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

20 September 2020 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

GOD’S SURPRISING GENEROSITY

W
e know that God is tremendously generous, but sometimes His gen-
erosity bewilders us as we realize that His priorities may be so
different from ours. Such is the warning that comes to us from
today’s First proclamation and the Gospel.
God has, indeed, His own way of evaluating our performance and of re-
warding it. If sometimes He seems to show a special attention for “the last
and the least,” it is not for us to question His behavior. We should, rather,
learn from Him to show a special love for the weak, “the losers,” and “the
lost,” without pampering or humiliating them. God’s generosity toward
them should be our inspiration rather than the cause of our envy.
Let this Eucharist encourage us to count our blessings. Let us not be
devoured by jealousy at the sight of the blessings bestowed on others. The
good that we receive from the Lord is always much more than what we deserve.

conscience and realize how and bring us to everlasting life.

much we need God’s forgiveness All – Amen!
and strength. (Pause)
P –For the times we have al- Gloria
Entrance Antiphon
(To be recited only when no lowed our envy of the suc- All – Glory to God in the highest,
Entrance Hymn is sung.) cess of others to poison our and on earth peace to people of
I am the salvation of the hearts and minds, Lord, good will. We praise you, we bless
people, says the Lord. Should have mercy! you, we adore you, we glorify
they cry to me in any distress, All – Lord, have mercy!
you, we give you thanks for your
I will hear them, and I will be P –For the times we have al- great glory, Lord God, heavenly
their Lord for ever.
lowed our jealousy to King, O God, almighty Father.
tarnish the reputation of Lord Jesus Christ, Only Be-
Greeting people who are more suc- gotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of
P –All praise and honor to the cessful than us, Christ, God, Son of the Father, you take
Blessed Trinity who calls us to have mercy! away the sins of the world, have
work in the vineyard of the King- All –Christ, have mercy! mercy on us; you take away the
dom. May His grace and peace sins of the world, receive our
be with you all! P –For the times we have dared
prayer; you are seated at the right
All – And with your spirit! to accuse you of playing
hand of the Father, have mercy
favorites and being unfair,
on us. For you alone are the Holy
Penitential Act Lord, have mercy!
One, you alone are the Lord, you
All – Lord, have mercy!
P –As we are about to start alone are the Most High, Jesus
the Eucharistic Sacrifice, let us P –May almighty God have Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the
pause briefly to examine our mercy on us, forgive us our sins, glory of God the Father. Amen!

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 Collect (Opening Prayer) * The Lord is gracious and Jesus told his disciples
merciful, slow to anger and of this parable: “The kingdom
P –O God, who founded all
great kindness. The Lord is of heaven is like a landowner
the commands of your sacred
good to all and compassionate who went out at dawn to hire
Law upon love of you and of our
toward all his works. R. laborers for his vineyard. Af-
neighbor, grant that, by keeping
your precepts, we may merit to * The Lord is just in all his ter agreeing with them for the
attain eternal life. ways and holy in all his works. usual daily wage, he sent them
Through our Lord Jesus The Lord is near to all who call into his vineyard.
Christ, your Son, who lives and upon him, to all who call upon Going out about nine
reigns with you in the unity of him in truth. R.
o’clock, the landowner saw oth-
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. 2nd Proclamation Phil 1:20-24.27 ers standing idle in the mar-
All – Amen! Facing the prospect that he ketplace, and he said to them,
may be sentenced to death, the ‘You too go into my vineyard,
apostle Paul states that what and I will give you what is just.’
matters most to him is not what So they went off. And he went
he would prefer but what Christ out again around noon, and
wants for the greater good of the around three o’clock, and did
1st Proclamation Is 55:6-9 Church.
Human beings are often likewise. Going out about five
tempted to fashion a God in their R – A proclamation from the o’clock, the landowner found
own image and likeness. Today, Letter of Paul to the Philip- others standing around, and
we are reminded that God is im- pians said to them, ‘Why do you
mensely different from us and Brothers and sisters: stand here idle all day?’ They
all that we have to do is seek His Christ will be magnified in answered, ‘Because no one has
mercy for our shortcomings. my body, whether by life or by hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You
R – A proclamation from the death. For to me life is Christ, too go into my vineyard.’
Book of the Prophet Isaiah and death is gain. If I go on
living in the flesh, that means When it was evening the
Seek the Lord while he fruitful labor for me. And I do owner of the vineyard said to
may be found, call him while not know which I shall choose. his foreman, ‘Summon the la-
he is near. Let the scoundrel I am caught between the two. borers and give them their pay,
forsake his way, and the wicked I long to depart this life and beginning with the last and
his thoughts. Let him turn to be with Christ, for that is far ending with the first.’ When
the Lord for mercy; to our God, better. Yet that I remain in the those who had started about
who is generous in forgiving. flesh is more necessary for your
benefit. Only, conduct your- five o’clock came, each received
“For my thoughts are not the usual daily wage. So when
your thoughts, nor are your selves in a way worthy of the
ways my ways,” says the Lord. gospel of Christ. the first came, they thought
“As high as the heavens are that they would receive more,
The Word of the Lord!
above the earth, so high are my All – Thanks be to God! but each of them also got the
ways above your ways and my usual wage. And on receiving
thoughts above your thoughts.” Gospel Acclamation it they grumbled against the
The Word of the Lord! All – Alleluia! Alleluia! landowner, saying, ‘These last
All – Thanks be to God! Open our hearts, O Lord, ones worked only one hour, and
to listen to the words of you have made them equal to
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145 your Son. us, who bore the day’s burden
R –The Lord is near to all who Alleluia! Alleluia! and the heat.’ He said to one
call upon him! of them in reply, ‘My friend, I
Gospel Mt 20:1-16 am not cheating you. Did you
Today’s parable is not meant not agree with me for the usual
to settle the issue of a fair com- daily wage? Take what is yours
pensation for those who work
and go. What if I wish to give
in God’s Kingdom. Rather, it
reminds us that the Kingdom is this last one the same as you?
open to all and what matters is Or am I not free to do as I wish
not to enter first or last but to do with my own money? Are you
our duty the best way we can. envious because I am gener-
ous?’
P –The Lord be with you!
All –And with your spirit! Thus, the last will be first,
* Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name for- P –A proclamation from the and the first will be last.”
ever and ever. Great is the Lord holy Gospel according to The Gospel of the Lord!
and highly to be praised; his Matthew All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus
greatness is unsearchable. R. All – Glory to you, O Lord! Christ!
20 September 2020
 Homily age and welcome the active in- P –Let us give thanks to the
volvement of all Catholics in Lord our God!
Profession of Faith the apostolic initiatives of the All –It is right and just!
(Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed)
Church, let us pray! R.
All –I believe in one God, the Fa- P –It is truly right and just, our
C –That our civil authorities duty and our salvation, always
ther almighty, maker of heaven may take to heart the welfare of
and earth, of all things visible and everywhere to give you
all citizens, and especially the thanks, Lord, holy Father, al-
and invisible. marginalized, the homeless, the
I believe in one Lord Jesus mighty and eternal God.
jobless and the sick, let us pray! For we know it belongs to
Christ, the Only Begotten Son R.
of God, born of the Father be- your boundless glory, that you
fore all ages. God from God, C –That all teachers and cat- came to the aid of mortal be-
Light from Light, true God from echists may take good care of the ings with your divinity and even
true God, begotten, not made, children entrusted to them, and fashioned for us a remedy out of
consubstantial with the Father; follow with special love the less mortality itself, that the cause of
through him all things were gifted and the weak, let us pray! our downfall might become the
made. For us men and for our R. means of our salvation, through
salvation he came down from C –That all the members of our Christ our Lord.
heaven, (bow)* and by the Holy community may promote the Through him the host of An-
Spirit was incarnate of the Vir- spread of God’s Kingdom in our gels adores your majesty and re-
gin Mary, and became man.* midst without jealousy or rival- joices in your presence for ever.
For our sake he was crucified ries, let us pray! R. May our voices, we pray, join
under Pontius Pilate, he suf- with theirs in one chorus of ex-
fered death and was buried, and C –Let us pray in silence for our ultant praise, as we acclaim:
rose again on the third day in personal intentions. (Pause) All –Holy, holy, holy Lord, God
accordance with the Scriptures. Let us pray! R. of hosts. Heaven and earth are
He ascended into heaven and is P –Lord God, we thank You for full of your glory. Hosanna in
seated at the right hand of the giving us the privilege to work the highest!
Father. He will come again in in Your vineyard. Make us mag- Blessed is he who comes in
glory to judge the living and the nanimous toward our fellow the name of the Lord. Hosanna
dead and his kingdom will have workers that we may rejoice with in the highest!
no end. them when all of us receive our
I believe in the Holy Spirit, final reward in the Kingdom of
the Lord, the giver of life, who Memorial Acclamation
proceeds from the Father and heaven where You live and reign
for ever and ever. P –The mystery of faith!
the Son, who with the Father All –Save us, Savior of the
and the Son is adored and glori- All – Amen!
world, for by your Cross
fied, who has spoken through and Resurrection you
the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, cath- have set us free.
olic and apostolic Church. I
confess one Baptism for the Preparation of the Gifts
forgiveness of sins and I look
forward to the resurrection of P –Pray, brethren . . .
the dead and the life of the world All – May the Lord accept the All – Our Father . . .
to come. Amen! sacrifice at your hands, for the P –Deliver us, Lord . . .
praise and glory of his name, All –For the kingdom, the pow-
Prayer of the Faithful for our good and the good of all er, and the glory are yours, now
P –Today, we are challenged by his holy Church. and forever.
the Gospel to learn from God to Prayer over the Offerings
be generous to all. Let us extend Sign of Peace
our concern to the needs of all P –Receive with favor, O Lord,
mankind and present them to the we pray, the offerings of your Breaking of the Bread
Lord as we say: people, that what they profess All – Lamb of God . . .
with devotion and faith may be
All – Lord, hear our prayer! theirs through these heavenly Communion
C –That all Christians may gen- mysteries.
erously work in the vineyard of P –Behold the Lamb of God,
Through Christ our Lord.
behold him who takes away the
the Kingdom without expect- All – Amen! sins of the world. Blessed are
ing material rewards, and with-
Preface III those called to the Supper of the
out envy for those who achieve Lamb.
more, let us pray! R. P –The Lord be with you! All –Lord, I am not worthy
C –That the Holy Father, our All –And with your spirit! that you should enter under
Bishops and all our religious P –Lift up your hearts! my roof, but only say the word
leaders may ever more encour- All – We lift them up to the Lord! and my soul shall be healed.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 Communion Antiphon our society and make them
(To be recited only when no bear fruits of justice, peace
Communion Hymn is sung.) and solidarity.
You have laid down your All–Amen!
precepts to be carefully kept; P –The Lord be with you. P –May He protect you from
may my ways be firm in keep- All – And with your spirit! all dangers and guide you
ing your statutes. P –Bow your heads and pray into the way of peace and
for God’s blessing. (Pause) prosperity.
Prayer after Communion – May the Lord give you a All–Amen!
greater awareness of the im- P – May almighty God bless
P –Graciously raise up, O Lord, portance of your role in the
those you renew with this Sac- you: the Father, and the
Church and the grace to play Son, and the Holy Spirit.
rament, that we may come to that role with generosity and
possess your redemption both in All – Amen!
a sense of responsibility.
mystery and in the manner of our All –Amen! P –Go in peace to work gener-
life. ously in the vineyard of the
Through Christ our Lord. P –May He guide you in sowing Lord.
All – Amen! the seeds of the Kingdom in All – Thanks be to God!

SHOULD CRUCIFIXES BE
REMOVED FROM HOSPITAL ROOMS?
• Jess P. Balon
(First of Two Parts)

L ast year, precisely in the month of September,

House Bill no. 4633 was filed, the bottomline of
which is the proposal that Crucifixes (and similar
he/she has been admitted. But we can’t understand
the insensitivity of the same lawmaker toward the
Catholic patients (not to speak of the Catholic doc-
Catholic religious “mementos”) be removed from hos- tors, nurses and other hospital personnel), at seeing
pital rooms. The reason? The supposition that a non- removed from their hospital (especially if the hospital is
Catholic patient “would be ill at ease to find a Crucifix owned by a Catholic institution) the familiar Crucifixes
hovering in his/her room.” they revere and love, just for the sake of some rare
At the very start of the “Explanatory Note,” signed non-Catholic patients.
by the proponent of this bill, it is stated that the “pres- For sure, many Catholics would feel very seriously
ence of Crucifixes in many local hospital suites . . . offended in their religious sensitivity by such an act.
raises serious interfaith issues.” Although, at present, we have in the Philippines a va-
From such statement we may conclude that the riety of religious faiths and denominations, it is a fact
“innocent” concern of the lawmaker seems also to be that the Catholic religion is followed by at least 75% of
the promotion of a positive interfaith relationship. the total population. In a democratic society, numbers
We can ask: would the removal of the Crucifix count. Should they not count when it comes to religious
in healthcare institutions improve the relationships affiliations and preferences? Would it not be unfair to
among the different faith? I strongly doubt that such
the great majority of the population of our country to
a bill will achieve this purpose. It may please some
Protestant and Born-again groups, who are noted for be deprived of the sight of an image which means so
their “allergy” to Crucifixes and Signs of the Cross. But much to them just because of the uneasiness which
for sure it won’t improve the relationship between the such an image may cause to some non-Catholics?
Catholic Church and the Iglesia ni Cristo (to whom the If we apply the well-known “Four-Way-Test” of
author of the Bill belongs). Most Catholics will consider the Rotarians to our case, we can sadly conclude that
the removal of the Crucifix from the hospital rooms an the proposed bill no. 4633 is not fair to the large major-
inimical act because such religious symbol has been ity of “all concerned,” and it will hardly “build goodwill
hanging there for decades, to say the least. And the and better friendship” among all those concerned. Will
only reasons for such removal, as stated by the bill’s the removal of Crucifixes from hospitals “be beneficial
proponent, is that “a non-Catholic might feel ill at ease” to all concerned”? I seriously doubt it, if among those
to find a Crucifix hovering in his/her room. “concerned” include the Catholics, and not just the
We can understand the sensitivity of the lawmaker non-Catholics . . . Hence, such bill is to be trashed as
toward what a non-Catholic who may feel uncomfort- being radically UNFAIR to the great majority of the
able at having a Crucifix in the hospital room where Filipinos. (Part Two will be featured next Sunday.)

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