ST PAUI Year 32 No. 24 LS MEDIA 2nd Sunday of Advent (C) — Violet pastoral ministr: AM BUHAY Den. * TV MARIA © 8:30AM FOLLOW US ON HiAcEROOK © EBoulibe 7:00PM issalette December 9, 2018 Prepare the Way of the Lord! n this Second Sunday of Advent, our Gospel reading re-echoes the reason for this sacred season: prepare the way of the Lord! Thisis the clarion call of John who preached in the whole region around the Jordan River. In baptizing the people he calls them to repent that they may be forgiven, because the Lord is coming. These words are also addressed to us as we ourselves prepare forthe coming oftheLord on Christmas Day. Yet John the Baptist does not only calll us to repentance. He exhorts us to make the path of the Lord straight, to have mountain and hills laid low, and the crooked made straight. We are told to look into ourhearts and souls, recognize our sins, to clear them through repentance and forgiveness, so that the Lord may enter our hearts straightway when hecomes. That same message of repentance and forgiveness was proclaimed by the prophet Baruch to the people of Israel at the time when they “werecarried away by their enemies” into exile while King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon razed the holy city of Jerusalem. A time will come, Baruch said, when the people of Israel would nolonger mourn in sorrow and suffer affliction. If they repent and are forgiven, Yahweh will return them from east and west to Jerusalem in great glory. Jerusalem will rise again and be festively dressed with righteousness and peace. The readings today indicate two ways of preparing the way of the Lord as he comes on Christmas day: (1) to repent for our sins and be forgiven; (2) and to have the same attitude of Christ—humble, unselfish, without conceit, considering others as better than one’s self, and looking after theinterests of others; in sum, being genuinely kind and loving to others. St. Paul waxes poetic when he describes the mind of Jesus whom we should imitate: “Though he was in the form of God...he emptied himself, taking the form ofa slave being born in human likeness...he humbled himself and became obedient tothe point of death— even death on a cross’ This is the kenosis of Jesus the Lord and Savior, his self- emptying and self-sacrifice for our sake. He points the way by which we fulfill our vocation to be holy, to be in constant union with Christ. The way to holinessis this: have the mind of Christ. Through sacrifice, empty yourself of pride and selfishness. Be humble and truly love and serve others. Itis Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, who is the example of ‘the way of the Lord” "Behold, | am the handmaid of the Lord,” Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your Word” (Lk 1:38). She is the humble maiden of Advent. —Orlando B, Cardinal Quevedo, OMI Archbishop of Cotabato Pastoral Catechesis for the Year of the Youth Solan Aways wtih You! | — Fr James H. Kroeger, MM, Pope Francis, in his 2017 letter to the youth of the world, speaks about the “mission command” given to Abraham. He says: “lam reminded of the words which God spoke to Abraham: ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that | will show you’ (Gen 12:1).” Francis asserts: “These words are now addressed to you [the youth]. They are the words of a Father who invites you to ‘go! to set out towards a future which is unknown but one which will surely lead to fulfillment, a future towards which He Himself accompanies you. | invite you to hear God’s voice resounding in your heart through the breath of the Holy Spirit.” Indeed, Abraham “received a compelling invitation, a challenge, to leave everything and go to a new land.” And so, we ask: “Whatis this ‘new land’ for us today, if not a more just and friendly society, which you, young people, deeply desire and wish to build to the very ends of the earth?” Clearly Pope Francis is challenging the youth to engage in building a “new society” based on love, justice, fraternity, and peace!Tacit ca Entrance Antiphon (Cf. 1s 30:19, 30) (Recited when there is no opening song) O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart. Lighting of the Advent Candle (The lighting of the second canile of the Advent wreath may be made after the entrance song, with the following or similar prayer) P —Father, as we journey on this Advent road, we relight the candle of hope, and we light a candle of peace. Grant us the courage to make peace: peace in our hearts, peace in ‘our homes, and peace in our country. All— Amen, Greeting (The sign ofthe 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 — The Second Sunday of Advent reminds us that the ancient promises are going to be fulfilled here and now. Together with John the Baptist, let us be ready and prepare the way of the Lord. May we acknowledge our sinfulness and our pride, and be pure and blameless for the day of the Lord is near athand. 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 fight hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy. All—Lord, havemercy. P — May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. All— Amen. (During Advent, the Gloria is omitted ) Collect P—Let us pray. (Pause) Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. All— Amen. rae First Reading (Bar 5:1-9] (Sit) The prophet Baruch portrays Jerusalem as a mother longing to gather her children from exile. Jerusalem is invited to stop mourning because God will make her children return to her. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Baruch JERUSALEM, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace ot justice, the glory of God's worship. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God's command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company. —The word of the Lord. All —Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 126) R — The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. E.C. Marfori " D B/D# r Em ee a ate The Lord has done great things, eee forus; ACH D pitt we are filled with joy. 4. When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,/ we were like men dreaming./ Then our mouth was filled with laughter/ and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) 2. Then they said among the nations,/ “The LORD has done great things for them."/ The Lord has done great things for us:/ we are glad indeed.(R) 3. Restore our fortunes, O LoRD,/ like the torrents in the southern desert./ Those who sow in tears/ shall reap rejoicing. (R) 4. Although they go forth weeping,/ carrying the seed to be sown,/ they shall come back rejoicing,/ carrying their sheaves. (R) Second Reading (Phil 1:4-6, 8-11) The apostle Paul encourages the Christians of Philippi to be “pureand blameless for the day of Christ.” The Christian faith lived injoyand faithfulness is the best preparation for Christ's coming. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians BROTHERS AND SISTERS: | pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. | am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how | long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what isof value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God — The word of the Lord. All — Thanks be to God. Alleluia [Lk 3:4, 6] (Stand) All—Alleluia, alleluia.Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel (Lk 3:1-6) P — A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke All — Glory to you, 0 Lord. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of Fepentance or the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of ‘one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” —The Gospel of the Lord All— Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Homily (sit) Profession of Faith (Siand) All —1 believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heavenand earth, ofall things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made, For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (At the words that follow, up to and including became man, all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For oursake hewas 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 willhave 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. | 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—In longing for the Master's coming, let us pray to the heavenly Father that we may listen to John the Baptist’s cry to prepare the way of the Lord With hope and humility, let us pray: R— Lord, hear our prayer. C — That the leaders of the Church may ever become faithful and active in their prophetic ministry, and lead back those who are led astray because of addictions and commercialism, we pray:(R) C — That political and civil leaders may always seek the way of the Lord by lowering the mountains of corruption and self serving interests, and smoothen the rough ways of violence and hatred, we pray: (R) © — That the sick, the handicapped, and those who suffer spiritually and emotionally may be filled with the consoling presence of the Holy Spirit, we pray: (R) C — That those who are involved in the Youth Ministry may ever become more active in serving God by reaching out to the poor, the victims of injustice and abuses, and the marginalized, we pray: (R) P — Heavenly Father, we humbly beseech you to listen to the prayers of your Church as we prepare with joy for the coming of your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. All— Amen. 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 — Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and, since we have no merits to plead our cause,