LENTEN RECOLLECTION

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Introduction 

December 11, 2022

Good noon/afternoon, brothers and sisters in Christ! We are now in the Third Sunday of Advent which also called Gaudete Sunday.

The first reading is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. He declares, "The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.

The second reading is from the Letter of St. James. He said, "Be patient brothers and sisters until the coming of the Lord."

The gospel reading is from the Gospel according to St. Matthew. It is about the sending of John the Baptist's disciples to Jesus when John was in prison.

Please all stand to begin the Holy Eucharist.

FIRST READING

Is. 35:1-6a,10

God himself will come to save us.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

The desert and the parched land will exult; The the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (cf. Is 35:4) Lord, come and save us.

The LORD God keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.

R. Lord, come and save us.

The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.

The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers.

R. Lord, come and save us.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations.

R. Lord, come and save us.

SECOND READING

Jas. 5:7-10

Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

A reading from the Letter of Saint James

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient.

Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged.

Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.

Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

The word of the Lord.

GOSPEL

Mt.1:12-11

Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, baby "What did you go out to the desert to see?

A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see?

Someone dressed in fine clothing?

Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.

Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayers of the Faithful

December 11, 2022

Priest: Let us pray to our Heavenly Father for he is full of gentleness and compassion. In every petition, we say: LOVING FATHER, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1. That the whole Church especially Pope Francis, bishops and priests, be filled with the Wisdom of God so that they will serve the people in accordance to His Will. Let us pray to the Lord.

2. That our government officials be enlightened by the Wisdom of God so that in their programs and laws, peace and gratitude prevails. Let us pray to the Lord.

3. That the sick, the elderly and the poor, receive the blessings of comfort, consolation and courage to continue to live a life of faith. Let us pray to the Lord.

4. That those who worship and thank the Lord, especially ________________ receive abundant blessings. Let us pray to the Lord.

5. That all the dead, especially the souls of _______________ share the resurrection of our Lord Jesus in heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: Heavenly Father, it is our joy to praise and thank your generosity. We ask you to grant our prayers and petitions in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENT

December 11, 2022

1. The Archbishop of Davao encourages all families to put up a nativity scene, or what we call a Belen in every homes it will be done progressively during the days of advent and completing the whole nativity scene in time of Christmas Day in the evening of December 24, 2022. He also encourages us to put up and hang lanterns or parol to keep this typically beautiful Filipino Christmas décor.

The booklets for the prayer that will be used in placing the Child Jesus in the manger are available at Archdiocesan Liturgical Center (ALC)

2. Starting today, December 11, 2022, Sunday, there will be a time adjustment on our Sunday afternoon masses, this are the following, first mass will start at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon Cebuano mass followed by 3:30 in the afternoon English mass and the last mass will be at 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon, English mass.

3. This coming December 16, 2022, Friday is the first day of our Misa de Gallo, there will be two masses, the first mass will start at 3:00 o'clock in the morning followed by the 4:30 in the morning both cebuano masses. For more details about our Christmas and New Year's schedule of activities please visit the parish office or read the announcement posted outside the church.

4. The St. John the Baptist Parish, at Lasang, Davao City together with their parish priest, Fr. Jovil Bongay, initiated a Fundraising Raffle Draw for the benefit of their on-going church renovation. The tickets are available at the ICP office and sold at 30 pesos per ticket. The grand raffle draw will be on December 30, 2022.

Thank you very much.