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AMBUHAY
ST PAULS MEDIA
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AMBUHAY
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Year 25 No. 39 Feast of the Sto. Nio (B) White / 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Green January 15, 2012
I
n our ef for t to expand our
annual St. Paul Bible Quiz
coverage, I went to Cebu for the
Central Visayas eliminations last
July. While waiting for the conduct
of the exam that happened on a
Sunday, I had the opportunity to
go to the Cathedral of the Santo
Nio of Cebu and was struck
by the numerous Sunday Mass
goers. Such was a sight for an
ordinar y Sunday. I could not
imagine the pilgrims there today
as our nation celebrates the Feast
of Sto. Nio.
At the facade of the cathedral,
I found an elderly who was selling
candles of different colors. Each
color is for a specifc petition. I
bought one that is for general
prayers, as the woman said, even
if I had particularly wanted to
express gratitude for the blessings
I received for the past twenty-fve
years of my religious profession,
and to ask God that my beloved
dead have a peaceful repose and
that my siblings children pursue
better education.
Sinulog, they described of the
ritual pray-ers perform. With the
candle in her hand, she raised her
arm, shaking as if wiping the air
with the candle in hand while her
feet moved with the rhythm of the
sulog, water current, surrounding
the island. Earlier, I deliberately
asked her to pray for me, and
she did. I prayed with her, and
suddenly it dawned on me that
I felt connected to the river of
the faithful fowing towards the
fullness of Gods reign.
Paul in our Second Reading
today stresses the need for praying
for one another so that the eyes
In the Current of Faith
of your hearts be enlightened
(Eph 1:18). Paul beautifully says
it, I, too, hearing of your faith
in the Lord Jesus and of your
love for all the holy ones, do not
cease in giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.
When we ask the saints and holy
Mary to pray for us, we, like Paul,
acknowledge our common bond
with Christ: God has adopted us to
himself in Christ (Eph 1:5).
In the Gospel, Jesus further
stresses this message with one
situation: letting the child come
into the circle of faith. Mark
singles out the conflict. The
disciples rebuke the people who
are bringing their children that
Jesus may touch them. Is not this
also a beautiful scene reminding
us how children, literally children,
give life and color to our lives?
Is not this a powerful image of
promoting a culture of life by
welcoming children in our midst?
But the other level is that there
are newly initiated Christians
in the community of Mark who
have to be accompanied as they
grow in their faith. And if one
believes that one is mature in the
Christian faith, one must not be
a source of discouragement for
these new believers. Instead, one
must welcome and support the
other. A good example. In fact,
one must also have the attitude
like that of a child that is without
prejudice, without judgment in
accepting the kingdom of God so
that its unfolding happens truly in
our midst (Mk 13:15).
This is what God has done
to us. Paul reminds us that the
God who has blessed us in Christ
chose us in him, before the
foundation of the world (Second
Reading). This choice makes us,
people walking in darkness, see a
great light... a son is given us; upon
his shoulder dominion rests
Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace
(Is 9:1, 5). In the figure of the
Santo Nio we see these qualities
of a God who has chosen us frst,
who is willing to live among us so
that we realize our being brothers
and sisters (adopted children of
God), that all the ends of the
earth have seen the saving power
of God (Ps 98:4b).
Our national bible quiz bee
champions last year came from
that island of Cebu. And as I
mar veled at how they showed
their knowledge of scriptures and
how that woman pray-er also made
me pray fervently that Sunday, I
thought of Jesus actions today
vibrantly taking the children:
Then he embraced the children
and blessed them, placing his
hands on them (Mk 10:16).
Bro. Hansel B. Mapayo, SSP
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INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Antiphon (Is 9:6)
(Recited when there is no opening song)
A child is born for us, a son
given to us; dominion is
laid on his shoulder, and he
shall be called Wonderful-
Counselor.
Greeting
(The sign of the cross is made here)
P Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in
Christ every spiritual blessing
in the heavens. May his peace
and love be always with you.
All And also with you.
Introduction
P Dear brothers and sisters:
Every third Sunday of January,
we, Filipinos, celebrate the feast
of the Santo Nio as a sign of
our special devotion to the
Child Jesus. The feast brings
to our attention the mystery of
childhood. In todays Gospel,
Jesus commands the disciples
to let the children come to
him. Like Jesus, we should
have a special love for the little
ones: the humble, the poor,
the defenseless, those who rely
only on God for their support.
Even more important, Jesus
invites us to become like little
children. Let us accept the
Kingdom and the Lords gifts
without reser vation. Let us
forsake cunning, deceit, and
cold calculation. It is only by
responding to his invitation
that we can go beyond mere
sentimental devotion to the
Child Jesus.
Penitential Rite
P As we prepare to celebrate
the mystery of Christs love, let
us acknowledge our failures
and ask the Lord for pardon and
strength. (Pause)
P Lord Jesus, you are mighty
God and Prince of Peace: Lord,
have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
P Christ Jesus, you are Son
of God and Son of Mary: Christ,
have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.
P Lord Jesus, you are Word
made fesh and splendor of the
Father: Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
P May almighty God have
mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
All Amen.
Gloria
All Glor y to God in the
highest, and peace to his people
on earth. Lord God, heavenly
King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you
thanks, we praise you for your
glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only
Son of the Father, Lord God,
Lamb of God, you take away the
sin of the world: have mercy on
us; you are seated at the right
hand of the Father: receive our
prayer. For you alone are the
Holy One, you alone are the
Lord, you alone are the Most
High, Jesus Christ, with the
Holy Spirit, in the glory of God
the Father. Amen.
Opening Prayer
P Let us pray. (Pause)
Almighty Father, your only
Son, begotten from all ages,
humbled himself as a child in
Nazareth and became subject
to Mary and Joseph.
Grant that we may learn
from his example to embrace
your will in all things and,
holding fast to the dignity of
all, serve our lowly brothers
and sisters with open hands and
gentle heart.
We ask this through our
Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
All Amen.
LITURGY OF
THE WORD
First Reading [Is 9:1-6] (Sit)
Isaiah prophesies that through
the child who shall be called
Prince of Peace, God will grant
peace and rejoicing to his people.
A reading from the Book of
the Prophet Isaiah
THE PEOPLE who walked in
darkness have seen a great
light; upon those who dwelt
in the land of gloom a light
has shone. You have brought
them abundant joy and great
rejoicing, as they rejoice before
you as at the harvest, as people
make merr y when dividing
spoils.
For the yoke that burdened
them, the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the
day of Midian. For every boot
that tramped in battle, every
cloak rolled in blood, will be
burned as fuel for fames.
For a child is born to us,
a son is given us; upon his
shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-
Counselor, God-Hero, Father-
Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and
forever peaceful, from Davids
throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confrms and sustains
by judgment and justice, both
now and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts
will do this!
The word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 98)
R All the ends of the earth
have seen the saving power
of God.
1. Sing to the Lord a new song,/
for he has done wondrous
deeds;/ his right hand has
won victory for him,/ his holy
arm. (R)
2. The Lord has made his
sal vat i on known: / i n t he

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sight of the nations he has
revealed his justice./ He has
remembered his kindness and
his faithfulness/ toward the
house of Israel. (R)
3. All the ends of the earth
have seen/ the salvation by our
God./ Sing joyfully to the Lord,
all you lands;/ break into song;
sing praise. (R)
4. Sing praise to the Lord
with the harp,/ with the harp
and melodious song./ With
trumpets and the sound of the
horn/ sing joyfully before the
King, the Lord. (R)
Second Reading
(Eph 1:3-6, 15-18)
God loves us and has made us
his adopted children in Christ.
Paul reminds us to live up to
our dignity by leading a holy and
blameless life.
A reading from the Letter of
Saint Paul to the Ephesians
BLESSED be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing
in the heavens, as he chose us
in him, before the foundation
of the world, to be holy and
without blemish before him. In
love he destined us for adoption
to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his
will, for the praise of the glory
of his grace that he granted us
in the beloved.
Therefore, I, too, hearing
of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and of your love for all the
holy ones, do not cease giving
thanks for you, remembering
you in my prayers, that the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give you a
Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts
be enlightened, that you may
know what is the hope that
belongs to his call, what are the
riches of glory in his inheritance
among the holy ones.
The word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Alleluia [Jn 1:14] (Stand)
All Alleluia, alleluia! The
Word became flesh and
made his dwelling among
us. Alleluia, alleluia!
Gospel (Mk 10:13-16)
P The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
P A reading from the holy
Gospel according to Mark.
All Glory to you, Lord.
PEOPLE wer e br i ngi ng
children to Jesus that he might
touch them, but the disciples
rebuked them. When Jesus saw
this he became indignant and
said to them, Let the children
come to me; do not prevent
them, for the Kingdom of God
belongs to such as these. Amen,
I say to you, whoever does not
accept the Kingdom of God like
a child will not enter it.
Then he embraced t he
children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, Lord
Jesus Christ.
Homily (Sit)
Profession of Faith (Stand)
All I believe in God, the
Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord. He
was conceived by the power of
the Holy Spirit and born of the
Virgin Mary. He suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucifed,
died, and was buried. He
descended to the dead. On the
third day, he rose again. He
ascended into heaven, and is
seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again to
judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the hol y cathol i c Church,
the communi on of sai nts,
the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and
the life ever lasting. Amen.
Prayers of the Faithful
P As we celebrate the feast
of the Holy Child, let us give
thanks to the Father who has
made us his beloved children in
Christ and given us the Spirit of
wisdom and understanding. Let
us remember in a special way
all the children of the world. Let
our response be:
R Listen to the prayers of
your children, Lord.
C For our Holy Father,
bishops, and Church leaders:
May they continue to proclaim,
by word and example, that
God s kingdom belongs to
children, to the poor, and the
humble. We pray: (R)
C For children who beg,
scavenge for food, or are forced
into labor: May our civil leaders
work to give them hope for a
better tomorrow. We pray: (R)
C For children of broken
homes and those who suf fer
because of negl ectful and
uncaring parents: May adults
take their responsibility toward
them seriously, love and care
for them, and show them the
beauty of life. We pray: (R)
C For adults: May they
never lose the spirit of a child
and so live with one another
in friendship, freedom, and
openness. We pray: (R)
C For all our families: May
we take the challenge to face
the problems connected with
the promotion of the family and
marriage so that our children
may grow up in a healthy, happy,
and religious environment. We
pray: (R)
C (The urgent concerns of
the community are prayed here.)
P Father, hear the petitions
of your children. Give us the
hear t of a child so that we
may welcome Gods kingdom
among us and receive the
reward promised to the humble.
We ask you this through
Christ your Son and our Lord.
All Amen.
LITURGY OF
THE EUCHARIST
Presentation of the Gifts
(Stand)
This copy of Sambuhay is made available through generous donations.

Paul VI: Faithful Servant
Pope Paul VI, elected on June 21, 1963, immediately pledged to
contnue the Second Vatcan Council. He served as supreme pontf
for 15 years (1963-1978), laboring trelessly to complete the Council
and to implement the vision and mandates of Vatcan II.
When the Council reconvened on September 29, 1963, Paul
VI named four priorites: a beter understanding of the nature
and mission of the Church, contnued reforms within the Church,
advancement of Christan unity, and beter dialogue with the world.
He purposely chose the name Paul to indicate that his pontfcate
would focus on a renewed worldwide mission to spread Christs
message. He was the frst pope to travel by airplane; he visited the
Philippines in November 1970.
Paul VI died on August 6, 1978. Church historians regard Paul
VI favorably, especially for the def manner in which he guided the
Council-inspired renewal of the Church.
The ChurCh renewed:
A Vatican II Catechesis
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
P Pray, brethren
All May the Lord accept
the sacrifce at your hands
for the praise and glory of
his name, for our good, and
the good of all his Church.
Prayer over the Gifts
P God, our Creator, we
of fer the gifts of bread and
wine to recall the childhood of
your only Son. Let our offering
become the sacrifice of him
who brought forgiveness and
peace to the world.
Grant this through Christ
our Lord.
All Amen.
Preface (Christmas II)
P The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them up to the
Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the
Lord our God.
All It is right to give him
thanks and praise.
P Father, all-powerful and
ever-living God, we do well
always and ever ywhere to
give you thanks through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Today you fll our hearts with
joy as we recognize in Christ the
revelation of your love. No eye
can see his glory as our God, yet
now he is seen as one like us.
Christ is your Son before
all ages, yet now he is born in
time. He has come to lift up all
things to himself, to restore
unity to creation, and to lead
humankind from exile into your
heavenly kingdom.
With all the angels of heaven
we sing our joyful hymn of
praise:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and mi ght ,
heaven and earth are full of
your glor y. Hosanna in the
highest. Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. (Kneel)
Acclamation (Stand)
All Christ has died, Christ
is risen, Christ will come
again.
COMMUNION RITE
The Lords Prayer
All Our Father
P Deliver us, Lord
All For the kingdom, the
power, and the glor y are
yours, now and for ever.
Invitation to Peace
Invitation to Communion
(Kneel)
P This is the Lord Jesus who
invites children and all of us to
come to him. Happy are we who
are called to his banquet.
All Lord, I am not worthy to
receive you, but only say the
word and I shall be healed.
Prayer after Communion
(Stand)
P Let us pray. (Pause)
Loving Father, you have
nourished us at the banquet in
honor of the Child born of the
Virgin. We pray that we may
advance in wisdom and grow
daily in faith and works of love,
so that we may find favor in
your sight.
Grant this through Christ
our Lord.
All Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
P The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Solemn Blessing
P Bow your heads and pray
for Gods blessing. (Pause)
Let the chi l dren come
to me, says Jesus. May you
experience his grace and bles-
sing all the days of your life.
All Amen.
P The Kingdom of God
belongs to such as these. May
you be childlike in your trust in
God and in others.
All Amen.
P The Lord Jesus embraces
and blesses the children. May
you be instruments of his love
and care for all children.
All Amen.
P May almighty God bless
you, () the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
Dismissal
P The Mass is ended. Go
and live as worthy children of
the Father.
All Thanks be to God.