SMC ENGLISH MASS - Palm Sunday Year A (2 Apr 2023)

SMC English Mass -

Palm Sunday Year A

(2 Apr 2023)

At The Procession With Palms – Gospel – Matthew 21:1-11

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

Say to daughter Zion,

“Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David;

blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”

And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

Hosanna #120 p. 39

1. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
Lord we lift up Your name with hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God, Hosanna in the highest

2. Glory, Glory, Glory to the King of kings
Glory, Glory, Glory to the King of kings
Lord we lift up Your name with hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God, Glory to the King of kings 

You are the Mighty King #350 p. 116

1. You are the mighty King, the Living Word
Master of everything, You are the Lord
[And I praise Your name] - (x2)

2. You are Almighty God, Saviour and Lord
Wonderful Counselor, You are the Lord
[And I praise Your name] - (x4)

3. [You are the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel
Everlasting Father, You are the Lord] - (x2) 

Collect

Let us pray

Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to follow caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross, graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

All : Amen

1st Reading Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.”

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the LORD, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

2nd Reading – Philippians 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name

which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All: Thanks be to God.

Verse Before The Gospel – Philippians 2:8-9

Christ Lord of Glory, Christ Prince of Nations, Christ our King of Kings

Christ became obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Gospel – Matthew 27:11-66

(J-Jesus, N-Narrator, O-Other single narrator, C-Crowd) 

N: Now Jesus stood before the governor, Pontius Plate, and he questioned Jesus, 

O: “Are you the king of the Jews?” 

N: Jesus said,

J: “You say so.”

N: And when Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer.

Then Pilate said to Jesus, 

O: “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?”

N: But Jesus did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, 

O: “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?”

N: For Pilate knew that it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over. While Pilate was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message,

O: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.”

N: The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, 

O: “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” 

N: They answered, 

C: “Barabbas!”

N: Pilate said to them, 

O: “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?” 

N: They all said, 

C: “Let him be crucified!”

N: But Pilate said, 

O: “Why? What evil has he done?” 

N: They only shouted the louder, 

C: “Let him be crucified!”

N: When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, 

O: “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.”

N: And the whole people said in reply, 

O: “His blood be upon us and upon our children.”

N: Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, 

C: “Hail, King of the Jews!”

N: They spat upon Jesus and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry Jesus' cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull),

they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.

After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.

Two revolutionaries were crucified with Jesus, one on his right and the other on his left.

Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, 

C: “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!”

N: Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,

C: “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'”

N: The revolutionaries who were crucified with Jesus also kept abusing Jesus in the same way.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 

J: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” 

N: which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, 

C: “This one is calling for Elijah.”

N: Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to Jesus to drink. But the rest said, 

C: “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.”

N: But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

N: And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, 

C: “Truly, this was the Son of God!” - The Gospel of the Lord

All: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful

…… (NO singing response) 

OFFERTORY HYMN

Let Us Break Bread Together #170 p.55

1. Let us break bread together on our knees. (x2)

* When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun
O Lord, have mercy on me

2. Let us drink wine together on our knees - (x2)

3. Let us praise God together on our knees - (x2) 

P✠: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

All: 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. 

P✠: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

P✠: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right and just.

P✠: It is truly right and just,.... , as with one voice we acclaim:

Sanctus

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

P✠: You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the…. 

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.

P✠: 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 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.

P✠: The mystery of faith.

All: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

P✠: Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,..... 

P✠: 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.

All: Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

P✠: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

All: 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.

P✠: 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.

P✠: Lord Jesus Christ, who 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 graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

P✠: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Agnus Dei

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

P✠: Lord Jesus Christ,.... 

P✠: 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.

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

COMMUNION HYMN

God of Mercy and Compassion #096 p. 31

1. God of mercy and compassion, look with pity upon me
Father let me call Thee Father
'Tis Thy child returns to Thee

* Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy, let me not implore in vain
All my sins I now detest them, never will I sin again

2. See our Saviour bleeding, dying, on that cross of Calvary
To that cross my sins have nailed Him
Yet He bleeds and dies for me

Were You There #336 p. 112

1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord
[Were you there when they crucified my Lord]
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord

2. Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree ...

3. Were you there when they pierced Him in the side .....

4. Were you there when the sun refused to shine ....

5. Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb ......

6. Were you there when He rose out from the tomb ......

Prayer After Communion

P✠: Let us pray.  ….. 

….. 

All: Amen.

P✠: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: May almighty God bless you, ✠ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen

P✠: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

All: Thanks be to God.

RECESSIONAL HYMN

Be Not Afraid #026 p. 9

1. You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst
You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way
You shall speak your words to foreign men (in foreign land) and they will understand
You shall see the face of God and live 

* Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come follow Me
And I will give you rest 

2. If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side
Know that I am with you through it all 

3. Blessed are you poor, for the Kingdom shall be theirs
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of Me
Blessed, blessed are you! 

# Kingdom shall be theirs
Blessed are the ones who mourn
If they hate you all because of Me
Blessed, blessed are you!