Word of God

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Saturday, 27 December 2014 : Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

1 John 1 : 1-4

This is what has been from the beginning, and what we have heard and have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, I mean the Word who is Life…

The Life made Itself known, we have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness, and we are telling you of it. It was with the Father and made Himself known to us. So we tell you what we have seen and heard, that you may be in fellowship with us, and us, with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

And we write this that our joy may be complete.

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/12/25/saturday-27-december-2014-feast-of-st-john-apostle-and-evangelist-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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Thursday, 25 December 2014 : Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Mass (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Reading for the Midnight Mass

Luke 2 : 1-14

At that time the Emperor issued a decree for a census of the whole empire to be taken. This first census was taken when Quirinus was governor of Syria. Everyone had to be registered in his own town. Joseph too set out from Nazareth of Galilee. As he belonged to the family of David, being a descendant of his, he went to Judea, to David’s town of Bethlehem, to be registered with Mary, His wife, who was with Child.

They were in Bethlehem when the time came for her to have her Child, and she gave birth to a Son, her Firstborn. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in the manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

There were shepherds camping in the countryside, taking turns to watch over their flocks by night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, with the Glory of the Lord shining around them.

As they were terrified, the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; I am here to give you Good News, great joy for all the people. Today a Saviour has been born to you in David’s town; He is the Messiah and the Lord. Let this be a sign to you : you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly the angel was surrounded by many more heavenly spirits, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and Peace, on earth, to those whom God loves.”

 

Reading for the Mass at Dawn

Luke 2 : 15-20

When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go as far as Bethlehem, and see what the Lord has made known to us.” So they came hurriedly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.

On seeing Him they related what they had been told about the Child, and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds. As for Mary, she treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds then returned, giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them.

 

Reading for the Mass at Day

John 1 : 1-18

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God; He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in Him; Life, which for human beings, was also Light, Light that shines in darkness, Light that darkness could not overcome.

A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; for the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone.

He was in the world, and through Him the world was made, the very world that did not know Him. He came to His own, yet His own people did not receive Him; but to all who received Him, He empowers to become children of God, for they believe in His Name.

These are born, but not by seed, or carnal desire, nor by the will of man : they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father : fullness of truth and loving kindness.

John bore witness to Him openly, saying, “This is the One who comes after me, but He is already ahead of me, for He was before me.” From His fullness we have all received, favour upon favour. For God had given us the Law through Moses, but Truth and Loving Kindness came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son made Him known : the One, who is in and with the Father.

 

Alternative reading (shorter version)

John 1 : 1-5, 9-14

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God; He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in Him; Life, which for human beings, was also Light, Light that shines in darkness, Light that darkness could not overcome.

For the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and through Him the world was made, the very world that did not know Him. He came to His own, yet His own people did not receive Him; but to all who received Him, He empowers to become children of God, for they believe in His Name.

These are born, but not by seed, or carnal desire, nor by the will of man : they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father : fullness of truth and loving kindness.

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/12/23/thursday-25-december-2014-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-the-lord-christmas-mass-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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(Usus Antiquior) Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, Christmas Day (I Classis) – Thursday, 25 December 2014 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : White

Epistle for the Christmas Midnight Mass

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

Titus 2 : 11-15

Carissime : Apparuit gratia Dei Salvatoris nostri omnibus hominibus, erudiens nos, ut, abnegantes impietatem et saecularia desideria, sobrie et juste et pie vivamus in hoc saeculo, exspectantes beatam spem et adventum gloriae magni Dei et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi : qui dedit semetipsum pro nobis : ut nos redimeret ab omni iniquitate, et mundaret sibi populum acceptabilem, sectatorem honorum operum. Haec loquere et exhortare : in Christo Jesu, Domino nostro.

English translation

Dearly beloved, the grace of God our Saviour had appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly, and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort: In Christ Jesus our Lord.

Epistle for the Christmas Mass at Dawn

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

Titus 3 : 4-7

Carissime : Apparuit benignitas et humanitas Salvatoris nostri Dei : non ex operibus justitiae, quae fecimus nos, sed secundum suam misericordiam salvos nos fecit per lavacrum regenerationis et renovationis Spiritus Sancti, quem effudit in nos abunde per Jesum Christum, Salvatorem nostrum : ut, justificati gratia ipsius, heredes simus secundum spem vitae aeternae : in Christo Jesu, Domino nostro.

English translation

Dearly beloved, the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour had appeared, not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Spirit, whom He had poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs according to hope of life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Epistle for the Christmas Daytime Mass

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

Hebrews 1 : 1-12

Multifariam, multisque modis olim Deus loquens patribus in Prophetis : novissime diebus istis locutus est nobis in Filio, quem constituit heredem universorum, per quem fecit et saecula.

Qui cum sit splendor gloriae, et figura substantiae Ejus, portansque omnia verbo virtutis suae, purgationem peccatorum faciens, sedet ad dexteram Majestatis in excelsis : tanto melior Angelis effectus, quanto differentius prae illis Nomen hereditavit.

Cui enim dixit aliquando Angelorum : Filius Meus es Tu, ego hodie genui Te? Et rursum : Ego ero illi in Patrem, et ipse erit mihi in Filium? Et cum iterum introducit Primogenitum in orbem terrae, dicit : Et adorent eum omnes Angeli Dei.

Et ad Angelos quidem dicit : Qui facit Angelos suos spiritus, et ministros suos flammam ignis. Ad Filium autem : Thronus Tuus, Deus, in saeculum saeculi : virga aequitatis, virga regni Tui. Dilexisti justitiam et odisti iniquitatem : proptera unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo exsultationis prae participibus tuis.

Et : Tu in principio, Domine, terram fundasti : et opera manuum Tuarum sunt caeli. Ipsi peribunt, Tu autem permanebis; et omnes ut vestimentum veterascent : et velut amictum mutabis eos, et mutabuntur : Tu autem idem ipse es, et anni Tui non deficient.

English translation

God, who diversely and in many ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days had spoken to us by His Son, whom He had appointed Heir of all things, by whom He also made the world.

He who being the brightness of His glory, and the figure of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, making purgation of sins, sitting on the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the angels, as He had inherited a more excellent Name than theirs.

For to which of the angels had He said at any time, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You?” And again, “I will be to Him as a Father, and He shall be to Me as a Son?” And again, when He brings in the First-Begotten into the world, He said, “And let all the angels of God adore Him.”

And to the angels indeed He said, “He who made His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son, “Your throne, o God, is forever and ever, a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of Your kingdom. You have loved justice, and hated iniquity, therefore God, Your God had anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.”

And You in the beginning, o Lord, had founded the earth, and the works of Your hands are the heavens. They shall perish, but You shall continue, and they shall all grow old as a garment, and as a vesture You shall change them, and they shall be changed, but You are always the same, and Your years shall not fail.

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/12/23/thursday-25-december-2014-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-the-lord-christmas-mass-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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(Usus Antiquior) Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, Christmas Day (I Classis) – Thursday, 25 December 2014 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : White

Introit

Introit for the Christmas Midnight Mass

Psalm 2 : 7, 1

Dominus dixit ad me : Filius Meus es Tu, ergo hodie genui Te.

Quare fremuerunt gentes : et populi meditati sunt inania?

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 had said to Me, “You are My Son, this day I have begotten You.”

Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

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.

Introit for the Christmas Mass at Dawn

Isaiah 9 : 2, 6 and Psalm 92 : 1

Lux fulgebit hodie super nos : quia natus est nobis Dominus : et vocabitur Admirabilis, Deus, Princeps Pacis, Pater futuri saeculi : cujus regni non erit finis.

Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est : indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se.

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

English translation

A light shall shine upon us this day, for the Lord is born to us and He shall be called Wonderful God, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the world to come, of whose reign there shall be no end.

The Lord had reigned, He is clothed with beauty, the Lord clothed with strength and had girded Himself.

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.

Introit for the Christmas Daytime Mass

Isaiah 9 : 6 and Psalm 97 : 1

Puer natus est nobis, et Filius datus est nobis : cujus imperium super humerum Ejus : et vocabitur Nomen Ejus magni consilii Angelus.

Cantate Domino canticum novum, quia mirabilia fecit.

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

English translation

A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us whose government is upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called the Angel of Great Counsel.

Sing all of you to the Lord a new canticle, because He had done wonderful things.

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

Collect for the Christmas Midnight Mass

Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem veri luminis fecisti illustratione clarescere : da, quaesumus; ut, cujus lucis mysteria in terra cognovimus, ejus quoque gaudiis in caelo perfruamur. Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

O God, who has brightened this most holy night with the shining of the True Light, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy in heaven the delights of Him whose mystical light we have known on earth. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Christmas Mass at Dawn

Da nobis, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut, qui nova incarnati Verbi Tui luce perfundimur; hoc in nostro resplendeat opere, quod per fidem fulget in mente. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty God, that we who are filled with the new light of Your Incarnate Word, may show forth in our deeds that which by faith shone in our minds. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for the Christmas Daytime Mass

Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut nos Unigeniti Tui nova per carnem Nativitas liberet; quos sub peccati jugo vetusta servitus tenet. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Your only begotten Son may set us free, whom the old bondage had held under the yoke of sin. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Thursday, 4 December 2014 : First Week of Advent, Memorial of St. John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or White (Priests)

Matthew 7 : 21, 24-27

At that time, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My heavenly Father.”

“So then, anyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts accordingly, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house, but it did not collapse because it was built on rock.”

“But anyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible fall that was!”

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/12/03/thursday-4-december-2014-first-week-of-advent-memorial-of-st-john-damascene-priest-and-doctor-of-the-church-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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(Usus Antiquior) First Sunday of Advent (I Classis) – Sunday, 30 November 2014 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Purple or Violet

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

Luke 21 : 25-33

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus discipulis suis : Erunt signa in sole et luna et stellis, et in terris pressura gentium prae confusione sonitus maris et fluctuum : arescentibus hominibus prae timore et exspectatione, quae supervenient universo orbi : nam virtutes caelorum movebuntur.

Et tunc videbunt Filium Hominis venientem in nube cum potestate magna et majestate. His autem fieri incipientibus, respicite et levate capita vestra : quoniam appropinquat redemptio vestra.

Et dixit illis similitudinem : Videte ficulneam et omnes arbores : cum producunt jam ex se fructum, scitis, quoniam prope est aestas. Ita et vos, cum videritis haec fieri, scitote, quoniam prope est regnum Dei.

Amen, dico vobis, quia non praeteribit generatio haec, donec omnia fiant. Caelum et terra transibunt : verba autem mea non transibunt.

 

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved.”

“And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.”

And He spoke to them a parable, “See the fig tree, and all the trees, when they now shoot forth their fruits, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.”

“Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/11/28/sunday-30-november-2014-first-sunday-of-advent-feast-of-st-andrew-apostle-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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Friday, 28 November 2014 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Luke 21 : 29-33

At that time, Jesus added this comparison, “Look at the fig trees, and all the trees. As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened.”

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/11/27/friday-28-november-2014-34th-week-of-ordinary-time-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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Tuesday, 18 November 2014 : 33rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Peter and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Dedication of the Basilicas)

Revelations 3 : 1-6, 14-22

Write this to the angel of the Church in Sardis, “Thus says He who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars : I know your worth, you think you live but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen that which is not already dead. For I have found your works to be imperfect in the sight of My God.”

“Remember what you were taught; keep it and change your ways. If you do not repent I will come upon you like a thief at an hour you least expect. Yet, there are some left in Sardis who have not soiled their robes; these will come with Me, dressed in white, since they deserve it.”

“The victor will be dressed in white and I will never erase his name from the book of life; instead, I will acknowledge it before My Father and His Angels. Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

Write this to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, “Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation : I know your works, you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold so I will spit you out of My mouth.”

“You think you are rich and have piled up so much that you need nothing, but you do not realise that you are wretched and to be pitied, poor, blind and naked. I advise you to buy from Me gold that has been tested by fire, so that you may be rich, and white clothes to wear so that your nakedness may not shame you, and ointment for your eyes that you may see.”

“I reprimand and correct all those I love. Be earnest and change your ways. Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with Me. I will let the victor sit with Me on My throne just as I was victorious and took My place with My Father on His throne.”

“Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

 

Alternative reading (Mass for the Dedication of the Basilicas)

Acts 28 : 11-16, 30-31

After three months, we boarded a ship that had spent the winter at the island. It belonged to an Alexandrian company and carried the figurehead of Castor and Pollux as insignia.

We sailed for Syracuse, staying there for three days and, after circling the coast, we arrived at Rhegium. On the following day, a south wind began to blow, and at the end of two days we arrived at Puteoli, where we found some of our brothers who invited us to stay with them for a week. And that was how we came to Rome.

There the brothers and sisters had been informed of our arrival and came out to meet us as far as the Appian Forum and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage. Upon our arrival in Rome, the captain turned the prisoners over to the military governor but permitted Paul to lodge in a private house with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul stayed for two whole years in a house he himself rented, where he received without any hindrance all those who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught the truth about Jesus Christ, the Lord, quite openly and without any hindrance.

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/11/17/tuesday-18-november-2014-33rd-week-of-ordinary-time-memorial-of-the-dedication-of-the-basilica-of-st-peter-and-the-basilica-of-st-paul-outside-the-walls-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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Friday, 14 November 2014 : 32nd Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

2 John : 4-9

I rejoiced greatly on meeting some of your children who live in accordance with the truth, according to the command we have received from the Father. And now, I ask you, Lady – I write to you not a new commandment but that which we had from the beginning – I ask you : let us love one another.

This is love : to walk according to His commandments. And this is the commandment : that you walk in love as you have learnt from the beginning. Many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ who came in the flesh. They are impostors and antichrists.

Take care of yourselves that you do not lose the fruit of your labours, but receive a perfect reward. Everyone who goes beyond and does not remain within the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

 

Homily and Reflection : 

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/11/13/friday-14-november-2014-32nd-week-of-ordinary-time-homily-and-scripture-reflections/

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Tuesday, 4 November 2014 : 31st Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Philippians 2 : 5-11

Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ had : 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.

 

Homily and Reflection :

https://petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang.com/2014/11/03/tuesday-4-november-2014-31st-week-of-ordinary-time-memorial-of-st-charles-borromeo-bishop-homily-and-scripture-reflections/