6th Sunday

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Litany of Gratitude After the Covid Pandemic

To be prayed in all weekday and Sunday Masses from February 11 until February 22, 2023 (Ash Wednesday).

Leader: Let us approach the Lord, Who makes all things new, for all the blessings and graces we received during the Covid pandemic.

After every petition, let us say together: Thanks be to God.

For reminding us of the fragility of life, shielding us when no one else dared to shelter us and opening our minds to what is really essential, let us thank the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

For allowing us to connect with one another with faith and love, despite the isolation that sickness had imposed on us, let us thank the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

For the heroic kindness of those who provided us with scientific, social and spiritual help when doing so was both risky and life threatening for them, let us thank the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

For the gift of newly discovered medicines and vaccines to combat the virus and the wonder of natural immunity, let us thank the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

For the gift of assuring presence, when we were anxious and distressed, depressed and lonely and impatient during the pandemic, let us thank the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.

Loving God, no thought of ours is unknown to you. No tear we shed is unimportant to you. No joy we celebrate is alien to you. You entered our world of sickness, suffering and death and you know the fears we face. Accept our thanksgiving for your provident love during the Covid pandemic. As you wept at the death of Lazarus, breathe the breath of life everlasting on all those who died from the corona virus. You have turned our fears into joy and for this we thank and praise You. To you be glory now and forever.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us. Saint Michael, the Archangel, pray for us. San Roque, pray for us.

Introduction

February 12, 2023

Good noon/afternoon brothers and sisters in Christ. We are now in the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The First Reading is from the Book of Sirac. He reminds his disciples that God created them free so that they might freely choose what is good.

The Second Reading is from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. God's mysterious plan of salvation in Christ was revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and all believers.

The gospel is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Let us all stand to begin the Eucharistic Celebration.

FIRST READING

Sir. 15:15-20

No one does he command to act unjustly.

A reading from the Book of Sirach

If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; 

if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him. Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man's every deed.

No one does he command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18.33-34

R. (lb) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept.

Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes!

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Be good to your servant, that I may live and keep your words.

Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Instruct me, O LORD, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them.

Give me discernment, that I may observe your law/ and keep it with all my heart.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

SECOND READING

1Cor. 2:6-10

God predestined wisdom before the ages for our glory.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:

We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather, we speak God's wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

But as it is written:

What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA

cf. Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the king- dom.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mt. 5:17-37

A LONGER FORM

So it was said to your ancestors; but I say this to you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples:

 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the

prophets.

I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin;  and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.

 

Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.

Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.

But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.

It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.

But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife-unless the marriage is unlawful- causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.

But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.

Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."

The Gospel of the Lord.

B SHORTER FORM

So it was said to your ancestors; but now I say this to you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 

But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors,

Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.

But I say to you, do not swear at all. 

Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer of the Faithful

February 12, 2023

Priest: Today God's Word has enlightened us about the values enshrined in the Commandments and the strict demands they impose on us. Let us ask for the Lord's help in our endeavor to live up to these demands. In all humility, we pray:

LORD, MAKE US FAITHFUL TO YOUR COMMANDMENTS

1. For the Church's leaders especially Pope Francis, the Bishops and Priest, may the Lord accompany them in living their mission and proclaiming the living Gospel to the faithful. Let us pray.

2. For our civil authorities who are responsible for promoting the common good of the people, may the Lord bless them with courage and faithfulness in living and promoting the values contained in God's moral Law. Let us pray.

3. For our catechists, teachers, and media practitioners, whose work is so vital in the moral formation of the new generations, may the Holy Spirit enlightened them always to be aware of the importance of their mission and carry it out with brave consistency. Let us pray.

4. For our community and our families, may the moral teaching of the Sermon on the Mount be our constant reference point and inspiration in facing the challenges of daily life. Let us pray.

5. For the sick and dying, may they be healed in God healing hands through the people that surround them. Let us pray.

6. For our brothers and sisters who have grateful hearts especially may the Lord bless them in their daily endeavor. Let us pray. 

7. For the faithful departed especially  may they receive God's forgiveness and live eternally in heaven. Let us pray. 

Priest: God our Father, we thank You for giving us Jesus, our infallible moral teacher and perfect example to be followed. May Your Holy Spirit grant us the strength that we need to put into practice the truths we have recalled today. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen

ANNOUNCEMENT

February 12, 2023

1. This coming February 22, 2023 is the celebration of Ash Wednesday, there will be three (3) masses on this day. The first mass will start at 6:00 o'clock in the morning, second mass is at 12:00 o'clock noon and the last mass will be at 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon.

Thank you very much.