ὑπερνικάω

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE

ὑπερνικάω

hupernikaó 

(MORE THAN A CONQUEROR)

Scrutatio

for 

THE 16^th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME/KINGDOMTIDE/TIME OF THE CHURCH 

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Ezekiel 18:1-4 and 25-32 / Psalm 25:1-14 / Philippians 2:1-13 / Matthew 21:28-32

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Ezekiel 18:25-28 / Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7 and 8-9 / Philippians 2:1-11 / Matthew 21:28-32

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 86:1-4

Epistle: Galatians 5:25-6:10

Gradual and Alleluia: Psalm 92:1-2 and 95:3

Gospel 

Luke 7:11-16

Offertory:

Psalm 40:1-3

Communion Antiphon: John 6:52

Victory Hills is but one of the sixteen Basic Ecclesial Communities of our Parish.

Under the maternal care and patronage of Our Blessed Virgin Mother, the Our Lady of Victories, the Catholic households of this part of our LORD’S vineyard has been sharing each other’s experiences on the Sunday Readings of the Most Sublime Sacrifice of the Mass.

Sharing each other’s condition as “leprous sinners”, sons and daughters who would usually have our lips say “yes” while our lives would say “no” to JESUS, and because of this we do acknowledge that we are in dire need of our SWEET REDEMEER’s saving and healing love in  the Sacrament of Confession, Penance and Reconciliation…

Each one of us, being raised again to have a new life for our Holy Mother Church, just like the only son of the widow of Nain...

Sharing each other’s joys and pains…

Teaching each other in humility that we are but one in the common bond that we have as adopted, yet owned and saved children of OUR ALMIGHTY FATHER, in JESUS CHRIST HIS ONLY SON and by the power of the GREAT PARACLETE, thus we do not need to seek for a “place of honor” among ourselves, as if one should be better than the other. We just share our whole lives and our GOD-GIVEN talents and gifts with one another, letting ourselves to be a “joint that supplies” in the BODY OF CHRIST (EPHESIANS 2:6 and 4:16).

For 4 months now this is what I have been looking forward to, that in each “gawarasal” of our BEC communities we will be able to just sit down and pray with each other, and just letting the LIVING WORD OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, be the very source of our lives and thus, we will be able to see HIS wondrous deeds in each and every one of us, enabling our lives to be HIS LIVING EPISTLES (II CORINTHIANS 3:2-3) not just in our “buklurans” but also for the life of our families, our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities.   

May this vineyard, this field of wheat of OUR ALMIGHTY GOD MOST HIGH, continue to grow and bear HIS AWESOME FRUITS in our lives and the lives of our families, friends and every person that we encounter in our ordinary and day-to-day existence, until we finally come to the EVERLASTING JOY OF HIS HEAVENLY AND ETERNAL BANQUET that HE has given us a foretaste in each offering of the Mass.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!  

THE SOLEMN AND FAITHFUL PROMISE OF OUR BLESSED LORD AND SWEET REDEEMER, JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD

BONANZA

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE

BONANZA

Scrutatio 

for the 

 THE 15^th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME/KINGDOMTIDE/TIME OF THE CHURCH 

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Jonah 3:10-4:11 / Psalm 145 / Philippians 1:21-27 / Matthew 20:1-16

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Isaiah  55:6-9 / Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9 and 17-18 / Philippians 1:20c-24 and 27a / Matthew 20:1-16a

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 86:1-4

Epistle: Galatians 5:25-6:10

Gradual and Alleluia: Psalm 92:1-2 and 95:3

Gospel 

Luke 7:11-16

Offertory:

Psalm 40:1-3

Communion Antiphon: John 6:52

For at least four months now, I have been joining the GAWARASAL Bible study of the BEC Community of St. Lorenzo Ruiz's Chapel in Bonanza, Fortune, Marikina City.

From Livelihood projects, to community building, to gathering the youth of the neighborhood from different religious backgrounds, truly this small chapel has already been a TEMPLE OF GOD, A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL PEOPLES.

A community that is ever zealous in being faithful to their Catholic faith, yet is a servant of all, this experience of mine with these, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ has opened my eyes to the beauty of LIVING OUT THE GOSPEL IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES.

It is a challenge that I gladly accept, a challenge that has been a blessing for me.

If you want to see "taste and see" an example of how the Catholic Church has nourished and cared for the impoverished, the downtrodden and those who have nothing in life, kindly visit this community and truly you will see THAT THE LORD IS GOOD! 

I may be one of those laborers in this Vineyard of the LORD to be called "on the eleventh hour", but what can I grumble about this blessing of being with these beloved brothers and sisters of mine who is so bonded together as the LIVING FAMILY OF THE ALMIGHTY?

Truly, even if our lives may be like that of the widow of Nain who lost her only son, her only hope, if only we will let CHRIST PASS BY, that dying hope of ours will be MADE NEW, GIVEN A NEW LIFE, A NEW VIGOR, just like this community in Bonanza who is one of the many examples of our BEC communities who have been sharing with one another the LIFE-GIVING LIFE OF HIM WHO IS THE FULLNESS OF LIFE!

VIATICUM

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE

VIATICUM

(FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY)

Scrutatio 

for the 

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE MOST HOLY CROSS

=and=

 THE 14^th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME/KINGDOMTIDE/TIME OF THE CHURCH 

FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE SOLEMNITY

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Isaiah 45:21-25 / Psalm 98 / Philippians 2:5-11 or Galatians 6:14-18 / John 12:31-36a

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Numbers 21: 4b-9 / Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38. / Philippians 2:6-11 / John 3:13-17

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Galatians 6:14 and Psalm 67:1 

Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11

Gradual and Alleluia: Philippians 2:8-9 

Alleluia, alleluia. 

V.: Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs on thee: thou only wast worthy to bear up the King and Lord of heaven. Alleluia. 

Gospel 

John 12:31-36

Offertory: 

By the sign of the holy Cross, O Lord, protect Thy people from the wiles of all our enemies that we may be able to do Thee worthy service, and that our sacrifice may be well-pleasing in Thy sight. Alleluia. 

Communion Antiphon: 

By the sign of the Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Thou our God. 

THE 14^th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME/KINGDOMTIDE/TIME OF THE CHURCH 

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 27:30-28:7 / Psalm 103 / Romans 14:5-12 / Matthew 18:21-35

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 27:30—28:7 / Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10 and 11-12 / Romans 14:7-9 / Matthew 18:21-35

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 84:9-10 and 1

Epistle: Galatians 5:16-24

Gradual and Alleluia: Psalm 118:8-9 and 92:1

Gospel

Matthew 6:24-33

Offertory:

Psalm 34:7-8

Communion Antiphon: Matthew 6:23

August 3, 2014.

Part of my ministry as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC, colloquially known as “Lay Ministers”) is to bring JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE, to our dear brothers and sisters who are sick and is already bedridden. 

It was my first time to administer the SACRED VIATICUM. 

When Kuya Jo Cabanes and I were about to visit the 5th house for the day, I felt compassion for the condition of this sick brother of ours who is already weak, dirty (I don’t know if he was not able to be cleaned by those who are taking care of him before our visit), and due to his condition, he is not anymore capable of going to the comfort room, an orange plastic bucket with a plywood for covering is used instead for his relief. 

I do admit that I am not capable in enduring even the mildest of stench, but I was able to go through the Rite of Holy Communion due to one thing: The faith of that suffering sick man in JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD WHO HAS BORNE OUR SINS, CARRIED OUR SORROWS AND ENDURED OUR WOUNDED HUMAN NATURE.

His face, in beholding HIM WHO IS THE BREAD OF LIFE ETERNAL, suddenly becomes radiant, filled with joy, for on that day, HE will surely be with him, HE will be on board the boat of his life, HE will accompany him even amidst the battering waves of his sickness, HE will give him HIS PEACE and his strength will be the TREMENDOUS JOY OF BEING IN UNION WITH HIM.

What a wonderful sight to behold, that in the midst of human suffering and seeming hopelessness in this world of ours which is but transitory along with all its joys, its extravagance, its “power” and its “grandeur”, JESUS IS OUR ETERNITY! HE IS OUR GLORIOUS BEGINNING AND OUR AWESOME END.

And this is what I have learned on that rainy Sunday, within the walls of the little house of that sick man who may have been physically bedridden for quite some time now, yet is still strong and full of vigor in his faith in HIM WHO IS THE BREAD OF IMMORTALITY!

Indeed IN HIM WE LIVE, MOVE AND HAVE THE FULLNESS OF OUR BEING! 

And all I can say is thank you! 

Thank you for letting me be a servant, for letting me be as CHRIST to you!

Thank you for letting me see HE WHO IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE through your radiant faith and joyful face!

THANK LORD FOR THIS WONDERFUL ENCOUNTER!

Χαίρε, κεχαριτωμένη

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE

 

Χαίρε, κεχαριτωμένη 

(Chaire, Kecharitomene)

 Scrutatio 

for the 

FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

and

THE 16TH SUNDAY OF THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARY TIME/TIME OF THE CHURCH

(September 8, 2014)

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Micah 5:1-4a / Psalm 13 / Romans 8:28-30 / Matthew 1:1-16

FOR THE 16^th SUNDAY IN THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARYTIME/TIMEOF THE CHURCH

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 / Psalm 1 / Philemon 1:1-20 / Luke 14:25-33

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30 / Psalm 13:6ab, 6c / Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

FOR THE 16^th SUNDAY IN THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARYTIME/TIMEOF THE CHURCH

Wisdom of King Solomon 9:13-18b / Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, and 14+17. / Philemon 9-10 and 12-17 / Luke 14:25-33

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 45:1 

Epistle: Proverbs 8:23-35

Gradual and Alleluia: 

Thou art blessed and venerable, O Virgin 

Mary, who with purity unstained was 

found to be the Mother of our Saviour. 

V. Virgin  Mother  of  God,  He  whom  the 

whole world was unable to contain enclosed Himself in thy womb, being made 

man. 

Alleluia, alleluia. 

V. Happy art thou, O holy 

Virgin Mary, and of all praise most worthy: 

for out of thee hath risen the sun of justice, Christ our God. Alleluia. 

Gospel 

Matthew 1:1-16

Offertory:

Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst 

bear the Creator of all things; thou didst 

bring forth Him Who made thee, and remainest a virgin forever. 

Communion Antiphon: 

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, 

which bore the Son of the Eternal Father. 

FOR THE 16^th SUNDAY IN THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF ORDINARYTIME/TIMEOF THE CHURCH

Introit: Psalm 86:3, 5 and 1 

Epistle: Ephesians 3:13-21

Gradual and Alleluia: 

Psalm 102:15 and 98:1

Gospel 

Luke 14:1-11

Offertory:

Psalm 40:13-14

Communion Antiphon: 

Psalm 71:15-18

Hail, Full of Grace!

Let us meditate on today's feast with the help of this 8th Century A.D. homily of Bishop Andrew of Crete, entitled:

THE OLD HAS PASSED AWAY, ALL THINGS ARE MADE NEW

The fulfillment of the law is Christ himself, who does not so much lead us away from the letter as lift us up to its spirit. For the law’s consummation was this, that the very lawgiver accomplished his work and changed letter into spirit, summing everything up in himself and, though subject to the law, living by grace. He subordinated the law, yet harmoniously united grace with it, not confusing the distinctive characteristics of the one with the other, but effecting the transition in a way most fitting for God. He changed whatever was burdensome, servile and oppressive not what is light and liberating, so that we should be enslaved no longer under the elemental spirits of the world, as the Apostle says, nor held fast as bondservants under the letter of the law.

This is the highest, all-embracing benefit that Christ has bestowed on us. This is the revelation of the mystery, this is the emptying out of the divine nature, the union of God and man, and the deification of the manhood that was assumed. This radiant and manifest coming of God to men most certainly needed a joyful prelude to introduce the great gift of salvation to us. The present festival, the birth of the Mother of God, is the prelude, while the final act is the fore- ordained union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages.

Justly, then, do we celebrate this mystery since it signifies for us a double grace. We are led toward the truth, and we are led away from our condition of slavery to the letter of the law. How can this be? Darkness yields before the coming of the light, and grace exchanges legalism for freedom. But midway between the two stands today’s mystery, at the frontier where types and symbols give way to reality, and the old is replaced by the new.

Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be one common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator. 



Because of GOD'S AWESOME WORKS IN JESUS CHRIST, the Blessed Virgin was indeed FILLED WITH HIS GRACE AND TRUTH, and she is inviting us to be perfectly united with her SON so that our lives, our family, our community and our society may also be filled with GOD AND GOD ALONE!

MARIAN DOGMAS: IN SACRED SCRIPTURE

BEC

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE 

BEC

(BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY)

(The House Church/Domus Ecclesia of Doura-Europos)

Scrutatio for the 13^th Sunday in ORDINARY TIME/KINGDOMTIDE/TIME OF THE CHURCH 

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Ezekiel 33:1-11 / Psalm 119:33-48 / Romans 12:9-21 / Matthew 18:15-20

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Ezekiel  33:7-9 / Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7b and 7c-9 / Romans  13:8-10 / Matthew 18:15-20

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 74:20,19, 23 and 1 

Epistle: Galatians 3:16-22

Gradual and Alleluia: Psalm 74:20,19, 23 and 90:1

Gospel 

Luke 17:11-19

Offertory: 

Psalm 3:14-15

Communion Antiphon: Wisdom of King Solomon 16:20

It’s been three months now since the revival of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC, also known as “Ang Munting Sambahayang Kristyano” or Ang Munting Sambahayan ni Kristo”) in our Parish, the Church of the Holy Family, Parang, Marikina City.

Three months of sharing and being nourished in the Table of GOD’S LIVING WORD, in preparation for being perfectly filled by JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE, THE CHALICE OF SALVATION AND THE FATHER’S ONLY SON, HIS WORD INCARNATE in the SUBLIME ALTAR OF THE MASS.

Three months of being able to exhort and challenge ourselves to be cleansed of the leprosy of our sins and be changed from glory to glory through the SACRAMENT OF PENANCE, CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION, OUR COMING HOME TO OUR FATHER’S HOUSE.

Three months of being gathered together to pray the EVANGELICAL PRAYER: THE HOLY ROSARY and to SHARE IN OUR RICH LIFE-EXPERIENCES IN UNION WITH THE SACRED READINGS OF THE PAULINE/ORDINARY RITE OF THE MASS FOR THE COMING SUNDAY.

Three months of APOSTOLIC BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD in union with OUR HOLY MOTHER CHURCH.

I do wish that we would be able to enjoy this CHRIST-FILLED “BUKLURAN” even up to the coming of the day of OUR BLESSED HOPE: THE AWESOME COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

I hope that we would be able to share our lives with each other, WITH MARY, THE EVER VIRGIN MOTHER OF THE CHURCH.

MATTHEW 16:13-19