Friday, Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas 1st Reading – 1 John 2:3-11 Beloved: And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments. He who says that he knows him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But he that keeps his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected; and by this we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard. Then too, I am writing to you a new commandment, which is the Truth in him and in you. For the darkness has passed away, and the true Light is now shining. Whoever declares himself to be in the light, and yet hates his brother, is in the darkness even now. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of offense in him. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, and in darkness he walks, and he does not know where he is going. For the darkness has blinded his eyes.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 5B-6 R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all you lands.Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! Announce his salvation, day after day.Tell his glory among the nations;among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! The LORD made the heavens.Splendor and majesty go before him;praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary. R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!   Alleluia – Luke 2:32 R. Alleluia, alleluia.A light of revelation to the Gentilesand glory for your people Israel.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 2:22-35 After the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,” and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his

By CBCP News December 28, 2023 Manila, Philippines The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) shared important reasons why “GomBurZa” is a must-watch historical biographical film. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP president, shared his insight in a social media post regarding one of the 10 entries in this year’s prestigious Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). He outlined his points via his Facebook page and gave five reasons why every Filipino must watch the movie. Well-researched film David shared that the film will bring back the audience to the “first spark of patriotism” that shaped the Filipino identity. He said the film beautifully portrayed how diverse groups, including Tagalogs, Kapampangans, Ilocanos, Cebuanos, natives, mestizos, criollos, and more, coalesced into one nation in the late 1800s. Produced by JesCom, world-class director The CBCP head said the fact the film is produced by the Jesuit Communications Foundation is reason alone to anticipate its quality. He also praised its director, Joses Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno, acknowledging him as a world-class talent. GomBurZa also won the 49th MMFF’s Best Director award for Diokno. Gripping retelling of martyrdom story David explained the movie is “a gripping retelling of the story of martyrdom of these three secular priests from the perspective of a young witness—Jose Rizal y Mercado, who was mentored by his brother Paciano, who in turn was mentored by Padre Jose Burgos, and who, in turn was also mentored by Padre Pedro Pelaez. Rizal, in later years, honored these priests in his novel “El Filibusterismo.” ‘Class A’ David said GomBurZa movie “is class A in all regards, in terms of quality as a film production, in terms of acting, directing, screenplay, research, cinematography, sounds, etc.” GomBurZa is the most awarded MMFF movie this year. Aside from Best Director, the movie won Best Actor for Cedrick Juan, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, and second Best Picture. GomBurZa unveils essence of being true Filipino GomBurZa tells the story of three Filipino priests Mariano Gómes, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, who were executed during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. The film stars Dante Rivero as Padre Gomez, Cedrick Juan as Padre Burgos, and Enchong Dee as Padre Zamora. The bishop said the movie “will make you appreciate what it truly means to be a Filipino.” DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs 1st Reading – 1 John 1:5-2:2 Beloved: This is the announcement which we have heard from him, and which we announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness. If we claim that we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, then we are lying and not telling the truth. But if we walk in the light, just as he also is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim that we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity. If we claim that we have not sinned, then we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us. My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One. And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 124:2-3, 4-5, 7CD-8 R.  Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Had not the LORD been with usWhen men rose up against us,then would they have swallowed us alive,When their fury was inflamed against us. R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;The torrent would have swept over us;over us then would have swept the raging waters. R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare. Broken was the snare,and we were freed.Our help is in the name of the LORD,who made heaven and earth. R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.   Alleluia – See Te Deum R. Alleluia, alleluia.We praise you, O God,we acclaim you as Lord;the white robed army of martyrs praise you.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Matthew 2:13-18 When the magi had departed, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: “Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and flee into Egypt. And remain there until I tell you. For it will happen that Herod will seek the boy to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the boy and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt. And he remained there, until the death of Herod, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt, I called my son.” Then Herod, seeing that he had been fooled by the Magi, was very angry. And so he sent to kill all the boys who were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders,

Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist 1st Reading – 1 John 1:1-4 Beloved: He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, upon whom we have gazed, and whom our hands have certainly touched: He is the Word of Life. And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us. He whom we have seen and heard, we announce to you, so that you, too, may have fellowship with us, and so that our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And this we write to you, so that you may rejoice, and so that your joy may be full.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 R.  Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;let the many isles be glad.Clouds and darkness are around him,justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,before the LORD of all the earth.The heavens proclaim his justice,and all peoples see his glory. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Light dawns for the just;and gladness, for the upright of heart.Be glad in the LORD, you just,and give thanks to his holy name. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!   Alleluia – See Te Deum R. Alleluia, alleluia.We praise you, O God,we acclaim you as Lord;the glorious company of Apostles praise you.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 20:1A AND 2-8 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, “They have taken the Lord away from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter, therefore, went out, and that other disciple, and they came to the tomb. And they both ran together, and that other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the tomb. And when he bowed down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not yet enter. Then Simon Peter arrived, following him, and he entered the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there, And the napkin that had been over his head, not placed with the linen cloths, but in a separate place, wrapped up by itself. Then the other disciple, who had arrived first at the tomb, also entered. And he saw and believed. Today's Readings Homilies Love Offering:

The Nativity of the Lord 1st Reading – Isaiah 52:7-10 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger and the preacher of peace! Announcing good and preaching peace, they are saying to Zion, “Your God will reign!” The voice of your watchmen. They have lifted up their voice, they shall praise together: for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall convert Zion Rejoice and give praise together, O ye deserts of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people: he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has prepared his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. 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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulnesstoward the house of Israel. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation by our God.Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;break into song; sing praise. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,with the harp and melodious song.With trumpets and the sound of the hornsing joyfully before the King, the LORD. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.   2nd Reading – Hebrews 1:1-6 Brothers and sisters: In many places and in many ways, in past times, God spoke to the fathers through the Prophets; lastly, in these days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he appointed as the heir of all things, and through whom he made the world. And since the Son is the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and is carrying all things by the Word of his virtue, thereby accomplishing a purging of sins, he sits at the right hand of Majesty on high. And having been made so much better than the Angels, he has inherited a name so much greater than theirs. For to which of the Angels has he ever said: “You are my Son; today have I begotten you?” Or again: “I will be a Father to him, and he shall be a Son to me?” And again, when he brings the only-begotten Son into the world, he says: “And let all the Angels of God adore him.”   Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.A holy day has dawned upon us.Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.For today a great light has come upon the earth.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel –

Cardinal Jose Advincula, archbishop of Manila. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICK DOMINICK ROMERO By CBCP News December 24, 2023 Manila, Philippines Christmas is a time to reflect on God’s love for us and share these blessings to others, especially those in need, the archbishop of Manila said. Cardinal Jose Advincula said that Christmas is a time to be grateful, encouraging the faithful to “be more concrete and specific in our words of gratitude and acts of charity”. “Like Mary in the Magnificat, let us recount the great things God has done for us and share them with others,” Advincula said in Christmas message. “Like St. Joseph, let our actions speak more than our words. Visit the sick, the elderly, and those deprived of liberty; be present to those who are grieving; console the broken-hearted; pray for peace,” he said. The cardinal said that the best gifts “are not just in boxes” and could be as simple as long as they are “meaningful, given with love and affection, the fruit of hard work and effort”. “Christmas is not about abstract ideas or lofty ambitions. It is about God in the flesh, in the concrete, in the simple and small, in the humble and pure,” Advincula added. “Let us live this reality of God’s closeness and tenderness every day. May your hearts and homes be a manger of warmth, acceptance, and joy,” he also said. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Fourth Sunday of Advent 1st Reading – 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16 When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:  “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?’ “It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,I have sworn to David my servant:Forever will I confirm your posterityand establish your throne for all generations.” R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,my God, the Rock, my savior.’Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,and my covenant with him stands firm.” R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.   2nd Reading – Romans 16:25-27 Brothers and sisters: Now to him who is able to confirm you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, in accord with the revelation of the mystery which has been hidden from time immemorial, (which now has been made clear through the Scriptures of the Prophets, in accord with the precept of the eternal God, unto the obedience of faith) which has been made known among all the Gentiles: to

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent 1st Reading – Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he comes, says the Lord of hosts. And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb: And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day, To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with doom.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 25:4-5AB, 8-9, 10 AND 14 R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior. R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.He guides the humble to justice,he teaches the humble his way. R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancytoward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,and his covenant, for their instruction. R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.   Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 1:57-66 Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her. And it happened that, on the eighth day, they arrived to circumcise the boy, and they called him by his father’s name, Zechariah. And in response, his mother said: “Not so. Instead, he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “But there is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called. And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: “His name is John.” And they all wondered. Then, at once, his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and

Friday of the Third Week of Advent 1st Reading – 1 Samuel 1:24-28 In those days, Hannah brought Samuel with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” She left Samuel there.   Responsorial Psalm – 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD R.  My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “My heart exults in the LORD,my horn is exalted in my God.I have swallowed up my enemies;I rejoice in my victory.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “The bows of the mighty are broken,while the tottering gird on strength.The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,while the hungry batten on spoil.The barren wife bears seven sons,while the mother of many languishes.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “The LORD puts to death and gives life;he casts down to the nether world;he raises up again.The LORD makes poor and makes rich,he humbles, he also exalts.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior. “He raises the needy from the dust;from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,To seat them with noblesand make a glorious throne their heritage.” R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.   Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 1:46-56 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy, just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house. Today's Readings Homilies

The national pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima enshrined at her national shrine in Valenzuela City. NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA/FACEBOOK By CBCP News December 21, 2023 Manila, Philippines Pope Francis has granted canonical coronation to the country’s national pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima, the same icon used during the People Power Revolution of 1986. The news was announced Oct. 19 by the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Valenzuela City, where the image is enshrined, citing a decree from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. “We are confident that this canonical coronation will contribute to an ever deepening devotion to the Mother of God on the part of God’s holy, faithful people which will, in turn, assist them in their spiritual growth,” said Archbishop Vittorio Viola, the dicastery’s secretary. A canonical coronation is a formal ceremony wherein a Marian image is crowned in the name of the pope. The coronation acknowledges the specific image’s local significance while also recognizing its universal importance within the Catholic Church. The practice began in the 17th century but became increasingly popular in the late 1800s. Our Lady of Fatima holds a special place in the Catholic nation as her image was at the forefront of the peaceful uprising at Edsa. In 1999, the image was entrusted to the care of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and has been enthroned there ever since. The pilgrim image received an episcopal coronation on May 13, 2017, marking the centenary of the Fatima apparitions. The shrine has scheduled the rite of coronation for the image on Feb. 25, 2024, the 38th anniversary of the Edsa revolt. (Joseph Ryan Moscoso) DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.