Year 35 No.
63 6th Sunday of Easter (C) — White
T his Sunday prepares us for
the solemnity of the Ascen-
sion of the Lord. Jesus’ Ascen-
sion marks the end of the time of
Jesus and signals the beginning
of the time of the Church that
is guided by the Holy Spirit.
Before the ascension, Je-
sus gave instructions to the
apostles. They would receive
power when the Holy Spirit
comes. This would happen on
the day of Pentecost. For John,
however, the ascension of Jesus
relates to his resurrection and
to the outpouring of the gift of
the Spirit, comprising the one
mystery of Jesus’ glorification.
John places Jesus’ instruction to
the disciples at the Last Supper,
the eve of the Paschal events.
At the Last Supper, as he
bids his disciples goodbye,
Jesus talks about the coming
of the parakletos. This Greek
word is often transliterated as
“paraclete” or translated as “ad-
vocate,” “counselor,” or “com-
forter.” Literally, parakletos is
“one who stands by the side of
a defendant.” This fits well the
Fourth Gospel where there is
common reference to a “court
setting” where “witnesses” are
called to give testimony to Jesus.
Jesus himself witnesses to the
heavenly Father.
Until now, Jesus has always
been the one referred to as sent
by the Father. This time, the Fa-
ther will send the Paraclete. The
Father will give “another Advo-
cate” (Jn 14:16), which points
to Jesus as the first Advocate
of the disciples (see 1 Jn 2:1).
As Advocate, Jesus defends the
disciples against their detrac-
tors, especially against Satan
and his minions. But the “work”
for which Jesus has been sent
With the
Holy Spirit
to guide us
by Fr. Gil A.
Alinsangan, SSP
will soon be completed. He will
be present with them no longer
as the rabbi of Nazareth but
through the action of the Holy
Spirit. The work, coming from
the Father as the “great director”
of the mission, remains Jesus’
work that is to be continued by
the Spirit as the other Advocate.
Departure conjures the sense
of absence and sorrow. Thus,
May 22, 2022
the disciples need comforting
as their Master is soon to return
to the Father. The disciples are
naturally saddened, but Jesus
says that his departure will be
to their advantage. He will send
the Holy Spirit to be his tangible
presence among them. In the
true sense of the word, Jesus has
not left them. They will experi-
ence him in a more expansive
manner, as someone who is
alive and is present to them as
God is present in every reality
of life. Hence, after seeing him
lifted in a cloud, symbolizing the
presence of God, the disciples
return to Jerusalem with great
joy, and they are continually
in the temple praising God (Lk
24:52-53).
Guided by the Holy Spirit,
Pope Francis invites us to take
up the path of synodality, of
walking together as brothers
and sisters. Synodality denotes
the particular style that quali-
fies the life and mission of the
Church, expressing her nature
as the People of God journeying
together and gathering in as-
sembly, summoned by the Lord
Jesus in the power of the Holy
Spirit to proclaim the Gospel.
We discern through listening
and creating space through the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. And
lest we be tempted to want to
lead ourselves, we remember
that we are pilgrims and servants
on the path marked out for us
by Spirit. We, therefore, cry
out the prayer for the Synod:
Adsumus Sancte Spiritus: “We
stand before you, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in your
name. With you alone to guide
us, make yourself at home in
our hearts; teach us the way
we must go and how we are
to pursue it.”
 THE INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Antiphon
(Cf. Is 48:20)
(Recited when there is no opening song)
Proclaim a joyful sound and
let it be heard; proclaim to
the ends of the earth: The
Lord has freed his people,
alleluia.
Greeting
(The sign of the cross is made here)
P—The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.
All—And with your spirit.
Introduction
(The priest may address the assembly
using these or similar words)
P—In view of Jesus’ im-
pending departure to be with
his Father in heaven, we are
reminded that we will not be
left orphans. Jesus promises
his disciples that he will come
back. Moreover, the Father
will send the Holy Spirit in
Jesus’ name. The Advocate will
make the presence of Jesus
among us, his disciples, more
intense and more fruitful. The
Holy Spirit will make us know
and understand Jesus as we
have never understood before.
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
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)
G ra n t , a l m i g h t y G o d ,
that we may celebrate with
heartfelt devotion these
days of joy, which we keep
in honor of the risen Lord,
and that what we relive in
remembrance we may always
hold to in what we do.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives
and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
for ever and ever.
All—Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading
(Acts 15:1-2, 22–29)(Sit)
During the council of Jerusalem, the
apostles and elders decide that pagans
converted to Christianity should not be
burdened with strictly Jewish practices.
The one thing necessary for salvation
is faith in the Lord Jesus.
A reading from the Acts of
the Apostles
SOME who had come down
from Judea were instructing
the brothers, “Unless you are
circumcised according to the
Mosaic practice, you cannot
be saved.” Because there
arose no little dissension and
debate by Paul and Barnabas
with them, it was decided that
Paul, Barnabas, and some of
the others should go up to
Jerusalem to the apostles and
elders about this question.
The apostles and elders,
in agreement with the whole
church, decided to choose
representatives and to send
them to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas. The ones chosen
were Judas, who was called
Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders
among the brothers. This is the
letter delivered by them:
“The apostles and the
elders, your brothers, to the
brothers in Antioch, Syria,
and Cilicia of Gentile origin:
greetings. Since we have heard
that some of our number who
went out without any mandate
from us have upset you with
their teachings and disturbed
your peace of mind, we have
with one accord decided to
choose representatives and to
send them to you along with
our beloved Barnabas and
Paul, who have dedicated
their lives to the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ. So we are
sending Judas and Silas who
will also convey this same
message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy
Spirit and of us not to place
on you any burden beyond
these necessities, namely, to
abstain from meat sacrificed
to idols, from blood, from
meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these, you
will be doing what is right.
Farewell.’ ”
—The word of the Lord.
All—Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 67)
R—O God, let all the nations
praise you! Allan A. Puno
G/DAllan A.APuno
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       
 God,
O let all the na
O God, let all the na
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Dsus D
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4
4
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Dsus D
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 tions
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praise 
you.
tions praise you.
1. May God have pity on us
and bless us;/ may he let his
face shine upon us./ So may
your way be known upon
earth;/ among all nations, your
salvation. (R)
2. May the nations be glad and
exult/ because you rule the
peoples in equity;/ the nations
on the earth you guide. (R)
3. May the peoples praise you,
O God;/ may all the peoples
praise you!/ May God bless
us,/ and may all the ends of the
earth fear him! (R)
Second Reading
(Rv 21:10–14, 22–23)
The Book of Revelation depicts a new
heavenly Jerusalem. This new city
is splendid and magnificent because
God is its center and heart. The city
symbolizes God’s people.
A reading from the Book of
Revelation
THE ANGEL took me in spirit
to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy
city Jerusalem coming down
out of heaven from God. It
gleamed with the splendor
of God. Its radiance was like
that of a precious stone, like
jasper, clear as crystal. It had
a massive, high wall, with
twelve gates where twelve
angels were stationed and on
which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes
of the Israelites. There were
three gates facing east, three
north, three south, and three
west. The wall of the city had
twelve courses of stones as its
foundation, on which were
inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the
Lamb.
I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God
almighty and the Lamb. The
city had no need of sun or
moon to shine on it, for the
glory of God gave it light, and
its lamp was the Lamb.
—The word of the Lord.
All—Thanks be to God.
Alleluia (Jn 14:23) (Stand)
All—Alleluia, alleluia. Who-
ever loves me will keep my
word, says the Lord, and my
Father will love him and we will
come to him. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel (Jn 14:23–29)
P—A reading from the holy
Gospel according to John
All—Glory to you, O Lord.
JESUS said to his disciples:
“Whoever loves me will keep
my word, and my Father
will love him, and we will
come to him and make our
dwelling with him. Whoever
does not love me does not
keep my words; yet the word
you hear is not mine but that
of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while
I am with you. The Advocate,
the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything and
remind you of all that I told
you. Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you. Not
as the world gives do I give it
to you. Do not let your hearts
be troubled or afraid. You
heard me tell you, ‘I am going
away and I will come back
to you.’ If you loved me, you
would rejoice that I am going
to the Father; for the Father
is greater than I. And now
I have told you this before
it happens, so that when it
happens you may believe.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
All—Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Christ.
Homily (Sit)
Profession of Faith (Stand)
All—I believe in God, the
Father almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth, and in Jesus
Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
(At the words that follow, up to and
including the Virgin Mary, all bow.)
who was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin
Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried; he descended
into hell; on the third day he
rose again from the dead; he
ascended into heaven, and
is seated at the right hand of
God the Father almighty; from
there he will come to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and
life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful
P—As we remember the words
and promises of Christ, we
pray to you, dear Father, that
you may pour out your Holy
Spirit to lead us to take the path
of truth and charity, entering
fully into your divine life. With
faith and love, we pray:
R—Be gracious to us, Lord.
C—For Pope Francis, our
bishops, priests, deacons and
religious men and women:
may the Spirit’s gift of wisdom
and understanding direct their
ministry towards the way of
peace. We pray: (R)
C—For our duly elected
national and local leaders:
may the Lord give them
health, grace, and wisdom so
that they may become more
responsible, accountable, and
trustworthy in fulfilling their
mandate. We pray: (R)
C—For the sick, the lonely, the
destitute, and those who suffer
in any way: make them well,
body and soul, and restore
them towards fullness of life
in Christ with their families
and the Church. We pray: (R)
C—For our beloved dead: may
they shine with the radiance
of your glory in your kingdom.
We pray: (R)
C—Let us pray for the urgent
concerns of our community
and our personal intentions
(pause). We pray: (R)
P—Fa t h e r, s e n d u s yo u r
Spirit of faithfulness and
love. Make us your dwelling
place here on earth. May we
keep your word and grow in
your love.
We ask this through Christ,
your Son, and 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—May our prayers rise up to
you, O Lord, together with the
sacrificial offerings, so that,
purified by your graciousness,
we may be conformed to the
mysteries of your mighty love.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
Preface III of Easter
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, at all
times to acclaim you, O Lord,
but in this time above all to
laud you yet more gloriously,
when Christ our Passover has
been sacrificed.
He never ceases to offer
himself for us but defends us
and ever pleads our cause
before you: he is the sacrificial
Victim who dies no more, the
Lamb, once slain, who lives
for ever.
Therefore, overcome with
paschal joy, every land, every
people exults in your praise
and even the heavenly Powers,
with the angelic hosts, sing
together the unending hymn
of your glory, as they acclaim:
All—Holy, Holy, Holy... (Kneel)
Acclamation (Stand)
All—Save us, Savior of the
world for by your Cross and Re-
surrection you have set us free.
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...
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
(Jn 14:15–16)
If you love me, keep my
commandments, says the
Lord, and I will ask the Father
and he will send you another
Paraclete, to abide with you
for ever, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
(Stand)
P—Let us pray. (Pause)
Almighty and ever-living
God, who restore us to eternal
life in the Resurrection of
Christ, increase in us, we
pray, the fruits of this paschal
Sacrament and pour into our
hearts the strength of this
saving food.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
THE CONCLUDING RITES
P—The Lord be with you.
All—And with your spirit.
Prayer over the People
P—Bow down for the blessing.
(Pause)
May your family always
rejoice together, O God, over
the mysteries of redemption
they have celebrated, and
grant its members the
perseverance to attain the
effects that flow from them.
Through Christ our Lord.
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 forever.
All—Amen.
Dismissal
P — Th e M a s s h a s b e e n
offered. Go and announce
the Gospel of the Lord.
All—Thanks be to God.