(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 20 March 2016 : Entry into the Church

Liturgical Colour : Red

Responsory

Ingredente Domino in sanctam civitatem, Hebraeorum pueri resurrectionem vitae pronuntiantes, Cum ramis palmarum : Hosanna, clamabant, in excelsis.

Priest : Cumque audisset populus, quod Jesus veniret Jerosolymam, exierunt obviam ei. Cum ramis palmarum : Hosanna, clamabant, in excelsis.

Priest : Dominus vobiscum.

Response : Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus.

Domine Jesu Christe, Rex ac Redemptor noster, in cujus honorem, hos ramos gestantes, solemnes laudes decantavimus : concede propitius : ut, quocumque hi rami deportati fuerint, ibi tuae benedictionis gratia descendat, et, quavis daemonum iniquitate vel illusione profligata, dextera tua protegat, quos redemit. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

English translation

Responsory

As our Lord entered the holy city, the Hebrew children, declaring the resurrection of life, with palm branches cried out, “Hosanna in the highest!”

Priest : When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went forth to meet Him, with palm branches cried out, “Hosanna in the highest!”

Priest : The Lord be with you.

Response : And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Redeemer, in whose honour we have borne these palms and gone on praising You with song and solemnity, mercifully grant that wherever that these palms are taken, there the grace of Your blessing may descend. May every wickedness and trick of the demons be frustrated, and may Your right hand protect those it had redeemed. You who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 20 March 2016 : Procession with Blessed Palms

Liturgical Colour : Red

Procedamus in pace.

Response : In Nomine Christi. Amen.

 

English translation

Let us go forth in peace.

Response : In the Name of Christ. Amen.

 

First Antiphon

Occurrunt turbae cum floribus et palmis Redemptori obviam : et victori triumphanti digna dant obsequia : Filium Dei ore gentes praedicant : et in laudem Christi voces tonant per nubila : Hosanna in excelsis!

 

English translation

The multitude goes forth to meet our Redeemer with flowers and palms, and pays the homage due to a triumphant conqueror : the Gentiles proclaim the Son of God, and their voices thunder through the skies in praise of Christ. Hosanna in the highest!

 

Second Antiphon

Cum angelis et pueris fideles inveniamur, triumphatori mortis clamantes : Hosanna in excelsis!

 

English translation

Let the faithful join with the angels and children, singing to the conqueror of death, “Hosanna in the highest!”

 

Third Antiphon

Turba multa quae convenerat ad diem festum, clamabat Domino : Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domini : Hosanna in excelsis!

 

English translation

A great multitude that was met together at the festival cried out to the Lord, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!”

 

Fourth Antiphon

Coeperunt omnes turbae descendentium gaudentes laudare Deum voce magna, super omnibus quas viderant virtutibus, dicentes : Benedictus qui venit Rex in Nomine Domini; pax in terra et gloria in excelsis.

Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

Response : Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

Israel es Tu Rex, Davidis et inclita proles : Nomine qui in Domini, Rex benedicte, venis.

Response : Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

Caetus in excelsis Te laudat caelicus omnis, et mortalis homo, et cuncta creata simul.

Response : Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

Plebs Hebraea tibi cum palmis obvia venit : Cum prece, voto, hymnis, adsumus ecce tibi.

Response : Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

Hi tibi passuro solvebant munia laudis : Nos tibi regnanti pangimus ecce melos.

Response : Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

Hi placuere tibi placeat devotio nostra : Rex bone, Rex clemens, cui bona cuncta placent.

Response : Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor : Cui puerile decus prompsit Hosanna pium.

 

English translation

Near the descent the whole multitude began with joy to praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying, “Blessed be the King who comes in the Name of the Lord, peace on earth and glory on high!”

Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

Response : Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

Hail, King of Israel, David’s Son of royal fame! He who comes in the Name of the Lord, o blessed King.

Response : Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

The Angel host laud You on high, on earth mankind, with all created things.

Response : Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

With palms the Jews went forth to meet You. We greet You now with prayers and hymns.

Response : Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

On Your way to die, they crowned You with praise. We raise our song to You, now King on high.

Response : Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

Their poor homage pleased You, o gracious King! O clement King, accept ours too, the best that we can bring.

Response : Glory, praise and honour to You, o Christ the King, the Redeemer, to whom children poured their glad and sweet Hosanna’s song.

 

Fifth Antiphon

Omnes collaudant Nomen Tuum et dicunt : Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domini : Hosanna in excelsis.

Psalm 147

Lauda, Jerusalem, Dominum : lauda Deum tuum, Sion.

Quod firmavit seras portarum tuarum : benedixit filiis tuis in te.

Composuit fines tuos in pace : medulla tritici satiat te.

Emittit eloquium suum in terram : velociter currit verbum ejus.

Dat nivem sicut lanam : pruinam sicut cinerem spargit.

Projicit glaciem siam ut frustula panis : coram frigore ejus aquae rigescunt.

Emittit verbum suum et liquefacit eas : flare jubet ventum suum et fluunt aquae.

Annuntiavit verbum suum Jacob : statuta et praecepta sua Israel.

Non fecit ita ulli nationi : praecepta sua non manifestavit eis.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Omnes collaudant Nomen Tuum et dicunt : Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domini : Hosanna in excelsis.

 

English translation

All praise Your Name highly and say, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!”

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord, o Jerusalem, praise your God, o Zion.

Because He had strengthened the bolts of your gates, He had blessed your children within you.

Who had placed peace in your borders and filled you with the fat of corn.

Who sends forth His speech to the earth, His word runs swiftly.

Who gives snow like wool, scatters frost like ashes.

He sends His crystal like morsels, who shall stand before the face of His cold?

He shall send out His word and shall melt them, His wind shall blow and the waters shall run.

Who declares His word to Jacob, His justices and His judgments to Israel.

He had not done in like manner to every nation, and His judgments He had not made manifest to them.

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.

All praise Your Name highly and say, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!”

 

Sixth Antiphon

Fulgentibus palmis prosternimur advenienti Domino; huic omnes occurramus cum hymnis et canticis, glorificantes et dicentes : Benedictus Dominus!

 

English translation

We are strewn with the shining palms before the Lord as He approaches, let us all run to meet Him with hymns and songs, glorify Him and say, “Blessed be the Lord!”

 

Seventh Antiphon

Ave, Rex noster, Fili David, Redemptor mundi, quem prophetae praedixerunt Salvatorem domui Israel esse venturum. Te enim ad salutarem victimam Pater misit in mundum, quem exspectabant omnes sancti ab origine mundi, et nunc : Hosanna Filio David. Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis!

 

English translation

Hail, our King, o Son of David, o world’s Redeemer, whom prophets did foretell as the Saviour to come of the house of Israel. For the Father sent You into the world as victim for salvation, from the beginning of the world all the saints awaited You. Hosanna now to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 20 March 2016 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Red

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Matthew 21 : 1-9

In illo tempore : Cum appropinquasset Jesus Jerosolymis, et venisset Bethphage ad montem Oliveti : tunc misit duos discipulos suos, dicens eis : Ite in castellum, quod contra vos est, et statim invenietis asinam alligatam, et pullum cum ea : solvite, et adducite mihi : si quis vobis aliquid dixerit, dicite quia Dominus his opus habet, et confestim dimittet eos.

Hoc autem totum factum est, ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per prophetam, dicentem : Dicite filiae Sion : Ecce Rex tuus venit tibi mansuetus, sedens super asinam et pullum, filium subjugalis.

Euntes autem discipuli, fecerunt sicut praecepit illis Jesus. Et adduxerunt asinam et pullum : et imposuerunt super eos vestimenta sua, et cum desuper sedere fecerunt. Plurima autem turba straverunt vestimenta sua in via : alii autem caedebant ramos de arboribus, et sternebant in via : turbae autem, quae praecedebant, et quae sequebantur, clamabant, dicentes : Hosanna Filio David : Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domini.

 

English translation

At that time, when Jesus drew nigh to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, He then sent two disciples, and said to them, “Go to the village that is over there against you, and immediately you shall find a donkey tied, and a colt with her, loosen them and bring them to Me, and if anyone shall say anything to you, say that the Lord had need of them, and forthwith He shall let them go.”

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, which says, “Tell to the daughter of Zion, behold your King comes to you meekly, and sitting upon a donkey, and the colt that is her foal who is used to the yoke.”

And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. And they brought the donkey and its colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made Him to sit upon them. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way, and others cut boughs from the trees and strewed them along the way, and the multitudes who went before and those who followed after cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 20 March 2016 : Distribution of the Palms

Liturgical Colour : Red

First Antiphon

John 12 : 13 and Mark 11 : 9

Pueri Hebraeorum, portantes ramos olivarum, obviaverunt Domino, clamantes, et dicentes : Hosanna in excelsis.

 

English translation

The children of the Hebrews, carrying olive branches went forth to meet the Lord, crying aloud and repeating, “Hosanna in the highest!”

 

Psalm 23

Domini est terra, et plenitudo ejus : orbis terrarum et universi qui habitant in eo.

Quia ipse super maria fundavit eum : et super flumina praeparavit eum.

(First Antiphon)

Attollite portas, principes, vestras, et elevamini portae aeternales : et introibit Rex gloriae.

Quis est iste Rex gloriae? Dominus fortis et potens : Dominus potens in proelio.

(First Antiphon)

Attollite portas principes vestras, et elevamini portae aeternales : et introibit Rex gloriae.

Quis est iste Rex gloriae? Dominus virtutum ipse est Rex gloriae.

(First Antiphon)

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

(First Antiphon)

 

English translation

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and all those who dwell in it.

For He had founded it upon the seas, and had prepared it upon the rivers.

(First Antiphon)

Lift up your gates, o you princes, and may you be lifted up, o eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

(First Antiphon)

Lift up your gates, o you princes, and may you be lifted up, o eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.

(First Antiphon)

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.

(First Antiphon)

 

Second Antiphon

Matthew 21 : 8-9

Pueri Hebraeorum vestimenta prosternebant in via et clamabant, dicentes : Hosanna Filio David : Benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini.

 

English translation

The children of the Hebrews strewed their garments in the way and cried aloud, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

 

Psalm 46

Omnes Gentes, plaudite manibus : jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis.

Quoniam Dominus excelsus, terribilis : Rex magnus super omnem terram.

(Second Antiphon)

Subjecit populos nobis : et Gentes sub pedibus nostris.

Elegit nobis hereditatem suam : speciem Jacob, quam dilexit.

(Second Antiphon)

Ascendit Deus in jubilo : et Dominus in voce tubae.

Psallite Deo nostro, psallite : psallite Regi nostro, psallite.

(Second Antiphon)

Quoniam Rex omnis terrae Deus : psallite sapienter.

Regnabit Deus super Gentes : Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.

(Second Antiphon)

Principes populorum congregati sunt cum Deo Abraham : quoniam dii fortes terrae vehementer elevati sunt.

(Second Antiphon)

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

(Second Antiphon)

English translation

O clap your hands, all you nations. Shout unto God with the voice of joy.

For the Lord is high, terrible, a great King over all the earth.

(Second Antiphon)

He had subdued the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

He had chosen for us His inheritance, the beauty of Jacob which He had loved.

(Second Antiphon)

God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

Sing praises to our God, sing all of you, sing praises to our King, sing all of you.

(Second Antiphon)

For God is the King of all the earth, sing all of you wisely.

God shall reign over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

(Second Antiphon)

The princes of the people are gathered together, with the God of Abraham, for the strong gods of the earth are exceedingly exalted.

(Second Antiphon)

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.

(Second Antiphon)

(Second Antiphon)

(Usus Antiquior) Palm Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 20 March 2016 : Blessing of the Palms

Liturgical Colour : Red

Antiphon

Matthew 21 : 9

Hosanna Filio David : benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini. Rex Israel : Hosanna in excelsis.

Priest : Dominus vobiscum.

Response : Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus :

Benedic +, quaesumus, Domine, hos palmarum ramos : et praesta; ut quod populus Tuus in Tui venerationem hodierna die corporaliter agit, hoc spiritualiter summa devotione perficiat, de hoste victoriam reportando et opus misericordiae summopere diligendo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

English translation

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. O King of Israel : Hosanna in the highest!

Priest : The Lord be with you.

Response : And with your spirit.

Let us pray :

Bless +, we beseech You, o Lord, these palm branches, and grant that what Your people this day do in the flesh in Your honour, it may do in spirit with uttermost devotion, winning the victory over the enemy, and loving with all its heart the exercise of mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 3 May 2015 : Fifth Sunday of Easter, Feast of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the key and heart of the messages of today’s readings is simple, that we are nothing without God, and we cannot survive on our own without God, and detached from God, or if we are cast out of His grace, then we truly have nothing and will perish, no matter how many possessions we have in life. For our Lord is the source of all life, and the source of all the things that made us who we are.

He is the true Vine, from which all the branches came from. In a plant, the true Vine means the roots and the stem, that is the core body of the plant. The branches in the plant, the leaves, the fruits and the flowers are all coming out from that stem, and gain their water and supplies from the bountiful earth from the roots through the stem. And it is with this analogy and perfect comparison that Jesus taught His disciples and the people, what it means to be the disciples of the Lord.

Jesus compared Himself with the Vine, while God the Father as the Vinegrower. The Vinegrower tends for the Vine and gives It life through the care He has given. And therefore, by the loving care of the hands of the Father, He brought forth the Son in Jesus Christ, and through Jesus, He gives life also to the world. This is precisely just as the Vinegrower gives life to the branches through the care of the Vine.

Without the vine, the branches will die and not live. All the branches must be connected to the vine or the stem, just in the same way that our limbs and organs are all attached together to the same body. All are members of the same body, that is the Mystical Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, universal and united to our Lord.

Why is this important, brethren? That is because our world grows ever more individualistic, selfish and filled with ego and wickedness. The way of this world speaks volumes on the glorification of the self and self-praising attitudes. We often think in ways that bring glory to ourselves. In the many things that we do, we often were raised up to think that we are the only ones who have done them and the success, if there is any, is solely attributed to our own efforts.

And this is how we often forget God and His role in each of our lives. This is how we forget to give thanks to Him who have given us this life and opportunity to live out that life on every single day. Without God, we would not have any life, and our life would have been devoid of meaning. It is to give praise to God, for all the wonders of His grace and works, that we live our daily lives.

I recently visited a farm and observed how the farmers treat their plants and crops. The plants were treated very well, given all the nutrients and water they need to grow healthy and strong. Those plants that bear good fruits and healthy in appearance are taken care of even more, and the workers pruned the plant in order to maximise the yield of the fruits. The parts that are not so productive are pruned off and cut, so that the plant can focus its attention to the parts bearing good fruits.

What does this mean, brothers and sisters in Christ? This means that while we have our lives from God, we also have been given grace and blessings, gifts and talents by the Lord for us, each unique to ourselves. These gifts and blessings are not meant to be kept within ourselves and left idle. These gifts and blessings are like the nutrients which the farmers had provided the plants, and thus, it is like all the graces that God had given us.

All the plants have a purpose, that is to bear good fruits, so that the good fruits may be harvested and gathered, and when sold, the fruits may bring decent and good profits to the farmers. The plants that bear bad and rotten fruits or no fruit at all, or if the plants are sickly and dying, or infested with many pests and diseases, they all will not be favourable to the farmers. They would uproot them and then throw them away to die and rot, and the place given to other plants that show more promise.

Thus, if we also produce bad fruits, or do nothing to bear fruits that befit what God had given us in His love and blessings, then we too shall not be able to enjoy God’s favour, as then there is no need for us and our existence indeed. Worse still if the rotten fruits cause the downfall to the fruits that are healthy and good. These diseases and sicknesses are causes by our sins and disobedience against God. And thus as a result, we did not bear good fruits, but rather, the fruits which had been tainted by evil.

If we profess to be the children and servants of our God, then all of our words and actions must show this very fact. And we also cannot be idle, thinking that believing in God is enough, or just being passive is enough. If we ignore the plight of others around us, and ignore those who live in the darkness while we are in the position to bring them succour and relief, then it will be the same as the plants that bear no fruit or bad fruits.

All of these Jesus had also summed up in His parables, one on the fig tree, where the fig tree that produces no fruit, He cursed and it withered and died, as well as the story which we heard today itself, on the vine and its branches. We are all born good and endowed with many good things, for we are anchored on the good vine, the true Vine, that is Jesus our Lord. But what matters is how we make use of all that goodness and develop it for the benefits of all, of everyone around us and not just ourselves.

In the first reading we heard how the great enemy of the faithful, Saul, who had been converted by the Lord Himself on the way to Damascus, and from someone who would arrest anyone who believed in Jesus at sight and persecute them to no end, into someone who now would not hesitate to preach a testimony of faith in front of the people, professing openly and teaching the people that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour of all.

Such was the complete transformation of Saul, from someone whose life once was driven by false zeal and by the desires of worldly praise, power and accomplishment, into a life that is transformed as a light for others, carried out in humility and true zeal, that one pursue no longer the desire of his own, but the desire of the Lord who had called him out of the darkness to be the servant to carry out His word to the masses.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, today, as we celebrate together this Holy Mass, this holy day of the Lord, all of us witness the reminders from the Holy Scriptures, that we all should indeed put our whole attention to the Lord our God, and stop being so inward looking and so concerned about ourselves and our desires. It is in our nature to be selfish to the exclusion of others, but as we have heard, we are part of one big family, one whole body of the community of all the faithful ones, all united through Christ our Lord.

We also must heed our Lord’s will and do things in accordance to what He had taught us. If we want to remain part of the Lord and continue to remain in His grace, then we truly should focus on our actions, words and deeds. Have we been faithful in all of them, and have we practiced our faith in our daily life? Or have we idled and did nothing to show the faith which we have for God? Remember, if we do nothing to act according to our faith, then we are the same as those plants that bear little or no or bad fruits.

God often gives us chance and opportunities to change our ways of life, and indeed, if we have not done according to His will up to now, then now is indeed the time to take concrete action and devote ourselves anew on the new path, a path blessed by God. There are many temptations for us to do things against this, as Satan certainly does not want us to be saved. He would do all things in his power to distract us and lure us away from salvation.

God is our true Vine, the source of all our life and all of our goodness and blessings. He is also our Shepherd and Guide, who leads us to the true path. Let us from now on, if we have not done so, or have not done enough, help one another, and keep each other in faith, as members of the same Body, the Church, united in Christ. It is that eventually all of us may gain eternal life and salvation, liberation from all the consequences of sin, by having life through our Lord.

Let us all pray, that God will strengthen our faith, and help us so that we may be courageous in living up to our faith, and bear plentiful fruits, good fruits of faith, by loving one another, walking righteously in life, rejecting all the lies of the devil and helping each other to keep the faith living and strong. May Almighty God bless us this day and from now on, forevermore. Let us all be one in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 3 May 2015 : Fifth Sunday of Easter, Feast of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

John 15 : 1-8

Jesus said to His disciples, “I am the True Vine and My Father is the Vinegrower. If any of My branches does not bear fruit, He breaks it off; and He prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.”

“You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you. Live in Me as I live in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you, if you do not remain in Me.”

“I am the Vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in Me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from Me you can do nothing. Whoever does not remain in Me is thrown away, as they do with branches, and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.”

“If you remain in Me and My words in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit : it is then that you become My disciples.”

Sunday, 3 May 2015 : Fifth Sunday of Easter, Feast of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

1 John 3 : 18-24

My dear children, let us love not only with words and with our lips, but in truth and in deed. Then we shall know that we are of the truth and we may calm our conscience in His presence. Every time it reproaches us, let us say : God is greater than our conscience, and He knows everything.

When our conscience does not condemn us, dear friends, we may have complete confidence in God. Then whatever we ask we shall receive, since we keep His commands and do what pleases Him. His command is that we believe in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another, as He has commanded us.

Whoever keeps His commands remains in God and God in him. It is by the Spirit God has given us that we know He lives in us.

Sunday, 3 May 2015 : Fifth Sunday of Easter, Feast of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 21 : 26b-27, 28, 30ab, 30c-32

I will fulfill my vows before all who revere You. The lowly will eat and be satisfied. Those who seek the Lord will praise Him. May your hearts live forever!

The whole earth will acknowledge and turn to the Lord; the families of nations will worship Him.

Before Him all those who rest in the earth will bow down, all who go down to the dust.

My soul will live for Him. My descendants will serve Him and proclaim the Lord to coming generations; they will announce His salvation to a people yet unborn, “These are the things that He has done.”

Sunday, 3 May 2015 : Fifth Sunday of Easter, Feast of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 9 : 26-31

When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples there, but they were afraid of him because they could not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles. He recounted to them how Saul had seen the Lord on his way and the words the Lord had spoken to him. He told them also how Saul had preached boldly in the Name of Jesus.

Then Saul began to live with them. He moved about freely in Jerusalem and preached openly in the Name of the Lord. He also spoke to the Hellenists and argued with them, but they wanted to kill him. When the believers learnt of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Meanwhile, the Church had peace. It was building up throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria with eyes turned to the Lord and filled with comfort from the Holy Spirit.