Year 31 No. 20 ST PAULS MEDIA AAMBUHAY Pee eet 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) — Green Iseellaes November 5, 2017 Servants of the Word AS a Jewish rabbi, Jesus is considered to be fair and level-headed in his estimation of the scribes and the Pharisees. Far from being threatened by their authority, Jesus in fact recognizes them as people who have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. In other words, Jesus recognizes their right to teach the Scriptures to the people. The scribes, being experts in the Mosaic law, transcribed Scriptures from scroll to scroll. They acted as lawyers for a largely illiterate population and served as legal advisers in both temporal and spiritual concerns of the people. The Pharisees, on the other hand, a group called “the separated ones,” served as guardians of the Law. These laymen worked closely with the scribes and devoted themselves to the perfect implementation of the Mosaic law. The scribes and the Pharisees initially embarked on their sworn duties with the best intention. In the passing of time, as the two groups gained foothold in Jewish society, they eventually turned egoistic and became self-absorbed. They were more concerned about their good standing in society rather than preach God’s commandments sincerely. Jesus assures the crowds and his disciples that he himself knows the bad reputation of the scribes and the Pharisees. They did not practice what they preached. They put burdens on other people’s shoulders. They tried to make a pious impression and called attention to themselves with elaborate decorations. They were particular about protocol, salutations and titles. Despite all these, Jesus insists to the crowds and his disciples to “do and ‘observe all things whatsoever they tell you.” In Malachi’s time, some 450 years before Jesus’ birth, the spiritual leaders of the Jews had also turned cbld as regards sincere religious observance. The priests who served in the Temple did not live holy lives. They presided in the worship inside the Temple mechanically and carelessly, even allowing the sacrifice of a gelding, instead of a male animal, at the sacrifice. God, through the prophet, assures his people: “From the rising of the sun, even to its setting, my name is great among the nations; and everywhere they bring sacrifice tomy name, anda pure offering: for great is my name among the nations” (Mal 1:11). God is unperturbed because he knows that a perfect offering would be made for him one day. That offering would cancel all the abominations and offenses against the majesty of God. There would be no other priest able to make that perfect offering except Jesus Christ who is identified in the Letter to the Hebrews: “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens” (Heb 7:26). “The corruption of the best is the worst,” and people get demoralized over scandals involving spiritual leaders People sometimes ask: If high- ranking Church leaders fell and were unable to resist temptations, how much more can ordinary people like us manage with our ‘own weaknesses? On the final week before he is condemned to death, Jesus says that all of us have only one Father, Master, and Teacher. We ail need to listen to him, and if we hold responsibility ‘over people, such authority is from God alone. He bestows it on us in order not to be elated, but to serve as humble servants. Jesus later demonstrates his own obedience to the Father by offering his life on the cross. Pope Paul VI said: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” We pray for ourselves and for ‘our shepherds that we may not only be hearers but doers of God's Word. — Fr. Paul J. Marquez, SSP DCm coli mn before or after the Mass so that youBae ae) a i) Entrance Antiphon [Ps 38(7):22-23] (Recited when there & ho opening song) Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation! Greeting ‘The sign of the cross is made here) P —The Lord be with you. All — And with your spirit. Introduction (The priest- may address the assembly using these or ather similar words), P — Jesus’ seemingly harsh condemnation of certain religious leaders and their practices tells us that following him entails humble service and not receiving entitlements. Titles are good as long as they remind us of and lead us to God’s presence. Do we give more importance to honors rather than service? Are we willing to give up certain privileges for the sake of serving God and our neighbor? Penitential Act P — Brethren (brothers and sisters), letus acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. (Pause) P — You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. All — Lord, have mercy. P — You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. All — Christ, have mercy. P —You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: 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. Amen. Collect P — Let us pray. (Pause) Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy Service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised. 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. Bien tcld OF THE WORD First Reading [Mal 1:14b—2:2b, 8-10] (Sit) The Lord warns the religious leaders of Israel of his anger because they teach in the name of the Lord yet they do not keep his ways A reading from the Book of the Prophet Malachi A GREAT KING am I, says the Lorp of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lorp of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. You have turned aside from the way, and have catsed many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the Lorp of hosts. I, therefore, have made you contemiptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers? — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 131) R — In you, Lord, I have found my peace. sr. m.c.a. parco, fsp F Om Gm c7 In you, Lonp, | have found my F peace... 1. O Loxp, my heart is not proud,/ nor are my eyes haughty;/ I busy not myself with great things,/ nor with things too sublime for me. (R) 2. Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted/ my soul like a weaned child,/ Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap,/ so is my soul within me. (R) 3. 0 Israel, hope in the Loxo,/ both now and forever. (R) Second Reading (1 Thes 2:7b9, 13) In the apostle Paul we find the model of a true Christian teacher. Like a loving parent to his converts, he teaches them the Gospel and works that he may not burden them with his needs. A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians BROTHERS AND SISTERS: We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children, With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. You recall, brothers andsisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe. — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Alleluia [Mt23:9b,10b] (Stand) All — Alleluia, alleluia. ‘You have but one Father in heaven and one master, the Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel (Mt 23:1-12) P —A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew All — Glory to you, Lord. JESUS spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. “For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called “Rabbi.” You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” —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 and 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 in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe 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. 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 — Let us humbly pray to the Father and ask him for the grace to recognize and serve him in our brothers and sisters without counting the cost. Let our prayer be: R— Lord, hear our prayer. Cc — That our Church leaders may continue to be faithful witnesses of God’s kingdom of love, justice, and peace by renouncing worldly entitlements and privileges, we pray: (R) C — That our government leaders set aside personal gains and interest and work together for healing and renewal in our country, we pray: (R) C —That those who are subject to public ridicule and those who suffered emotional and physical pain because of racial and religious discrimination may find comfort and strength through the support and care of their community and their loved ones, we pray: (R) C — That victims of crime find strength and healing in God through the love and compassion of people around them. May they learn to forgive those who have caused them pain, we pray: (R) C — That all the faithful may be nourished by the gifts of the Spirit in their effort in building avibrant and enthusiastic parish community, we pray: (R) (Tie urgent con shtinity are prayed here.) P —Father, be attentive to our prayers. Help us to reach out to all our brothers and sisters and serve them with faithfulness and love, May our hearts be open to their suffering and pain so that we may draw closer to your heart. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All — Amen THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Presentation of the Gifts (Stand) P—Pray, brethren... All — May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Prayer over the Offerings P — May these sacrificial offerings, O Lord, become for you a pure oblation, and for us a holy outpouring of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. All — Amen. Preface VI of the Sundays in Ordinary Time P—The Lord be with you All — And with your spirit. P — Lift up your hearts.All — We lift them up to the Lord. P — Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All — It is right and just. P—lItis truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For you so loved the world that in your mercy you sent us the Redeemer, to live like us in all things but sin, so that you might love in us what you loved in your Son, by whose obedience we have been restored to those gifts of yours that, by sinning, we had lost in disobedience. And so, Lord, with all the Angels and Saints, we, too, give you thanks, as in exultation we acclaim: All— Holy, Holy, Holy... (Knee) Acclamation (Stand) When we eat this Sead and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. THE COMMUNION RITE The Lord’s Pray All — Our Father... P — Deliver us, Lord... All — For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. r Invitation to Peace Invitation to Communion (Enel) P — Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. All— Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Communion Antiphon Gn 6:58) Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me shall have life because of me, says the Lord. Prayer after Communion (Stand) P—Letus pray. (Pause) May the working of your power, O Lord, increase in us, we pray, so that, renewed by these heavenly Sacraments, we tay be prepared by your gift for receiving what they promise. Through Christ our Lord. All— Amen. THE CONCLUDING RITES P —The Lord be with you. All — And with your spirit. Solemn Blessing P — Bow for the blessing (Pause) May the Lord bless you and keep you. All — Amen. P — May he let his face shine upon you and show you his mercy. All — Amen. P — May he turn his counte- nance towards you and give you his peace. Ail — Amen. P — And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, (*) and the Holy Spirit, ‘THIS BESTSELLING BIBLE DIARY ‘antag the Gospel ofthe day and rellections based on an importa word, phrase, verse, or situation from the reading It lio contains insights on how so Incorporate the Gospel effectively. one's aly lle. For more tan a deesde aren. his has became dhe most widely read bibs dary, popubr among Flpeo Catselce re and abroad basdumeked ‘Contact us: ST PAULS MARKETING Tek: (2) 890-7130 CP 0928.3948626 E-maik markesng@sepauch ‘ween spau.ph ‘For 500 copies, first page Row stpauis oh come down on you and remain with you for ever. — Amen. Dismissal P — Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Year of the Parish as Community Catechesis Fr. Jomes H. Kroeger, Mi ent a Fis. tps:/;wor: facebook. comySamaunay Missalette-199444600247460/ Sete ee ee pandas A guide for the Eucharist and Morning & Evening Prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours SIMBAHAY 2018 Available qt all ST PAULS Bookstores 2S ee