The Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, or, if there is no Sunday, 30 December. THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH Feast ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Lk 2:16) The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger. INTRO Good morning my dear brothers and sisters; As we contemplate the Incarnation of the Son of God, we praise God who created the family of humankind and who, in the fullness of time, sent His Son to be a part of our family. Christmas is a celebration of the family. What do we celebrate therefore last Christmas? Is the Sacraments we received, born in us a new life and live as members of the family of God in Christ? Or we are still in search of our true identity? May today’s feast of the Holy Family of Jesus and Mary and Joseph teach us to value family life and to live in peace with one another as members of the one family of God. The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said. COLLECT Let us pray (pause) O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. R. Amen. THE LITURGY OF THE WORD FIRST READING (Your own issue shall be your heir.) A reading from the Book of Genesis (15:1-6; 21:1-3) The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what good will your gift s be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” Abram continued, “See, you have given me no off spring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. The Lord took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him. —The Word of the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM (105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9) R. The Lord remembers his covenant forever. (Ps 105:7a, 8a) Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. (R) Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! Look to the Lord in his strength; constantly seek his face. (R) You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations, which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R) SECOND READING (The faith of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac.) A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (11:8, 11-12, 17-19) Brothers and sisters: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age—and Sarah herself was sterile—for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. —The Word of the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Heb 1:1-2) R. Alleluia, alleluia. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. (R) (Long Form) GOSPEL (The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (2:22-40) When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. —The Gospel of the Lord. R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. (Short Form) GOSPEL (The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (2:22, 39-40) When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. —The Gospel of the Lord. R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. When this Feast is celebrated on Sunday, the Creed is said. PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL All : Bless Your family, Lord. 1. May families, like the family of Nazareth, be examples of unity, faithfulness, and love especially in our Universal and local Catholic Church and its communities and in places where families suffer internal crisis. We pray; 2. May husbands and wives remain faithful to their covenant of love in marriage and find their fulfillment through a sincere gift of self. We pray; 3. May children honor their father and their mother and give joy to them through love and obedience, and may parents bring up their children to live in truth, love and self-giving. We pray; 4. May families severely tried their poverty, separation, and animosity be strengthened by the solidarity and support of well-meaning and generous persons. We pray; 5. May Christ the Lord, the King of families, be present in every Christians home as He was in Nazareth and in Cana, bestowing light, jou, serenity and strength. We pray; 6. For our personal intentions…. We pray; PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS We offer you, Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation, humbly asking that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and Saint Joseph, you may establish our families firmly in your grace and your peace. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. PREFACE I OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christ the Light) COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Bar 3: 38) Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray (pause) Bring those you refresh with this heavenly Sacrament, most merciful Father, to imitate constantly the example of the Holy Family, so that, after the trials of this world, we may share their company for ever. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENT: 1. All Community members, we have our Meeting right after the Mass. Choir Practice, kindly lend 45 minutes delay. Thank you.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 02:47:46 +0000
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