May 4, 2025 - Third Sunday of Easter Year C

 

 1st Reading Acts 5:27-32.40-41

     When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” 

     The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name. 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 30

R –I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me!  

 * I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. R.

 * Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his goodwill. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. R. 

 * Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me; O Lord, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. R. 

2nd Reading Rv 5:11-14

     I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” 

     Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” 

     The four living creatures answered, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

 Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Christ is risen, creator of all; he has shown pity on all people. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel - Jn 21:1-19

     At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

     When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Young men, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him,  “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore (only about a hundred yards), dragging the net with the fish. 

     When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hun dred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 

     Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”

27 April 2025 - 2nd Sunday of Easter / Feast of Jesus, King of Divine Mercy (Year C)

 

1st Reading - Acts 5:12-16

    Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s portico. None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. 

     Thus, they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured. 

 Responsorial Psalm - Ps 118 

 R –Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting!

 * Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His mercy endures for ever.” R. 

 * I was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped me. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just. R. 

 * The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. R. 

 2nd Reading - Rv 1:9-11. 12-13.17-19

     I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus. I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s Day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said, “Write on a scroll what you see.” 

     Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. 

     When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the nether world. Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.”

Gospel Acclamation - Jn 20:29 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 “You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me,” says the Lord; “blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!” 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel - Jn 20:19-31

    On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 

     Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 

     Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail-marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

     Now, a week later, his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thom as, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” 

     Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 

     But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

April 20, 2025 EASTER SUNDAY

 

First Reading:   Acts 10:34.37-43

    Peter proceeded to speak and said: “You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 

     This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be seen, not by all the people, but by us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 

     He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Responsorial Psalm:    Ps 118 

R –This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!

 * Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” R. 

 * The right hand of the Lord has struck with power; the right hand of the Lord is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. R. 

 * The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. R. 

 Second Reading:  Col 3:1-4

    Brothers and sisters: 

     If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 

     For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.

Sequence 

 C –With the ancient poet, let us proclaim the joy of Mary Magdalene at Jesus’ resurrection. 

 All –Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer your thankful praises! A Lamb the sheep redeems: Christ, who only is sinless, reconciles sinners to the Father. 

     Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal. 

     Speak, Mary, declaring what you saw, wayfaring. “The tomb of Christ, who is living, the glory of Jesus’ resurrection; bright angels attesting, the shroud and napkin resting. Yes, Christ my hope is arisen: to Galilee he goes before you.”

    Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen! Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation: 1 Cor 5:7-8 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us then feast with joy in the Lord. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel Jn 20:1-9

    On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 

     So Peter and the other disciples went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first. He bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple, who had arrived at the tomb first, also went in. He saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. 

April 13, 2025 - PALM SUNDAY / ALAY KAPWA SUNDAY (Year C)

 

 Part 1: COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM

 Gospel - Lk 19:28-40

     Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, "Why are you untying it?" you will answer, "The Master has need of it."

 So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it" So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount. As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road. And now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." 

    Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"

 Part 2: THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION

First Reading - Is 50:4-7

    The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 

     I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard. My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 

     The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced. I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 22 

R –My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

 * All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if He loves him.” R. 

 * Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me. They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. R. 

 * They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me! R. 

 * I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to  him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” R. 

Second Reading - Phil 2:6-11

    Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness. And found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

     Because of this, God greatly exalted him and be stowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Verse before the Gospel 

 (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!) 
 Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. 
 (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!) 

 Gospel - Lk 23:1-49

 N1 –The elders of the people, chief priests, and scribes arose and brought Jesus before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, 

C –"We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar, and maintains that he is the Christ, a king." 

N1 –Pilate asked him, P –"Are you the king of the Jews?" 

N1 –(Jesus said to him in reply,) 

 J –“You say so.” 

N1 –Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, 

P –"I find this man not guilty." 

N1 –But they were adamant and said, 

 C –"He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee, where he began, even to here." 

N2 –On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. 

N1 –Herod was very glad to see Jesus. He had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned Jesus at length, but he gave him no answer. 

N2 – The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Even Herod and his soldiers treated him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. 

N1 –Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them: 

P –"You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him." 

N2 –But all together they shouted out, C –"Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us." 

N1 – Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, 

C –"Crucify him! Crucify him!" 

N2 – Pilate addressed them a third time, 

P –"What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then re-lease him."

N1 –With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. 

N2 –As they led him away, they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Je sus turned to them and said, J –“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 

N1 –Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. 

N2 –When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, 

J –“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” 

N2 –They divided his garments by casting lots. 

N1 –The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, 

C –"He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." 

N1 –Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine, they called out, 

C –"If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 

N1 –Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

N2 –Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, 

C –„Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

N2 –The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, 

C –"Have you no fear of God? For you are subject to the same condemnation! And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." 

N1 –(Then he said,) C –"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 

N1 – (Jesus replied to him,) 

J –“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

N2 –It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 

J –“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!” 

N2 –And when he had said this, he breathed his last. (All kneel and pause for a while.)

N1 – The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, 

S –"This man was innocent beyond doubt." 

N2 –When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

April 6, 2025 - 5th Sunday of Lent Year C

 

1st Reading - Is 43:16-21 

    Thus says the Lord, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. 

     Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not. 

     See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert, I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers. Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, for I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.

 Responsorial Psalm - Ps 127 

 R –The Lord has done great things for us. We are filled with joy!

 * 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. 

 * 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. 

 * Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. R. 

 * Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. R. 

 2nd Reading Phil 3:8-14

    Brothers and sisters: 

     I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith, to know him and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

     It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in the hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I,  for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

 Verse before the Gospel 

 (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!) 
 Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful. 
 (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!) 

 Gospel - Jn 8:1-11

    Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 

     They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 

     They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

     Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And, in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. 

    So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” 

    Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore.”