Liturgical Leaflet for an Active Participation in the Celebration of the Eucharist

28 January 2024 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

NATIONAL BIBLE SUNDAY

JESUS, THE PROPHET POWERFUL

IN WORDS AND DEEDS

J
esus proclaimed the Gospel of God with unique power and urgency.
His words touched the hearts of his audience and changed their
lives. His deeds matched his words.
The power of Jesus’ words and deeds has not abated after two
thousand years. It is perfectly effective today, in the era of information
technology and space exploration. Jesus’ words can still set our hearts on
fire. His actions in the sacraments can still set us free from the slavery of Satan and make the Kingdom
of God present in the lives of individuals and society. So can His word! Happy are those who listen to
God’s word and let the power of His grace bear fruit in their lives!
Just as the words of Jesus reveal the wisdom of God, so does the miracle reported in today’s
Gospel excerpt reveal God’s holiness. He is the anti-evil in all its manifestations.
The mission assigned to him by the Father is to set mankind free from every form of enslavement
and oppression. Blessed are those whose lives are touched by Jesus’ holy power!
Today is National Bible Sunday. This celebration reminds us of the importance of God’s written
Word not only in the life of the Church, but also of every believer. It is our duty to know it well, to put
its message into practice, and to share its richness with all. Let this be our commitment today and
one of the main intentions for which we are offering this Eucharist.

Christ be with you! P –Lord Jesus, you are the ful-

All – And with your spirit! fillment of the prophecies
of old. Lord, have mercy!
Penitential Act
Entrance Antiphon All – Lord, have mercy!
(To be recited only when no P –Coming together as God’s
family, with confidence let us P – May almighty God have
Entrance Hymn is sung.)
ask the Lord’s forgiveness, that mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
Save us, O Lord our God! we may offer this Eucharist with and bring us to everlasting life.
And gather us from the na- a purified heart. (Pause) All – Amen!
tions, to give thanks to your
holy name, and make it our P –Lord Jesus, you taught us Gloria
glory to praise you. that all that really matters
in life is to love as you did. All – Glory to God in the high-
Greeting Lord, have mercy! est, and on earth peace to people
All – Lord, have mercy! of good will. We praise you,
P – In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy P – Lord Jesus, you are the sign we bless you, we adore you, we
Spirit! and instrument of the Fa- glorify you, we give you thanks
All –Amen! ther’s healing love. Christ, for your great glory, Lord God,
P –The grace and peace of God have mercy! heavenly King, O God, almighty
our Father and the Lord Jesus All – Christ, have mercy! Father.

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 Lord Jesus Christ, Only put my words into his mouth; Brothers and sisters:
Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb he shall tell them all that I com- I should like you to be free
of God, Son of the Father, you mand him. of anxieties. An unmarried
take away the sins of the world, Whoever will not listen to man is anxious about the things
have mercy on us; you take away my words which he speaks in of the Lord, how he may please
the sins of the world, receive our my name, I myself will make the Lord. But a married man is
him answer for it. But if a anxious about the things of the
prayer; you are seated at the world, how he may please his
right hand of the Father, have prophet presumes to speak in
my name an oracle that I have wife, and he is divided. An un-
mercy on us. For you alone are married woman or a virgin is
not commanded him to speak,
the Holy One, you alone are the or speaks in the name of other anxious about the things of the
Lord, you alone are the Most gods, he shall die.’ ” Lord, so that she may be holy
High, Jesus Christ, with the in both body and spirit. A mar-
Holy Spirit, in the glory of God The Word of the Lord! ried woman, on the other hand,
All – Thanks be to God! is anxious about the things of
the Father. Amen!
the world, how she may please
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95 her husband.
Collect (Opening Prayer)
R –If today you hear his voice, I am telling you this for
P – Grant us, Lord our God, harden not your hearts! your own benefit, not to im-
that we may honor you with all pose a restraint upon you, but
our mind, and love everyone in for the sake of propriety and
truth of heart. adherence to the Lord without
Through our Lord Jesus distraction.
Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of The Word of the Lord!
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and All – Thanks be to God!
ever.
All – Amen! Gospel Acclamation Mt 4:16
All – Alleluia! Alleluia!
The people who sit in
darkness have seen a great
* Come, let us sing joyfully light; on those dwelling in
to the Lord; let us acclaim the a land overshadowed by
1st Reading Dt 18:15-20 rock of our salvation. Let us death, light has arisen.
In today’s passage, Moses come into his presence with Alleluia! Alleluia!
reveals that, after his death, God thanksgiving; let us joyfully
sing psalms to him. R. Gospel Mk 1:21-28
will raise up from among His Today’s Gospel passage
people someone who will fulfill * Come, let us bow down in portrays Jesus in action in the
his role as prophet and media- worship; let us kneel before village of Capernaum. He teach-
tor. Such a promise will be ful- the Lord who made us. For es with authority and acts with
filled in Jesus Christ. he is our God, and we are the power by setting a man free from
people he shepherds, the flock the devil’s influence.
R – A proclamation from the he guides. R.
Book of Deuteronomy P –The Lord be with you!
* Oh, that today you would All –And with your spirit!
Moses spoke to the people, hear his voice: “Harden not
saying: “A prophet like me will P – A proclamation from the
your hearts as at Meribah, as holy Gospel according to
the Lord, your God, raise up in the day of Massah in the des-
for you from among your own Mark
ert, where your fathers tempt- All – Glory to you, O Lord!
kin; to him you shall listen. ed me; they tested me though
This is exactly what you re- They came to Caper-
they had seen my works.” R.
quested of the Lord, your God, naum, and on the sabbath Je-
at Horeb on the day of the as- sus entered the synagogue and
sembly, when you said, ‘Let us 2nd Reading 1 Cor 7:32-35
Here is a simple presenta- taught. The people were as-
not again hear the voice of the tonished at his teaching, for he
Lord, our God, nor see this tion of St. Paul’s reflection on
the proper attitude of a Christian taught them as one having au-
great fire any more, lest we thority and not as the scribes.
die.’ concerning the two basic states
In their synagogue was a
And the Lord said to me, of life: married life and virginity.
man with an unclean spirit. He
‘This was well said. I will raise R – A proclamation from the cried out, “What have you to
up for them a prophet like you First Letter of Paul to the do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
from among their kin, and will Corinthians Have you come to destroy us?

GLOSSARY: • Sabbath: The day of the week when the Jews are forbidden to do any type of work, and are expected to attend the worship
service held in the synagogue. • Synagogue: A building where a Jewish community assembles for worship and instruction. • Galilee: A
region in the northern part of Palestine. One of its towns was Nazareth, where Jesus was reared and lived for about thirty years.

28 January 2024
I know who you are – the Holy Prayer of the Faithful
One of God!” Jesus rebuked P –Every Christian shares in
him and said, “Quiet! Come the prophetic and liberating mis-
out of him!” The unclean spirit sion of Jesus. But every day we
convulsed the man and with a
also experience the difficulty of
Preparation of the Gifts
loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked being another Christ. Let us then P –Pray, brethren . . .
one another, “What is this? A ask for God’s help as one people. All – May the Lord accept the
new teaching with authority! sacrifice at your hands, for the
All – Lord, graciously hear us! praise and glory of his name,
He commands even the unclean
spirits and they obey him.” C –That the whole Church may for our good and the good of all
Jesus’ fame spread everywhere always be open to and proclaim his holy Church.
throughout the whole region of the message of the prophets as a
Galilee. manifestation of God’s will, let Prayer over the Offerings
us pray! R.
The Gospel of the Lord! P –O Lord, we bring to your al-
All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus C –That the Holy Father and tar these offerings of our service:
Christ! the other prophets of today may be pleased to receive them, we
never be discouraged by misun- pray, and transform them into the
Homily derstandings and lack of imme- Sacrament of our redemption.
diate response, let us pray! R. Through Christ our Lord.
All – Amen!
Profession of Faith C –That those who have been
(Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) enslaved by the devil through a Preface IV
All –I believe in one God, the Fa- life of sin and perversion may
ther almighty, maker of heaven find in the Catholic community P –The Lord be with you!
and earth, of all things visible a help to salvation, let us pray!R. All –And with your spirit!
and invisible. P –Lift up your hearts!
C –That the youth of today All – We lift them up to the Lord!
I believe in one Lord Jesus may reject without hesitation
Christ, the Only Begotten Son P –Let us give thanks to the
those attitudes and ways of life Lord our God!
of God, born of the Father be- which are incompatible with
fore all ages. God from God, All –It is right and just!
the teaching of the Gospel, let P – It is truly right and just,
Light from Light, true God from us pray! R.
true God, begotten, not made, our duty and our salvation, al-
consubstantial with the Father; C –That all of us may reject ways and everywhere to give
through him all things were the devil’s ploys and become you thanks, Lord, holy Father, al-
made. For us men and for our instruments of salvation to our mighty and eternal God, through
salvation he came down from brothers and sisters in need, let Christ our Lord.
heaven, (bow)* and by the Holy us pray! R. For by his birth he brought re-
Spirit was incarnate of the Vir- newal to humanity’s fallen state,
gin Mary, and became man.* C –That all Christian families, and by his suffering, canceled
For our sake he was crucified as we celebrate National Bible out our sins; by his rising from
Sunday, may take it as a chal- the dead, he has opened the way
under Pontius Pilate, he suf-
lenge to read the Word of God to eternal life, and by ascending
fered death and was buried, and
every day, listen to His message to you, O Father, he has unlocked
rose again on the third day in the gates of heaven.
accordance with the Scriptures. for us, and apply it in our lives.
Let us pray! R. And so, with the company of
He ascended into heaven and is Angels and Saints, we sing the
seated at the right hand of the C - We pray that the Holy Spirit hymn of your praise, as without
Father. He will come again in may help us to recognize the end we acclaim:
glory to judge the living and the gift of different charisms within All – Holy, holy, holy Lord,
dead and his kingdom will have the Christian community and to God of hosts. Heaven and
no end. discover the richness of differ- earth are full of your glory.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, ent traditions and rituals in the Hosanna in the highest!
the Lord, the giver of life, who Catholic Church. Let us pray! R. Blessed is he who comes in
proceeds from the Father and the the name of the Lord. Hosan-
Son, who with the Father and the P –Lord God, as we continually na in the highest!
Son is adored and glorified, who experience the difficulty of be-
has spoken through the prophets. ing prophets in words and deeds, Memorial Acclamation
I believe in one, holy, catholic we humbly ask for the help of
and apostolic Church. I confess Your grace. May we become P –The mystery of faith!
one Baptism for the forgiveness faithful heralds of the Gospel All –Save us, Savior of the
of sins and I look forward to the and brave witnesses to its mes- world, for by your Cross
resurrection of the dead and the sage. Through Christ our Lord. and Resurrection you
life of the world to come. Amen! All – Amen! have set us free.
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
 All –Lord, I am not worthy All –And with your spirit!
that you should enter under P –Bow your heads and pray
my roof, but only say the word for God’s blessing. (Pause)
and my soul shall be healed. – May the God of all consola-
All – Our Father . . . tion bless you in every way
P –Deliver us, Lord . . . Communion Antiphon and grant you peace all the
All –For the kingdom, the (To be recited only when no
days of your life.
power, and the glory are Communion Hymn is sung.)
All – Amen!
yours, now and for ever. Let your face shine on your
P –May He free you from all
servant. Save me in your merci-
anxiety and strengthen
Sign of Peace ful love. O Lord, let me never be
your hearts with His love.
put to shame, for I call on you.
All – Amen!
Breaking of the Bread
Prayer after Communion P –May He enrich you with
All – Lamb of God, you take His gifts of faith, hope and
away the sins of the world: have P –Nourished by these redeem- love, and purify you with
mercy on us. (2x) ing gifts, we pray, O Lord, that His grace.
Lamb of God, you take through this help to eternal sal-
away the sins of the world: All – Amen!
vation, true faith may ever in-
grant us peace. crease. P –May almighty God bless
Through Christ our Lord. you: the Father, and the
All – Amen! Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Communion All – Amen!
P –Behold the Lamb of God, P –Go in peace and live in the
behold him who takes away the presence of the Lord.
sins of the world. Blessed are All – Thanks be to God!
those called to the Supper of the
Lamb. P –The Lord be with you!

SEEING CLEARLY, ACTING RIGHTLY

Kalakbay at Katoto

T he readings of today seem to converge on

at least one point. They all point to the need
for us to acknowledge and consider something
the Christian’s priority – to serve God either as
a celibate woman or man, or with the help and
support of husband or wife. St. Paul was one
as more important than, and, above everything who saw clearly.
else.
The response after the first reading clinches
In the first reading, Moses, who accepts his role what ought to be our priority: “if today you
as “prophet,” also declares openly his responsi- hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Such
bility, and calls people to accountability: “Who- a softened stance before God would translate
ever will not listen to my words which he speaks into concrete actions that are meant to show
in my name, I myself will make him answer for that God, indeed, is our priority: “Come sing . . .
it.” Over and above “honor,” Moses valued the Come into his presence . . . come and bow down
consequent “onus” (burden) that accompanied in worship . . . joyfully sing.” The psalm reminds
it. He called people to task, and minced no words us all of what seeing rightly ought to lead to –
about it. Moses knew that responsibility came acting rightly.
before glory; accountability before fame. Moses
was one who saw rightly. Mark’s gospel passage would have us reflect
today on, of all people, someone who was not
St. Paul, for his part, tells the Corinthians basical- expected to know who was who. The man
ly that if they have to be anxious about anything may have been tormented mad by an “unclean
at all, then they had better be anxious about the spirit,” but this did not prevent him from seeing
right things. And those right things had to do, – and acknowledging – who was standing and
not with the things of the world, but with the teaching right before his eyes. “I know who you
things of the Lord. Whether married or unmar- are – the Holy One of God!”
ried, Paul was, in effect, exhorting them to put
first things first . . . to put Godly considerations Tormented and tortured sick by the unclean
above earthly considerations, and never to al- spirit, the man may have initially taken potshots
low human ties or bonds to stand in the way of at Jesus, dumping on him his twisted thoughts
and feelings: “What have you to do with us, Jesus action. What one sees, ordinarily, is what one
of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” He gets. One finds what one is looking for. We need
may have been out of whack emotionally, but he a clearer eye-sight – a faith-sight that leads us
declared what his intellect held onto strongly to see who is who, and what is what. We need
and convincingly: “You are the Holy One of God!” our Christian faith to shed light on whatever it
This man, for all his problems, was one who had is we do as individuals, as a nation, as a people,
a clear vision. as Church.

The world is populated by people like us who are Two Sundays back, I summarized the liturgy
out of whack in many ways, in many senses. Far of the 2nd Sunday into three key words: invita-
too many of us are tortured and tormented – tion, reflection, and transformation. Today, the
perhaps not by what Mark refers to as “unclean transformation element is what is highlighted.
spirits,” but all the same bothered witless by all The Gospel puts it clearly. It is never enough for
sorts of anxieties, which do not necessarily have one to say what he sees. It is never enough for
to do with things Godly. anyone of us to confess with his/her lips what
we profess inwardly in our hearts. Fiduciary
We do not have to go far out from our own back- faith and intellective faith alone by themselves
yards. If at all there is something that we perhaps do not make for fidelity as Christians. Invitation
need to get from the recent research finding that and reflection alone do not make for a solid and
we are the second most corrupt nation in Asia, grounded Christian life. It all has to bloom into
then maybe it should be the realization of the action. It all has to lead to transformation. Faith
unacceptable truth that we all are part of this that is fiduciary and intellective has to become
web of graft and corruption, and that we all have performative. And no less than the Lord whom
a role to play in it. the man with an unclean spirit saw clearly tells us
today with the same authoritative words: “Quiet!
The man with the unclean spirit may have been Come out of him!”
twisted and torn emotionally, but he sure had
a clear vision! He knew who was who. And he There is evil lurking in our hearts. There is evil in
acknowledged whom he saw before him. our social structures, in all levels of government,
even in the Church, in our schools, in our religious
I have repeatedly alluded to the shameful reality communities, in our dysfunctional political sys-
of our misguidedly taking pride at being the only tem, in our families, etc.
Christian nation in Asia. But if there is anything
that ought to bother us, that ought to make us We all need to see clearly and rightly. We also
anxious, it is precisely in this area … Our worries need to see the right things. And as St. Paul
and anxieties have to do with material, earthly counsels us wisely, if we have to be anxious at
concerns. all, then let us be anxious about the right things
. . .“Seek first for the Kingdom of God and his
What I am trying to say simply is this. We need righteousness, and all the rest will be added unto
to have the right vision for it to translate to right you” (Mt 6:33).

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