Year 35 No.

13 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) — Green September 26, 2021

National Seafarer’s Sunday

Thank you,
SEAFARERS
AND FISHERS !

by Fr. Paulo Prigol, CS

T he CoViD-19 pandemic has

shaken the entire planet. Ninety
percent of the goods in the world are
transported by sea, and who are the
“blue economy” movers? Seafarers!
Online shopping has become part
of our life. Who transport what we
order? Seafarers! Most of the planes
have stopped flying, but ships have
not stopped sailing. Who have been
crewing these ships? Seafarers! Who
are providing the good and tasty
fishes on our tables? Fishers!
These two categories of people
a r e a m o n g t o d ay ’s e s s e n t i a l
workers. Seafarers typically work
in months-on, months-off rotations
to ensure their physical, emotional,
physiological, and mental health.
During the pandemic, the typical
9 months contract stretched up to
20, and this brought unprecedent
pressure to seafarers and their
families. Roughly 400,000 seafarers
were stranded on ships around the
globe, and probably one-third of
these were Filipinos.
Since 1996, the Church in the
Philippines has led the celebrations
of the National Seafarer’s Day and
the National Maritime Week, which
always falls on the last Sunday and
last week of September (P.D. 1094).
Today’s First Reading begins,
“The LORD came down in the cloud
and spoke to Moses.” At the start of
this pandemic, we all felt somehow
lost, insecure, and apprehensive. We
were like Moses asking the Lord to
guide us to safe shores. Seafarers
on board ship, fishers, and their
families were no different.
The Letter of James is an excellent
reminder that everything comes to
an end, including this pandemic.
Those rooted in the Lord “have
stored up treasure for the last days.”
Those exploiting and abusing others,
especially seafarers and fishers,
are warned, “…the cries of the
harvesters have reached the ears
of the Lord of hosts.”
The Gospel teaches us that
“whoever is not against us is for
us.” We must fight this pandemic
like a united crew onboard ship
for a smooth sailing; CoViD-19 is
making us realize that the world
is indeed a small village, and we
have to care for it: united we stand,
divided we fall. The Lord is our
light house.
The words of the Responsorial
Psalm are certainly reassuring and
encouraging: “The precepts of the
Lord give joy to the heart.” How we
desire to have the Lord’s joy in our
hearts and not fear to reach our port
of destination. Thank you, seafarers
and fishers, and may Our Lady Star
of the Sea keep on protecting and
blessing you all.

PASTORAL CATECHESIS FOR THE YEAR OF MISSIO AD GENTES

Bringing Good News to the Poor
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
During his 1970 Philippine visit, Pope Paul VI visited the
Tondo district of Manila where many of the city’s slum dwellers
live. Speaking to the crowds, he said: “It is my duty to come
here because I have the same mission as that of Jesus Christ;
and God, the Father in heaven, sent Him, as He has told us,
to bring to the poor the good news, the Gospel (Lk 4:18).”
“I am head of the Catholic Church and its servant and I
feel it my duty to proclaim here before you that the Church
loves you who are poor. What does it mean to say that the
Church loves you? It means that the Church recognizes first of
all your dignity as human beings, as children of God…. She
recognizes, moreover, that preference is due to you, because
your needs are many in order to give your lives sufficiency and
well-being, both material and spiritual.”
“I must also remind you, in virtue of my apostolic ministry,
that apart from material bread, apart from the temporal well-
being to which you rightfully aspire, and for the attainment of
which all are obligated to you in solidarity, you, like all true
men, have other higher needs…. You were created for a higher
good, for a ‘kingdom of heaven’.” As Church-in-mission, we
are called to generously serve the poor in their many needs.
 THE INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Antiphon
(Dn 3:31, 29, 30, 43, 42)
(Recited 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 cross is made here.)
P—The Lord be with you.
All—And with your spirit.
Introduction
(These [or similar words] may be used
to address the assembly.)
P—Jesus invites us to reflect
on his words: “Whoever is
not against us is for us.” Being
a disciple of Jesus is always
inclusive of all people of good
will.
Gloria
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)
O God, who manifest your
almighty power above all by
were not in the gathering but
had been left in the camp. They
too had been on the list, but
had not gone out to the tent; yet
the spirit came to rest on them
also, and they prophesied in the
camp. So, when a young man
quickly told Moses, “Eldad and
Medad are prophesying in the
camp,” Joshua, son of Nun, who
from his youth had been Moses’
aide, said, “Moses, my lord, stop
them.” But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the
LORD were prophets! Would
that the LORD might bestow his
spirit on them all!”
— The word of the Lord.
All — Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 19)
R—The precepts of the Lord
give joy to the heart.
E. C. Marfori

G D

We celebrate today the 26th pardoning and showing mercy,        

National Seafarer’s Sunday. bestow, we pray, your grace The pre cepts of the
Filipino seafarers are part abundantly upon us and make
those hastening to attain your
of God’s circle of friends. 
G-Em Am D G-C-G
  
2

They brave danger and suffer promises heirs to the treasures     

loneliness for the sake of their
family and country. We pray
that they may continue to be
effective ambassadors of our
country and faithful messengers
of Christ.
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 on us, O Lord.
All—For we have sinned against
you.
P—Show us, O 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—Lord, have mercy.
of heaven. 
Lord give joy to the heart.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives and 1. The law of the LORD is
reigns with you in the unity of perfect,w/ refreshing the soul;/
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever the decree of the LORD is
and ever. trustworthy,/ giving wisdom
All — Amen. to the simple. (R)
Liturgy of the word
2. The fear of the LORD is
pure,/ enduring forever;/ the
First Reading (Nm 11:25–29) (Sit) ordinances of the LORD are
true,/ all of them just. (R)
Moses rejoices that, for the sake
of Israel, God has given his spirit 3. Though your servant is
to the seventy elders, including careful of them,/ very diligent
two at a distance. He then invites in keeping them,/ yet who can
Joshua to welcome, not resent, this detect failings?/ Cleanse me
manifestation of God’s generosity. from my unknown faults! (R)
A reading from the Book of
Numbers 4. From wanton sin especially,
restrain your servant;/ let it not
THE LORD came down in the rule over me./ Then shall I be
cloud and spoke to Moses. Taking blameless and innocent/ of
some of the spirit that was on serious sin. (R)
Moses, the LORD bestowed it
on the seventy elders; and as Second Reading (Jas 5:1–6)
the spirit came to rest on them,
they prophesied. James strongly condemns the rich
Now two men, one named for their wanton lifestyle and their
Eldad and the other Medad, exploitation of the poor and the
weak. Punishment is in store for
them on the day of reckoning.
A reading from the Letter of
Saint James
COME now, you rich, weep
and wail over your impending
miseries. Your wealth has rotted
away, your clothes have become
moth-eaten, your gold and
silver have corroded, and that
corrosion will be a testimony
against you; it will devour your
flesh like a fire. You have stored
up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld
from the workers who harvested
your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the
Lord of hosts. You have lived
on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts
for the day of slaughter. You
have condemned; you have
murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
—The word of the Lord.
All —Thanks be to God.
Alleluia (Cf. Jn 17:17b, 17a) (Stand)
All—Alleluia, alleluia. Your
word, O Lord, is truth; con-
secrate us in the truth. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Gospel (Mk 9:38–43, 45, 47–48)
P—A reading from the holy
Gospel according to Mark
All—Glory to you, O Lord.
AT THAT TIME, John said
to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw
someone driving out demons
in your name, and we tried to
prevent him because he does
not follow us.” Jesus replied,
“Do not prevent him. There is
no one who performs a mighty
deed in my name who can at
the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is
for us. Anyone who gives you a
cup of water to drink because
you belong to Christ, amen, I
say to you, will surely not lose
his reward.
“Whoever causes one of
these little ones who believe in
me to sin, it would be better for
him if a great millstone were
put around his neck and he
were thrown into the sea. If
your hand causes you to sin,
cut it off. It is better for you to
enter into life maimed than with
two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you
to sin, cut it off. It is better for
you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown
into Gehenna. And if your eye
causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into
the kingdom of God with one
eye than with two eyes to be
thrown into Gehenna, where
‘their worm does not die, and
the fire is not quenched.’ ”
—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.
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—Let us offer our prayers to
our gracious Father, who, in
his great mercy, looks upon us
with love and never abandons
us in time of our needs. With
confidence let us pray:
R—Gracious God, hear us.
C—That Church leaders,
especially the Pontifical Council
for the Apostleship of the Sea,
may continue to guide and
sup­port priests, religious, and
lay people who assist sea­farers
all over the world, we pray: (R)
C—That those who hold public
office may find strength and
inspiration in the Mercy of the
Father who never abandons
anyone in need. We pray: (R)
C — Th a t s e a f a r e r s m a y
accomplish their work with
professional skill and a sense
of responsibility, and remain
strong in times of temptation
and loneliness, drawing inspi­
ration from Filipino values and
the Christian faith, we pray (R)
C—That sick seafarers, those
who feel lonely, those who
suffered injuries or accidents,
those facing a number of
problems, may feel comforted,
guided, and strengthened by
God’s mercy, we pray: (R)
C—That our beloved dead may
be welcomed in Heaven where
true and lasting peace is found,
we pray: (R)
C—Let us pray for the urgent
concerns of our community
and our personal intentions
(pause). We pray: (R)
P—Hear us, Lord, our God,
and prosper the work of our
minds and hands so that your
blessings may abound for us
and for all your people. We ask
this through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
 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—Grant us, 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 III
(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—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 we know it belongs to
your boundless glory, that you
came to the aid of mortal beings
with your divinity and even
fashioned for us a remedy out of
mortality itself, that the cause of
our downfall might become the
means of our salvation, through
Christ our Lord.
Through him the host of
Angels adores your majesty
and rejoices in your presence for
ever. May our voices, we pray,
join with theirs in one chorus of
exultant praise, as we acclaim:
All—Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God
of hosts. Heaven and earth 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)
Acclamation (Stand)
All—When we eat this Bread
and drink this Cup, we proclaim
your Death, O Lord, 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 forever.
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.
Communion Antiphon
(Cf. Ps 119 [118]:49–50)
Remember your word to your
servant, O Lord, by which you
have given me hope. This is my
comfort when I am brought low.
Prayer after Communion
(Stand)
P—Let us 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.
THE CONCLUDING RITES
P — The Lord be with you.
All — And with your spirit.
Solemn Blessing
P—Bow down for the blessing.
(Pause)
May almighty God bless
you in his kindness and pour
out saving wisdom upon you.
All—Amen.
P—May he nourish you always
with the teachings of the faith
and make you persevere in
holy deeds.
All—Amen.
P—May he turn your steps
towards himself and show you
the path of charity and peace.
All—Amen.
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 — Our celebration is ended.
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord
by your life.
All — Thanks be to God.