. (MALE VOICE SPEAKING) BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD (MUSIC) (FEMALE VOICE CHANTING SOFTLY) (MUSIC) ( MALE VOICE) TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. (MUSIC) ( MALE VOICE) TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, (MUSIC) (MALE VOICE) DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. (MUSIC) . (233)(EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) ("WEEKDAYS AFTER THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER") (ENTRANCE ANTIPHON ) ( BELL) ♪ (CANTOR) LET MY MOUTH BE FILLED WITH YOUR PRAISE, THAT I MAY SING ALOUD; MY LIPS SHALL SHOUT FOR JOY, WHEN I SING TO YOU, ALLELUIA. ♪ (ALL) LET MY MOUTH BE FILLED WITH YOUR PRAISE, THAT I MAY SING ALOUD; MY LIPS SHALL SHOUT FOR JOY, WHEN I SING TO YOU, ALLELUIA. ♪ (CANTOR) GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING IT IS NOW AND EVER SHALL BE WORLD WITHOUT END. AMEN. ♪ (ALL) LET MY MOUTH BE FILLED WITH YOUR PRAISE, THAT I MAY SING ALOUD; MY LIPS SHALL SHOUT FOR JOY, WHEN I SING TO YOU, ALLELUIA. . (PRIEST:) IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. R. AMEN. . (PRIEST:) THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL. R. AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT. . (PENITENTIAL ACT) (PRIEST:) BRETHREN [BROTHERS AND SISTERS] LET US ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS, AND SO PREPARE OURSELVES TO CELEBRATE THE SACRED MYSTERIES. (ALL:) I CONFESS TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND TO YOU, MY BROTHER, [BROTHERS AND SISTERS] THAT I HAVE GREATLY SINNED, IN MY THOUGHTS AND IN MY WORDS, IN WHAT I HAVE DONE AND IN WHAT I HAVE FAILED TO DO, (PEOPLE STRIKE THEIR BREAST, SAYING) THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT; THEREFORE I ASK BLESSED MARY EVER-VIRGIN, ALL THE ANGELS AND SAINTS, AND YOU MY BROTHER, TO PRAY FOR ME TO THE LORD OUR GOD. (ABSOLUTION BY THE PRIEST ) MAY ALMIGHTY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US, FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND BRING US TO EVERLASTING LIFE. R. AMEN. . ♪ >>KYRIE, ELEISON. ♪ R. KYRIE, ELEISON. ♪ >>CHRISTE, ELEISON. ♪ R. CHRISTE, ELEISON. ♪ >>KYRIE, ELEISON. ♪ R. KYRIE, ELEISON. . ( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY ) (COLLECT) (PRIEST) LET US PRAY. (PRIEST) O GOD, RESTORER AND LOVER OF INNOCENCE, DIRECT THE HEARTS OF YOUR SERVANTS TOWARDS YOURSELF, THAT THOSE YOU HAVE SET FREE FROM THE DARKNESS OF UNBELIEF MAY NEVER STRAY FROM THE LIGHT OF YOUR TRUTH. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. R. AMEN. . (287) ( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) (FIRST READING) (READER) A READING FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (15:1-6) SOME WHO HAD COME DOWN FROM JUDEA WERE INSTRUCTING THE BROTHERS, UNLESS YOU ARE CIRCUMCISED ACCORDING TO THE MOSAIC PRACTICE, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED. BECAUSE THERE AROSE NO LITTLE DISSENSION AND DEBATE BY PAUL AND BARNABAS WITH THEM, IT WAS ECIDED THAT PAUL, BARNABAS, AND SOME OF THE OTHERS SHOULD GO UP TO JERUSALEM TO THE APOSTLES AND PRESBYTERS ABOUT THIS QUESTION. THEY WERE SENT ON THEIR JOURNEY BY THE CHURCH, AND PASSED THROUGH PHOENICIA AND SAMARIA TELLING OF THE CONVERSION OF THE GENTILES, AND BROUGHT GREAT JOY TO ALL THE BRETHREN. WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM, THEY WERE WELCOMED BY THE CHURCH, AS WELL AS BY THE APOSTLES AND THE PRESBYTERS, AND THEY REPORTED WHAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM. BUT SOME FROM THE PARTY OF THE PHARISEES WHO HAD BECOME BELIEVERS STOOD UP AND SAID, IT IS NECESSARY TO CIRCUMCISE THEM AND DIRECT THEM TO OBSERVE THE MOSAIC LAW. THE APOSTLES AND THE PRESBYTERS MET TOGETHER TO SEE ABOUT THIS MATTER. ♪ (LATIN WORDS) ♪(READER) VERBUM DOMINI R. DEO GRATIAS. (287)( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) (RESPONSORIAL PSALM 122:1-5) (READER:) LET US GO REJOICING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. R. LET US GO REJOICING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. (READER:) I REJOICED BECAUSE THEY SAID TO ME, WE WILL GO UP TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. AND NOW WE HAVE SET FOOT WITHIN YOUR GATES, O JERUSALEM. R. LET US GO REJOICING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. (READER:) JERUSALEM, BUILT AS A CITY WITH COMPACT UNITY. TO IT THE TRIBES GO UP, THE TRIBES OF THE LORD. R. LET US GO REJOICING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. (READER:) ACCORDING TO THE DECREE FOR ISRAEL, TO GIVE THANKS TO THE NAME OF THE LORD. IN IT ARE SET UP JUDGMENT SEATS, SEATS FOR THE HOUSE OF DAVID. R. LET US GO REJOICING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. (VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL) ♪ (ORGAN) ♪ (CANTORS) ALLELUIA ALLELUIA ALLELUIA ♪ R. ALLELUIA ALLELUIA ALLELUIA (CANTOR) ♪REMAIN IN ME, AS I REMAIN IN YOU, SAYS THE LORD; WHOEVER REMAINS IN ME WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT. ♪ R. ALLELUIA ALLELUIA ALLELUIA (287) ( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) (GOSPEL) (LATIN WORDS) ♪ >>DOMINUS VOBISCUM. ♪ R. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO ♪>> LECTIO SANCTI EVANGELII SECUNDUM JOHANNEM(15:1-8 ) (PEOPLE MAKE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON FOREHEAD, MOUTH, HEART WHEN PRIEST ANNOUNCES THE GOSPEL ) PRIEST ANNOUNCES THE GOSPEL ) ♪R. GLORIA TIBI, DOMINE. >>JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES: I AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE VINE GROWER. HE TAKES AWAY EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT, AND EVERYONE THAT DOES HE PRUNES SO THAT IT BEARS MORE FRUIT. YOU ARE ALREADY PRUNED BECAUSE OF THE WORD THAT I SPOKE TO YOU. REMAIN IN ME, AS I REMAIN IN YOU. JUST AS A BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT ON ITS OWN UNLESS IT REMAINS ON THE VINE, SO NEITHER CAN YOU UNLESS YOU REMAIN IN ME. I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. WHOEVER REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT, BECAUSE WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT REMAIN IN ME WILL BE THROWN OUT LIKE A BRANCH AND WITHER; PEOPLE WILL GATHER THEM AND THROW THEM INTO A FIRE AND THEY WILL BE BURNED. IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU, ASK FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT AND IT WILL BE DONE FOR YOU. BY THIS IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED, THAT YOU BEAR MUCH FRUIT AND BECOME MY DISCIPLES. ♪ (LATIN WORDS) VERBUM DOMINI ♪R. LAUS TIBI, CHRISTE IS A LITTLE TEASER FOR EWTN LIFE TONIGHT THE GUEST FOR THE SHOW WILL BE KATIE MORON WITH THE APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA BYZANTINE DIVISION AND SHE WILL SPEAK ABOUT THIS LOVELY PILGRIM BURGEON ICON OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA. SO PLEASE TUNE IN TONIGHT TO FIND OUT MORE. OUR LORD ONCE AGAIN PROVIDES HIS CHURCH WITH A MASTERFUL IMAGE THAT CONVEYS TO US THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE FATHER AND THE SON TO THE CHURCH. TODAY HE GIVES HIS DISCIPLES A SIMPLE DOWN TO EARTH IMAGE, THAT OF A VINE AND A VINE DRESSER, IN ORDER TO CONVEY SOME DEEP TRUTHS. JESUS IS THE VINE, THE FATHER IS THE VINE DRESSER AND THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS INCLUDING ALL OF US ARE BRANCHES ON THE VINE. I AM SURE THAT AT LEAST SOME OF YOU HERE WITH THOSE JOINING US THROUGH TELEVISION, RADIO, OR INTERNET HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WORKING IN A VINEYARD OR HAVE TRIED TO GROW YOUR OWN GRAPES IN THE BACKYARD TO A GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE OF SUCCESS AND THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH AN EXPERIENCE WOULD HAVE A GREATER LEVEL OF APPRECIATION FOR THIS IMAGE THAN THOSE SUCH AS MYSELF WHO HAVE NO SUCH EXPERIENCE. IN ORDER TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF VINE DRESSING I WAS ABLE TO FIND A VIDEO ONLINE IN WHICH A REAL VINE DRESSER DISCUSSES HIS WORK AND EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD. HE LIVES AND WORKS IN NAPA CALIFORNIA, AN AREA THAT IS FAMOUS FOR ITS WIDE VARIETY OF GRAPES AND ITS SELECTION OF WINES AND WINERIES. THIS VINE DRESSER IN THE VIDEO NOT ONLY EXPLAINS HIS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BUT ALSO PROVIDE SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS INTO JESUS'S WORDS IN TODAY'S GOSPEL READING FROM JOHN 15. ONE THING THAT IS CLEAR FROM THE VIDEO IS THAT VINE DRESSERS HAVE A VERY BUSY JOB. THEY MUST CONSTANTLY TEND TO THE VINES AND CARE FOR THEM AND REALLY KNOW THEIR VINES. IT ONLY GOES TO ILLUSTRATE HOW MUCH CARE AND ATTENTION OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THE DIVINE VINE DRESSER GIVES TO EACH AND EVERY 1 OF US BRANCHES. 1ST I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT JESUS IS NOT THE 1ST TO USE THE IMAGE OF A VINE IN SCRIPTURE. IN FACT THERE ARE NUMEROUS REFERENCES TO VINES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SUCH AS IN PSALM 80 WHICH SAYS, YOU BROUGHT A VINE OUT OF EGYPT. YOU DROVE OUT THE NATIONS AND PLANTED IT. YOU CLEARED THE GROUND FOR IT, IT TOOK DEEP ROOT AND FILLED THE LAND. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS FINE IN PSALM 80 STANDS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. THEY ARE A CHOSEN PEOPLE PRECIOUS TO THE LORD WHOM HE REDEEMS FROM SLAVERY AND OPPRESSION IN THE LAND OF EGYPT BY THE BLOOD OF PASSOVER LAMBS. MOSES LEADS ISRAEL THROUGH THE DESERT INTO A PROMISED LAND AND THEY ARE PLANTED IN THAT LAND LIKE A VINE. THIS IMAGE OF A VINE IS TAKEN UP BY JESUS MULTIPLE TIMES IN HIS PARABLES. IN MATTHEW 21, JESUS SPEAKS OF A LANDOWNER WHO PLANTS A VINEYARD, LEASES IT TO TENANTS AND SENDS SERVANTS TO THE VINEYARD IN ORDER TO COLLECT ITS FRUIT. WHEN THE TENANTS ABUSE OR KILL THE LORD'S SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS, THE LANDOWNER SINCE HIS OWN SON. THE TENANTS PROCEED TO MISTREAT AND KILL THE SON AS WELL. THEY MISTAKENLY THOUGHT BY KILLING THE SON THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE OVER THE VINEYARD. INSTEAD, THE ONE WHOM THEY REJECTED AND KILLED BECOMES THE CORNERSTONE OF A NEW EDIFICE. AS JESUS SAYS HE IS THE TRUE VINE. VINE THAT LAST FOREVER. HE IS THE EVERLASTING SHOOT THAT SPROUTS FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE. JESUS IS THE TUE VINE AND GOD THE FATHER IS THE VINE DRESSER. UNLIKE THE OLD VINE, THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL WHICH DID NOT REMAIN FOREVER, THIS NEW FIND REMAINS FOREVER. ALL OF US DISCIPLES OF JESUS ARE BRANCHES ON THE VINE. JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE BRANCHES THAT HAVE BEEN GRAFTED ONTO CHRIST THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM. AND WE ARE MADE MEMBERS OF THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH. IN THE VIDEO THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE, VINE DRESSER EXPLAINS THAT HIS GRAPEVINES ARE NOT NATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES. THE DNA OF THE ORIGINAL VINES CAME FROM THE CAUCASUS REGION IN EASTERN EUROPE AND WERE BROUGHT OVER TO THE STATES BY SPANISH MISSIONARIES. WHEN THE MISSIONARIES PLANTED THE VINES IN US SOIL THE VINES HAD NO IMMUNITY TO PEST IN THE SOIL AND SO THEY DIED. THE VIDEO THEN CUTS TO THE VINE DRESSER SHOWING US THE BASE OF A VINE THAT ORIGINATED IN EUROPE AND HOW IT IS CONNECTED TO A ROOTSTOCK IN THE GROUND THAT IS NATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES. THE EUROPEAN VINE WAS GRAFTED ONTO THE ROOTSTOCK. THE NATIVE ROOTSTOCK HAS IMMUNITY TO THE PESTS AND DISEASE IN THE US SOIL WHEREAS THE REST OF THE VINE DOES NOT HAVE THIS IMMUNITY. SO AS LONG AS THE VINE REMAINS UNITED TO THIS ROOTSTOCK IT IS PROTECTED FROM PESTS AND DISEASES OF THE SOIL. LIKEWISE ALL OF US HAVE BEEN GRAFTED ONTO CHRIST BY BAPTISM. AS LONG AS WE ABIDE WITH CHRIST AND REMAIN IN HIM WE ARE PROTECTED FROM THE DISEASE AND PESTILENCE OF SIN AND DEATH. AS THE EUROPEAN VINE HAS LIFE BECAUSE OF THE NATIVE ROOTSTOCK SO WE HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE BECAUSE OF CHRIST. AS BRANCHES UNITED TO CHRIST THE TRUE VINE WE NOT ONLY HAVE LIFE BECAUSE OF HIM AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BEAR FRUIT. IN ORDER TO BEAR FRUIT WE MUST ABIDE IN CHRIST'S LOVE AND ALLOW HIS WORD TO ABIDE IN US. WE ABIDE IN HIS LOVE BY KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE FRUIT THAT WE BEAR? THE CATECHISM SAYS IN PARAGRAPH 2074, THE FRUIT REFERRED TO IN THIS SAYING IS THE HOLINESS OF A LIFE A FRUITFUL BY UNION WITH CHRIST. WHEN WE BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, PARTAKE OF HIS MYSTERIES, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, THE SAVIOR HIMSELF COMES TO LOVE IN US HIS FATHER AND HIS BROTHERS, OUR FATHER AND OUR BROTHERS. THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENTS FOR US ARE THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS, TO LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART MIND SOUL AND STRENGTH. THE 2ND IS LIKE IT. TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. IN THE NEW COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST HAS LOVED US. ABIDING IN JESUS REQUIRES FAITH, PRAYER, DETACHMENT FROM SIN AND WORLDLY PLEASURES, READING AND LISTENING TO HIS WORD, RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS, AND DOING GOOD WORKS. IN A HOMILY FROM MAY 13 OF LAST YEAR, POPE FRANCIS TAKES THIS REMAINING IN JESUS IS THAT FURTHER. THE HOLY FATHER SAYS THAT WE ARE TO FORM A DEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS, A RELATIONSHIP OF INTIMACY, A MYSTICAL RELATIONSHIP, A RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT WORDS. THIS SORT OF RELATIONSHIP IS NOT FOR MYSTICS ONLY BUT IS FOR ALL OF US. POPE FRANCIS ALSO SAYS THAT CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENTS, FOLLOW THE PATH OF THE BEATITUDES AND PERFORM WORKS OF MERCY. BUT EVEN MORE THAN THIS, WE ARE CALLED TO A RECIPROCAL REMAINING WITH JESUS. WHEN HE JESUS IN ORDER TO HAVE LIFE AND IN A SENSE HE NEEDS US TO BEAR WITNESS TO HIS NAME BECAUSE FAITH, THE GOSPEL GROWS BY WITNESS. JESUS WARNS US THAT THE FATHER WILL CUT OFF THOSE BRANCHES THAT DO NOT BEAR FRUIT, GATHER THEM UP AND THROW THEM INTO A FIRE. THE VINE DRESSER IN THE VIDEO I MENTIONED COMMENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SEPARATING FROM THE VINE, THE DEAD AND WITHERING BRANCHES THAT BEAR NO FRUIT. IF THE DEAD BRANCHES REMAIN ON THE VINE, THEY COULD EVENTUALLY ATTRACT DISEASES AND PAST THAT WOULD SPREAD TO THE GOOD BRANCHES CAUSING THEM DAMAGE. ONCE THE DEAD BRANCHES ARE SEPARATED FROM THE VINE THEY CANNOT SIMPLY BE LEFT ON THE GROUND AT THE FOOT OF THE VINE. OTHERWISE THEY COULD STILL CONTAMINATE THE OTHER BRANCHES ON THE VINE OR ATTRACT PEST THAT WOULD CAUSE DISEASE AND DAMAGE. THE DEAD BRANCHES MUST BE GATHERED UP AND BURNED. NOW THIS IMAGE OF COURSE REPRESENTS THE RALITY OF HELL AND IT CERTAINLY IS NOT A PLEASANT THOUGHT. YET IT IS A REAL POSSIBILITY FOR ANYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE IN CHRIST, DOES NOT ALLOW HIS WORD TO REMAIN IN THEM, AND WHO DOES NOT BEAR THE FRUIT OF HOLINESS. WE BECOME DEAD BRANCHES BY COMMITTING MORTAL SIN. AS LONG AS WE REPENT OF OUR SINS WE ARE RESTORED TO LIFE AGAIN BY THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD AND ARE ONCE AGAIN CAPABLE OF BEARING FRUIT. BUT IF WE PERSEVERE IN MORTAL SIN AND DIE IN SUCH A STATE WITHOUT REPENTANCE, THEN WE ARE REMOVED FROM THE VINE PERMANENTLY AND THROWN INTO THE ETERNAL FIRE. THE GREATEST SUFFERING OF HELL IS NOT SO MUCH THE PHYSICAL TORMENT BUT THE PAIN OF HAVING BEEN SEPARATED FROM GOD FOREVER. THE ONE WHO LOVES US. NO GOOD CHRISTIAN WANTS TO SUFFER THIS FATE NOR DO WE WISH IT ON ANYONE ELSE. IT ILLUSTRATES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO REMAIN ON THE VINE, TO REMAIN ROOTED IN CHRIST. TO REMAIN UNITED IN CHRIST. THE DIVINE VINE DRESSER IS ALSO ATTENDED TO THOSE BRANCHES ON THE VINE THAT ARE BEARING FRUIT. AND HE DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO HELP THOSE BRANCHES TO PRODUCE MORE FRUIT AND HE DOES THIS BY PRUNING THEM. PRUNING THE BRANCHES ON A VINE INVOLVES CTTING OFF THE LITTLE DEAD ENDS THAT ARE NOT BEARING FRUIT SO THAT THE SAP WILL NOT BE WASTED ON THOSE ENDS. INSTEAD THE SAP WILL GO INTO BEARING MORE FRUIT ON THE BRANCH. AS LONG AS WE ABIDE IN CHRIST, THE TRUE VINE, WE WILL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL LOSS BUT WE WILL ONLY SUFFER A CERTAIN LEVEL OF TEMPORAL LOSS. THIS IS PART OF OUR PURIFICATION PROCESS. THE DEAD ENDS OF VENIAL SINS, BAD HABITS AND EARTHLY ATTACHMENTS MUST BE REMOVED FROM US SO THAT WE MAY FREELY BEAR EVEN MORE FRUIT AND THUS GIVE GLORY TO GOD. THIS IS THE SORT OF SUFFERING THAT OUR LOVING FATHER ALLOWS FOR US TO UNDERGO SO THAT WE MIGHT BECOME EVEN MORE HOLIER. SUFFERING LOSS IS NOT ENJOYABLE IN ITSELF. BUT IT IS BEARABLE WHEN IT IS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF FAITH. PRUNING IS A SIGN OF THE FATHER'S LOVE AND METICULOUS CONCERN FOR US. THE VINE DRESSER IN THE VIDEO HAD SOME INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY ABOUT VINE DRESSERS IN GENERAL AND THE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR VINES. HE SAID A VINE DRESSER KNOWS HIS VINES. HE KNOWS WHAT THEY CAN HANDLE. HE KNOWS THEIR WEAK SPOTS. THE VINE DRESSERS SAYS THAT ALLOWING VINES TO UNDERGO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF STRESS IS GOOD FOR THE FLAVOR OF THE FRUIT. THIS CALLS TO MIND WHAT ST. PAUL SAYS TO THE CORINTHIANS. GOD IS FAITHFUL. HE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR STRENGTH BUT WITH THE TEMPTATION HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE WAY OF ESCAPE THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ENDURE IT. THE DIVINE VINE DRESSER KNOWS US BETTER THAN WE KNOW OURSELVES. HE KNOWS OUR STRENGTHS AND OUR WEAKNESSES AND HE GIVES US WHAT WE CAN HANDLE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR OWN SANCTIFICATION. SOMETIMES WE MIGHT THINK THAT WE CANNOT HANDLE SOMETHING. BUT GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES A MEANS OF ESCAPE THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ENDURE IT. IN THE MOST DIFFICULT AND TROUBLING TIMES, WE SHOULD TURN TO PRAYER TO FIND THE GRACE, THE STRENGTH AND THE MEANS WITH WHICH TO DEAL WITH THE TRIALS, THE TEMPTATIONS AND SUFFERINGS THAT COME OUR WAY, FULLING TRUSTING THAT GOD KNOWS US AND KNOWS OUR LIMITATIONS. LIKE ANY GOOD FATHER HE TESTS AND CHALLENGES HIS CHILDREN KNOWING THE LIMITATIONS SO THAT WE MIGHT GROW EVER MORE IN HOLINESS AND VIRTUE. SO IF WE ABIDE IN CHRIST, CARRYING OUT HIS WORD, ALLOWING HIS WORD TO REMAIN IN US AND OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS THEN WE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT. IT IS BY THIS FRUIT THAT WE GLORIFY GOD AND TRULY BECOME DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. . (INTERCESSIONS FOR WED, W6 ) (PRIEST INVITES THE PEOPLE TO PRAY.) ...LET US OFFER OUR PETITIONS TO GOD... (READER:) 1) FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT'S GIFTS OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING UPON OUR HOLY FATHER IN HIS GUIDANCE OF THE CHURCH. WE PRAY TO THE LORD. R. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER. (READER:) 2) FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS, FOR THE MARGINALIZED AND THE OPPRESSED, AND FOR UNBORN CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS. WE PRAY TO THE LORD. R. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER. (READER:) 3) THAT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE MAY BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE HURT, DEPRESSED, OR DESPAIRING. WE PRAY TO THE LORD. R. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER. (READER:) 4) THAT THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE PEACE OF CHRIST MAY REJOICE IN ETERNAL LIFE. WE PRAY TO THE LORD. R. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER. (PRIEST CONCLUDES INTERCESSIONS) WE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR MY BROTHER ON THIS DAY OF HIS BIRTHDAY FOR BLESSINGS AND GRACES ON HIM AND ALSO MY PARENTS. WE PRAY TO THE LORD. R. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER. (PRIEST) ...WE MAKE OUR PRAYER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. R. AMEN. ♪ (OFFERTORY MUSIC) (ORGAN) ♪ (CANTORS) ("LORD JESUS CHRIST, WE HUMBLY PRAY") ♪ ♪ ♪ . (PRIEST) PRAY, BRETHREN, ( BROTHERS AND SISTERS) THAT MY SACRIFICE AND YOURS MAY BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THE ALMIGHTY FATHER. R. MAY THE LORD ACCEPT THE SACRIFICE AT YOUR HANDS FOR THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF HIS NAME, FOR OUR GOOD AND THE GOOD OF ALL HIS HOLY CHURCH. . ( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) (PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS) (PRIEST) GRANT, WE PRAY, O LORD, THAT WE MAY ALWAYS FIND DELIGHT IN THESE PASCHAL MYSTERIES, SO THAT THE RENEWAL CONSTANTLY AT WORK WITHIN US MAY BE THE CAUSE OF OUR UNENDING JOY. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. R. AMEN. ♪. ♪(PRIEST:) THE LORD BE WITH YOU. ♪R. AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT. ♪(PRIEST:) LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS. ♪R. WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD. ♪(PRIEST:) LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD. ♪R. IT IS RIGHT AND JUST. . (P45)(PREFACE I OF EASTER) (THE PASCHAL MYSTERY) (PRIEST) ♪IT IS TRULY RIGHT AND JUST, OUR DUTY AND OUR SALVATION, AT ALL TIMES TO ACCLAIM YOU, O LORD, BUT AT THIS TIME ABOVE ALL TO LAUD YOU YET MORE GLORIOUSLY, WHEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER HAS BEEN SACRIFICED. FOR HE IS THE TRUE LAMB WHO HAS TAKEN AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD; BY DYING HE HAS DESTROYED OUR DEATH, AND BY RISING, RESTORED OUR LIFE. THEREFORE, OVERCOME WITH PASCHAL JOY, EVERY LAND, EVERY PEOPLE EXULTS IN YOUR PRAISE AND EVEN THE HEAVENLY POWERS, WITH THE ANGELIC HOSTS, SING TOGETHER THE UNENDING HYMN OF YOUR GLORY, AS THEY ACCLAIM: . ♪(LATIN WORDS:) SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS DOMINUS DEUS SABAOTH. PLENI SUNT CAELI ET TERRA GLORIA TUA. HOSANA IN EXCELSIS. BENEDICTUS QUI VENIT IN NOMINE DOMINI. HOSANA IN EXCELSIS. . (EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II) (PRIEST) YOUR ARE INDEED HOLY, O LORD, THE FOUNT OF ALL HOLINESS. MAKE HOLY, THEREFORE, THESE GIFTS, (BELLS) WE PRAY, BY SENDING DOWN YOUR SPIRIT UPON THEM LIKE THE DEW-FALL, SO THAT THEY MAY BECOME FOR US THE BODY AND BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. AT THE TIME HE WAS BETRAYED AND ENTERED WILLINGLY INTO HIS PASSION, HE TOOK BREAD AND GIVING THANKS, BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES SAYING: TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. (BELLS) IN A SIMILAR WAY, WHEN SUPPER WAS ENDED, HE TOOK THE CHALICE AND, ONCE MORE GIVING THANKS, HE GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES, SAYING, TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE p OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. (BELLS) ♪ ("MYSTERY OF FAITH"/LATIN WORDS:) (PRIEST:) MYSTERIUM FIDEI ♪(R.) MORTEM TUAM ANNUNTIAMUS, DOMINE, ET TUAM RESURRECTIONEM CONFITEMUR, DONEC VENIAS. (PRIEST:) THEREFORE, AS WE CELEBRATE THE MEMORIAL OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, WE OFFER YOU , LORD, THE BREAD OF LIFE AND THE CHALICE OF SALVATION, GIVING THANKS THAT YOU HAVE HELD US WORTHY TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE AND MINISTER TO YOU. HUMBLY WE PRAY THAT, PARTAKING OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, WE MAY BE GATHERED INTO ONE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. REMEMBER, LORD, YOUR CHURCH, SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND BRING HER TO THE FULLNESS OF CHARITY, TOGETHER WITH FRANCIS OUR POPE AND STEVEN, OUR BISHOP AND ALL THE CLERGY. (((AND IN A MASS FOR THE DEAD, (((AND IN A MASS FOR THE DEAD, (((AND IN A MASS FOR THE DEAD, REMEMBER ALSO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, AND ALL WHO HAVE DIED IN YOUR MERCY: WELCOME THEM INTO THE LIGHT OF YOUR FACE. HAVE MERCY ON US ALL AS WE PRAY THAT WITH THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, WITH BLESSED JOSEPH, HER SPOUSE, WITH THE BLESSED APOSTLES AND ALL THE SAINTS WHO HAVE PLEASED YOU THROUGH OUT THE AGES, WE MAY MERIT TO BE COHEIRS TO ETERNAL LIFE, AND MAY PRAISE AND GLORIFY YOU THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. ♪ THROUGH HIM AND WITH HIM AND IN HIM O GOD ALMIGHTY FATHER IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ALL GLORY AND HONOR IS YOURS FOR EVER AND EVER. ♪R. AMEN. . (PRIEST:) AT THE SAVIOR'S COMMAND AND FORMED BY DIVINE TEACHING, WE DARE TO SAY: (ALL PRAY TOGETHER) OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US; AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. (PRIEST) DELIVER US LORD, WE PRAY, FROM EVERY EVIL, GRACIOUSLY GRANT PEACE IN OUR DAYS, THAT, BY THE HELP OF YOUR MERCY, WE MAY BE ALWAYS FREE FROM SIN AND SAFE FROM ALL DISTRESS, AS WE AWAIT THE BLESSED HOPE AND THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. (ALL) FOR THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY ARE YOURS NOW AND FOR EVER. . ( PRIEST: ) LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU SAID TO YOUR APOSTLES PEACE I LEAVE YOU. MY PEACE, I GIVE YOU. LOOK NOT ON OUR SINS, BUT ON THE FAITH OF YOUR CHURCH, AND GRANT HER PEACE AND UNITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WILL. WHO LIVE AND REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER. R. AMEN. p(PRIEST:) THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. R. AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT. . ♪(CANTORS) (LATIN WORDS) AGNUS DEI, ♪ (ALL) QUI TOLLIS PECCATA MUNDI: MISERERE NOBIS. ♪ (CANTORS) AGNUS DEI, ♪ ( ALL) QUI TOLLIS PECCATA MUNDI: MISERERE NOBIS. ♪ (CANTORS) AGNUS DEI, ♪ (ALL:) QUI TOLLIS PECCATA MUNDI: DONA NOBIS PACEM. . (PRIEST) BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD BEHOLD HIM WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. BLESSED ARE THOSE CALLED TO THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB R. LORD I AM NOT WORTHY THAT YOU SHOULD ENTER UNDER MY ROOF BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD AD MY SOUL SHALL BE HEALED. ( BELLS ) . ( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) (COMMUNION ANTIPHON) (PRIEST) THE LORD HAS RISEN AND SHONE HIS LIGHT UPON US, WHOM HE HAS REDEEMED BY HIS BLOOD, ALLELUIA. . (FEMALE VOICE) FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT NOW RECEIVE JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING PRAYER. ♪ ( ORGAN MUSIC ) ( COMMUNION MUSIC ) ( CANTORS ) ( LATIN HYMN) ♪ (COMMUNION MUSIC) (ORGAN) ♪ ( CANTORS ) ("O THOU WHO ART THE SHEPHERD") ♪ ♪ . ( EASTER, WEEK 5, WEDNESDAY) (PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION) (PRIEST) LET US PRAY. (PRIEST) HEAR, O LORD, OUR PRAYERS, THAT THIS MOST HOLY EXCHANGE, BY WHICH YOU HAVE REDEEMED US, MAY BRING YOUR HELP IN THIS PRESENT LIFE AND ENSURE FOR US ETERNAL GLADNESS. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. R. AMEN ♪. (LATIN) (PRIEST:) DOMINUS VOBISCUM. ♪ R. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO. ♪(LATIN) (PRIEST:) BENEDICAT VOS OMNIPOTENS DEUS, PATER, ET FILIUS, ET SPIRITUS SANCTUS. ♪ R. AMEN. ♪>>ITE MISSA EST. ♪ R. DEO GRATIAS. ♪ ( RECESSIONAL) ( ORGAN) ( "AWAKE AND SING THE SONG" ) ♪ . ( ALL PRAY) ST. MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL, DEFEND US IN BATTLE. BE OUR PROTECTION AGAINST THE WICKEDNESS AND SNARES OF THE DEVIL. MAY GOD REBUKE HIM, WE HUMBLY PRAY AND DO THOU, O PRINCE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST, BY THE POWER OF GOD, CAST INTO HELL SATAN, AND ALL THE EVIL SPIRITS WHO PROWL ABOUT THE WORLD, SEEKING THE RUIN OF SOULS. AMEN. ♪ ( CANTORS) ADOREMUS IN AETERNUM SANCTISSIMUM SACRAMENTUM. . (MALE VOICE) PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS. (ALL PRAY) GOD OUR FATHER WHO WILLS THAT ALL MEN BE SAVED AND COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR TRUTH, WE BEG YOU TO SEND LABORERS INTO YOUR HARVEST AND GRANT THEM GRACE TO SPEAK YOUR WORD WITH ALL BOLDNESS SO THAT YOUR WORD MAY SPREAD AND BE GLORIFIED AND ALL NATIONS MAY KNOW YOU THE ONLY GOD AND HIM WHOM YOU HAVE SENT JESUS CHRIST YOUR SON OUR LORD, AMEN. OUR LADY QUEEN OF THE AMERICAS MARY MOTHER OF THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF THE ETERNAL WORD PRAY FOR US.
