Coming down the altar from the heavens: Reflections and insights on the External Solemnity of the Ascension

READINGS AND PROPERS

Extraordinary Form

Sunday Within the Octave of the Ascension (White, Semi-double)

[Station at St. Mary of the Martyrs]

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 26. 7-9

Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam, qua clamavi ad te, alleluia: tibi dixit cor meum, quaesivi vultum tuum, vultum tuum, Domine, requiram: ne avertas faciem tuam a me, alleluia, alleluia. -- Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea: quem timebo? V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam . . .                

Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried to Thee, alleluia; my heart hath said to Thee, I have sought Thy face, Thy face, O Lord, I will seek: turn not away Thy face from me, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 26. 1). The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried . . .

COLLECTS.--O almighty and everlasting God, make us bear towards Thee always a devoted will, and serve Thy majesty with a sincere heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

  

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that we, who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have ascended on this day into heaven, may also ourselves dwell in mind amid heavenly things. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

EPISTLE ¤ I Peter 4. 7-11

Lesson from the first Epistle of Blessed Peter the Apostle.

[Let us watch and pray in faith and charity, awaiting the descent of the Holy Ghost.]

Dearly beloved, Be prudent and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity coevereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring: as every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God: if any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ our Lord.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 46. 9

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Regnavit Dominus super omnes gentes: Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam. Alleluia. V.: Non vos relinquam orphanos: vado, et venio ad vos, et gaudebit cor vestrum. Alleluia.                

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: The Lord hath reigned over all the nations; God sitteth on His holy throne. Alleluia. V.: (John. 14. 18). I will not leave you orphans: I go away, and I come unto you, and your heart shall rejoice. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ¤ John 15. 26, 27; 16: 1-4

† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

[Our Lord Jesus Christ promised that He would send the Holy Ghost.]

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: When the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, He shall give testimony of Me: and you shall give testimony because you are with Me from the beginning. These things I have spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to God. And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But these things I have told you, that, when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.

OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 65. 8, 9, 20

Ascendit Deus in jubilatione: et Dominus in voce tubae, alleluia.                

God is ascended with a shout, and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet, alleluia.

SECRETS.--May these spotless Sacrifices purify us, O Lord, and give to our minds the strength of heavenly grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who . . .

  

Accept, O Lord, the gifts we offer up to Thee, for the glorious Ascension of Thy Son: and mercifully grant that we may be freed from present perils and attain unto everlasting life. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity

PREFACE

Preface for Ascension

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Qui post resurrectionem suam omnibus discipulis suis manifestus apparuit, et ipsis cernentibus est elevatus in coelum, ut nos divinitatis suae tribueret esse participes. Et idio cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia coelistis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:                

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Who, after His Resurrection, appeared openly to all His disciples, and, while they looked on, was taken up into heaven, that He might grant unto us to be sharers in His own divinity. And therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

SPECIAL FORM OF COMMUNICANTES

Communicantes for the Ascension

Communicantes, et diem sacratissimum celebrantes, quo Dominus noster, unigenitus Filius tuus, untiam sibi fragilitatis nostrae substantium, in gloriae tuae dextera collocavit; sed et memoriam venerantes, in primis gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genitricis ejusdem Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: set et . . .                

Communicating, and keeping this most holy day on which Thine only-begotten Son our Lord set at the right hand of Thy glory the substance of our frail human nature, which He had taken to Himself; and also reverencing the memory, first, of the glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also . . .

COMMUNION ¤ John 17. 12, 13, 15

Pater, cum essem cum eis, ego servabam eos, quos dedisti mihi, alleluia: nunc autem ad te venio: non rogo, ut tolla eos de mundo, sed ut serves eos a malo, alleluia, alleluia.                

Father, while I was with them, I kept them whom Thou gavest Me, alleluia; but now I come to Thee: I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from evil, alleluia, alleluia.

POSTCOMMUNION.--Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that being filled with Thy sacred gifts, we may ever remain in thanksgiving for them. Through our Lord . . .

  

Grant to us, we beseech Thee, almighty and merciful God, that we may obtain the invisible effects of that which we have shared by communion in visible Mysteries. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

(The priest may also use the Propers of the Solemnity of the Ascension if he will offer an External Solemnity.)

Ordinary Form

External Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ

Lesson: Acts 1:1-11

The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.

For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.

They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel? But he said to them: It is not for you to know the time or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments. Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven.

Responsorial: Ps. 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

O clap your hands, all ye nations:

shout unto God with the voice of joy,

For the Lord is high, terrible:

a great king over all the earth.

God is ascended with jubilee,

and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

Sing praises to our God, sing ye:

sing praises to our king, sing ye.

For God is the king of all the earth:

sing ye wisely.

God shall reign over the nations:

God sitteth on his holy throne.

Epistle: Eph. 1:17-23

Brethren: The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your heart enlightened that you may know what the hope is of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power, Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places. Above all principality and power and virtue and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And he hath subjected all things under his feet and hath made him head over all the church, Which is his body and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.

Gospel: Mt. 28:16-20

And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying:

All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. 

(Optional:  After the Gospel, the paschal candle, a figure of the risen Christ, is extinguished.)

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REFLECTIONS AND INSIGHTS 

Jesus disappeared in our sight, but He never left us. In fact, He became more present than ever.

This is the reason why He have established the Sacraments: so that the countenance of His Father be reflected to Him whose Name makes efficacious the Sacraments He established; and by the Holy Spirit promised by Him, all who receive these would be holy and pleasing to God almighty, or at least bring them closer to being such.

The Glorious Ascension of our Lord only means that our Lord has not only called Israel to His flock (though they still possess the title of being the "Chosen People") but the whole world that He have created in the beginning. The Mass is that sign of unity. Because of His ascension to His heavenly throne, we can clearly see Him together with the Angels and the Saints, as we behold the bread and wine that became the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of that same Lord who possessed His throne in heaven. In reaction to this great mystery, we also have set up thrones for Him here on earth--the Tabernacles in our churches and chapels--so that whoever would like to converse with the King of kings may freely do so.

In fact, the Mass should be the most compelling argument that would dispel the common thought that Christ have left us, because He said: "I will be with you always until the end of days."

The apostles and the Blessed Mother witnessed how Jesus, in His own power, returned to the right of the Father. They were given a command: To go and preach whatever they have learned and witnessed firsthand to the whole world. This they did, but before that, they also waited for the promised Paraclete to arrive. Why? The apostles are cowardly men to execute the final order their Master have said. But even if we say this, The Lord already knew that they would need courage. They chose to be brave, yet the resolve is only half of the story. For nine days, they prayed for this Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity to come. And He indeed came, granting them what they need to go forth and preach the Gospel to all nations.

In the midst of the Apostles was Mary. Being the Mother of their Master, her motherly presence compelled the Twelve (the Eleven have already elected Matthias as replacement to Judas) to trust on her Son that the Holy Spirit will indeed come. Maybe she have been an important part of this self-imposed vigil because she was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit when she conceived Jesus. Only this time, being His Spouse, she became the beacon of this same Spirit. The Apostles have prayed (and may have also fasted) within these nine days with Mary as they awaited the Holy Spirit.

So what does this imply to us?

Simple. We should always give thanks to God for all that He have given us. His death destroyed eternal death. His resurrection restored eternal life. His possession of glory invites us to choose bravery in this world of cowardice and persecution. We must never employ the thought that Jesus left us in order to fight and die without any cause. In fact, if Jesus can speak the modern parlance of the day, He may have said to us: "Been there. Done that. Don't worry, I'll be with you."

One final thought: The angels have spoken to the Apostles told them: "This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven." As we return our focus on the Mass, we will notice that these blessed words would materialise as the priest, stretching his hands over the oblations, invokes the Father that the Holy Spirit may come down in order for these holy gifts to become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, He came down to the altar, to the hands of the priest, in like manner as He ascended into the heavens.

And so we ask: Will I choose to be brave by proclaiming the Gospel as the Apostles and as the Saints did?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that we, who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have ascended on this day into heaven, may also ourselves dwell in mind amid heavenly things.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen. 

Propers of the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite

The Ascension of Our Lord (White, Double 1st Class with Privileged Octave of the 3rd Order)

[Station at St. Peter's]

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 138. 18, 5, 6

Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini auspicentes in coelum? alleluia: quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in coelum, ita veniet, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini . . .

Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? alleluia. He shall so come as you have seen Him going up into heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 44. 2). O clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God, with the voice of exultation. V.: Glory to the Father . . . -- Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you . . .


COLLECT.--Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that we, who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have ascended on this day into heaven, may also ourselves dwell in mind amid heavenly things. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .



EPISTLE ¤ Acts 1. 1-11
Lesson from the Acts of the Apostles.

[Our Lord's instructions to His disciples. Ascension into Heaven of Our Lord.]

The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the Apostles whom He had chosen, He was taken up: to whom also He showed Himself alive after His Passion by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them and speaking of the Kingom of God. And eating together with them, He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith He) by My mouth; for John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. They therefore who were come together asked Him, saying: Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel? But He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments which the Father hath put in His own power: but you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. And when He had said these things, while they looked on, He was raised up: and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they were beholding Him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments, who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen Him going into heaven.



GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 46. 6

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Ascendit Deus in jubilatione, et Dominus in voce tubae. Alleluia. V.: Dominus in Sina in sancto, ascendens in altum captivam duxit captivitatem. Alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: God is ascended with a shout, and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Alleluia. V.: (Ps. 67. 18). The Lord is in Sinai, in the holy place; ascending on high He hath led captivity captive.


GOSPEL ¤ Mark 16. 14-20
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

[Instructions of Our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples: He sends them into the whole world to preach the Gospel.]

At that time Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and He upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen Him after He was risen again. And He said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached everywhere, the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

   After the Gospel of the High Mass, the paschal candle, a figure of the risen Christ, is extinguished. It is not lighted again, except for the blessing of the baptismal font, on the Vigil of Pentecost.



OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 46. 6

Ascendit Deus in jubilatione, et Dominus in voce tubae, alleluia.

God is ascended with a shout, and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet, alleluia.


SECRET.--Accept, O Lord, the gifts we offer up to Thee, for the glorious Ascension of Thy Son: and mercifully grant that we may be freed from present perils and attain unto everlasting life. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity . . .



PREFACE
Preface for Ascension

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Qui post resurrectionem suam omnibus discipulis suis manifestus apparuit, et ipsis cernentibus est elevatus in coelum, ut nos divinitatis suae tribueret esse participes. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia coelistis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Who, after His Resurrection, appeared openly to all His disciples, and, while they looked on, was taken up into heaven, that He might grant unto us to be sharers in His own divinity. And therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:


SPECIAL FORM OF COMMUNICANTES
Communicantes for the Ascension

Communicantes, et diem sacratissimum celebrantes, quo Dominus noster, unigenitus Filius tuus, unitam sibi fragilitatis nostrae substantiam, in gloriae tuae dextera collocavit; sed et memoriam venerantes, in primis gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genitricis ejusdem Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: set et . . .

Communicating, and keeping this most holy day on which Thine only-begotten Son our Lord set at the right hand of Thy glory the substance of our frail human nature, which He had taken to Himself; and also reverencing the memory, first, of the glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also . . .


COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 67. 33, 34

Psallite Domino, qui ascendit super coelos coelorum ad Orientem, alleluia.

Sing ye to the Lord, who mounteth above the heaven of heavens to the East, alleluia.


POSTCOMMUNION.--Grant to us, we beseech Thee, almighty and merciful God, that we may obtain the invisible effects of that which we have shared by communion in visible Mysteries. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .



NOVENA PRECEDING THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

   To all faithful who devoutly participate at a public Novena held in honor of the Holy Ghost, is granted: Indulgence of 10 years each day. -- Plenary, if they were present at least five times at these exercises, under the usual conditions, and with a prayer for the intention of His Holiness.
   To those, however, who shall perform privately these exercises, with the intention to do so nine consecutive days, is granted: Indulgence of 7 years, once a day. -- Plenary, on the usual conditions, for the complete novena and if they are hindered by any reasonable cause from performing this exercise in public.. -- P. P. O. n. 263.

The Holy Spirit asked and promised: Retrospect for May 25th 2014

As we near the Feast of the Ascension and the Solemnity of Pentecost, our Lord Jesus Christ promised the Apostles the Holy Spirit. But He reminded them that they should ask for the Spirit's advent to the individual soul and let Him dwell upon their hearts as His throne and temple.

Such insight is what we have heard today.

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READINGS AND PROPERS

Extraordinary Form (Fifth Sunday after Easter - White, Semi-double)

INTROIT ¤ Isaias 68. 20

Vocem jucunditatis annuntiate, et audiatur, alleluia: annuntiate usque ad extremum terrae: liberavit Dominus populum suum, alleluia, alleluia. -- Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, psalmum dicite Nomini ejus: date gloriam laudi ejus. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Vocem jucunditatis . . .                

Declare it with the voice of joy, and make it known, alleluia: declare it even to the ends of the earth: The Lord hath delivered His people, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 65. 1, 2). Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His Name: give glory to His praise. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Declare it with the voice of joy . . .

COLLECT.--O God, from whom all good things do come, grant unto us, Thy suppliant people, that by Thine inspiration, we may think what is right, and under Thy guidance perform the same. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE ¤ James 1. 22-27 Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed James the Apostle.

[Let us follow the perfect law of liberty; the precepts of God and the Church; and God will bless us in our deeds.]

Dearly beloved, Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass: for he beheld himself and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work: this man shall be blessed in his deed. And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is in vain. Religion clean and undefiled before God and Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation, and to keep one's self unspotted from this world.

GRADUAL

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Surrexit Christus, et illuxit nobis, quos redemit Sanguine suo. Alleluia. V.: Exivi a Patre, et veni in mundum: iterum relinquo mundum, et vado ad Patrem. Alleluia.                

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Christ is risen, and hath shone upon us, whom He redeemed with His blood. Alleluia. V.: (John. 16. 28). I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world and go back to the Father. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ¤ John 16. 23-30

† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

[Let us ask of God, from whom all good things come, by the merits of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, spritual and temporal graces.]

At that time Jesus saith to His disciples: Amen, Amen, I say to you: if you ask the Father any thing in My Name, He will give it to you. Hitherto you have not asked any thing in My Name: Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask in My Name; and I say not to you that I will ask the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world; again I leave the world and I go to the Father. His disciples say to Him: Behold, now Thou speakest plainly and speakest no proverb. Now we know that Thou knowest all things and Thou needest not that any man should ask Thee: by this we believe that Thou camest forth from God.

OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 65. 8, 9, 20

Benedicite, gentes, Dominum Deum nostrum, et obaudite vocem laudis ejus: qui posuit animam meam ad vitam, et non dedit commoveri pedes meos: benedictus Dominus, qui non amovit deprecationem meam, et misericordiam suam a me, alleluia.                

O bless the Lord our God, ye peoples, and make the voice of His praise to be heard: Who hath set my soul to live, and hath not suffered my feet to be moved. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me, alleluia.

SECRET.--Accept, O Lord, the prayers of Thy faithful, together with the gifts they offer: that by these offices of loving devotion, we may enter into heavenly glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . . .

PREFACE

Preface for Easter

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, te quidem Domine omni tempore, sed in hoc potissimum gloriosius praedicare, cum Pascha nostrum immolatus est Christus. Ipse enim verus est Agnus qui abstulit peccata mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriendo destruxit, et vitam resurgendo reparavit. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omnia milita coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:                

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously at this time above others when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

COMMUNION ¤ John 16. 8

Cantate Domino, alleluia: cantate Domino, et benedicite nomen ejus: bene nuntiate de die in diem salutare ejus, alleluia, alleluia.                

Sing unto the Lord, alleluia; sing unto the Lord, and bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day, alleluia, alleluia.

POSTCOMMUNION.--Grant to us, O Lord, that filled with strength from this heavenly table, we may both desire what is right, and obtain that which we desire. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . . .

Ordinary Form

(Sixth Sunday of Easter)

Lesson: Acts 8:5-8;14-17 (5-17)

In those days: Philip[1], going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did. For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out. And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.

There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one: To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great. And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices. But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also and, being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.

Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost.

Responsorial: Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Shout with joy to God, all the earth,

Sing ye a psalm to his name; give glory to his praise.

Say unto God, How terrible are thy works, O Lord!

in the multitude of thy strength

thy enemies shall lie to thee.

Let all the earth adore thee, and sing to thee:

let it sing a psalm to thy name.

Come and see the works of God;

who is terrible in his counsels over the sons of men.

Who turneth the sea into dry land,

in the river they shall pass on foot:

there shall we rejoice in him.

Who by his power ruleth for ever:

his eyes behold the nations;

let not them that provoke him be exalted in themselves.

I will offer up to thee holocausts full of marrow,

with burnt offerings of rams:

I will offer to thee bullocks with goats.

Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer,

nor his mercy from me.

Epistle: I Pt. 3:15-18

Dearly beloved: Sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer than doing ill. Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit.

Gospel: Jn 14:15-21

At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father: and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever: The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him.

But you shall know him; because he shall abide with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more. But you see me: because I live, and you shall live.

In that day you shall know that I am in my Father: and you in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him and will manifest myself to him.

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[1] - Philip - refers to St. Philip the Deacon, one of the Church's first deacons; ordained by the Apostles themselves alongside St. Stephen (see Acts 6).

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RETROSPECT 

Counting down the days before the Glorious Ascension at the right-hand of God the Father, the Lord--the Second Person of the Holy Trinity--promised to send the Holy Spirit--the Third Person of that same Trinity--to the Apostles, and eventually, to the world through the ministry of the Church.

Two simple things can be substantiated in these Readings and Propers:

The Extraordinary Form readings call upon all Christians to "be doers of the word" and ask for the Holy Spirit to dwell upon them so that they may bravely and boldly say "...We believe that Thou camest forth from God...that Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God" (cf. Jn. 16:30, Matt. 16:16).

Meanwhile, the Ordinary Form tackles on three sub-points:

First, the gift of the Holy Spirit. He who sanctifies the Church came down to the Apostles as tongues of fire as He extends His reign to all mankind, as the Lesson from the Acts stated. In particular, we recall that the Apostles received the fullness of the virtues, gifts, and fruits of the Paraclete--which was passed down to worthy men who would succeed them; and in this regard, we see the specific function of the three Holy Orders of diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate. Philip the Deacon can baptise in the name of the Blessed Trinity, but only the Apostles Peter and John, who came to the Samaritans to greet the newly-baptised brethren, can dispense the virtues, gifts, and fruits of the Holy Spirit by anointing them and by laying their hands on them.

Sounds familiar? It is because these are one of the passages that pertain to the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

Secondly, the result of the Holy Spirit's benefits. The Epistle of St. Peter read today contains in part the primary verse why Catholics are to be involved in the propagation of the faith through social advocacies, the experience of the sense of the sacred, and apologetics. However, in the latter category, I personally am disappointed with the attitude of some of those who are "apologists" and their fans and followers, especially in social media. Although I understand that they were harshly treated by those who disagree with us in specific matters of the faith, it seems some have gone overboard because of how they retaliate to these situations. But if you think at this point that I am singling out apologetics and the people behind it who are Filipinos, you are entirely wrong. In fact, there are also defects in the strategies, attitude, and lifestyle of some of those who are involved in the work of the Church in the other two major categories. It just so happened that the Epistle today tackles with apologetics.

For all three, it seems to me (and I hope I am wrong) that they forgot to read the following verses which centered on how we can relate our suffering in the propagation of the faith. It is high time that this should be considered. I cannot give you all the details about this topic, but I would surely compose an open letter come Pentecost regarding this fiasco.

Finally, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. Of course, it was first promised to the Apostles so that they may be the inspiration and example of all who would subsequently adhere to their teachings regarding their Master and Lord. But as time passed by, the Holy Spirit continually sanctifies Holy Mother Church, Christ's Bride, through the presence of the Sacraments. These are not just the holiest of benefits a Christian must avail in his lifetime, but, in themselves, the Sacraments also serve as benefits from the Holy Spirit.

In a personal note, the Year of the Laity is something that must be taken seriously by us lay Catholics. Not only does it highlight our crucial role for the glory of God and for the good of His holy Church, but the theme "Choose to be brave" is a challenge for us to be such: To visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation and to boldly prepare to satisfy everyone who asks about the hope which is in us with modesty and fear of the Lord.

In summary, this is the bottom line: When we pray, we do not merely advance our own interests. In fact, we must advance first the interests of God by glorifying Him and the interests of other people of good will by supporting them, then we can ask for our own intentions. In fact, there is an acronym which perfectly summarizes this thought: JOY (Jesus, Others, You, in that order). Heck, maybe this thought should be something Christians should dearly rememeber every time we pray. But, we also have to do our part in order to obtain what we ask for. This is the reason why the Benedictines have a motto in their monastic life: "Ora et labora." Pray and work.

It is also the same if we would like to ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of all faithful as His temples.

And so we ask: Will I choose to be brave by being a doer of the word by giving witness to the hope that is within me, which is the Resurrected Christ? Am I brave enough to cry out "Come Holy Spirit" and trust Jesus who promised His advent in us?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT

O God, from whom all good things do come, grant unto us, Thy suppliant people, that by Thine inspiration, we may think what is right, and under Thy guidance perform the same.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen.

Readings and Propers for May 18th 2014

Fourth Sunday after Easter (White, Semi-double)


INTROIT ¤ Ps. 97. 1, 2

Cantate Domino canticum novum, alleluia: quia mirabilia fecit Dominus, alleluia: ante conspectum gentium revelavit justitiam suam, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- Salvabit sibi dextera ejus: et brachium sanctum ejus. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Cantate Domino canticum novum, alleluia . . .

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, alleluia, for the Lord hath done wonderful things, alleluia; He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 97. 1). His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, alleluia . . .


COLLECT.--O God, who makest the faithful to be of one mind and will: grant to Thy people to love that which Thou dost command and to desire that which Thou dost promise, that amid the changes of the world, our hears may there be fixed where true joys are to be found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .



EPISTLE ¤ James 1. 17-21
Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed James the Apostle.

[Let us receive with meekness the word of truth which is able to save our souls.]

Dearly beloved, Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of His own will hath He begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of His creature. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear but slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.


GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 117. 16

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Dextera Domini fecit virtutem: dextera Domini exaltavit me. Alleluia. V.: Christus resurgens ex mortuis, jam non moritur: mors illi ultra non dominabitur. Alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia. V.: The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength, the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me. Alleluia. V.: (Rom. 6. 9). Christ, rising from the dead, dieth now no more: death shall no more have dominion over Him. Alleluia.


GOSPEL ¤ John 16. 5-14
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

[Our Lord will send from heaven to His Church the Spirit of truth. The Holy Ghost will unite all hearts, will teach them all truth.]

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: I go to Him that sent Me: and none of you asketh Me: Whither goest Thou? But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He is come, He will convince the world of sin, and of justice and of judgment. Of sin, because they believed not in Me: and of justice, because I go to the Father, and you shall see Me no longer: and of judgment, because the prince of this world is already judged. I have yet many things to say to you; but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will teach you all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself: but what things soever He shall hear He shall speak, and the things that are to come, He shall show you. He shall glorify Me: because He shall receive of Mine and shall show it to you.


OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 65. 1, 2, 16

Jubilate Deo universa terra, psalmum dicite nomini ejus: venite et audite, et narrabo vobis, omnes qui temetis Deum, quanta fecit Dominus animae meae, alleluia.

Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His Name: come and hear, and I will tell you, all ye that fear God, what great things the Lord hath done for my soul, alleluia.


SECRET.--O God, who by the holy intercourse of this Sacrifice dost make us partakers of the One Supreme Godhead: grant, we beseech Thee, that as we know Thy truth, so we may follow it by worthy lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .


PREFACE
Preface for Easter

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, te quidem Domine omni tempore, sed in hac potissimum gloriosis praedicare, cum Pascha nostrum immolatus est Christus. Ipse enim verus est Angus qui abstulit peccata mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriendo destruxit, et vitam resurgendo reparavit. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omnia milita coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously at this time above others when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:


COMMUNION ¤ John 16. 8

Cum venerit Paraclitus Spiritus veritatis, ille arguet mundum de peccato et de justitia, et de judicio, alleluia, alleluia.

When the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will convince the world of sin, and of justice and of judgment, alleluia, alleluia.


POSTCOMMUNION.--Be present with us, O Lord our God, that by means of these things which we have received in faith, we may be cleansed from our sins and also delivered from all dangers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

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Fifth Sunday of Easter


Lesson: ACTS 6:1-7

In those days: As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.


Responsorial: PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R: (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.


Exult, ye just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.


Epistle: 1 PT 2:4-9

Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture:
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone, and
A stone that will make people stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.

You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.


Gospel: JN 14:1-12

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”


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SHORT REFLECTION 

The Lord assures us, as we count the days of His glorious ascension to His heavenly throne, that He will never leave His friends orphaned as He promises the advent of the Holy Spirit upon them, the infant Church. He also exhorted that since He and the Father are one, and that They will send Their Holy Spirit upon the Eleven, and eventually to Matthias, the same Spirit would always lead them to Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.

The Shepherd speaks: Reflections and insights for May 11th, 2014

...And so, I missed another opportunity to do a reflection last week. But being with my family is a musch better way to enjoy the weekend, so I hope you don't mind.

To retrospect, last week the Ordinary Form readings focus on the Eucharist and how the Church is being known to celebrate the Sacrifice on Calvary through the breaking of the bread; thanks to the Lord who opened the eyes of the two disciples in Emmaus. The week that was also brought a very disturbing news: that some students of Harvard University will execute a "Black Mass", which is the Satanic perversion of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Archdiocese of Boston vehemently condemns this act of blasphemy.

Now for this week, the Old Rite focuses on the last weeks of Christ before His glorious possession of His heavenly throne at the right hand of His Father. Meanwhile, the Ordinary Form dedicates the Fourth Sunday in Eastertide as "Good Shepherd Sunday" as the Gospel for this particular week deals with Jesus being the Good Shepherd of His flock, which was the focus of the celebration in the Extraordinary Form last week.

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READINGS AND PROPERS

Extraordinary Form (Third Sunday after Easter)

Third Sunday after Easter (White, Semi-double)

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 65. 1, 2

Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, alleluia: psalmum dicite nomini ejus, alleluia: date gloriam laudi ejus, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- Dicite Deo, quam terribilia sunt opera tua, Domine. In multitudine virtutis tuae mentientur tibi inimici tui. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Jubilate Deo, omnis terra . . .                

Shout with joy to God, all the earth, alleluia: sing ye a psalm to His Name, alleluia: give glory to His praise, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 65. 3). Say unto God: How terrible are Thy works, O Lord! In the multitude of Thy strength Thine enemies shall lie to Thee. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Shout with joy to God . . .

COLLECT.--O God, who to those that go astray dost show the light of Thy truth, that they may return to the path of justice: grant that all who are enrolled in the Christian faith, may both spurn all that is hostile to that name, and follow after what is fitting to it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE ¤ I. Peter 2. 11-19

Lesson from the first Epistle of Blessed Peter the Apostle.

[We are as strangers; Christians should reject the things which are hostile to their name, and follow those which are becoming to it.]

Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul, having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation. Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake: whether it be to the king as excelling, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good: for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. Honor all men: love the brotherhood: fear God: honor the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy before God: in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 110. 9

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Redemptionem misit Dominus populo suo. Alleluia. V.: Oportebat pati Christum, et resurgere a mortuis: et ita intrare in gloriam suam. Alleluia.                

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: The Lord hath sent redemption to His people. Alleluia. V.: (Luke 24. 46). It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, and so to enter into His glory. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ¤ John 16. 16-22

† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

[The Church sees Jesus in His triumphant entry into heaven.]

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: A little while, and now you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me: because I go to the Father. Then some of His disciples said one to another: What is this that He saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me, and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore: What is this that He saith, A little while? We know not what He speaketh. And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask Him. And He said to them: Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: A little while, and you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me? Amen, amen, i say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow: but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice: and your joy no man shall take from you.

OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 145. 2

Lauda, anima mea, Dominum: laudabo Dominum in vita mea: psallam Deo meo, quamdiu ero, alleluia.                

Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have being, alleluia.

SECRET.--Grant, O Lord, by these Mysteries, that checking our earthly longings, we may learn to love heavenly things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth . . .

PREFACE

Preface for Easter

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, te quidem Domine omni tempore, sed in hac potissimum gloriosis praedicare, cum Pascha nostrum immolatus est Christus. Ipse enim verus est Angus qui abstulit peccata mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriendo destruxit, et vitam resurgendo reparavit. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omnia milita coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:                

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously at this time above others when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

COMMUNION ¤ John 16. 16

Modicum, et non videbitis me, alleluia: iterum modicum, et videbitis me, quia vado ad Patrem, alleluia, alleluia.                

A little while, and you shall not see Me, alleluia; and again a little while, and you shall see Me, because I go to the Father, alleluia, alleluia.

POSTCOMMUNION.--May the Sacraments which we have received, we beseech Thee, O Lord, renew us with spiritual refreshment and defend us with bodily help. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . . .

Ordinary Form (Sunday of the Good Shepherd)

Lesson: Acts 2:14a, 36:41 (14-41)

In those days: Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them:

Let all the house of Israel know most certainly that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified. Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren? But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call. And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation. They therefore that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

Responsorial: Ps. 23: 1-2a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord ruleth me:

and I shall want nothing.

He hath set me

in a place of pasture.

He hath led me on the paths of justice,

for his own name's sake.

For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evils, for thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.

Thou hast prepared a table before me

against them that afflict me.

Thou hast anointed my head with oil;

and my chalice which inebreateth me, how goodly is it!

And thy mercy will follow me

all the days of my life.

And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

unto length of days.

Epistle: I Pt. 2:20b-25

Brethren: If doing well you suffer patiently: this is thankworthy before God. For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not, but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly. Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

Gospel: Jn. 10:1-10

At that time: Jesus said to the Pharisees: Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear his voice. And he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out. And when he hath let out his own sheep, he goeth before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers. This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke.

Jesus therefore said to them again: Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not. I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in and go out, and shall find pastures. The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly.

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REFLECTIONS AND INSIGHTS

The Psalmist declared: "The Lord is my Shepherd..." (23:1). In return, the Lord affirmed: "I AM the Good Shepherd." (Jn. 10:11)

We are now a few weeks away from the end of the Easter Season, and we are reminded that as Jesus is the God-with-us and He will be with us until the end of age (Is. 7:14; Mt. 28:20), He affirms to us that He will indeed shepherd us through the Church He have built upon a fisherman who became its Rock.

All the lessons and epistle readings are taken from St. Peter's speaking parts in the Acts of the Apostles and in his two Epistles in the New Testament. Being the visible shepherd of the Church, Peter exhorts the first Christians to imitate his Master and Lord, as he is attempting in his own lifetime (though in his martyrdom preferred to be crucified upside down for he is unworthy to die on the way his Master died). We see Peter's role here as the shepherd of the flock of Jesus which is the primary basis of Papal Authority.

As mentioned earlier, the theme of the Gospel today in the Ordinary Form is last week's theme in the Extraordinary. And in both instances, we can say that it is a good practice to pray for holy vocations today; that we are invited, nay, compelled to pray for young men (Yours Truly included) to choose to be brave by choosing the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ according to the order of Melchisedech.

(Seriously. Pray for me since I am still discerning what vocation to take.)

Today, the secular world celebrates "Mothers' Day" in honor to the woman of the hearth. The Christian adaptation (or should I say "perspective") of this day is that it is dedicated primarily to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and Mother of the Church. It is, indeed, a great coincidence that "Mothers' Day" is always celebrated every second Sunday of May, and that May is the month dedicated to Mary.

We have to take into context why the Mother of Jesus is highly exalted above all creatures. We take the example of Solomon, the ancestor of Jesus and successor of David as King of Israel, when he bowed to his mother Bethsabee as she entered the throne room. And "Bethsabee came to king Solomon...: and the king arose to meet her, and bowed to her, and sat down upon his throne: and a throne was set for the king's mother, and she sat on his right hand. And she said to him: I desire one small petition of thee; do not put me to confusion. And the king said to her: My mother ask, for I must not turn away thy face." (I Kings 2:19-20).

We all know that Jesus has divine wisdom, and that He is God, and that God is charity. But maybe we can also say that Mary taught Jesus of one thing that inspired Him to say that He is the Good Shepherd: and that is charity.

The character of the Good Shepherd is personified in Jesus Christ. The Good Shepherd is wiling to lose his life for all his sheep and to leave the ninety-nine in his flock to find the lost one. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, redeemed us through death. Jesus , the Good Shepherd, is eager to find lost souls and incorporate him to the flock.

Thanks to His willingness to belong to His flock, as well as heeding the motherly advice of Mary, Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

In a personal note, aside from the motherly image of Mary carrying the Infant Jesus, I am also at awe whenever I see the image of Jesus being the Good Shepherd. The care that a shepherd has compels me to go to confession every time I fall from the state of grace. This is because the Good Shepherd is a very providing one, even to the point that He feeds His own flock with Himself through the Holy Eucharist!

So the bottom line is this: We are compelled to be the sheep of the Lord's flock since it is He who shepherds us that gave us the opportunity to live, even if we do not deserve to. We must bravely and joyfully follow our Good Shepherd, then, as we walk in the valley of death. We must bravely walk with Mary as she guides us to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in these trying times where this perverse generation rule the world.

And so we ask: Will I choose to be brave by following Jesus through a vocation? Will I bravely  profess my devotion to Mary as this month is dedicated to her?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT

O God, who to those that go astray dost show the light of Thy truth, that they may return to the path of justice: grant that all who are enrolled in the Christian faith, may both spurn all that is hostile to that name, and follow after what is fitting to it. Lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen.

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GREETING

A year ago, in one of my defunct blogs, I have made a statement; and it is worth reposting here today:

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Some heroes, leaders, and ordinary people of the Catholic faith expressed their love for Mary that they can be considered as "Mama's boys". St. Louis de Montfort, Fr. James Reuter, [St.] John Paul II, and even Pope Francis have extraordinary devotions to the Blessed Mother, so it can be said that they are "Mama's boys".

And even the Lord Jesus can be considered as the true Mama's Boy. Well, we all know the story why.

I can also say I am one of them. The reason? For all my life, and in eternity, I would always have a mother. I have a mom who supported my college education, and continued to support my search for a career or a vocation. Patriotic as I would like to be, I consider the land of my youth as my Motherland. I am also a Catholic who dedicated myself for the glory of God through Holy Mother Church, and, hopefully, when this sinner would be in the state of grace when he dies, he would have Mary for his Mother for eternity.

To the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Holy Mother Church, to Inang Bayan, to the countless mothers out there, and in a special way, to my mom, HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!

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