Year 32 No.20 Reading Oday is the penultimate Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year. Next Sunday we shall celebrate the Feast of Christ the King; then we begin the season of Advent. Our readings today, especially from the prophet Daniel and the evangelist Mark, are not easily understood. They are a type of writing known, as “apocalyptic literature.” The readings capture our attention through frightening images: “a time unsurpassed in distress,” “trials of every sort,” “the sun will be darkened...” These dramatic images are not meant to overwhelm us with fear. Rather, they are a clarion call to profound faith in God. Daniel tells us that if we are faithful to God, we will “shine like bright stars forever.” Jesus assures us: “The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not.” ST PAULS MEDIA renew us eN ZAceBooK © EBiaihe 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) — Green Me Signs of Wie imes” Living in Turbulent Times. If we are honest, we must admit thatwe do live in uncertain times. The Philippine bishops noted in their pastoral exhortation last 9 July 2018: “we admonish the faithful to remain steadfast in our common vocation and mission to actively work for peace.” Indeed, “like the apostles, we are often so easily overcome by fear and panic.” “There is nothing that can calm us down in these turbulent times, except the quiet recognition of Him who assured us of His abiding presence: ‘Be not afraid; it is ’” (Mt 14:27). Interpreting Life's Events. In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis exhorts us to an “ever watchful scrutiny of the signs of the times.” This task of examining current realities in the light of Christian faith is “a grave responsibility” (no. 51). Francis proposes using “an evangelical discernment” which is “the approach of a missionary disciple” who is guided by “the light and strength of the Holy Spirit” (no. 50). Christian faith demands “recognizing and discerning spirits” and ultimately “choosing movements of the The ieieiee AMBUHAY SUNDAY + TV MARIA © 8:30AM © 7:00PM ieee ciaae November 18, 2018 spirit of good and rejecting those of the spirit of evil” (no. 51). “Signs of the Times” Approach. This Christian approach to “faith-reflection” on current realities was promoted by the Church during the Second Vatican Council. In its document Gaudium et Spes, we read: “The Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel” (no. 4). In a word, we are to give a “faith-reading” to all of life’s events. We are to engage in “the theological interpretation of contemporary history.” All Catholics are to become involved, responding to the signs of the times. This “social engagement” is essential to the Church’s evangelizing mission in the contemporary world. Following Pope Francis. Our Pope is deeply involved in a “faith-reading” of the signs of the times. He asks us to examine the many challenges present in today’s world. “Let us look upon them as challenges which can help us to grow” (EG no. 84). “Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-filled commitment" (EG no. 109). — Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM (iy Pastor Catechess for the 2 vear of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons God's Poi = Our Mission Priority — Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM in exploring the complex reality of evangelization, towhom the Gospel message must be proclaimed?” the Gospel, is clear: it is the poo! forgotten, those who cannot rep: “Evangelization directed preferentially to the least among us isa sign of the Kingdom that Jesus came to faith and the poor. May we never abandon them’ (Evangelii ‘ho embrace the consecrated missionary life.” ionate for the Gospel. ‘The mission of the servants of the Word—bishops, to enter into a personal relationship jptismal commitment to the fullest.” bring: ‘Theres an inseparable bond between our Gaudium 48). This must be clear above all to those wi Pope Francis continues: “a true missionary is passi joy, liberation and salvation for all men and women... ‘priests, religious and laity—is to with Christ... All the faithful are ay us (cf. Lk 14:13-14).” allow everyone, without exception, called to live their bay Pope Francis asks a pivotal question: “Who are the first He responds: “The answer, found so often throughout r, the little ones and the sick, those who are often looked down upon or The Gospel is the source ofBitar ag RITES Entrance Antiphon (er 29:11, 12, 14] (Recited when there is no opening song) The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of afiliction, You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place. Greeting (The sign ofthe cross is made here) P — The Lord be with yo All — And with your spirit. Introduction (The priest may address the assembly using these or similar words) P — As the liturgical year draws to a close, the readings in today’s Mass speak of the end times. But God’s word strengthens us in hope. The budding forth of the fig tree that Jesus points out in the Gospel symbolizes this hope: life comes after death, a new world is being born in pain and toil. This is something that nature itself seems to take for granted. What is true of the change in the season is also true of the life of the Spirit in us. The Spirit transforms old to new, chaos to order, sorrow to joy, death to life. Penitential Act P — Brethren (brothers and sisters), letuus acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. (Pause) P — Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father: Lord, have mercy. All — Lord, have mercy. P — Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division: Christ, have mercy. All — Christ, have mercy. P—Lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your Father: Lord, have mercy. All — Lord, have mercy. P — May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. All— Amen. Gloria All — Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Collect P—Letus pray. (Pause) Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author ofall that is good Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. All — Amen. ELITURGY { OF THE WORD First Reading [Dn 12:1-3] (Sif) The apocalyptic visions of Daniel were meant to strengthen the Jews who bore the brunt of Antiochus’ persecution. God will intervene to usher in the deliverance of his people. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel IN THOSE DAYS, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Loxp: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. “But the wise shall’shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 16) R— You are my inheritance, O Lord! © Lord. 1. O Loro, my allotted portion and my cup,/ you it is who hold fast my lot./ I set the Lorp ever before me;/ with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 2. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,/ my body, too, abides in confidence;/ because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,/ nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption, (R) 3. You will show me the path to life,/ fullness of joys in your presence,/ the delights at your right hand forever. (R) Second Reading (Heb 10:11-14, 18)Christ’s offering is the most perfect of all sacrifices, It frees us from our sins, All we await is God's final intervention to make our redemption complete. A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. ‘Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin. — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Alleluia [Lk 21:36] (Stand) All — Alleluia, alleluia. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel (Mk 13:24-32) P —A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark All — Glory to you, O Lord. JESUS said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. “And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. “Amen, Isay to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” —The Gospel of the Lord. All — Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Homily (Sit) Profession of Faith (Stand) All — I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (At the words that follow, up to and including became man, all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the . Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. Ibelieve in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Prayer of the Faithful P — In hope and trust let us pray to our heavenly Father that we may possess eyes of faith to see the coming of his Kingdom. With confidence, we pray: R— Lord, hear our prayer. C — For the leaders of the Church: by their following of Christ who is poor, chaste, and obedient, may they remind us that this life is passing and that heaven is our final destiny. We pray: (R) C — For those in charge of our social and political affairs: may they see themselves not as proprietors but as responsible stewards of the things entrusted to them, accountable to the people and to the Lord. We pray: (R) C — For those who are sick victims of calamities or injustice: may they persevere in their faith knowing that their struggles will come to an end in God’s perfect time, We pray: (R) C — For consecrated men and women: may they walk in the light of Christ through the practice of the evangelical counsels and become true witnesses of faith by their way of life. We pray: (R) C — For those who have died in faith: may they share in the peace and happiness of God's Kingdom. We pray: (R) P — Almighty Father, you have ordered all things to our benefit. Listen to the prayer of your people who look forward with hope to the fullness of your redemption, We ask this through Christ our Lord. All — Amen.