and your daughter-in-law Sara prayed, I kept the remembrance of your prayer before the Holy One; when you, Tobit, buried the dead, I was with you in the same way; and when you did not hesitate to rise up and leave your meal in order to hide the dead man, your good deed did not go unnoticed because I was with you.”

“Well, God sent me to cure you and also to cure Sara, your daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy Angels who present the prayers of holy people and who stand before the glory of God. Now bless and give thanks to God, because I am returning to the One Who sent me. Write down in a book all that has happened.”