ST PAULS MEDIA FE \AMBUHAY Year 33 No. 18 SUNDAY * TV MARIA ¢ 8:30AM © LIVE DAILY TV MASS ONLINE « Cr eae ees Green PM Sel chars November 10,2019 Living and Dying for One's Faith Teiay' First Reading narrates the inspirational story of seven martyr-brothers and their brave mother who endured a fierce religious Betsrenen from the pagan eleucid kings two centuries before the birth of Christ. They remained faithful to their monotheistic religion; they oted that it was their choice “to die at the hands of men with the God-given hope of being restored to life.” This is an early expression of “resurrection faith,’ which is also a central theme of today’s Gospel. Have you ever asked yourself: Would | be willin to die for my faith in Christ? Probably, we will never have to face this choice in our life. A more realistic question is: How can I truly live my faith commitment on a daily basis? If we practice our faith well, serving our needy brothers and sisters, then a faith-filled death will almost naturally follow. Here we can draw strength and losetaeian from one of the Church's significant, contemporary saints, Oscar Romero. Saint Oscar Romero. As Archbishop of San Salvador in Central America, Romero was assassinated on March 24, 1980 as he was celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Divine Providence cancer hospital where he lived. On February 3, 2015 Pope Francis offically declared Romero a martyr of the Catholic faith; he was beatified on May 23, 2015 and canonized on October 14, 2018 (only one year ago)! Romero was kniown, respected, and loved as a defender of the poor during one of the most difficult periods in El Salvador (1970s-1980s), during which five priests, numerous catechists, and countless Catholic laity were assassinated. The living example and prophetic words of Romero are always relevant, always a challenge to live our faith. He explained the meaning of the “social message” that he in the name of the Church was preaching, especially to the poor: "The hope we preach to the poor is in order that dignity be restored to them, and to give them courage to be themselves, the authors of their destiny. In a word, the Church has not only turned toward poor persons, but makes them the privileged recipients of her mission.... The Church has not only embodied herself in the world of the poor, giving them hope, but she is firmly committed to their defense.” Pope Francis never tires of repeating: “I want 2 Church which is poor and for the poor” (Evangelii Gaudium 198). Romero's Faith Vision. Romero has eloquently expressed his deep faith in Christ and resurrected life after death: “If God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my death be for the freedom of my people. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish, | do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, | will rise again in the people of El Salvador” Undoubtedly, Romero’s words clearly echo the same resurrection faith expressed in today’s scripture readings. Reflection. What should “living our resurrection faith” and "remembering Saint Oscar Romero” mean for us today? This means to become active, to continue his work, to witness to our resurrection faith, to promote social justice. As a martyr of the Church's option for the poor, Saint Oscar Romero is truly an inspiring “contemporary icon" for all of us, members of the servant-Church. Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM ig Pastoral Catechesis for the &; ‘Year of the Youth Mary, Young Woman of Nazareth Dimes eons nt) Christus Vivit contains six sections (nos. 43-48) on Mary as “the supreme model for a youthful Church that seeks to follow Christ with enthusiasm and docility” (no. 43)."While still very young, she accepted the mes- sage of the angel, yet she was not afraid to ask questions (cf. Lk 1:34). With open heart and soul, she replied: ‘Behold, | am the handmaid of the Lord’ Lk 1:38)" (no, 43). “We are always struck by the strength of the young Mary's ‘yes”. This was no merely passive or resigned acceptance, or a faint ‘yes:.... Hers was the ‘yes’ of someone prepared to be committed, someone willing to take a risk, ready to stake everything she had, with no more security than the certainty of knowing that she was the bearer of a promise” (no. 44). Francis continues:"So, | ask each one of you: do you see yourselves as the bearers of a promise? What promise is present in my heart that | can take up? Mary's mission would undoubtedly be difficult, but the challenges that lay ahead were no reason to sayno” (no. 44). Indeed,“Mary is the Mother who watches over us, her chil- dren, on our journey through life, often weary and in need..... Thus, Mary illumines anew our youth" (no. 48).Cass Entrance Antiphon (Cf. Ps 88 (87):3] (Recited when there is no opening song) Let my prayer come into your presence. Incline your earto my cry for help, O Lord. Greeting (The sign of the cross is made here P — The Lord be with you All — And with your spirit. Introduction (The priest addresses the assembly with these or other similar words) P — Belief in the afterlife and in heaven is at the heart of Christian faith. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that at the end of our earthly life, we shall render an account of it. Those who have led evil lives will be condemned, while those who are just will join the company of the holy ones in the Heavenly Banquet. Penitential Act P — Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us 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: 5 signin cae +o 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, 0.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 aloneare the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Cottect P —Let us pray. (Pause) Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. 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. SLUT ( a Because of their belief in the resurrection of the dead, seven brothers stand firm in their faith and courageously face torture and death. A reading from the second Book of Maccabees 'T HAPPENED that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: "What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.” At the point of death he said: "You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying.” After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at ‘once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: “It was from Heaven that | received these; for the sake of his laws | disdain, them; from him | hope to receive them again.” Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man’s courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing. After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.” — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 17) R — Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. E.C. Marfori Pears, my joy will be full 1. Hear, © Lorp, a just suit;/ attend to my outcry;/ hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. (R) 2. My steps have been steadfast in your paths,/ my feet have not faltered./ | call upon you, for you will answer me, © God;/ incline your ear to me; hear my word. (R) 3. Keep me as the apple of your eye,/ hide me in the shadow of your wings./ But | in justice shall behold your face;/ ‘on waking | shall be content in your presence. (R) Second Reading (2 Thes 2:16—3:5) The apostle Paul exhorts. the Thessalonians to remain constant in their faith. The Lord, who is faithful to his promises, will console and strengthen them.‘A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians BROTHERS and sisters: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. We are confident of you in the Lord that what we instruct you, you are doing and will continue to do. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ. — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. 6b] (Stand) All — Alleluia, alleluia. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead; to him be glory and power, forever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia. spel (Lk 20: P —A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke All — Glory to you, O Lord. SOME SADDUCEES, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, forto him all are alive." — The Gospel of the Lord. All — Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Profession of Faith (Stand) All — 1 believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, ofall 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 includ- ing and became man, all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was cruci- fied 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 forgiveness of sins and | 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 that amid the many concerns and anxieties of life, we may never lose sight of our final destiny: to be with God in his glory. Full of trust, we pray: R — Lord of life, hear our prayer. C — That our spiritual leaders and all consecrated men and women may always remind us of spiritual values and inspire us to seek first the kingdom of God, we pray: (R) C — That our political and civil leaders may listen to their consciences and reverence God, from whom alll authority emanates; may they use their authority for the good of the people, mindful that someday they shall render an account to God, we pray: (R) C — That those who are misunderstood, ridiculed, or persecuted on account of their faith may be strengthened by their belief inthe resurrection of the just, we pray: (R) C — That those who enjoy worldly pleasures as if there were no other life beyond the present one may set their hopes on the heavenly treasure which alone gives true and lasting happiness, we pray: (R) — That those who mourn the passing of their loved ones may be comforted by the thought of being reunited with them in the Father's kingdom, we pray: (R) C—Let us pray for the urgent concerns of our community and our personal intentions (pause), we pray: (R) P — Father, hear the prayers of your people and raise our minds to you. Guide us in our journey to your kingdom andsustain us with lively faith. Through Christ our Lord. All— Amen. SR atl SSE . Presentation of the Gifts Sy ara 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—Look with favor, we pray, O Lord, upon the sacrificial gifts offered here, that, celebrating in mystery the Passion of your Son, we may honor it with loving devotion. Through Christ our Lord. All— Amen. Preface VI of the Sundays in Ordinary Time P — The Lord be with h 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 — itis right and just. P — It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For in you we live and move and have our being, and while in this body we not only experience the daily effects of your care, but even now possess the pledge of life eternal. For, having received the first fruits of the Spirit, through whom you raised up Jesus from the dead, we hope for an everlasting share in the Paschal Mystery. And so, with all the Angels, we praise you, as in joyful celebration, we acclaim: All — Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven andearth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. (Kneel) , FIRST SATU! 15. a 1 RDAY DEVOTION iae ade eet? ah MY God, I believe, O adore, | trust, | love Thee l.ask pardon for all those who do not believe, not adore, not trust, not believe Thee. Most Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Fadore Thee profoundly. | offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, really truly present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the countless outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences by which He is offended. And through the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Mary, | beg Thee to convert poor sinners. Omy Jesus, this is for the love of you for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. ‘We find here the core elements of the message of rayer, reparation, sacrifice for the ‘the Immaculate Heart of Acclamation (Stand) All — We proclaim your Death, © Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. CS 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, fam not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Communion Antiphon CF. Ps 23 (22) are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me. Fatima, namely: conversion, conversion of sinners, and consecration to ‘Mary. Prayer after Communion iapay Ee ee ee P — Let us pray. (Pause) Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord. All — Amen. eR ones P — The Lord be with you. All — And with your spirit. Bow down 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. P.— And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, (t) and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever. All— Amen. Dismissal P —Go in peace. All —Thanks be to God.