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

23 March 2025 3rd Sunday of Lent Year C

A Life of Relationality Marked

by Mutuality & Generosity
G od’s goodness and gracious generosity shine out today ... in
His call to Abram, for one. Such profligate generosity also
shows in His patience. He did not give up even when fruits
were not forthcoming, as the Gospel reports. He was willing to give
more time and more second chances. It only means that the Lord,
in His patient love for us, is waiting for us to produce the fruits of
a sincere and loving response to His initiatives. There ought to be,
indeed, a state of mutuality in our relationship with a God who is
graciously generous and patient with us.
We should not think though, that “conversion” as our response,
consists only in avoiding sin. It also includes moving away from
doing little for the Lord, to doing as much as we can for the build-
ing of the Kingdom and for our own sanctification. It also means
being more kind, understanding, forgiving, and generous toward
our neighbor like He is with us.
Let our participation in this Eucharistic celebration be a renewal of our commitment to a life
of relationality and mutuality marked by the same generosity and patience of God.

all! for me to the Lord our God.

All – And with your spirit!
P –May almighty God have
mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
Penitential Act and bring us to everlasting life.
Entrance Antiphon
(To be recited only when no P –With gratitude to the Lord All –Amen!
Entrance Hymn is sung.) who calls us to draw ever closer P –Lord, have mercy!
to Him in this Lenten season, All –Lord, have mercy!
My eyes are always on the let us pause for a moment and
Lord, for he rescues my feet P –Christ, have mercy!
from the snare. realize how much we need his
forgiveness and help. (Pause) All –Christ, have mercy!
Turn to me and have mercy
on me, for I am alone and poor. All –I confess to almighty P–Lord, have mercy!
God and to you, my brothers All –Lord, have mercy!
(Ps 25:15-16)
and sisters, that I have greatly
sinned, in my thoughts and in Collect (Opening Prayer)
Greeting my words, in what I have done P –O God, author of every
P – In the name of the Father, and in what I have failed to do, mercy and of all goodness, who
and of the Son, and of the Holy (strike your breast) through in fasting, prayer and almsgiv-
Spirit! my fault, through my fault, ing have shown us a remedy
All –Amen! through my most grievous for sin, look graciously on this
P –Blessed be God who calls fault. Therefore I ask blessed confession of our lowliness, that
us to bear fruits of goodness that Mary ever-Virgin, all the An- we, who are bowed down by
will last unto eternal life! May gels and Saints, and you, my our conscience, may always be
His love and peace be with you brothers and sisters, to pray lifted up by your mercy.

This issue of Euchalette may be downloaded for free anywhere in the world. A “love offering” for the continuation of our apostolate will be
appreciated. Please, send your donation to “Word And Life Publications.” Our Savings Account is BPI – # 3711-0028-46. Send us an email
of a copy of the deposit slip with your name for proper acknowledgment. See contact details on the last page. Thank You!
 Through our Lord Jesus of the Egyptians and lead them the earth, so surpassing is his
Christ, your Son, who lives and out of that land into a good and kindness toward those who
reigns with you in the unity of spacious land, a land flowing fear him. R.
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever with milk and honey.” Moses
and ever. said to God, “But when I go to 2nd Reading 1 Cor 10:1-6.10-12
All – Amen! the Israelites and say to them, The Israelites had received so
‘The God of your fathers has many favors from the Lord,
sent me to you,’ if they ask me, but most of them failed to
‘What is his name?’ what am I show their gratitude and even
to tell them?” God replied, “I rebelled against Him. This
AM WHO AM.” Then he add- was the reason why the Lord
1st Reading Ex 3:1-8.13-15 ed, “This is what you shall tell punished them in the desert.
Continuing the presentation of the Israelites: I AM sent me to Writing to the Christians of
the highlights of Salvation His- you.” Corinth, St. Paul warns them
tory, the sacred author today God spoke further to Mo- against making the same mis-
describes two very important ses, “Thus shall you say to take.
events in the history of the the Israelites: ‘The Lord, the
God of your fathers, the God R –A reading from the First
people of Israel: the revelation Letter of Paul to the Cor-
of God’s plan to set His people of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
the God of Jacob, has sent me inthians
free and of His name.
to you.’ This is my name for- I do not want you to be
R –A reading from the Book ever; thus am I to be remem-
of Exodus unaware, brothers and sis-
bered through all genera- ters, that our ancestors were
Moses was tending the tions.” all under the cloud and all
flock of his father-in-law Je- The Word of the Lord! passed through the sea, and
thro, the priest of Midian. All – Thanks be to God! all of them were baptized into
Leading the flock across the Moses in the cloud and in the
desert, he came to Horeb, the Responsorial Psalm Ps 103 sea. All ate the same spiritual
mountain of God. food, and all drank the same
R –The Lord is kind and
There an angel of the Lord merciful! spiritual drink, for they drank
appeared to Moses in fire flam- R. M. Velez
from a spiritual rock that fol-
ing out of a bush. As he looked  D F#m
 
lowed them, and the rock was
  
on, he was surprised to see that the Christ.
the bush, though on fire, was Yet God was not pleased
not consumed. So Moses de- The Lord is kind and
with most of them, for they
cided, “I must go over to look at
 A D were struck down in the desert.
  
this remarkable sight, and see

These things happened as
why the bush is not burned.” examples for us, so that we
When the Lord saw him coming might not desire evil things,
mer---ci-----ful!
over to look at it more closely, as they did. Do not grumble as
God called out to him from the * Bless the Lord, O my soul; some of them did, and suffered
bush, “Moses! Moses!” He an- and all my being, bless his holy
name. Bless the Lord, O my death by the destroyer. These
swered, “Here I am.” God said,
soul, and forget not all his ben- things happened to them as an
“Come no nearer! Remove the
efits. R. example, and they have been
sandals from your feet, for the
written down as a warning to
place where you stand is holy * He pardons all your iniqui- us, upon whom the end of the
ground. I am the God of your ties, he heals all your ills. He ages has come.
fathers,” he continued, “the redeems your life from de- Therefore, whoever thinks
God of Abraham, the God of struction, he crowns you with he is standing secure should
Isaac, the God of Jacob.” kindness and compassion. R.
take care not to fall.
Moses hid his face, for he * The Lord secures justice
was afraid to look at God. But and the rights of all the op- The Word of the Lord!
the Lord said, “I have wit- pressed. He has made known All – Thanks be to God!
nessed the affliction of my peo- his ways to Moses, and his
ple in Egypt and have heard deeds to the children of Israel. Verse before the Gospel
their cry of complaint against R. All –(Glory and praise to you,
their slave drivers, so I know * Merciful and gracious is Lord Jesus Christ!)
well what they are suffering. the Lord, slow to anger and Repent, says the Lord;
Therefore I have come down abounding in kindness. For the kingdom of heaven is
to rescue them from the hands as the heavens are high above at hand.

GLOSSARY: Horeb: Another name for Mount Sinai, the very important site where Moses received his mission from the Lord and
the Ten Commandments, and where he sealed the Covenant between the people of Israel and the Lord God.

23 March 2025
 (Glory and praise to you, conceived by the Holy Spirit, P –O God, You have been so
Lord Jesus Christ!) born of the Virgin Mary, suf- patient with us, putting up with
fered under Pontius Pilate, was our lack of zeal and moral fail-
Gospel Lk 13:1-9 crucified, died and was buried; ings. Strengthen us in our resolve
The essence of the passage we he descended into hell; on the to live an authentic Christian life,
are about to hear is an exhor- third day he rose again from the filled with works of mercy and
tation to repent and bear the dead; he ascended into heaven, love. We ask this through Je-
fruit of a life lived according and is seated at the right hand of sus, our Model and Savior who
to God’s will. God the Father almighty; from lives and loves forever and ever.
P –The Lord be with you! there he will come to judge the All – Amen!
All – And with your spirit! living and the dead.
P –A reading from the holy I believe in the Holy Spirit,
Gospel according to the holy catholic Church, the
Luke communion of saints, the for-
All – Glory to you, O Lord! giveness of sins, the resurrection Preparation of the Gifts
Some people told Jesus of the body, and life everlasting.
about the Galileans whose Amen! P –Pray, brethren. . .
blood Pilate had mingled with All – May the Lord accept the
the blood of their sacrifices. Prayer of the Faithful sacrifice at your hands, for the
Jesus said to them in reply, praise and glory of his name,
“Do you think that because P –The parable in today’s Gos- for our good and the good of
these Galileans suffered in this pel passage reminds us of our all his holy Church.
way they were greater sinners duty to bear fruits of good works
than all other Galileans? By no in our life. Aware of our weak- Prayer over the Offerings
means! But I tell you, if you do ness in the past, let us implore P –Be pleased, O Lord, with
not repent, you will all perish the Lord’s help for ourselves these sacrificial offerings, and
as they did! Or those eighteen and all other human beings as grant that we who beseech par-
people who were killed when we say: don for our own sins, may take
the tower at Siloam fell on All – Merciful God, hear us! care to forgive our neighbor.
them – do you think they were Through Christ our Lord.
more guilty than everyone else C –That the Catholic Church, All – Amen!
who lived in Jerusalem? By no under the leadership of the Holy
means! But I tell you, if you do Father and all the bishops, may Preface of Lent II
not repent, you will all perish faithfully fulfill her mission to
as they did!” lead people to salvation, let us P –The Lord be with you!
And he told them this par- pray! R. All –And with your spirit!
able: “There once was a per- P –Lift up your hearts!
son who had a fig tree planted C –That all those who are suf- All –We lift them up to the
in his orchard, and when he fering, either physically or emo- Lord!
came in search of fruit on it tionally, may put their trust in P –Let us give thanks to the
but found none, he said to the God and find support in their Lord our God!
gardener, ‘For three years brothers and sisters, let us pray! All –It is right and just!
now I have come in search of R. P –It is truly right and just, our
fruit on this fig tree but have C –That all sinners may heed duty and our salvation, always
found none. So cut it down. and everywhere to give you
Why should it exhaust the Jesus’ call to conversion and
abandon their wrong way of life, thanks, Lord, holy Father, al-
soil?’ The gardener said to mighty and eternal God.
him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for let us pray! R.
For you have given your chil-
this year also, and I shall culti- C –That like the gardener in to- dren a sacred time for the renew-
vate the ground around it and day’s parable, we may intercede ing and purifying of their hearts,
fertilize it. It may bear fruit in for our brothers and sisters and that, freed from disordered af-
the future. If not, you can cut help them grow in holiness, let fections, they may so deal with
it down.’ ” us pray! R. the things of this passing world
The Gospel of the Lord! C –That all of us may bear as to hold rather to the things that
All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus fruits of sincere repentance, rec- eternally endure.
Christ! And so, with all the Angels
onciliation and active involve-
ment in promoting the good of and Saints, we praise you, as
Homily without end we acclaim:
the community, let us pray! R.
Profession of Faith All – Holy, holy, holy Lord,
(Apostles’ Creed) C –For all broken families: that God of hosts. Heaven and
they might discover the cure for earth are full of your glory.
All –I believe in God, the Father their wounds through forgive- Hosanna in the highest!
almighty, Creator of heaven and ness, rediscovering each other’s Blessed is he who comes in
earth, and in Jesus Christ, his gifts, even in their differences. the name of the Lord. Hosan-
only Son, our Lord, who was Let us pray! R. na in the highest!
3rd Sunday of Lent (C)
 Memorial Acclamation may come to true completion. this grace: that, abiding
P –The mystery of faith! Through Christ our Lord. in the love of you and
All – When we eat this Bread All – Amen! their neighbor, they may
and drink this Cup, we fulfill the whole of your
proclaim your Death, commands.
O Lord, until you come Through Christ our Lord.
again! All –Amen!
P –The Lord be with you. P – May almighty God bless
All – And with your spirit! you: the Father, and the
P –Bow down for the bless- Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ing. (Pause) All – Amen!
All – Our Father . . . –Direct, O Lord, we pray, P –Go in peace, glorifying
P –Deliver us, Lord . . . the hearts of your faith- the Lord by your life!
All –For the kingdom, the ful, and in your kind- All – Thanks be to God!
power, and the glory are ness grant your servants
yours, now and for ever.

Sign of Peace
Breaking of the Bread
SOLID AS ROCK IN THE MIDST OF INSTABILITY
All – Lamb of God, you take
away the sins of the world: have Kalakbay at Katoto
mercy on us. (2x)
Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world: grant us
peace.
H owever much we desire certainty and stability, the glaring
truth that besets us daily is really its opposite – the uncer-
tainty of the times, the instability of everything on which our daily
earthly lives are anchored … our jobs, our relationships, everything
Communion that we work so hard for like our financial security, our family unity
P –Behold the Lamb of God, and integrity, the trust that friends and colleagues alike have on us …
behold him who takes away the All this could be snuffed out quickly and, at times, even unexpectedly.
sins of the world. Blessed are All three readings today are a study in contrast. The first and
those called to the Supper of the second readings evoke solid certainty, reliable stability, and
Lamb. sure steadfastness. God reveals Himself to Moses as a picture of
All – Lord, I am not worthy unmistakable and stable presence: “I am who am.” With unflinching
that you should enter under my authority, God even tells Moses: “I am sent me to you… The Lord,
roof, but only say the word and the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the
my soul shall be healed. God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” In the world’s past and current
atmosphere in which we find ourselves “under a cloud” and having
Communion Antiphon to “pass through the sea,” St. Paul offers an analogy that speaks of
(To be recited only when no solid certainty: “All ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the
Communion Hymn is sung.) same spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed
The sparrow finds a home, them, and the rock was Christ.”
and the swallow a nest for her
young: by your altars, O Lord The Gospel seems, at first blush, to stand in absolute contrast to
of hosts, my King and my God. what the first two readings speak about. A superficial understand-
Blessed are they who dwell in ing of the passage invariably leads to fear, taking it to mean that the
your house, for ever singing Lord is warning us to repent, lest we suffer the fate of those unfor-
your praise. tunate Galileans meted out a swift and cruel punishment by Pilate.
(Ps 84:4-5) But the truth of Scripture comes not from an isolated parable, but on
the totality of Scripture. Jesus aimed not at instilling fear of being
Prayer after Communion punished similarly. Jesus aimed at instilling the idea of being al-
P – As we receive the pledge ways prepared. Jesus was really focusing on the need for repentance
of things yet hidden in heaven and reconciliation with God so that what is considered a human trag-
and are nourished while still on edy from every angle, does not become worse that what it already is.
earth with the Bread that comes The worst tragedy that can befall us is being far from God, far from
from on high, we humbly entreat the ultimate source of stability and certainty. An even worse scenario,
you, O Lord, that what is being much worse than suffering a totally unforeseen earthly tragedy, is
brought about in us in mystery that of being so callous and indifferent to the time given us by God,

Don Bosco Compound, A. Arnaiz Ave. cor. Chino Roces Ave., Makati, Metro Manila
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1820, MCPO, 1258 Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
WORD AND LIFE Tel. Nos. 8894-5401; 8475-8945 • Website: www.wordandlife.org
PUBLICATIONS • E-mail: [email protected] • FB: Word And Life Publications
• Editorial Team: Fr. J. Camaya, Fr. C. Dimaranan, Fr. D. Duya, V. David, R. Molomog, D. Daguio
• Illustrations: A. Sarmiento, B. Cleofe • Circulation: R. Saldua
to bear fruit, as represented by His patience on the iniquity, which is the situation all of us are in. “All
barren fig tree. men (and women) have fallen short of the glory of
God.” Humanity, as a whole, is like a small boat,
Today’s liturgy, therefore, is at once consoling teetering in a swollen sea of pride, selfishness,
and gently nudging. It speaks to us about how greed, and the insatiable hunger for more and more.
“merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger Sin has reduced life in many cases to a gamble, a
and abounding in kindness.” But it also reminds us bet, a journey with no sure destination.
that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It tells us
through Jesus’ parable, that time, indeed, is run- We may never know what is coming up ahead. We
ning out, and that the opportunities to repent are may never know what will happen to our family, to
not endless, and that now is the time to take part in the nation, to the world. But there is one thing we
the workings of God’s grace. all need to know – the utter importance of being
prepared come what might, happen what may.
We are at the heart of the Church’s Scriptural-based For the Christian believer, touched by the moving
teaching on the so-called “divine-human participa- spirit of God’s Word, the important thing is no
tion” in the reality of salvation. Salvation, as the longer that of trying to know what will happen, or
readings today make clear, is eminently a divine when it will happen. What counts as important
act and eminently a human act. Salvation is both for the Christian is what he or she can do in the
a gift and a task. Salvation is God’s work, God’s meanwhile, what he or she can do to contribute,
grace, but grace cannot take effect without hu- to take part in the workings of God’s grace, to
man cooperation. Grace builds on nature. Grace is pitch in his or her share towards the building of
something only the good God can give, but it cannot a more caring and responsible society anchored
take effect in our lives without our own personal on social justice and solidarity.
investment. God saves, yes, but we ought “to work
for our salvation, in fear and trembling.” The journey up ahead is long and difficult. Not
only that … it will remain fraught with uncer-
The word we live in is fraught with a whole lot of tainty. Alone we cannot go far. With Christ as rock,
uncertainties. The mystery of human iniquity has however, we will. His life, his suffering, his death
made this world a very unpredictable place. and his resurrection … they all sum up God’s self-
The world is not only an unsure and unstable place. revelation from of old: “I am who am … This is my
What makes it so is traceable to one and only one name forever; thus am I to be remembered through
glaring reality – the mystery of sin, the mystery of all generations.”