parishworks! 1Vol. 08 No. 03 April 21, 2012

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On Thursdat 18 April 2012, Fr. Rolando P. Garcia, Ph.D., Biblical Theology, arrived to deliver a lecture on VERBUM DOMINI, at the Jubilee Hall. He was presented to SAAP Ministries by Ms. Onie Misa of PREX.

History. VERBUM DOMINI is the doctrine about Bible that was started in the Synod of 2008, redefined in the synod of September 20, 2010, which was attended by our bishops, including Archbishop Luis Tagle, collated and submitted to Pope Benedict XVI, which he summarized in his exhortation, VERBUM DOMINI. Before this was achieved, in 1870 there was a Protestant movement in Germany to establish a biblical scholarship course in their churches. These scholars would work on translations of the Old Testament from the Hebrew; and of the New Testament, from the original Greek version. Pope Leo XIII took the cue from this movement and established the Pontifical Biblical Commission. The school for biblical scholars was born. From 1941-45 Pope John XXIII and Paul VI continued the work until Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger took over the Pontifical Commission and produced a formal manual. Related to this, Ratzinger produced 2 books, “Jesus of Nazareth, I and II,” reflections on the life of Jesus based on scripture. VERBUM DOMINI is the dogmatic constitution on divine revelation or Magna Carta of the official Church doctrine. It contains 3 parts.

1. Verbum Dei. What lectors read. Benedict XVI speaks academically as theologian. We are obliged to interpret the Word carefully. It is God Who speaks. Benedict XVI tries to make us understand that it is God who communicates. The heart of every

Payback TimeBy Susan Amoroso

Have you ever paid so much for something not really worth that much? Sobrang mahal ! Di sulit sa ibinayad ! How many of us experienced paying over-the-top prices for a trinket, a dud, a trifle.

Will you pay ransom for the dust of the earth with the life of your own son?

How could a great and powerful being subject himself voluntarily to abject cruelty, spat upon and slapped on the face, scourged by an abrasive roll of rope and metal twines, crowned with thorns, made to carry a heavy wooden cross uphill, nailed to a cross, stabbed with a sword on his side while hanging on the cross and left to die. All this to pay for someone else’ crime! All this to save a puny creation made of the dust of the earth!

One priest said, “ napakamahal ng kabayaran para matubos tayo.Tumanaw tayo ng malaking utang na loob. Wala ng hihigit pa sa sakripisyo ni Kristo.Namatay ang Diyos ng dahil sa matinding pag-ibig. Ang rurok ng simbolo ng pag-ibig ay kinosis.Isang pag-ibig na inaalay ang lahat.

Jesus ‘beloved apostle John wrote:``For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to save the world. that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have life everlasting. “

That is the essence of the Lenten season which culminates in the resurrection of Christ celebrated all over Christendom as Easter.

A Lay Leaders Conference on

VERBUM DOMINIby: Emilio Medina

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Verbum Domini...from page 1

2. Verbum in ecclesia. How Verbum applies to the community. To appreciate the life of the community in which the Word circulates. The ministries preach the gospels. In the Church we aspire for faithful understanding of the Scripture.

3. Verbum Mundo. The Word influencing and transforming the world of believers and non-believers of different cultures and creeds. Examination of how the Church preaches the Word and spread the gospels.

About the Gospels. They differ in their messages meant for different communities. Mark addressed the persecuted flock. His main theme was the cross, passion and suffering. Luke spoke to the church of the gentiles and outcasts, like women. He emphasized the Blessed Virgin, “Good Samaritan,” and “Prodigal Son.” Matthew belonged to the Jewish Christians. He based his teaching on the Old Testament doctrine, compared Jesus to Moses. As Moses gave the Law to the Jews, Jesus came to bring the Law of the New Testament. John preached to the Johannine church. He emphasized Christ’s teaching of love for one’s enemies and those who persecute his followers. But all these gospels were composed through the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We would include catechism, the sum of teaching from St. Augustine to Vatican II; the teaching made available to both Christians and non-Christians. In the Section on Divine Revelation, we will discover how Christ reveals Himself to us.

In addition, the Church relies on Tradition. Tradition, with Liturgy, Sacraments complement and support the Bible. The integrity of both is safeguarded by the Church Magisterium.

QUOTATIONS FROM BENEDICT XVI

1. Objective of Benedict XVI. Word of God as a “wellspring of constant renewal” from the Word of God.

2. The People of the Word of God. We are the religion of the Word of God. Christ is the definitive revelation of the Word of God. In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets. In the New Testament, He spoke through Jesus the Word incarnate. He chose the apostles as eyewitnesses to the Word. The apostles, in turn were succeeded by the later disciples.

3. The Word of God is relevant. Whatever your problems, you can rely on God’s Word. The enterprising wife is the image in Fr. Garcia’s example. The poor wife, to make ends meet for her struggling family, opts to

sacrifice her budget for electricity to help a neighbor in need. She does this with much fear and trembling. Prayer makes her decide to give in to her friend. As events unfold, God rewards her for her charity by returning double the amount which she gave up. When we help our neighbor, we are really helping Christ.

4. Word of God in Liturgy. The Word unfolds in Liturgy. In 3 years of following the Word as read during Mass, the careful listener can be exposed to 80 percent of the Bible. In the present time, the Liturgy is faithful to the Latin Mass of the past scripturally-based. The prayer of the Centurion, “Lord I am not worthy, that you should enter under my roof,” was the prayer originally said in Latin. This is also shown in the recent Easter vigil ceremony with 9 readings that describe the gospels. It presents Salvation history through the readings. The use of candles, the water.

5. Ministry of Lectors. If one is chosen as suitable lector, the training is very carefully-done in three aspects: biblical, liturgical and technical. There is available training in music with good acoustics in the building of churches

6. Importance of the Homily. Part of liturgical action, 4 semesters study;

a) Homiletics 1, technical, debates, plays, stage presence

b) Homiletics 2, gospel Old Testament

c) Homiletics 3, gospel, New Testament

d) Homiletics 4, What they say in Sacraments, , weddings

7. Word of God in Song. Singing brings emotion to some hard to understand part of the Word. The song puts us in the right mood to receive God’s message. When the gospel is about beatitudes, we should sing the music that refers to beatitudes. The Church has a vast collection of songs and hymns that can be used during the Mass. Clear Biblical inspiration is the norm.

8. Biblical Apostolate. A greater biblical apostolate, not the kind that was being practiced in the past ; this is the real m of the lectors; Bible reading and reflection. . Bible study groups should provide the impetus for establishing a Biblical apostolate.

9. New Evangelization. “Many are baptized, but insufficiently evangelized.” The need for a new evangelization … in the certainty that God’s Word

parishworks! 3

Payback Time...from page 1

Easter is a celebration of Christ’s triumph over sin and death. When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, mankind was given a second chance to life everlasting.

Easter is the joy of winning. Because Jesus won the battle against death and sin , man has the chance to go to heaven. Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead on the third day to free mankind from the wages of sin and death.

Easter is a celebration of the Risen Lord and Saviour. The fulfillment of Easter is for us to be able to enjoy a blissful eternal life in communion with God. There would be complete joy and peace, where the angels and saints are , where there is no more hunger and thirst, no more wars and strifes, no more depression and obesity , no more jealousy and fear, no more pollution, no bullies, no prima donnas, no violence, no crimes , in short PARADISE.. There is truly a paradise. Jesus himself attested. On the cross between two thieves, Jesus said to one of them,” Amen I say to you.,today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradise could be a place or an existence within a new order where only love, joy, peace,and

contentment reign .

The question is. At what price did Jesus has to pay for mankind to enjoy all these great heavenly freebies of paradise?

We all know the price that Jesus paid. That’s why Easter for all Christendom is the time to reflect on how we can repay God for His ultimate sacrifice, unequalled love and boundless goodness.

Easter is a time to show our gratitude to God. How do we do it? By turning a new leaf, leaving our old sinful ways behind. Easter is the time to ponder on God’s wonderful plan for all of us. Easter is the time to thank God through prayers and service to others. Easter is a time to be glad. God has given man another reprieve to enjoy heaven even here on earth.

Easter is signaling us to share God’s love by service to others. Let us all do our share to make our place in the sun a little heaven here on earth for our brothers and sisters especially the least of our brethren. Even a little kindness goes a long long way. What more with a bigger kind of kindness!

Holy Week Snapshots

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Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffSusan Amoroso, Emilio Medina, Russel Matthew Patolot, Karen Ann Phoa, Irene Gonzales, Noemi Sta Anna, Angelina Poe, Magda GanaBulletin Board EditorHarley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorsEllie Medina, Ging Santos, Leomar Alvarez SAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

PublisherSt. Andrew the Apostle ParishN. Garcia St. cor. Kalayaan Ave.Bel-Air II, Makati CityPhones: (632) 890-1796 / 890-1743 media@saaparish.com

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish.

Media and Communications Ministry Coordinator

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Answer key: 1) Ignorance; 2) Righteous; 3) Troubled; 4) Understand; 5) Third

April 22, 2012 – 3rd Sunday of Easter. Readings: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 / Psalm 4 / 1 John 2:1-5a / Luke 24:35-48

Announcements

The Parish is inviting male individuals who are 11 years old and above to be members of the Ministry

on Altar Servers.

Please support Paeskwela ni San Andres. Sponsorship forms are now available at the Parish

Office.

A Kumpilang Bayan will be held on May 27 at 3:30 in the afternoon. Candidates aged 12 years and

above may register at the parish office.

By: Karen Ann Phoa

Verbum Domini...from page 2

1. “Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E I N G O A R N C, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer.

2. “But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S H O U T E G I R one.”

3. “Then he said to them, “Why are you _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D R U O T B L E ? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”

4. “ Then he opened their minds to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S T U N D D A N R E the Scriptures.”

5. “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the _ _ _ _ _ D I R T H day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name...”

The Parish Feeding Program 2012 will commence on Monday April 23. Donors may

contact Tita Ope Lopez & Bing Campos of the Social Services and Development Ministry.

is effective. Our outward behavior can attract new members from the non-believers.

10.The Word of God and Creation. The world was created through God’s Word. This is the energy that made creation possible. Retreat requires a peaceful, beautiful place that projects the Word of God.

11. Word of God and the Internet. Even the Pope is using an iPad. Billions of images appear in front of our PC screens. Why not use this medium as a way of spreading God’s Word.

12.Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation. Build relationships through the Word of God to create a more livable, just and peaceful world.

Finally, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, “ (Rev. 3:20) God communicates; he is not stingy with what He is. He communicates fully. He knocks at the door of our hearts. Allow yourself to experience life in His Word.

Ms. Gene Alberto delivered the closing remarks.