Year 31 No.13 AMBUHAY ST PAULS MEDIA 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) — Green. PRT re ii issalette October 1, 2017 Ta Solidiiying Our “Yes” to God Father who sends his two sons to work in the vineyard is simple and straightforward enough. To Jesus’ question of which of the brothers did the father’s will, the answer seems easy: the first. But in a Mediterranean culture that highly prizes a person's honor, it is not so clear which of the two is more laudable. The first shames the father for refusing to ‘go. The second says the honorable thing, although his action does not conform to his word. Given the choice of publicly honored but privately shamed and of publicly shamed and privately honored, a man in that culture would probably opt for saving his honor, for publicly “saving his face” while suffering in private. In any case, both sons hurt their father for not giving him due love and honor, at the same time making the mistake of considering their father a master. The second son agrees immediately to go to the vineyard because he wants the father to believe what he is not, but then doesn’t fulfill the commitment. The first son clearly answers “I do not want.” Perhaps he considers the work in the vineyard too heavy, or prefers to do something else and has other projects, but then “regrets” what he has done. The love of the father wins over him and he walks towards the vineyard. He undergoes a change cof mentality, a change in the way to see the father and the vineyard. The father is no longer'a master to. At first glance, the parable of the obey, or even worse, to deceive. He is the head of the family who sends his son into the vineyard, which is also ultimately the son’s vineyard, for a plentiful harvest and for wine of celebration for the whole house. The son’s labor becomes full of hope and love. In this parable, Jesus warns the chief priests and the elders of the people against an empty religiosity that projects itself in external practices. At the same time, Jesus invites his hearers to a relationship with God that is rooted in the love that welcomes, forgives—and at the same time, listens and obeys. This “repentance” or change of mind starts with “believing” in God's messengers: John the Baptist and Jesus. The religious leaders end up disobeying God’s will because of their lack of belief in John the Baptist. They accuse him of being a demoniac. They also do not recognize the authority of Jesus. In contrast, John the Baptist and Jesus receive a positive response from tax collectors and prostitutes. They are converted by John’s call for repentance and * Jesus’ association with them. The religious leaders, on the other hand, have closed their eyes to the “way of righteousness” presented by John and Jesus. Still, there is a possibility of repentance: those who initially refuse to accept Jesus can change their minds and believe, following the example of the first son. The possibility and invitation to say “yes” is open not only to THE GOSPEL ent CARE FOR CREATION Holine Pee kere} those who refuse to follow Jesus, but also to those who initially said “yes” but then wavered and abandoned the work in the vineyard. As Scripture scholar Barbara E. Reid comments, “How easy it is to say “yes,’ in the first fervor, but then how demanding it is to live a life of faithful obedience when one is committed for the long haul. But like a good marriage in which the fire of love burns brightly, but more hotly as the embers are fanned with every loving deed, so the easy first infatuation of ‘yes’ in a disciple is solidified into a habit of being, as it is acted day after day. The ‘yes’ is not something pronounced only once, but embraced anew each day.” There are those who point out to the “third brother.” He is the one who says “yes” right away and also does what he is told. This third brother is the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, who, coming into the world said: “Behold, | come to do, O God, your will” (Heb 10:7). He has not only spoken this “yes,” but he has accomplished it, obeyed it, and suffered it up to death—a death on the cross (cf. Phil 2:6-8). In humility and obedience, Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father, died on the cross for us, and has redeemed us from our pride and stubbornness. _ — Fr. Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP Pree nt hark) en cee eee cesT and ability 10 work together in rebuilding our common hMatas Entrance Antiphon [Dn 3:31, 29, 30, 43, 42] (Revited when there is no opening song) All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgment, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments, But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy. Greeting (The sign of the évoss is made here) P —The Lord be with you. — And with your spirit. Introduction (The priest may address the assembly using these or other similar words) P — The Gospel today dwells on the necessity of putting our commitment to the Lord into action. It is the person who ultimately goes to work in the Lord’s vineyard who pleases him and will receive his reward. May our Eucharistic celebration ignite our spirit to work with passion in the Lord’s vineyard. Penitential Act P —Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. (Pause) P—Have mercy onus, O Lord. All — For we have sinned against you. P — Show us, 0 Lord, your mercy, All — And grant us your salvation. P — May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. All— Amen. P—Lord, have mercy. All—Lord, have mercy. P — Christ, have mercy, All — Christ, have mercy. P—Lord, have mercy. All—Lard, have mercy. 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 worid, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. Foryou 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 —Letus pray. (Pause) O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven. 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. Beslan icy OF THE WORD First Reading [Ez 18:25.28] (Sit) The prophet Ezekiel tells us that what ultimately counis is our decision to turn to the Lord. His oracle is an invitation to those who have said “no” to change their ways and take the path that leads to life. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel ‘THUS SAYS the Loxo: You say, “The Loxo’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. — The word of the Lord. — Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25) R Remember your mercies, O Lord. Sr. m.c.2. parco, fsp Re- mem-ber your mer-cies Am ee Lord. 1. Your ways, O Lorp, make known to me;/ teach me your paths,/ guide me in your truth and teach me,/ for you are God my savior. (R) 2. Remember that your compassion, O Loro,/ and your love are from of old./ ‘The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;/ in your kindness remember me,/ because of your goodness, O Lor, (R) 3. Good and upright is the Lorp;/ thus he shows sinners the way./ He guides the humble to justice,/ and teaches the humble his way. (R) Second Reading (Phil 2:1-11) Jesus emptied himself of his dignity as Son of God to become like us and to save us. In the end, he received glory because of his obedience. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians BROTHERS AND SISTERS: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being ofthe same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others. Have in you the same attitude thatis also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — The word of the Lord. — Thanks be to God. Alleluia [Jn 10:27] (Stand) All — Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia, Gospel (Mt 21:28-32) P —A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew — Glory to you, O Lord.~ JESUS said to the chief priests and elders of the people: “What is your opinion? Aman had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, but did not go, Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen; I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” — 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 ofheaven 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, 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. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the ess 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 pray to the Father that as we heed his call we may respond consistently in words and in deeds, We implore his mercy and providence as we pray: R— Lord, hear our prayer. C—May our Church leaders go out of their comfort zones and heed the call of Godto be heralds of the Gospel by consistently helping the poor, the hungry, and victims of natural calamities and terrorism, we pray: (R) C — May our government and civil leaders find peaceful ways to eliminate the escalating vio- lence which is brought by ter- rorism, corruption, and poverty and which endangers the lives of many people, we pray: (R) C — May all teachers and catechists not only focus to the kind of.education which is merely a matter of handing on the knowledge but lay the foundations for every human being’s moral conscience, we pray: (R) C—May you, O Lord, touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth, we pray: (R) (The urgent concerns of the community ave prayed here.) P — Father, by your Spirit of love and mercy, help us to have the heart and mind of Christ which consistently seek your will in every moment of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. — Amen. Dana hin atstas Ui Qe 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—Grantus, O merciful God, that this our offering may find acceptance with you and that through it the wellspring of all blessing may be laid open before us. Through Christ our Lord. All — Amen.Preface VII 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 —Letus give thanks to the Lord our God. All —It is right and just. P —Itis 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) All — We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. THE COMMUNION RITE ‘The Lord’s Prayer All — Our Father... P — Deliver us, Lord... All — For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Invitation to Peace Invitation to Communion (Kneel) 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. oungster the Magazine jor ne Young Minister 7 of the p Available in all ST PAULS bookstores nationwide Communion Antiphon (Jn 3:16) By this we came to know the love of God: that Christ laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for one another. Prayer after Communion (Stand) P—Letus pray. (Pause) May this heavenly mystery, O Lord, restore us in mind and body, that we may be coheirs in glory with Christ, to whose suffering we are united whenever we proclaim his Death, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. All — Amen. Bi aed P — The Lord be with you. All — And with your spirit. Prayer over the People P — Bow for the blessing. (Pause) May your people receive your holy blessing, O Lord, we pray, and, by that gift, spurn all that would harm them and obtain what they desire. ‘Through Christ our Lord. All — Amen. ING RITES P — And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, (#) and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever, All — Amen, Dismissal P— Goin peaci All — Thanks be to God. A Prayer for Teachers iver of all Wisdom ond Greatest of all Teachers, look upon our teachers with love. Grant them the resolve to nurture our eager minds and to never give up on us who fall behind. Bless their hearts for they rejoice when we succeed and ‘encourage us when we fail, Endow them with gentle patience for the path of leaning isnever easy. Kindle © spirit of passion in them. Iti the flome that ignites the love of learning inus Help them to see the potential in eecch student. Their belie in us means much more then the grade we make. Instill them ct commitment to keep on learning, It shows us to not fear new knowledge and experiences Inspire them to fouch the future. They influence how big @ dream we dream for ourselves. Bless our teachers who hove come before, for their work endures to this day. Let the light of your example shine upon all teachers, to build up with their words, to love with their mind, to share with their [Lheart, AMEN.