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

19 November 2023 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Stewards of God-given Talents

G
od is ever so generous with each of His creatures, and especially
with us, human beings. He has lavished on us material, physical,
intellectual, affective, and spiritual gifts. The secret to be happy
with what the Lord has given us is to make the most of His gifts and op-
portunities.
God’s gifts are like seeds laden with potentials. It is for us to discover
these potentials and make them bear fruit by using them with creativity,
a sense of responsibility, and Christian love. At the end of our life we will
be asked to account for the way we used such gifts. On that day, blessed
shall we be if we will be able to show that all those potentials have become a wonderful reality.
Let us offer this Eucharist in thanksgiving for the gifts we have received from the Lord and for the
grace to use them in ways that please Him.

vineyard of our life. As we are Gloria

about to start the Eucharistic cel-
All – Glory to God in the high-
ebration, let us ask ourselves how
est, and on earth peace to people
we have responded to the Lord’s
Entrance Antiphon of good will. We praise you,
generosity and trust. (Pause)
(To be recited only when no we bless you, we adore you, we
Entrance Hymn is sung.) P – For the times we have used glorify you, we give you thanks
our bodies in a selfish and for your great glory, Lord God,
The Lord said: I think irresponsible manner, Lord, heavenly King, O God, almighty
thoughts of peace and not of have mercy! Father.
affliction. You will call upon All – Lord, have mercy! Lord Jesus Christ, Only Be-
me, and I will answer you, and
P – For the times we have used gotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of
I will lead back your captives
from every place. our intelligence to boost our God, Son of the Father, you take
pride and devise evil plans, away the sins of the world, have
Greeting Christ, have mercy! mercy on us; you take away the
All – Christ, have mercy! sins of the world, receive our
P – In the name of the Father, prayer; you are seated at the right
and of the Son, and of the Holy P – For the times we have used
hand of the Father, have mercy
Spirit! our affectivity in a posses-
on us. For you alone are the Holy
All – Amen! sive manner, thereby caus-
One, you alone are the Lord, you
P – Grace and peace from God ing moral or emotional pain
alone are the Most High, Jesus
our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, to our neighbor, Lord, have
Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the
and the Holy Spirit be with you all. mercy!
glory of God the Father. Amen!
All – And with your spirit! All – Lord, have mercy!
P – May almighty God have Collect (Opening Prayer)
Penitential Act mercy on us, forgive us our sins, P –Grant us, we pray, O Lord
P –We all are like tenants to and bring us to everlasting life. our God, the constant gladness
whom the Lord has entrusted the All – Amen! of being devoted to you, for it

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is full and lasting happiness to ways! For you shall eat the fruit for enterprise and a sense of re-
serve with constancy the author of your handiwork; blessed sponsibility. This is the practi-
of all that is good. shall you be, and favored. R. cal way of preparing for the “re-
Through our Lord Jesus * Your wife shall be like a turn of the Master” to whom all
Christ, your Son, who lives and fruitful vine in the recesses will have to render an account.
reigns with you in the unity of of your home; your children P –The Lord be with you!
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and like olive plants around your All –And with your spirit!
ever. table. R. P –A proclamation from the
All – Amen! holy Gospel according to
* Behold, thus is the man
blessed who fears the Lord. The Matthew
Lord bless you from Zion: may All – Glory to you, O Lord!
you see the prosperity of Jerusa- Jesus told his disciples this
lem all the days of your life. R. parable: “A man going on a
1st Reading Prv 31:10-13. journey called in his servants
19-20.30-31 2nd Reading 1 Thes 5:1-6 and entrusted his possessions
The short poem we are St. Paul has just restated the to them. To one he gave five tal-
about to proclaim is a beauti- certitude of the resurrection of ents; to another, two; to a third,
ful exaltation of the virtues of the dead and of the Lord’s com- one – to each according to his
a worthy and enterprising wife. ing. Now he moves on to tackle ability. Then he went away.
She is the one who makes all the some related questions such as: Immediately, the one who
difference in the home. “When will this happen?” and received five talents went and
R – A proclamation from the “How should we prepare for it?” traded with them, and made
Book of Proverbs another five. Likewise, the one
R – A proclamation from the who received two made another
When one finds a worthy First Letter of Paul to the two. But the man who received
wife, her value is far beyond Thessalonians one went off and dug a hole in
pearls. Her husband, entrust- Concerning times and sea- the ground and buried his mas-
ing his heart to her, has an un- sons, brothers and sisters, you ter’s money.
failing prize. She brings him have no need for anything to be After a long time the master
good, and not evil, all the days written to you. For you your- of those servants came back and
of her life. She obtains wool selves know very well that the settled accounts with them. The
and flax and works with lov- day of the Lord will come like a one who had received five talents
ing hands. She puts her hands thief at night. When people are came forward bringing the addi-
to the distaff, and her fingers saying, “Peace and security,” tional five. He said, ‘Master, you
ply the spindle. She reaches then sudden disaster comes gave me five talents. See, I have
out her hands to the poor, and upon them, like labor pains made five more.’ His master said
extends her arms to the needy. upon a pregnant woman, and to him, ‘Well done, my good and
Charm is deceptive and beauty they will not escape. faithful servant. Since you were
fleeting; the woman who fears But you, brothers and sis- faithful in small matters, I will
the Lord is to be praised. Give ters, are not in darkness, for give you great responsibilities.
her a reward for her labors, that day to overtake you like a Come, share your master’s joy.’
and let her works praise her at Then the one who had re-
thief. For all of you are children
the city gates. ceived two talents also came
of the light and children of the forward and said, ‘Master,
The Word of the Lord! day. We are not of the night or you gave me two talents. See,
All – Thanks be to God! of darkness. Therefore, let us I have made two more.’ His
not sleep as the rest do, but let master said to him, ‘Well done,
Responsorial Psalm Ps 128 us stay alert and sober. my good and faithful servant.
The Word of the Lord! Since you were faithful in small
R –Blessed are those who fear matters, I will give you great
the Lord! All – Thanks be to God!
responsibilities. Come, share
Gospel Acclamation your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had re-
All – Alleluia! Alleluia! ceived the one talent came for-
Remain in me as I remain ward and said, ‘Master, I knew
in you, says the Lord. you were a demanding person,
Whoever remains in me harvesting where you did not
bears much fruit. plant and gathering where you
Alleluia! Alleluia! did not scatter. So out of fear,
I went off and buried your tal-
Gospel Mt 25:14-30 ent in the ground. Here it is
Today’s Gospel passage is back.’ His master said to him
* Blessed are you who fear known as “The Parable of the in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy ser-
the Lord, who walk in his Talents” and emphasizes the need vant! So you knew that I har-

19 November 2023
vest where I did not plant and forward to the resurrection of P –Pray, brethren . . .
gather where I did not scatter? the dead and the life of the world All – May the Lord accept the
Should you not then have put to come. Amen! sacrifice at your hands, for the
my money in the bank so that I praise and glory of his name,
could have got it back with in- Prayer of the Faithful for our good and the good of all
terest on my return? Now then! his holy Church.
Take the talent from him and P –In a spirit of gratitude for
give it to the one with ten. For the Lord’s trust and generosity
toward us, let us address our pe- Prayer over the Offerings
to everyone who has, more will
be given and he will grow rich; titions to Him for all the needs of P –Grant, O Lord, we pray, that
but from the one who has not, mankind, the Church, and each what we offer in the sight of your
even what he has will be taken of us. Let our response be: majesty may obtain for us the
away. And throw this useless grace of being devoted to you
All –Lord, graciously hear us! and gain us the prize of everlast-
servant into the darkness out-
side, where there will be wail- C –For the Holy Father, our ing happiness.
ing and grinding of teeth.’ ” Bishop, and all other spiritual Through Christ our Lord.
leaders: May they be ever more All – Amen!
The Gospel of the Lord!
All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus our inspiration in the apprecia-
tion and use of God’s gifts. Let Preface
Christ!
us pray! R. P –The Lord be with you!
Homily C –For all those who are par- All –And with your spirit!
ticularly gifted: May they always P –Lift up your hearts!
Profession of Faith use their outstanding qualities to All – We lift them up to the Lord!
(Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) affirm and support the weaker P –Let us give thanks to the
members of the community. Let Lord our God!
All –I believe in one God, the Fa- us pray! R.
ther almighty, maker of heaven All –It is right and just!
and earth, of all things visible C –For all those who have re- P – It is truly right and just,
and invisible. ceived less than others: May our duty and our salvation, al-
I believe in one Lord Jesus they remember that they will ways and everywhere to give
Christ, the Only Begotten Son be judged not on the quantity you thanks, Lord, holy Father, al-
of God, born of the Father be- of the gifts they received but on mighty and eternal God, through
fore all ages. God from God, the way they used them. Let us Christ our Lord.
Light from Light, true God from pray! R. For by his birth he brought re-
true God, begotten, not made, C –For the youth: May they use newal to humanity’s fallen state,
consubstantial with the Father; all their energies and enthusiasm and by his suffering, canceled
through him all things were to build up a better world, rather out our sins; by his rising from
made. For us men and for our than waste them in a vain search the dead he has opened the way
salvation he came down from for material satisfactions. Let us to eternal life, and by his ascend-
heaven, (bow)* and by the Holy pray! R. ing to you, O Father, he has un-
Spirit was incarnate of the Vir- C –For our community and our locked the gates of heaven.
gin Mary, and became man.* families: May we consider all And so, with the company of
For our sake he was crucified other members as God’s gifts to Angels and Saints, we sing the
under Pontius Pilate, he suf- us and ourselves as His gifts to hymn of your praise, as without
fered death and was buried, and them, and thereby live in a spirit end we acclaim:
rose again on the third day in of mutual service. Let us pray! All –Holy, holy, holy Lord, God
accordance with the Scriptures. R. of hosts. Heaven and earth are
He ascended into heaven and is full of your glory. Hosanna in
seated at the right hand of the C –Let us pray in silence for our
personal intentions. (Pause) the highest!
Father. He will come again in Blessed is he who comes in
glory to judge the living and the Let us pray! R.
the name of the Lord. Hosanna
dead and his kingdom will have P –Lord God, grant us a new in the highest!
no end. determination to make the most
I believe in the Holy Spirit, of the opportunities You give Memorial Acclamation
the Lord, the giver of life, who us for our own good and for the
proceeds from the Father and good of the Church and all man- P –The mystery of faith!
the Son, who with the Father kind. We ask this through Christ All –Save us, Savior of the
and the Son is adored and glori- our Lord. world, for by your Cross
fied, who has spoken through All – Amen! and Resurrection you
the prophets. have set us free.
I believe in one, holy, cath-
olic and apostolic Church. I
confess one Baptism for the
forgiveness of sins and I look Preparation of the Gifts

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

All – Our Father . . . vice to your neighbor. less gifted, the sick, and the
P –Deliver us, Lord . . . All – Amen! rejected.
All –For the kingdom, the P –May He continue to shower All – Amen!
power, and the glory are on you the abundance of P – May almighty God bless
yours, now and for ever. His gifts, especially the you: the Father, and the
gifts of good health, loyal Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Sign of Peace friends, and peace. All – Amen!
All – Amen! P –Go in peace and be instru-
Breaking of the Bread
P –May the Lord make you ments of God’s love for all.
All – Lamb of God, you take instruments of His gener- All – Thanks be to God!
away the sins of the world: have osity, especially toward the
mercy on us. (2x)
Lamb of God, you take
away the sins of the world:
grant us peace. Making the Most of God’s Gifts

Afar beyond our counting, for God is always immensely gener-

Communion
ll of God’s gifts are beautiful and precious. They are so many,
P –Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the ous in lavishing His blessings upon us.
sins of the world. Blessed are For our part, our first duty is to become aware of them. Denying
those called to the Supper of the God’s gifts or hiding them is not humility, but a very impoverishing
Lamb. form of moral blindness.
All –Lord, I am not worthy
On the other hand, once we become aware of the gifts we have
that you should enter under
received from the Lord, we should not boast about them, as if they
my roof, but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed. were our doing, nor should we take them for granted as something
that God “owed us.” The proper attitude toward the favors of the Lord
Communion Antiphon is that of Mary’s, as we see it splendidly expressed in the opening of
(To be recited only when no her Magnificat: it is honest and grateful appreciation of these gifts as
Communion Hymn is sung.) signs of God’s love for us. (See Lk 1:46-49.)
To be near God is my happi- But, in addition to acknowledging them as coming from the Lord,
ness, to place my hope in God we also have to utilize these gifts according to His will, i.e., with wis-
the Lord. dom and creativity. God – who is ever so generous and trusting – will
ask us to account for the way in which we have used His gifts.
Prayer after Communion What we shall have to account for is not any big sum of money
P –We have partaken of the entrusted to our enterprise. It is not only and simply the way we used
gifts of this sacred mystery, our physical, intellectual, aesthetic, spiritual faculties, and the num-
humbly imploring, O Lord, that berless opportunities to do good to others offered us by the Lord.
what your Son commanded us to The most important item of our accountability will be our very “self,”
do in memory of him may bring God’s basic and most precious gift to us. This means that, in addition
us growth in charity. to having to account for what we did to others, we shall be specially
Through Christ our Lord. accountable for what we did with ourselves.
All – Amen! God has implanted in each of us the potential to become a saint,
to be a living example and an instrument of His saving and sanctify-
ing love. The decisive question will always be, “Did we do our best
to become one? . . .” Only a positive answer will entitle us to hear the
invitation, “Come, share your Master’s joy!” (Mt 25:21)

P –The Lord be with you.

All – And with your spirit! Tune in to Radio Veritas (846 kHz)
every Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
P –Bow your heads and pray and listen to BISPERAS SA VERITAS the interactive
for God’s blessing. (Pause) radio program that helps you discover
May the Lord fill you with ă the messages of each Sunday Theme and Biblical
the grace that you need to readings, and
use His gifts with gratitude, ă how they can empower your life, your family,
honesty, and spirit of ser- and your community.

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