More*

During a canonical interview for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, I asked the groom:

Priest: Ano ang nakita mo sa babaing ito na siya ang pakakasalan mo? (What prompted you to marry this lady?)

Groom: Father, siya po ang pinakamaunawain at mapagmahal. (Father, she is the most understanding and loving.)

Priest: Ganun ba? Eh, more or less, ilan ba ang naging girlfriend mo? (Oh really? So, more or less, how many girlfriends have you had?)

Groom: (smiling and shy) More po, father. Thirteen po sila lahat. (More, father. There are thirteen all in all.)

Exorcism Blessings for Sacramentals

(taken from old Roman Ritual books) 

contains exorcism blessings for: 

• St. Benedict Crucifix/Medal 

• Water 

• Salt 

• Oil (Olive) 

• Candles 

Also contains: 

• Brown Scapular Blessing 

• Brown Scapular Confraternity 

• Enrollment Prayers 

• Prayers for Priests to Bless Sacramentals 

(Taken from old Roman Ritual prayer books, unless otherwise noted) 

_________________________________________________

Exorcism Blessing for St. Benedict Crucifixes and Medals

(Done by any priest, preferably a Benedictine) (Priest vests in white stole) 

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. 

R: Who made heaven and earth. 

P: I exorcise (this medal / these medals) in the name of God, the Father Almighty, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them. May God uproot and expel from (this object / these objects) all power of the adversary, all attacks of the devil, and all deceptions of Satan, so that (it / they) may bring health of mind and body to all who use (it / them). We make this prayer in the name of the Almighty (+) Father, of Jesus (+) Christ, his Son our Lord, and of the Holy (+) Spirit, the Paraclete. We pray also with love for our Lord Jesus Christ, who will come to judge the living and the dead, and to purify the world by fire. 

R: Amen. 

All: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Our Father … 

P: And lead us not into temptation. 

R: But, deliver us from evil. 

P: Save your servants. 

R: Who trust in you, my God. 

P: Be for us, O Lord, a tower of strength. 

R: Against the power of the enemy. 

P: The Lord will give strength to his people. 

R: The Lord will bless his people with peace. 

P: Send us, O Lord, help from the sanctuary. 

R: And from Zion protect us. 

P: O Lord, hear my prayer. 

R: And let my cry come to you. 

P: The Lord be with you. 

R: And with your spirit. 

P: Let us pray. Almighty God, giver of all good things, we humbly ask you, through the intercession of St. Benedict, to pour out your blessing (+) upon (this medal / these medals) imprinted with sacred prayers and symbols, so that all who use (this medal / these medals), and devote themselves to the practice of good works, may obtain health of mind and body, forgiveness of sins, and the grace of holiness. With the help of your mercy, may they be able to resist all the attacks and wiles of the devil, and thus be truly holy and blameless in your sight. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. 

P: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, who for the redemption of the whole world, willed to be born of the Virgin, to be circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the kiss of Judas, bound with ropes, crowned with thorns, pierced with nails, crucified between robbers, wounded with a lance, and finally to die on the cross. Through your most holy Passion, we humbly implore that you drive away all attacks and wiles of the devil, from those who devoutly invoke your holy name, while using (this medal / these medals) imprinted with sacred words and symbols. Lead them safely to the haven of salvation, where you live and reign forever. 

R: Amen. 

P: May the blessing of Almighty God (+) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit descend upon (this medal / these medals) and upon those who use (it / them), and may this blessing remain forever. 

R: Amen. 

(Priest sprinkles the crucifixes/medals with holy water) 

_________________________________________________

Brown Scapular Blessing and Enrollment 

(Priest vests in surplice and white stole) 

P: Show us, Lord, thy mercy. R: And grant us thy salvation. 

P: Lord, hear my prayer. R: And let my cry come unto thee. 

P: The Lord be with you. R: And with your spirit. 

_________________________________________________

Brown Scapular Blessing 

P: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of mankind, sanctify (+) by thy power these scapulars, which for love of thee and for love of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the evil spirit, they may persevere in thy grace until death. Thou who liveth and reigneth world without end. 

R: Amen. 

(Priest sprinkles scapulars with holy water and distributes them) 

_________________________________________________

Brown Scapular Confraternity Enrollment (Enrollment is for life) 

P: Receive this blessed scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin, that by her merits, you may wear it without stain. May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. 

R: Amen. 

P: I, by the power vested in me, admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus Christ, by the Religious Order of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father (+), and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Ghost (+). 

R: Amen. 

P: May God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, bless you (+); he who has deigned to join you to the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel. We beseech her to crush the head of the ancient serpent, so that you may enter into possession of your eternal heritage. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. (Priest sprinkles those enrolled with holy water) 

_________________________________________________

Exorcism Blessing for Candles 

(Priest vests in surplice and purple stole) 

(In order to increase the power of the original blessing for candles, the author has added text from other official Church exorcism blessings for sacramentals) 

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. 

R: Who made heaven and earth. 

P: The Lord be with you. 

R: May He also be with you. 

P: O candles, I exorcise you in the name of God (+) the Father Almighty, in the name of Jesus (+) Christ his Son, our Lord, and in the name of the Holy (+) Spirit. May God uproot and cast out from these objects, all power of the devil, all attacks of the unclean spirit, and all deceptions of Satan, so that they may bring health of mind and body to all who use them. We ask this through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire. 

R: Amen 

P: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, light of everlasting life, you have given us candles to dispel the darkness. We humbly implore you now to bless (+) these candles at our lowly request, and hallow (+) them by the light of your grace. By the power of the Holy (+) Cross, endow them with a heavenly blessing. May the blessing they receive be so powerful that, wherever they are placed or lighted, the princes of darkness shall flee in fear, along with all their legions, and never more dare to disturb those who serve you, the almighty God. Let the entire building in which these candles are kept, be free from the power of the adversary, and be defended from the snares of the enemy. 

Grant we pray, that those who will use these candles may be protected from every assault of the evil spirit, and be safeguarded from all danger. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. 

(Priest sprinkles the candles with holy water) 

_________________________________________________

Exorcism Blessing for Water and Salt 

(Priest vests in surplice and purple stole) 

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. 

R: Who made heaven and earth. 

Exorcism of Salt (necessary for Exorcism of Water) 

P: O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you by the living (+) God, by the true (+) God, by the holy (+) God, by the God who ordered you to be poured into the water by Elisha the prophet, so that its life-giving powers might be restored. I exorcise you so that you may become a means of salvation for believers, that you may bring health of soul and body to all who make use of you, and that you may put to flight and drive away from the places where you are sprinkled; every apparition, villainy, turn of devilish deceit, and every unclean spirit; adjured by him who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. 

R: Amen. 

P: Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly implore you, in your immeasurable kindness and love, to bless (+) this salt which you created and gave to the use of mankind, so that it may become a source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it. May it rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness, and protect it from every assault of evil spirits. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. 

Exorcism of Water 

P: O water, creature of God, I exorcise you in the name of God the Father (+) Almighty, and in the name of Jesus (+) Christ His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy (+) Spirit. I exorcise you so that you may put to flight all the power of the enemy, and be able to root out and supplant that enemy with his apostate angels, through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. R: Amen. 

P: Let us pray. O God, for the salvation of mankind, you built your greatest mysteries on this substance, water. In your kindness, hear our prayers and pour down the power of your blessing (+) into this element, made ready for many kinds of purifications. May this, your creature, become an agent of divine 

grace in the service of your mysteries, to drive away evil spirits and dispel sickness, so that everything in the homes and other buildings of the faithful that is sprinkled with this water, may be rid of all uncleanness and freed from every harm. Let no breath of infection and no disease-bearing air remain in these places. 

May the wiles of the lurking enemy prove of no avail. Let whatever might menace the safety and peace of those who live here be put to flight by the sprinkling of this water, so that the health obtained by calling upon your holy name, may be made secure against all attack. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. 

(Priest pours exorcised salt into the water, in the form of a cross) 

P: May a mixture of salt and water now be made, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

R: Amen. 

P: The Lord be with you. 

R: And with your spirit. 

P: Let us pray. O God, Creator unconquerable, invincible King, Victor ever-glorious, you hold in check the forces bent on dominating us. You overcome the cruelty of the raging enemy, and in your power you beat down the wicked foe. Humbly and fearfully do we pray to you, O Lord, and we ask you to look with favor on this salt and water which you created. Shine on it with the light of your kindness. Sanctify it by the dew of your love, so that, through the invocation of your holy name, wherever this 

water and salt is sprinkled, it may turn aside every attack of the unclean spirit, and dispel the terrors of the poisonous serpent. And wherever we may be, make the Holy Spirit present to us, who now implore your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. 

_________________________________________________

Exorcism Blessing for Oil (Olive) 

(Use regular, 100% pure oil) (Priest vests in surplice and purple stole) 

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. 

R: Who made heaven and earth. 

P: O oil, creature of God, I exorcise you by God the Father (+) almighty, who made heaven and earth and sea, and all that they contain. Let the adversary’s power, the devil’s legions, and all of Satan’s attacks and machinations be dispelled and driven far from this creature, oil. Let it bring health in body and mind to all who use it, in the name of God (+) the Father almighty, and of our Lord Jesus (+) Christ, His Son, and of the Holy (+) Spirit, as well as in the love of the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire. 

R: Amen. 

P: O Lord hear my prayer. 

R: And let my cry come unto thee. 

P: May the Lord be with you. 

R: And with your spirit. 

P: Let us pray. Lord God almighty, before whom the hosts of angels stand in awe, and whose heavenly service we acknowledge; may it please you to regard favorably and to bless (+) and hallow (+) this creature, oil, which by your power has been pressed from the juice of olives. You have ordained it for 

anointing the sick, so that, when they are made well, they may give thanks to you, the living and true God. Grant we pray, that those who will use this oil, which we are blessing (+) in your name, may be protected from every attack of the unclean spirit, and be delivered from all suffering, all infirmity, and all wiles of the enemy. Let it be a means of averting any kind of adversity from man, redeemed by the precious blood of your Son, so that he may never again suffer the sting of the ancient serpent. Through Christ our Lord. 

R: Amen. (Priest sprinkles the oil with holy water)

Comprehensive Pronunciation Guide for Lectors (Year A)

Source: "A Lector's Guide and Commentary to the Revised Common Lectionary" (pp. 446-450) by J. Ted Blakley

When a lectionary reading contains names or words that are potentially unfamiliar or difficult to pronounce, phonetic pronunciations are provided in the Pronunciation Guide for each reading just after the Suggestions for Lectors. The following Comprehensive Pronunciation Guide contains pronunciations for all the names that occur in Year A readings and the names of all biblical books, regardless of their difficulty. 

A 
Aaron  (AIR-uhn)
Abba  (AH-buh)
Abel-meholah  (AY-buhl-mih-HOH-lah; AY-buhl-muh-HOH-lah)
Abinadab  (uh-BIN-uh-dab)
Abinoam  (uh-BIN-oh-am;
ab-ih-NOH-am)
Abraham  (AY-bruh-ham)
Abram  (AY-bruhm)
Achaia  (uh-KAY-yuh; -uh)
Adam  (AD-uhm)
Ahaz  (AY-haz)
Ai  (Ī; AY-ī)
Alas  (uh-LAS)
Alphaeus  (al-FEE-uhs)
Amorite  (AM-or-īt)
Amos  (AY-muhs)
Amoz  (AY-moz)
Andrew  (AN-droo)
Annas  (AN-uhs)
Apollos  (uh-POL-uhs; -ohs)
apostle  (uh-PAH-suhl)
Arabah  (AR-uh-buh; AIR-uh-bah)
Arab  (AIR-uhb)
Aram  (AIR-uhm)
Aramean  (air'-uh-MEE-uhn)
Archelaus  (ahr'-kuh-LAY-uhs)
Areopagus  (air'-ee-OP-uh-guhs)
Arimathea  (air'-uh-muh-THEE-uh)
Asia  (AY-zhuh)
Assyria  (uh-SIHR-ee-uh)
Athenian  (uh-THEE-nee-uhn; -nyuhn)
Augustus  (uh-GUHS-tuhs; aw-)

B
Baal  (BAY-uhl)
Babel  (BA-buhl; BAY-buhl)
Babylon  (BA-buh-lon'; -luhn)
Balaam  (BAY-luhm)
Balak  (BAY-lak)
Barabbas  (bah-RA-buhs; bahr-AB-uhs)
Barak  (buh-RAHK; BAIR-uhk)
Bartholomew  (bahr-THOL-uh-myoo)
Baruch  (bah-ROOK)
Beelzebul  (bee-EL-zih-buhl; -zuh-)
Beer-lahairoi  (beer'-luh-HĪ-roy; bihr'-)
Beer-sheba  (beer'-SHEE-buh; bihr'-)
beloved  (buh-LUV-uhd)
Benjamin  (BEN-juh-min)
Beor  (BEE-or)
Bethany  (BETH-uh-nee)
Bethel  (BETH-uhl)
Bethlehem  (BETH-luh-hem')
Bethlehemite  (BETH-lih-hem-īt;
BETH-lih-heh-mīt)
Beth-peor  (beth-PEE-or)
Bethphage  (BETH-fuh-jee; BETH-fayj)
Bethuel  (buh-THOO-uhl)
Bilhah  (BIL-hah)
bitumen  (bih-TOO-muhn; -tyoo-)
blessed  (adj., two syllables; BLES-id)
blessed  (vb., one syllable; BLEST)
brier  (BRĪ-er)
bulrush  (BOOL-ruhsh)

C 
Caesarea  (ses'-uh-REE-uh; sez'-; seez'-)
Caiaphas  (KĪ-uh-fuhs; KAY-uh-fuhs)
Canaan  (KAY-nuhn)
Canaanite  (KAY-nuh-nīt)
Cananaean  (kay-nuh-NEE-uhn)
Capernaum  (kuh-PER-nay-uhm; -nuh-)
Cappadocia  (kap'-uh-DOH-shuh)
Carmel  (KAHR-muhl; KAHR-mel)
centurion  (sen-CHUR-ee-uhn)
Cephas  (SEE-phus)
Chloe  (KLOH-ee)
Christ  (KRĪST)
Clement  (KLEM-uhnt)
Cleopas  (KLEE-oh-puhs)
Clopas  (KLOH-puhs)
cohort  (KOH-hawrt)
Colossians  (kuh-LOSH-uhnz)
Corinth  (KOR-inth; KAHR-inth;
not koh-RINTH)
Corinthians  (kuh-RIN-thee-uhnz)
Cretan  (KREET-uhn)
Crispus  (KRIS-puhs)
crocus  (KROH-kuhs)
cubit  (KYOO-buht)
cypress  (SĪ-pruhs)
Cyrene  (sī-REE-nee; not sī-REEN)
Cyrus  (SĪ-ruhs)

D 
Damascus  (duh-MAS-kuhs)
Dan  (DAN)
David  (DAY-vid)
Deborah  (DEB-uh-ruh; DEB-ruh)
denarius  (dih-NAIR-ee-uhs)
Deuteronomy  (doo'-tuh-RON-uh-mee)
Dothan  (DOH-thuhn)

E 
Ecclesiastes  (e-klee'-zee-AS-teez)
Eden  (EE-duhn; EE-duhn)
Edom  (EE-duhm)
Egypt  (EE-jipt)
Egyptian  (ih-JIP-shuhn; ee-JIP-shuhn)
Ehud  (EE-huhd)
Elam  (EE-luhm)
Elamite  (EE-luh-mīt)
Eldad  (EL-dad)
Eli, Eli,…  (AY-lee, AY-lee,…)
Eliab  (ee-LĪ-uhb)
Elijah  (ee-LĪ-juh; ih-LĪ-juh)
Elisha  (ee-LĪ-shuh; ih-LĪ-shuh)
Emmanuel  (ih-MAN-yoo-el)
Emmaus  (eh-MAY-uhs; ih-MAY-uhs)
Ephah  (EE-fah)
Ephesians  (eh-FEE-zhuhnz; ih-)
Ephraim  (EE-free-uhm)
Esau  (EE-saw)
Ethiopia  (ee'-thee-OH-pee-uh)
Euodia  (yoo-OH-dee-uh)
Euphrates  (yoo-FRAY-teez)
Exodus  (EK-suh-duhs)
Ezekiel  (ee-ZEE-kee-uhl;
ee-ZEE-kyuhl)
Ezra  (EZ-ruh)

F 
frankincense  (FRANG-kin-sens)

G 
Gabbatha  (GAB-uh-thuh)
Gaius  (GI-uhs; GAY-uhs)
Galatians  (guh-LAY-shuhnz)
Galilean  (gal'-uh-LEE-uhn)
Galilee  (GAL-uh-lee)
Genesis  (JEN-uh-sis)
Gentile  (JEN-tīl)
Gethsemane  (geth-SEM-uh-nee;  geth-SEH-muh-nee)
Gibeon  (GIB-ee-uhn)
Gilead  (GIL-ee-uhd)
Gilgal  (GIL-gal)
Girgashite  (GER-guh-shīt)
Golgotha  (GOL-guh-thuh;
gol-GOTH-uh)
Gomorrah  (guh-MOR-uh)
Goshen  (GOH-shuhn)
Greek  (GREEK)

H 
Habakkuk  (huh-BAK-uhk)
Hades  (HAY-deez)
Haggai  (HAG-ī; HAG-ee-ī)
Hagar  (HAY-gahr)
Ham  (HAM)
Hamath  (HAY-math; -muth)
Hananiah  (han'-uh-NĪ-uh)
Haran  (person, HAY-ruhn)
Haran  (city, huh-RAHN)
Harosheth-ha-goiim  (hah-ROH-shuhth hah-GOI-eem)
Hazael  (HA-zuh-el')
Hazor  (HAY-zohr)
Hebrew  (HEE-broo)
Hebrews  (HEE-brooz)
Hebron  (HEE-bruhn; HEE-bron)
Herod  (HAIR-uhd)
Herodian  (hih-ROH-dee-uhn)
Hittite  (HIH-tīt)
Hivite  (HIV-vīt)
Ho  (HOH)
Horeb  (HOR-uhb; HOH-reb)
Hosanna  (hoh-ZAN-nuh; -ZAHN-)
Hosea  (hoh-ZAY-uh)
Hur  (HER)

I 
Immanuel  (ih-MAN-yoo-el)
irrevocable  (ih-REV-uh-kuh-buhl)
Isaac  (Ī-zik)
Isaiah  (ī-ZAY-uh)
Iscariot  (is-KAIR-ee-uht)
Ishmaelite  (ISH-may-el-īt)
Israel  (IZ-ree-uhl; IZ-ray-uhl)
Israelite  (IZ-ree-līt)

J 
Jabbok  (JAB-uhk)
Jabin  (JAY-bin)
Jacob  (JAY-kuhb)
James  (JAYMZ)
Japheth  (JAY-fuhth)
Jebusite  (JEB-yoo-sīt; JEB-yuh-sīt)
Jehu  (JEE-hoo)
Jeremiah  (jair'-uh-MĪ-uh)
Jericho  (JAIR-ih-koh; JAIR-uh-koh)
Jerusalem  (juh-ROO-suh-luhm)
Jesse  (JES-ee)
Jesus  (JEE-zuhs)
Jethro  (JETH-roh)
Jew  (JOO)
Job  (JOHB; not JAWB)
Joel  (JOH-uhl; JOHL)
John  (JAHN; JON)
Jonah  (JOH-nuh)
Jordan  (JOR-duhn)
Joseph  (JOH-sif; JOH-suhf)
Joshua  (JOSH-yoo-uh)
Judah  (JOO-duh)
Judas  (JOO-duhs)
Jude  (JOOD)
Judea  (joo-DEE-uh; joo-DAY-uh)

K 
Kedesh  (KEE-desh)
Kidron  (KID-rahn; KID-ruhn)
Kishon  (KĪ-shon; KISH-on)

L 
Lamentations  (lam'-uhn-TAY-shuhns)
Laban  (LAY-buhn)
Lappidoth  (LAP-ih-doth)
Lazarus  (LAZ-uh-ruhs)
Leah  (LEE-uh)
Lebanon  (LEB-uh-nuhn; -non')
lema  (LAY-muh)
lentil  (LEN-til; LEN-tuhl)
Levi  (LEE-vī)
Levite  (LEE-vīt)
Leviticus  (luh-VIT-ih-kuhs)
Libya  (LIB-ee-uh; LIB-yuh)
lintel  (LIN-tuhl)
Lo  (LOH)
Lot  (LOT)
Luke  (LOOK)

M 
Macedonia  (mas'-uh-DOHN-ee-uh)
Magdalene  (MAG-duh-leen; -lee-nuh)
Malachi  (MAL-uh-kī)
Malchus  (MAL-kuhs)
Mamre  (MAM-ree; MAM-ruh)
Manasseh  (muh-NA-suh)
Mark  (MAHRK)
Martha  (MAHR-thuh)
Mary  (MAIR-ee)
Massah  (MAS-uh)
Matthew  (MATH-yoo)
Medad  (MEE-dad)
Medes  (MEEDZ)
Meribah  (MER-ih-buh)
Mesopotamia   (mes'-oh-puh-TAY-mee-uh)
Messiah  (muh-SĪ-uh)
Micah  (MĪ-kuh)
Midian  (MID-ee-uhn)
Midianite  (MID-ee-uh-nīt')
Milcah  (MIL-kuh)
Miriam  (MIR-ee-uhm)
Moab  (MOH-ab)
Moreh  (MOH-ray; MOR-eh)
Moriah  (moh-RĪ-uh)
Moses  (MOH-zuhs)
myrrh  (MER)
myrtle  (MER-tuhl)

N 
Nahor  (NAY-hor)
Nahum  (NAY-uhm)
Naphtali  (NAF-tuh-lī)
Nazareth  (NAZ-uh-reth; not -rus)
Nazorean  (NAZ-or-ee-uhn)
Nebo  (NEE-boh)
Negeb  (NEG-eb; NEH-geb')
Nehemiah  (nee'-uh-MĪ-uh)
Nicodemus  (nik'-uh-DEE-muhs)
Nile  (NĪL)
Nimshi  (NIM-shī)
Nineveh  (NIN-uh-vuh)
Ninevite  (NIN-uh-vīt')
Noah  (NOH-uh)
Nun  (NUN)

O 
Obadiah  (oh'-buh-DĪ-uh)
Olives  (OL-ihvz)
Olivet  (OL-ih-vet)

P 
Paddan-aram  (PAD-uhn-AIR-uhm; PAD-uhn-AY-ram)
Pamphylia  (pam-FIL-ee-uh)
papyrus  (puh-PĪ-ruhs)
Paran  (pah-RAN; PAY-ran)
Parthian  (PAHR-thee-uhn)
paschal  (PAS-kuhl)
Pathros  (PATH-ros)
Paul  (PAWL)
Peniel  (puh-NĪ-uhl)
Pentecost  (PEN-tuh-kost)
Penuel  (pen-YOO-uhl)
Perizzite  (PAIR-uh-zīt; PER-)
Peter  (PEE-ter)
Pharaoh  (FAY-roh; FAIR-oh)
Pharisee  (FAIR-uh-see)
Philemon  (fī-LEE-muhn)
Philip  (FIL-ip)
Philippi  (FIL-uh-pī; fih-LIP-ī)
Philippians  (fih-LIH-pee-uhns)
Phrygia  (FRIHJ-ee-uh)
phylactery  (fih'-LAK-tuh-ree; fuh-)
Pilate  (PĪ-luht)
Pisgah  (PIZ-gah)
Pithom  (PĪ-thom)
Pontius  (PON-chuhs; -shuhs; -tee-uhs)
Pontus  (PON-tuhs)
prophecy  (n., PRAH-fuh-see)
prophesy  (vb., PRAH-fuh-sī)
proselyte  (PRAH-suh-līt)
Puah  (PYOO-uh; POO-uh)
Proverbs  (PRAH-verbz)
Psalm  (SAHLM)

Q 
Quirinius  (kwih-RIN-ee-uhs; kwuh-)

R 
rabbi  (RAB-bī)
Rabbouni  (rab-BOH-nī; -nee)
Rachel  (RAY-chuhl)
Ramah  (RAY-muh)
Rameses  (RAM-uh-seez')
Rebekah  (rih-BEK-uh)
Rephidim  (REF-uh-dim)
Reuben  (ROO-bin)
Revelation  (rev'-uh-LAY-shuhn;  not Revelations)
Romans  (ROH-muhnz)
Rome  (ROHM)
Ruth  (ROOTH)

S 
sabachthani  (sah-bahk-TAH-nee;
suh-BAK-thuh-nī)
sabbath  (SAB-uhth)
Sadducee  (SAJ-uh-see; SAD-yoo-see)
Samaria  (suh-MAIR-ee-uh)
Samaritan  (suh-MAIR-uh-tuhn)
Samuel  (SAM-yoo-uhl; SAM-yuhl)
Sarah  (SAIR-uh)
Sarai  (SAIR-ī)
Satan  (SAY-tuhn)
Saul  (SAWL; rhymes with Paul)
sentinel  (SEN-tuhn-uhl)
Shammah  (SHAM-uh)
Shaphat  (SHAY-fat)
Sharon  (SHAIR-uhn)
Sheba  (SHE-buh)
Shechem  (SHEH-kem; SHEE-kuhm)
Shem  (SHEM)
Sheol  (SHEE-ohl)
Shinar  (SHĪ-nahr)
Shiphrah  (SHIF-rah; ruh)
Shittim  (SHIT-ihm)
Sidon  (SĪ-duhn)
Siloam  (sih-LOH-uhm; suh-LOH-uhm)
Silvanus  (sil-VAY-nuhs)
Simon  (SĪ-muhn)
Sin  (SIN)
Sinai  (SĪ-nī; SĪ-nee-ī)
Sirach  (SĪ-rak)
Sisera  (SIS-uh-ruh)
Sodom  (SOD-uhm)
Solomon  (SAH-luh-muhn; SOL-uh-)
Sosthenes  (SOS-thuh-neez)
Stephanas  (STEF-uh-nuhs)
Stephen  (STEE-vuhn)
Sychar  (SĪ-kahr)
Syene  (sī-EE-nee)
Syntyche  (SIN-tih-kee)
Syria  (SIHR-ee-uh)

T 
Tabor  (TAY-buhr; TAY-bor')
Tarshish  (TAHR-shish)
Terah  (TER-uh; TEE-ruh)
Thaddaeus  (THAD-ee-uhs;
tha-DEE-uhs)
Theophilus  (thee-OFF-ih-luhs)
Thessalonians  (thes'-uh-LOH-nee-uhnz)
Thomas  (TOM-uhs)
Timothy  (TIM-uh-thee; -oh-)
Titus  (TĪ-tuhs)
Tyre  (TĪR)

W 
Wadi  (WAH-dee)

Z
Zarethan  (ZAIR-uh-than)
Zealot  (ZEL-uht)
Zebedee  (ZEB-uh-dee)
Zebulun  (ZEB-yuh-luhn; -yoo-)
Zechariah  (zek'-uh-RĪ-uh)
Zephaniah  (zef '-uh-NĪ-uh)
Zilpah  (ZIL-puh)
Zion  (ZĪ-uhn)
Zoar  (ZOH-ahr)

Espiritu ng Diyos Ama, Espiritu ni Hesus Nazareno, Ibangon Mo ang Sambayanang Pilipino

Homily delivered by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle during the Mass to celebrate the feast of Jesus the Nazarene on January 9, 2012 at 6 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand.

Maligayang piyesta po sa inyong lahat. Marami po sa atin ang pumarito at mananatili upang dalhin sa Panginoon ang ating mga panalangin, mga kahilingan, ang ating mga sugat, mga problema, mga hinaing. Sa atin pong pagtitipon, alalahanin natin ang ating mga kapatid natin sa Northern Mindanao at sa ilang bahagi ng kabisayaan na hanggang ngayon po ay nagsisikap bumangon pagkatapos ng Sendong. Alalahanin din natin ang mga kapatid natin sa Compostela Valley na naapektuhan ng landslide, pwede po bang tumahimik tayo sandali mag-alay ng panalangin sa Poong Hesus Nazareno para sa mga kapatid nating nagdurusa.

Sa banal na misang ito, tayo po ay sumasamba sa Diyos at nagpupuri sa Kanya, ang atin pong pagtitipon ay laging espesyal basta nagkakatipon sa pangalan ng Diyos, iyan ay espesyal na pagtitipon at tayo ay nagpapasalamat sa ating minamahal na Presidente Aquino, sa kanya pong pag-aaruga, sa kanyang pagsisikap na ang ating pagdiriwang ay maging matiwasay at mapayapa, salamat din po kay Congresswoman Naida Angpin, salamat po kay Mayor Lim, salamat po kay MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, salamat kay Cornel Alex Gutierrez, salamat po kay Gen. Bartolome, salamat po kay Mrs. Villegas ng atin pong National Arch Development Authority.

At salamat po sa lahat ng nagsikap, ang atin pong mga kaparian, mga deboto na alam ko po isasabuhay natin ang tema ng kapistahan ngayon, espiritu ng Diyos Ama, espiritu ni Hesus Nazareno, ibangon mo ang sambayanang Pilipino. Iyan po ang ating tema, pero huwag lamang sana itong manatiling slogan, ang temang espiritwal ay salitang nagbibigay buhay at ito po sana ang maging pabaon satin, espiritu Santo, mula sa Diyos Ama at kay Hesus Nazareno, siya ang magbabangon sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Sa atin pong mga pagbasa, lalo na sa ikalawang pagbasa mula sa gawa ng mga Apostol, sinabi po ng Apostol Pedro na si Hesus na taga Nazareth, kaya nga Nazareno, siya ay puspos ng Espiritu Santo, siya ay puspos ng lakas pero hindi basta kung anong uri ng lakas kundi lakas mula sa espiritu ng Diyos. Ibang uri ng lakas iyan, kaya naman sa pamamagitan niya maraming nahilom, maraming napagaling at natupad ang sinasabi sa unang pagbasa mula sa Propeta Isaias na ang lingkod ng Panginoon hindi pinangalanan subalit alam natin kung sino siya, si Hesus Nazareno pupunuin ng Espiritu Santo, magdadala ng katarungan, pag-asa, paghihilom sa bayan. Iyan si Hesus Nazareno, puspos ng Espiritu Santo.

Ayon sa ebanghelyo ni San Lucas siya ay naging tao sa sinapupunan ng Mahal na Ina sa bisa ng Espiritu Santo. Sabi po sa mga ebanghelyo, lalo na sa narinig natin ngayon noong Siya ay bininyagan sa ilog Hordan ni Juan Bautista bumukas ang langit at bumaba ang Espiritu Santo sa hugis kalapati at ang misyon ni Hesus Nazareno na nagsimula sa (Capernaum) ay katuparan ng aklat ng Propeta Isaias, “Ang espiritu ng Panginoon ay sumasaakin kaya dadalhin ko ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha kalayaan, sa mga pinipiit, paningin sa mga bulag, paglakad sa mga pilay. Dala ng espiritu Santo, ipahahayag ko ang taon ng biyaya at pagpapala ng Panginoon.” Hesus Nazareno, puspos ng Espiritu Santo.

Pero meron pang pangalawa, nung bininyagan si Hesus Nazareno at napagtibay na siya nga ang puspos na Espiritu Santo, sabi ni Juan Bautista na siya ay nagbibinyag sa tubig subalit si Hesus Nazareno “bibinyagan kayo sa tubig, sa apoy at sa Espiritu Santo.” Ibubuhos sa atin ni Hesus Nazareno hindi basta tubig kundi Espiritu Santo, yung iba, pag binibinyagan inilulublob sa tubig, si Hesus ilulublob tayo sa Espiritu Santo sa buhay ng Diyos. Kaya mga kapatid si Hesus Nazareno hindi lamang puspos ng Espiritu Santo, tagabigay din siya ng Espiritu Santo. Hesus Nazareno, puspos ng Espiritu Santo, Hesus Nazareno taga bigay ng Espiritu Santo, ang lakas na galing sa Diyos, tinanggap niya at ibibigay niya.

Si Hesus Nazareno pasan ang krus subalit parang nakapagtataka, pasan ang krus pero maganda ang kanyang tindig, tuwid ang likod. Sabi ng tradisyon, ang imahen ng Hesus Nazareno ay si Hesus na tumatayo, bumabangon pagkatapos niyang malugmok sa bigat ng krus. Si Hesus Nazareno hindi lamang tagapasan ng krus na sa sobrang bigat ay nakadarapa, si Hesus Nazareno ay larawan ng nadapa ngunit bumabangon. Hesus Nazareno saan nanggaling ang lakas mo, bakit ka nakakabangon? Marami ang mga nadarapa, nalulugmok hindi makabangon walang lakas, Hesus Nazareno ano ang sikreto ng lakas mo?

Ang lakas ni Hesus Nazareno ay ang Espiritu Santo, ang buhay at ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos. Matanong po natin, “Ano ba ang nakakapagpadapa kay Hesus at ano ba ang nakapagpapadapa sa atin bilang iisang Pilipino at iisang bansa, at ano rin ang makakabangon sa atin? Alam natin si Hesus nadapa sa bigat ng krus, ano ang nakapagpabigat sa krus at ano ang nakapagpadapa sa kanya? Ang kasalanan, ang espiritung masama, ang espiritu ng mundo na tinatawag ni San Pablo na espiritu ng laman. Kung nasaan ang kasalanan, piho babagsak, piho madarapa garantisado iyan. Para madapa at magkalublob-lublob pwersa ng kasalanan iyan ang nagpapadapa. Ano ang nagpapabangon? Ang Espiritu Santo, Espiritu ng Diyos. Simple lang iyan, nagpapadapa espiritu ng kasalanan, nagpapabangon Espiritu Santo.

Ngayon po sa ating kapistahan, hindi lamang natin hinihiling kundi inaangkin ang Espiritu Santong binigay na sa atin ng Ama at ni Hesus Nazareno. Itakwil na natin ang espiritu ng kasamaan na walang idudulot kundi pagkadapa at pagkalugmok. Oras nang bumangon. Pero paano babangon? Sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.

Ito po, babasahin ko po ang isang bahagi ng sulat ni San Pablo sa mga taga-Galacia. Ito raw ang mga gawa at bunga ng espiritu ng kamunduhan at kasalanan na siguradong magpapadapa. Sabi po ni San Pablo, hindi maikakaila ang mga gawa ng laman o espiritu ng kasalanan.

Ano ang una? Pangangalunya. Hoy yung mga deboto na nandito kapag ikaw ay nangangalonya magagalit sa iyo si Hesus Nazareno> Huwag kang pupunta dito para humingi ng tawad at pagkatapos malinisan bukas balik nanaman sa kulasisi. Hindi ka makakabangon lagi kang nakalugmok. Taas ang kamay ng nangangalunya. Huwag na, huwag na, baka magkahiyaan pa tayo. Kaya hindi nakababangon ang sambayanang Pilipino, buhay na buhay ang espiritu ng pangangalunya. Gusto natin bumangon itigil natin ang espiritu ng pangangalunya. Sa Espiritu Santo kumuha ng lakas. Bakit ba ang espiritu ng pangangalunya napakalakas. Sunod agad tayo. Pero ang Espiritu Santo ayaw nating pakinggan. Wala lugmok lagi dyan.

Ano pa? Sabi ni San Pablo (ito ay) karimarimarin na pamumuhay, pagsamba sa diyos diyosan--ayan ang daming diyos diyosan ngayon-- pera, kapangyarihan, pangalan. Yung iba ang diyos nila ay ang kanilang kutis. Wala ng ginawa kundi magkuskos ng magkuskos ng mukha, wala naman nangyayari. Akala nila pag makinis ang kanilang mukha, mukha silang diyos. Hindi! Minsan nga nakaksabay ko sa jeep mga babae. Sabi ko, bakit amoy tinola? Eh kasi, ang ginagamit na sabon, papaya. Ang papaya pangtinola. Tao ka hindi ka manok, bakit ka nagpapakamanok? At sa kagagamit mo ng papaya, gumaganda ka ba?

Ano pa kaya? Tayo bumabagsak eh, kasi lagi tayo nakatingin sa sarili, nakatingin sa salamin. Ayaw tumingin sa Diyos, ayaw tumingin sa hinagpis ng bayan. Sariling kutis, sariling mukha, diyos diyosan, lalaglag tayo niyan. Pangkukulam, ayaw ko ng ipaliwanag ito, pero mukhang buhay na buhay na naman ang mga mangkukulam, ginagayuma pati ang mga pari, please huwag na, hayaan niyo na sila, huwag niyo na hong kulamin.

Ito pa ang nakapagbabagsak sa atin, pagkapoot, pagkagalit, yung galit na ginagawang Diyos, yung galit na nag-uutos sa atin, kaya ang paggawa ng kabutihan ay hindi na napapakinggan kundi ang paghihiganti na lamang. Kasakiman, sabi pa ni San Pablo. Pagkakabahabahagi pagkakakampi kampi. O baka mamaya po, baka dahil sa ating kagustuhan na mapalapit kay Poon Nazareno, pagkakabahabahagi wala akong pakialam saiyo, matapakan ka man, dumugo man ang nguso mo wala akong pakialam. Hindi yan ang Espiritu Santo. Pagkainggit.

Ito makinig ang lahat may sinabi pa si San Pablo, na gawa ng espiritu ng mundo nakapagpapadapa. Nakikinig na po ba ang lahat? Ito ay ang paglalasing. Ilang pamilya ang nadapa, nalugmok, hindi makabangon dahil sa mga alcoholic sa kanilang pamilya. O baka naman gagawin pa nating okasyon ang piyesta ni Poon Nazareno para maglasing, Huwag naman! Pero ang paglalasing dito ay di lamang sa alak. May mga lasing na lasing sa kanilang cellphone. May mga lasing sa droga. May mga lasing na lasing sa sex. At dahil sa impluwensya ng droga wala ng galang, hindi na nila tinitignan kung batang musmos o matanda ang kanilang nilalapastangan. Anong uri ba namang espirito yan? Kung ganitong espiritong nasa atin, laging nakalugmok si Hesus.

Ibig ko hong dagdagan yung mga sinasabi rito ni San Pablo, yung atin pong espiritu na nagsisira sa kalikasan. Kung papaano sinisira ang kapwa tao, sinisira po ang kalikasan. Mga kapatid, sa piyesta pong ito ng Poon Nazareno may pakiusap at hamon po ako. Sana po ang Luneta Grand Stand at lahat ng dadaanan ng prusisyon walang makita isang basura. Patunayan natin na hindi na natin hihilain si Poong Nazareno at ang kalikasan pababa dahil sa ating kawalang malasakit. Kakain kayo ng candy, pagkasubo ng candy, huwag ka namang napakayabang na parang ang buong Luneta ay iyong basurahan, na ang papel tapon mo lang, ang yabang mo kapatid. Gusto mong kumain ng candy? Kainin mo pati balat! Ngayon kung ayaw mong kainin ang balat maghintay kang matapos ang misa bago ka kumain ng candy, at ang balat ilagay mo sa iyong bulsa. Hindi mo basurahan ang buong siyudad ng Manila. Magpakumbaba, huwag tayong mayabang.

O mamaya po sana pagkatapos ng misa hayaan natin ang mga pari na tahimik na dalhin ang Poong Nazareno sa kanyang andas. Sabi ni San Pablo, pagkakampi kampi, pagkakabahabahagi, pag-iinggitan, unahan, hindi gawa ng Espirito ng Diyos kundi ng espirito ng laman. Alam niyo pa naman ang mga pari ho natin walang mga asawa yan, hindi yan sanay na nilalapitan at hinahawak-hawakan, kaya hayaan niyo na lang sila, tama ba yung sabi ko? Hayaan lang natin silang tahimik na dalhin ang Poong Nazareno sa kanyang andas ng marangal tayo at talagang sumasamba.

O ngayon po, paano tayo babangon at dito ako magtatapos? Lahat ng sinabi natin pabagsak yan ang nagpabigat sa krus ni Hesus, yan ang naglugmok sa kanya, ano ang nagpatayo kay Hesus? Ang Espirito Santo, at ito naman ay binibigay niya sa atin, sabi po ni San Pablo sa ikalimang kabanata ng mga taga galasya ito ang bunga ng Espiritu Santo: pag-ibig, kagalakan, kapayapaan, katiyagaan, pagpipigil sa sarili, kabaitan, kabutihan, katapatan, kahinahunan. Ang Espirito ay nagbibigay ng buhay sa atin, kaya ito rin ang dapat maghari sa ating buhay. Sambayanang Pilipino bumangon ka sa Espirito Santo, walang ibang lakas at kapangyarihan na makapagtatayo sa iyo para maging sambayan ang katarungan, katotohanan, pag-ibig at kapayapaan kung hindi ang Espirito Santo, Poong Nazareno ibuhos mo sa amin ang Espirito Santo na galing sa Diyos Ama ng kami ay makabangon bilang isang sambayanan.

Tumahimik po tayo sandali at tanggapin sa ating buhay ang Espirito Santo na kaloob ni Hesus Nazareno.

Masturbation

St. Thomas is girded by Angels with a mystical
belt of purity after his proof of chastity

Let me begin with two saintly anecdotes on purity as a fitting intro to our topic: The stories of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Benedict of Nursia.

The father of St. Thomas Aquinas strongly disagreed with his decision to become a mendicant of the Order of Preachers. So, he made an arrangement for a prostitute to visit Thomas while he was detained inside an old tower. It was freezing and a fire was burning in the fireplace when the woman approached him and tempted him to sin against purity. It must had been difficult for Thomas to resist but his purity persisted. He took a brand of burning wood from the fire and threatened to burn the woman should she come any closer. She fled in panic.

St. Benedict faced a great temptation in the form of the memory of beautiful and voluptuous women that he had encountered before. So great was the lust kindled by this recollection that he almost abandoned his vocation. To deal with the temptation, he tortured his body by wallowing naked in thorny bushes, badly tearing his skin but healing his soul. He later told his disciples that after this, he was never again sexually tempted.

The Temptation of St. Benedict, c. 1587
by Alessandro Allorini

Purity is still an issue today just like before. An online article entitled “Masturbation good for your health?” published at abs-cbnnews.com [02/22/2010 (1:41 PM)] provides a clinical study on the physiological benefits of masturbation. According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois, masturbation (which they defined as "touching one's own sex organs for pleasure") reduces stress, induces sleep, and can help people to become familiar and comfortable with their body. The Center claims that masturbation:

• alleviates premenstrual tension for many women 
• provides a healthy sexual outlet for people who choose to abstain from sex with partners or who do not currently have available sexual partners 
• can be a route to safer sex, to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV 
• allows for sexual pleasuring for those who are not ready to engage in vaginal, anal, or oral sex 
• increases blood flow to the genital region, which can help overall sexual functioning 
• helps women learn how to achieve orgasm 
• helps men to increase ejaculatory control and manage rapid or delayed ejaculation.

Furthermore, the Center debunked myths that masturbation leads to insanity or hair growing on the palms. It added that it does not drain excessive energy from the body. "There are no harmful side effects of masturbation," it said, adding that regardless of cultural attitudes and values, masturbation has been found in all societies. Here are some myths that the Center said are unfounded in medical and social science:

• Only people who cannot find sexual partners, or who are socially inadequate, masturbate 
• Masturbation leads to physical problems such as mental illness and growing hair on your palms 
• Masturbation "ruins" a person for partner sex 
• Men will run out of semen or sperm if they masturbate excessively 
• Others, including medical doctors and sexual partners, will be able to tell if you masturbate.

On the other hand, the Catechism of the Catholic Church defined masturbation as “...the deliberate stimulation (not just merely touching) of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure.” (CCC, 2352) The Church remains consistent with her teaching. The document Persona Humana (1975) of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith is a declaration on certain questions concerning sexual ethics. This is what it says about masturbation:

"Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action." (CDF, Persona humana, 9) "The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved."(ibid.)

By its very nature, masturbation is in direct opposition to the purpose of sexual activity between husband and wife, which is to procreate, not to get sexual pleasure alone. Sexual pleasure must be expressive of mutual self-giving between two persons of the opposite sex founded by the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony with the purpose of human reproduction in the context of true love as ordained by God, not self-satisfaction.

In other words, Masturbation is a sin that must be confessed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It may be good for the body (as claimed by the McKinley Health Center) but definitely not for the soul.


St. Benedict, pray for us!
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!